The winter months are off to a busy start here at Brookview Manor. Our afternoon and evening activities continue to be a HUGE hit! A lot of the residents are finding enjoyment in the wide variety of small group activities that take place during that time. Our daily card club has grown in size from one table of players to four tables, even adding in a few different types of games! Craft time continues to be a well attended group activity, with the residents working hard on individual projects for their rooms and for display around the facility.

The first week of November we held a bazaar/bake sale in the hospital cafeteria with a few of the residents going over to assist with selling. We were blessed to have made a

total profit of $550 which all went towards the activity fund. The money will be used for supplies, musical entertainment, bingo money, etc. We sold chances on a quilt that was raffled off at our Resident/Family Christmas party on December 15th. The quilt was won by Amy Eng, an employee of BHS. That raffle brought in close to $500 for the activity fund.

We continue to order in “special” meals for the residents during the colder months since we won’t be able to go out to eat. The favorites seem to be pizza and chicken from the Pizza Ranch, but a few want to try CHINESE! We started having Happy Hour Friday every Friday at 3:00. During Happy Hour we serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to residents,

along with snack foods that they do not normally get. Since starting this December 1st, this has become one of the best activities/groups at BVM.

Like before, we are always in need of activity supplies, things from games, to books, to craft supplies, etc. More than ever, we also need VOLUNTEERS! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at the nursing home, please e-mail the Human Resources department at achristensen@brookingshealth.org to get signed up. We truly have a wonderful bunch of residents that would love to have you join them in some fun! Thanks again for all you do, and I hope to see you around Brookview Manor. The coffee is always on!

brookingshealth.org

Activities Update Amanda Uecker, CTRSActivity Director

From the Administrator’s Desk

Jason HanssenAdministratorI want to start out by wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday season. Christmas is a magical time to spend with those you love, and I hope that you were able to do just that. Our residents and staff were very busy decorating the facility, and I must say, they did a fabulous job. We are very fortunate to have such talented residents and staff.

I am extremely excited to announce that we have a new Nursing Director at Brookview Manor. Amanda Trowbridge was previously a case manager on South Hall. She has worked at Brookview Manor for the past six years and has been in several roles, including a charge nurse, case manager, and now as the nursing director. If you have not met Amanda as of yet, I would strongly encourage you to stop by and introduce yourself to her. She is a strong resident advocate with a wealth of clinical experience. We are very fortunate to have Amanda and we look forward to her unending energy and enthusiasm.

I am very excited to say that the progress on the new building is going extremely well. The construction is right on track, with the move-in date slotted for June-July 2013. Early next year we will start cross training our staff into their new blended roles. We will also be setting up our “Households” in our current facility to help with a smoother transition. The residents continue to ask many questions in anticipation of the move-in; I would strongly encourage any families to do the same if you are not familiar with our vision. I want to thank you again for all of the support we have received in 2012. May God bless you and your families this holiday season.

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winter 2012

Brookings Health System has selected The Neighborhoods at Brookview as the name for the new skilled nursing facility, currently under construction and scheduled to open summer 2013.

“The name pays tribute to our past, embracing the reputation for high-quality care that Brookview Manor has built, while also looking forward to our future and the new social and household model of care we will provide within the new facility’s three neighborhoods,” said CEO and President Jason Merkley.

The construction, which is currently over 55% complete, is phase two of Brookings Health System’s overall Master Campus Plan. The 67,000 square feet structure will triple the existing space at the current facility, Brookview Manor.

Brookings Health System is building a pod-style facility with three distinct neighborhoods. Each neighborhood will consist of two households. Each household will accommodate 13 residents with a total of 26 residents per neighborhood. The neighborhoods and households will include kitchen and living spaces as well as private family dining rooms, spa areas and other amenities.

Centrally located between and connecting the three neighborhoods will be Town Center. Town Center will be the heart of social activity within The Neighborhoods at Brookview and act as the community’s Main Avenue. Here residents will gather for social interaction with each other and loved ones,

including religious services, coffee, and purchasing sundries. Areas to be incorporated into the Town Center include:

Country Store

Café

Library with Internet Café

Chapel

Beauty/Barber Shop with Manicure Station

Large Gathering Hall

Lobby and Lounge Area

Administration Offices

The Neighborhoods at Brookview will initiate a culture change, creating a home-like, neighborhood environment focused on residents. It will adopt the universal worker concept, diversifying staff’s capabilities and consistently assigning them with a small group of residents. With more space and respect for residents’ rights, Brookings Health System’s goal will be healthier residents and individually tailored care.

More information and graphic renderings detailing the new skilled nursing facility is available on Brookings Health System’s website, www.brookingshealth.org/phase2. Progress photos of the facility’s construction can also be found on Brookings Health System’s Facebook page.

New Skilled Nursing Facility to Be Called The Neighborhoods at Brookview

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The vision for Brookings Health System’s New Skilled Nursing Facility is beginning to take shape. At over 55% complete, the facility is on track to open Summer 2013.

A lot has happened since Brookings Health System broke ground for the new skilled nursing facility last spring. This summer and fall, foundations were poured, walls went up, and roofs were shingled. Siding, trim and other exterior work is finished until spring.

As our weather turns to wintry conditions, crews continue to work inside the facility, painting, finishing and trimming interiors. Flooring, cabinets and other furnishing will also be installed.

Come spring, crews will start working outside again, finishing site grading, landscaping, and concrete for parking lots. Once completed, residents will enjoy a new homelike, neighborhood environment.

Want to learn more about the new skilled nursing facility? Visit www.brookingshealth.org/SkilledNursingFacility, or scan the QR code with your smart phone.

NEW SKILLED N U R S I N G FA C I L I T Y

APRIL: Earthwork begins, removing excess topsoil and clay. Site utilities are brought in from underground.

MAY: Excavating and concrete pouring for footings and foundations begins. Installation of underground plumbing and electrical utilities continues.

JUNE: Framing and floor pouring starts on the site’s east side. Under-slab rough-ins for plumbing and electrical work start. Final foundations are excavated and poured on the west side.

JULY: Framing continues as well as floor and footing concrete pouring. Plumbers and electricians continue underground work and start interior plumbing. Shingling starts and fire sprinkler piping is installed.

AUGUST: All foundations, floors and under-slab rough-ins are complete. Shingling and exterior framing continues and interior framing begins. Windows start going in, sheet rocking and insulation begins, and retaining walls are installed.

SEPTEMBER: Shingling, exterior framing and interior framing continue as well as sheet rocking and insulation. Mechanical, HVAC, electrical and steel stud framing crews begin working on interior. Siding starts going up on east side buildings and steel beams are fire proofed.

OCTOBER: All foundations, floors and under-slab rough ins are complete. Shingling and exterior framing continues and interior framing begins. Windows start going in, sheet rocking and insulation begins, and retaining walls are installed. Siding starts going up on east side buildings.

NOVEMBER: Preparation for winter continues. Concrete, storm sewer and black dirt work is finished. Windows and aluminum doors are installed. Exterior framing is completed and interior framing, sheet rocking, and painting continue.

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

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COLD and FLU season

NEW SKILLED N U R S I N G FA C I L I T Y

Brookings Health System is currently building a new skilled nursing facility, The Neighborhoods at Brookview. This $15 million facility was designed and built from the ground up as a state-of-the-art household model facility. This project together with the evolution to resident-centered culture elevates Brookings elder care from good to great. The residents and staff currently living and working at Brookview Manor anxiously await moving into their new house summer of 2013.

But first, we need your help to “Make this House a Home. ” Donations to the Foundation will help fill this beautiful new house with love and life including landscaping, pianos, art from S.D. artists, piped-in oxygen and new mattresses for each resident room, game tables, a bus and bus garage. These and other additions will help the residents feel at home and provide a warm welcome to family and community visitors.

Our goal is to raise $600,000 by June 1, 2013. Please join us and “Make this House a Home!” Give online at www.brookingshealth.org/foundation, mail donation to 300 Twenty-Second Avenue Brookings, SD 57006, or watch for a pledge card coming to your home soon.

winter 2012

Amanda Trowbridge, RNNursing Director

Cold and flu season has once again arrived. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. We all should take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Some of the preventive actions may include making sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use alcohol based hand rub. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs can spread easily this way. If you are sick with any flu-like symptoms, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible, until feeling better. Please be advised that if any flu cases are suspected or confirmed, Brookview Manor may recommend limiting and/or discouraging visitors during this time.

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CHRISTMAS STORE Helps Brookview Residents Shop for Holiday GiftsBrookview Manor setup the second annual Resident Christmas Store on Monday, Dec. 10 in the facility living room, allowing residents to use gift tickets to purchase Christmas presents.

“Not all of our residents are able to go out shopping at a store,” said Brookview Manor Administrator Jason Hanssen. “They tend to worry about how they will get Christmas presents for their loved ones. This is a way for them to give out a present, and by using tickets, they still feel like they purchased it themselves.”

Approximately 130 gifts were wrapped for 60 of Brookview Manor’s residents. Most residents gavethe gifts to their loved ones at the annual resident/family Christmas party held Dec. 15 at Brookview Manor.

Gifts and wrapping materials were donated by Brookings Health System employees. As residents purchased items, Brookview Manor volunteers wrapped gifts.

“The residents were so grateful for the opportunity to pick out a gift for their loved ones for Christmas,” said Hanssen. “It’s an important opportunity for them made possible by our fantastic staff and volunteers at Brookview Manor and all of the employees of Brookings Health System.”

The Boys & Girls Club Ambassadors went caroling at Brookview Manor

and delivered ornaments they made to each resident. Residents were

singing along and were over joyed to see the kids. One resident,

Glenna, gave all the girls hats that she had made for them! Glenna

said, “I have so many things to be thankful for, and the Boys & Girls

Club is one of them.”

Boys & Girls ClubB R I N G B R O O K V I E W M A N O R R E S I D E N T S

HOLIDAY JOY

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Residents purchasing Christmas gifts

Residents enjoying the young carolers

winter 2012

Al has a passion for traveling, and has been to Jamaica, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and Alaska which has been his favorite destination. He has visited Alaska three times in his life; his favorite memories from his trips to Alaska were the land tours and the rare opportunity to completely view Mount McKinley on a clear day. Al’s other hobbies include flying model airplanes and hunting deer, goose, and occasionally antelope with his friends and son.

The biggest obstacle in Al’s life is living with Parkinson’s disease. Doctors diagnosed Al with Parkinson’s five years ago, and he has battled the disease with optimism and bravery. Al hopes to someday move back home with Marj, but for now he is focused on getting better and enjoys Marj’s frequent visits.

Al’s favorite activity at Brookview Manor is playing Bingo twice a week and interacting with the staff and other residents. Al loves to joke with the staff, who he feels does a great job and treats him well. He looks forward to more space and better facilities at The Neighborhoods at Brookview, which is scheduled to open spring 2013.

Jon-Michael DonovanMarketing and Public Relations

R E S I D E N T S P O T L I G H T :

Al Bohlen“Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road? Because he had no guts.”

This was one of the few jokes that Al Bohlen, a resident at Brookview Manor, told me when I visited with him. I never heard any of his jokes before; he has great delivery and style to the way he tells them. He made me laugh pretty hard. I could tell right away that Al is a people person with a great sense of humor and with a kind presence.

Al Bohlen was born in the small farming community of Corona, S.D. Al’s parents are both of German decent, his father traveled to America when he was eleven years old and was on the Atlantic Ocean the night the Titanic sank in April 1912. Al learned the value of hard work growing up on his father’s farm in Corona with his six sisters and two brothers.

Al finished school and joined the National Guard in 1957. That same year he also met his first and only love, Marj at the local roller-skating rink. The couple was married two years later. Al and Marj raised two girls and one boy; they also have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Al began his career making tombstones for Dakota Granite while he was in the National Guard; he also spent 10 months of active duty in Fort Carson, Colo. during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. When Al came home from active duty, he decided to pursue a career as a meat cutter. Al went to meat cutting school for eight weeks in Toledo, Ohio. Al’s first job as meat cutter was for Red Owl Food Store in Aberdeen, S.D. In 1964, Al and his family moved to Brookings where he became the manager of the meat department at Red Owl Food Store. In 1976, he left Red Owl to work at the newly built Hy Vee where he spent the rest of his career as a meat cutter. Al loved his career; the best part of his job was the social interaction and joking with people he worked with. Al says, “They were good to me; and I hope I was good to them”. His co-workers brought him twenty-seven years of joy and laughter.

Al Bohlen

Al’s fourth birthday with “Shep”

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In MemoriamWe extend our condolences to the families and friends of the following individuals who have passed away at Brookview Manor over the past three months:

It was an honor to know and serve each of them and their families.

• Wanda Smith

• Walter Olson

• Cecelia Holter

• Paul Collins

• Levi Luvaas

• Evelyn Melcher

• James Dornbush

• Elise Seymour

• Mabel Moen

• Dorthy Elyea

• Russell Jensen

• Violet Mielke

• Nellie Mast

• Merlin Hanson

• Darlene Hofer