Author: Aditya Kumar

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Wartburg Adult Care Community, which held a three-day memorial service in honor of those lost to COVID-19.

Located in Westchester County, NY, Wartburg offers senior living and comprehensive healthcare services. Wartburg also offers caregiver support at every stage with an array of options to best serve the whole family.

Wartburg recognizes the immense loss the community experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nature of the virus meant typical end of life traditions such as hugs and shared meals were not possible. Concerned that lack of closure could delay healing and prolonged self-isolation could trigger depression, Wartburg held the three-day Wartburg 2020 Memorial Weekend. During the weekend of memorial services, Wartburg recognized the front line staff who served at the height of the pandemic in New York with a plaque and a statement from Wartburg’s Board of Directors, saying that this time will be remembered for the great compassion shown all over the world. They also planted an anchor tree in honor of an employee who served at Wartburg for 40 years. The Wartburg team provided spiritual care to families who lost loved ones with prayer, organ music, and an opportunity to meditate in the chapel.

Several hundred people visited Wartburg’s campus for the memorial services, and enjoyed beautiful weather throughout the weekend. To keep participants safe, masks and social distancing were required, and Wartburg implemented screening and contact tracing.

Thank you, Wartburg, for offering healing to your community that has experienced loss and grief.

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Luthercare, whose campus participated in the Lancaster Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday.

Luthercare is strongly rooted in the Lutheran commitment to serve, and provides high-quality senior living communities, and early learning programs for children in Lancaster and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania. From independent living to skilled nursing to home care, Luthercare offers comprehensive options for seniors, as well as offering a safe, nurturing environment that prepares children to be successful students. Luthercare proudly celebrates it Lutheran heritage, while welcoming interfaith engagement to make a positive impact on the community.

Though many events across the United States have been forced to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Luthercare is ensuring its community participates in events that can be done safely. Luthercare served as a Select Sponsor for the Lancaster Walk to End Alzheimer’s that occurred this past Saturday, and encouraged its residents to participate. To prevent community spread of the COVID-19 virus, the walk was not held at a central location, but walkers wore their purple t-shirts associated with the event, and chose unique routes across Lancaster county. The sidewalks, tracks, and trails throughout Lancaster were purple as the walkers worked to raise funds and awareness for the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Walkers took different routes throughout the county, but were united with the same goal: a world without dementia.

Thank you to Luthercare for helping seniors stay active through the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting important causes in your community!

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Oakwood Village, whose residents are enjoying nature walks and getting some fresh air throughout the pandemic.

Oakwood Village is a retirement community in Madison, Wisconsin with two campuses: Prairie Ridge and University Woods. Both campuses include a full continuum of care for seniors, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and rehab. The staff at Oakwood care deeply about the seniors they serve, develop strong friendships, and work to ensure the residents’ holistic needs are met.

Oakwood created a new nature walk group so residents could enjoy the outdoors throughout the spring and summer months. Many of Oakwood’s residents have developed a lifelong passion for being outdoors and enjoying nature, and the staff at Oakwood recognize the physical and emotional benefits outdoor activity can have. The group has been venturing off campus and into nature, taking advantage of the great walking and biking trails, beautiful natural settings, and lakes surrounding Oakwood’s campus. With the COVID-19 pandemic requiring restrictions on activities, seniors have been itching to get outside and engage in safe activities like nature walks. Oakwood’s nature walks have become a well-loved pastime among the seniors! Even as weather turns cold, the resident-coordinated walking group on campus will continue meeting three mornings every week to enjoy the newly installed Bluebird Trail on the Prairie Ridge campus.

Thank you to Oakwood for keeping seniors active and providing opportunities for them to enjoy nature throughout the COVID-19 pandemic!

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which is fostering a “culture of caring” on its campuses.

With locations in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot, North Dakota, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christ-centered residential treatment and educational center for children. The Ranch provides psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, and walks alongside children in their healing and development. Children receive high quality education while at the Ranch at the on-campus Dakota Memorial School, which specializes in creating a successful learning environment for children with special psychiatric and behavioral needs.

The Ranch recognizes that the pandemic has been difficult for everyone, so the staff is working extra hard to spread joy. A favorite tradition at the Ranch is Songwriting Saturday, during which the children write songs that are performed by a local musician. The residents get to dance and enjoy hearing their very own songs. Hear an original song here.

The staff is also intentional about fostering a “culture of caring,” and pointing out when those moments of caring occur. Residential Supervisor Stacey Swigart shared her experience, noting that examples of caring occur every day at the Ranch, such as when residents teach each other games and draw pictures for the staff, and when the staff show love to the residents by checking in and caring deeply about their wellbeing. Small actions make a big difference!

Thank you to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch for going the extra mile to care for children and spread joy through the pandemic.

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Knute Nelson, whose therapy dog Molly is bringing joy to seniors.

Knute Nelson serves seniors in West Central Minnesota, and is known in the region for its quality care provided with compassion. Its mission is to enrich the lives of those served, and offers many lifestyle options and services for seniors, including independent and assisted living, home care, outpatient services, and technology to help seniors remain safely in their homes. There is always something happening at the Knute Nelson locations to help residents and patients find meaning in every day, such as lunch bunches, chair yoga, and baking days, to name a few.

A favorite member of the Knute Nelson family is therapy dog Molly. Molly regularly makes the rounds and visits with the residents, who are excited to see her. When Molly comes to visit, the Knute Nelson staff plans all sorts of dog themed activities, and encourages the residents to think about their favorite four legged friends and the bond that humans share with their dogs. What a wonderful and safe way to bring a smile to seniors’ faces during the pandemic!

Not only is Knute Nelson committed to its residents, but it is also committed to serving the community, at large. Last week, Knute Nelson hosted a Drive-Thru Picnic, and served more than 100 meals to the local community. Knute Nelson’s generosity is certainly appreciated.

Thank you to Knute Nelson for your dedication to seniors and your community through the pandemic!

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Mount Olivet Careview Home, which brought the Minnesota State Fair to its campus.

Mount Olivet provides a continuum of care for children and seniors through its day services and residential facilities. The facilities are located in Minneapolis, MN, and Mount Olivet Careview Home offers high quality personalized skilled nursing and long-term care. In addition to nursing care, residents at Mount Olivet Careview Home have access to therapeutic recreational programs, chaplaincy, social services, and culinary services to meet each individual’s needs. The staff are truly committed to fostering a loving and caring environment that serves the whole person.

The Minnesota State Fair is a highlight each year for many Minnesotans, and the Mount Olivet Careview Home residents typically enjoy an annual outing to the fair. The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately meant the annual state fair outing was cancelled to protect residents from the virus, but that did not stop the Mount Olivet staff. They brought the state fair to the Mount Olivet campus! The residents loved the sidewalk entertainment, such as jugglers and performers on stilts, as well as visits from barnyard animals and state fair themed foods.

The Mount Olivet residents have more upcoming events to look forward to, including accordion players, Pumpkin Pie Day, and a Halloween costume contest. We can’t wait to see the pictures!

Thank you to Mount Olivet for your creativity, and ensuring that your residents have much to look forward to throughout the pandemic!

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Twin Lakes Community, which is committed to lifelong learning for seniors.

Twin Lakes Community is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located in Burlington, NC. It is one of the largest and longest-established CCRCs in the state, with a campus of more than 500 independent living residents, as well as residents in other levels of care. Twin Lakes’ aim is to help seniors live with real purpose, and its mission is to celebrate the progression of life and dignity by empowering everyone in the community to live, work, and serve to their fullest potential.

In alignment with Twin Lakes’ mission, the community is committed to lifelong learning, and views its slogan, “Live, Learn, and Grow” as a way of life. Twin Lakes offers a wide range of lifelong learning programs, including its partnership with Elon University, which is just minutes away. LIFE@Elon is the university’s lifelong learning program, offering non-credit educational opportunities to people ages 50 and older. The program includes classes on a variety of subjects, including arts, literature, history, politics, and sciences, that are taught by retired Elon faculty, as well as other local educators. The LIFE@Elon classes are well attended by the Twin Lakes Community residents! Classes start this month, and all the content has been transferred online to keep seniors in the community safe from the coronavirus.

Thank you to Twin Lakes Community for offering safe and meaningful opportunities for seniors to engage in lifelong learning!

By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, who is innovating to provide high quality wound care through the pandemic.

The Society provides care in 26 states, including services for seniors, home health care, and rehab/skilled care. Through the COVID-19 pandemic and the precautions it has required, the Society has been intentional not to lose sight of clinical priorities, and successfully implemented telemedicine in areas such as wound care and behavioral health. The Society purchased 1,000 iPads at the beginning of the pandemic so skilled nursing facilities could engage in virtual visits, allowing patients to stay home and avoid exposure to the virus. Other adaptations in recent years, such as cushioning wheelchairs, are also helping ease skin conditions for wound care patients, and preventing the need for additional in-person care.

The Society’s staff is wholly committed to the well-being of patients, and an excellent example of commitment to service is Greg Wilcox. Greg retired this week after 32 years of service at the Society, and most recently served as VP of Mission Integration and Senior Pastor. One of Greg’s greatest joys was helping provide inspiration and resources to those who live and work in the Society so they could experience God’s love. Greg is deeply rooted in the history and mission of the Society, as his grandfather founded it in 1922. Greg, you are so appreciated and will be deeply missed!

Thank you to the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society for your ongoing commitment to patients’ well-being!

Photo: Greg Wilcox (far right) pictured with cousin, Mark Jerstad, and grandparents, Amelia and August “Dad” Hoeger.”

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach 

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Life Communities, which is honoring its front line staff with Friday celebrations and t-shirts.

Lutheran Life Communities is passionate about providing high quality residential and healthcare options for seniors and their families. Its person-centered approaches are designed to meet seniors’ specific needs, including personalized short-term rehabilitation and memory care. Lutheran Life Communities has five campuses with locations in Illinois, Florida, and Indiana, and its Lutheran heritage and core values of compassion, excellence, learning and innovation, and stewardship impact those campuses on a daily basis.

Lutheran Life Communities is grateful for the professionals who work faithfully to live out the mission, and it demonstrated that gratitude by celebrating the staff on two consecutive Fridays, (September 25 and October 2). Team members across Lutheran Life Communities campuses recognized each other’s hard work, and wore t-shirts that celebrate the strength, unity, diversity, and community throughout the organization.

An individual team member at Lutheran Life Communities who will be recognized for his excellent work is Reverend Cory Wielert, Corporate Director of Spiritual Care. Rev. Wielert will accept the Gutenberg Award from the Chicago Bible Society on behalf of chaplains who are serving in senior living communities. Chaplains’ ministry is so important, perhaps now more than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are grateful for their service to seniors.

Thank you to Lutheran Life Communities for your staff’s incredible commitment to seniors, and for recognizing their hard work and resiliency during the pandemic!

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, which is celebrating its community’s diversity and supporting local students.

LFS of Nebraska’s mission is to express “God’s love for all people by providing quality human care services that build and strengthen individual, family and community life.” It lives out that mission through services for children, including early intervention programs, community services, particularly for refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking, and behavioral health programs. These services impact more than 45,000 people each year across Nebraska, as well as in parts of Iowa and Kansas.

LFS of Nebraska recently announced that it received a $3 million gift from Coyner and Donna Smith to establish a scholarship fund designed to support high school seniors from low-income, minority families. Recipients will receive $25,000 toward their college education, regardless of the school to which they have been accepted, and must maintain at least a 3.4 GPA to renew the scholarship each year. The Coyner and Donna Smith Diversity Scholarship’s purpose is to help students who face barriers due to their socio-economic status, and by supporting those students’ higher education aspirations, help break the cycle of poverty that affects families for generations. The application process launched this fall, and a selection committee will fund at least five students in the first academic year. To learn more or apply, visit https://www.lfsneb.org/smith-diversity-scholarship/.

Thank you to LFS of Nebraska and to the Smith family for your commitment to empowering students in your community who have been marginalized!