Vol. 27 | Issue 1 Spring 2018

At MCH, we believe that in order to thrive in community, those we serve must be cared about as whole persons. Our goal across our continuum of care is to offer an

environment and programming that are consistent, joy-filled, and meaningful, rooted in each person’s individual needs and choices.

Our holistic approach to wellness is supported by five pillars of health that are essential to a person’s well-being: social engagement, cognitive health, physical health, nutrition, and spiritual wellness.

In this issue of Focus, we’ll be highlighting cognitive health, and the innovative and multi-disciplinary approach we take to supporting memory and cognitive health across all of our service areas. Turn to page 4 to learn more! ■

2462 N. Prospect Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53211

www.milwaukeecatholichome.org

Whole Person Wellness at Milwaukee Catholic Home

MCH residents Bob and Mary Alice Regner and Fr. Jim Connell

MCH residents Sue Roemer, Leo Crivello, Mary Kay Bertha

MCH resident Br. David Typek, OFM

MCH resident Mary Goris

and MCH staff Courtney

Peraza

MCH staff Michele Haban and MCH resident Velda Case

2 | Milwaukee Catholic Home

This January, it was a pleasure

to gather our community for our

first ever Partnership Event, to

celebrate our accomplishments

and to honor the donors

who have made a lifetime

commitment to Milwaukee

Catholic Home. We also unveiled

our new donor wall, featuring

images from our past and

present.

Donors have always played a

significant role in ensuring that

Milwaukee Catholic Home can

continue to live out its mission

of service. From the founding

group of women who united

the Milwaukee philanthropic

community behind their new idea,

to our current committed group

of supporters who share our

passion for this work, we rely on

donors to maintain the standard

of excellence we have set for the

past 105 years.

That standard of excellence

continues with the featured story

in this issue of Focus, looking at

the ways in which memory and

cognitive health are fostered

and supported throughout our

community. I’m proud of our team,

and excited to highlight some of

their groundbreaking work in this

important area of senior wellness.

If this work or Milwaukee Catholic

Home’s other innovative projects

and partnerships interest you, I

encourage you to reach out to me

so we can have a conversation

about how you can support our

mission. Our organization is

always looking for new champions

of the vital work we do to serve

older adults in Milwaukee and

beyond. You can be one of those

champions! Thank you for your

past and future support.

David Fulcher, CEO

from the CEO...

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentMr. William E. Hughes

Vice PresidentMr. David Weiss

SecretarySr. Debra Sciano, SSND

TreasurerMr. David Laske

DirectorsMr. Patrick CannonMr. John M. CaryDr. Ron Cisler, Ph.DMs. Bridget CoffeyMr. Bob DeVitaMr. Gary D. MahkornMs. Lora J. OlenchekMr. Jim ParksDr. Linda Ward, M.D.

Advisory BoardThe Most Reverend Jeffrey

Haines, Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee

Ms. Romy McCarthyMs. Sarah Oberhofer, EmeritusThe Very Reverend Tim

Kitzke, V.G., Emeritus

Chief Executive OfficerMr. David Fulcher

Nursing Home AdministratorMr. Patrick Shaughnessy

FOCUS is published by Milwaukee Catholic Home, a continuing care retirement community and can also be viewed online at www.milwaukeecatholichome.org

If you would prefer to have your name removed from our mailing list, please email us at jrolfes@milwaukeecatholichome.org or call 414.224.9700

Editor: Therese Goodetgoode@milwaukeecatholichome.org

There is no question that Audrey Komarek left her mark on Milwaukee. From blazing a trail as one of the city’s first female executives, to leadership in education and charitable efforts, to a deep dedication to the life and activities of the Catholic Church, Audrey made a lasting impact on her community.

We at Milwaukee Catholic Home will always remember Audrey’s commitment to our community. Audrey’s involvement with Milwaukee Catholic Home began in 1979, when she was asked to become a member of the MCH Board of Directors. She served during an exciting period of growth and transition at MCH, and was part of a decision to expand the facility by building what is currently the south building of the Residence. She was an MCH resident from 2002 until her death in 2017, and was an active part of our community life, especially as a dedicated chapel volunteer.

We are honored to announce the establishment of the Audrey Komarek Chaplaincy Fund, seeded with Audrey’s legacy gift of $500,000. Per her intention, the fund will be designated towards the support of our pastoral care programs and the maintenance and strengthening of the Catholic identity and mission of Milwaukee Catholic Home. ■

Audrey Komarek Leaves MCH a Lasting Legacy

Audrey Komarek at MCH’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration

Milwaukee Catholic Home | 3

Highlights from our Partnership Event

Here are a few of the evening’s special moments.

MCH board members Jim Parks and Bridget Coffey

Fr. Jim Gannon, OFM, Provinicial Minister Fr. John Cella, OFM, MCH staff members Mary Russo and Pat Shaughnessy

MCH residents Mary Ellen

Fromm, Lois Stolz, Rosemary

Cavaluzzi and Milwaukee

Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey Haines

MCH residents in front of the new photo

wall honoring donors

4 | Milwaukee Catholic Home

Intergenerational Education ProgramStudies have shown that intergenerational programming can promote cognitive health. Our innovative Intergenerational Education Program, in its third year this spring, brings older adults and students together to learn from each other, enriching students’ understanding of aging while allowing older adults to contribute to the educational process with their unique gifts and life experience. The program improves older adult participants’ sense of self-worth and well-being, and causes student participants to develop increased respect and understanding for older adults.

It’s Never 2 LateThe It’s Never 2 Late (IN2L) system is a picture-based, touch-screen interface allowing seniors to utilize technology to find engaging, educational, and personalized content that is appropriate to their own level of ability. From using e-mail and web cams to connect with family and friends, to enjoying mind-stimulating activities, to improving hand-eye coordination as part of a rehabilitation program, seniors with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities, some of whom have never used a computer, can use IN2L to enjoy technology using systems adapted especially for them.

MEMORY CARE

at Milwaukee Catholic Home

Here are a few of the many programs and initiatives that are

part of Milwaukee Catholic Home’s campus-wide approach to memory

and cognitive wellness.

Brain FitnessResidents in all areas of our Health and Rehabilitation Center participate in weekly Brain Fitness sessions, using a range of activities to help stimulate neuron and dendrite growth and promote neuro-plasticity in the brain.

“Our dad moved into Milwaukee Catholic Home in July of 2016 because issues with his memory and decision making made living alone difficult. He is very happy in his new home. Everybody at Milwaukee Catholic Home accommodates dad’s memory issues seamlessly. Every day is full of great conversation, great food, and friends. It is evident that the staff is knowledgeable and understanding about memory impairments. Our whole family is happy with the Milwaukee Catholic Home community.”

– Daughter of an MCH resident

Memories in the MakingThe Alzheimer’s Association Memories in the Making® program offers creative art expression for individuals with early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Even after people with dementia have lost the ability to use words, they are able to paint their thoughts, emotions and memories in a manner that is expressive and beautiful. Art becomes their voice. ■

Milwaukee Catholic Home | 5

MCH resident Vera Jones

MCH resident Velda Case with her Messmer student partner

TimeSlipsThe TimeSlips program connects older adults to their memories through active storytelling. It combats isolation and improves well-being through creativity and meaningful connection. Studies have shown that TimeSlips increased the quality and quantity of engagement between staff and residents, modeling person-centered engagement. You can learn more about this internationally known program, founded in Milwaukee, by visiting www.timeslips.org.

Lifelong LearningOur Lifelong Learning education series keeps minds engaged by bringing Milwaukee arts and culture to the residents in our Health and Rehabilitation Center through engaging, interactive presentations on topics of interest. Past guests have included the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery, and the Honor Flight.

WelQorWelQor engages seniors proactively to maintain and enhance cognitive, psychological and social-emotional well-being, designing customized clinical and social programs for brain health and overall well being. Onsite clinicians and support teams customize services to work seamlessly into the community.

Dancers from the Milwaukee Ballet second company visit MCH

Milwaukee Catholic Home gratefully acknowledges our generous benefactors. Gifts of cash, property, securities, bequests, and other gifts assist us in providing outstanding retirement and health care services for our residents. We encourage gifts in memory or honor of a loved one. We will be happy to notify the individual or family member of your generosity. To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact Caitlin Elftman at 414-220-3213.

Gifts from the heart

♦ Indicates a donor who is deceased at the time of publication.

IN HONOR OF…

Mrs. Linda Cardinale• Mrs. Janet K. Zoltan

Mrs. Jean Jermain• Mr. William M. Jermain III

IN MEMORY OF…

Mr. Thomas Aliota• Ms. Mara Blats• Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bleier• Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brenner• Ms. Nancy Brenner• Atty. and Mrs. Don Demet• Mr. Walter Frank• Ms. Terese B. Miller• Mr. and Mrs. David Pollay• Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wulz

Mrs. Kay Anderson• Mr. Marc Anderson

Mrs. Theresa Anderson• Mr. Andrew Anderson• Ms. Barbara Anderson• Mr. James Anderson• Ms. Marie Anderson• Ms. Mary Anderson• Ms. Peg Anderson• Ms. Patricia Anderson• Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Block

Mrs. Dolores Barber• Ms. Denise Burr• Mr. and Mrs. Harold Burr• Miss Marie C. Hasenoehrl• Ms. Carolyn Schaefer• Mrs. Marjorie Steinmetz• Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Wooding• Mr. and Mrs. Scott Alderton• Ms. Kathleen M. Wall• Mr. and Mrs. Len Corso• Mrs. Margaret J. Fennig

• Dr. and Mrs. Jon Minoff• Mr. and Mrs. Bill Noelle• Mr. and Mrs. John Ruder• Mr. Paul Andrew Siverling

Ms. Mayme L. Barrow• Mr. and Mrs. John and

Sandra Schroeder

Mrs. Jane Buettner• Mrs. Susan B. Purtell

Mrs. Bernadine Caine• Mr. Michael Caine

Mrs. Delphine M. Cannon• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cannon

Mrs. Mary Carter• Mr. and Mrs. Edward

Fabian• Ms. Margaret E. Sheehan• Mr. Jim Wudi

Mrs. Eleanor Dentinger• Mr. and Mrs. W. C.

Dentinger Jr.

Mr. Bernard Flatley• Mr. and Mrs. Steve Helfer

Mrs. Lois Fleming• Mr. Edward S. Fleming

Mr. Daniel Fromm• Anonymous• Mr. Thomas C. Anderson• Ms. Kay T. Augustine• Ms. Ellen Baehr• Mrs. Rosemary Cavaluzzi• Mrs. Jean Jermain• Mr. R.P. Meyerring• Ms. Eileen Pantano• Mr. Kenneth W. Pfeil• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Salsini• Mr. Robert Sokol• Ms. Ruth Irene Spilman• Mr. Jim Wudi

Ms. Heidi Hida• Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Wolff

Mr. William Holmes• Mr. Jim Wudi

Mrs. Rosemary Jensen• Mr. Thomas C. Anderson

Miss Audrey Komarek• Mr. Robert Gunderson, Sr.• Ms. Pamela Knackert• Ms. Margaret E. Sheehan• Mr. Jim Wudi

Mr. Joseph Larscheid• Mrs. Joan Larscheid

Mr. Raymond Lauerman, Jr.• Mr. Thomas C. Anderson• Mr. and Mrs. John G. Borman• Ms. Carol Anne Carpenter• Ms. Joan Cook• Ms. Alexandra Dimitroff• Mr. and Mrs. Stephen

Kavaluskas• Mr. and Mrs. David Lee• Ms. Shayne Miller Lee• Ms. Elizabeth Wnuczek Moran• Mr. and Mrs. Richard Piehl• Mr. and Mrs. Brian Wenger• Ms. Katherine Yost

Mr. Gordon Lindemann• Anonymous• Mr. Richard C. Barkow• Atty. and Mrs. Don Demet• Mr. Ernest V. Hodge

Harriet Linehan Skogstrom• Mr. and Mrs. John Coffey

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Jean Lucey• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lucey

Ms. Marian McGuire• Mr. Thomas Funk

Mr. Vincent McMahon• Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Wolff

Mrs. Shirley Moyer• Mr. Paul Moyer

Mrs. Jeanne Normoyle• Mrs. Susan Stinson

Miss Mary O’Neal• Mr. Edward F. Kelly

Mr. William J. Roessler• Mrs. Rosemary Roessler

Mr. Robert W. Schmidt Sr. and Mrs. Ruth Clare Schmidt Murphy• Mr. Bob Schmidt• Mrs. Nancy Sullivan Schwartz• Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Burzynski• Mr. and Mrs. William Dean• Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Herman• Ms. Bethany Mamisk• Ms. Connie Smith• Ms. Gail P. Sullivan

Mr. Cecil Sutphen• Ms. Susan M. Gramling

Mr. and Mrs. Dick and Edy Wadsten• Mr. Ken Donner

MILWAUKEE CATHOLIC HOME CORPORATE MEMBERS 2017

• Anonymous (2)• Mr. Richard T. A’Hearn• Dr. and Mrs. James L. Algiers• Mr. Ray Beauchamp• Mr. and Mrs. John L. Beck• Mr. Michael K. Benton• Mr. Martin J. Biller• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cannon• Mrs. Linda Cardinale• Mrs. Rosemary Cavaluzzi• Mrs. Mary Russo Chadek• Mrs. Mary Cherniack• Mr. Ron Cisler• Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Collins• Fr. James Connell• Mr. Leo Crivello• Mrs. Rohini Desai• Mr. Bob DeVita• Mr. Michael Faber and Mrs.

Chriss Laemmar-Faber • Mrs. Margaret J. Fennig

6 | Milwaukee Catholic Home

The following gifts were received between July 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018

MCH residents Velda Case, Chuck Poehlmann, Marie Poehlmann, Hank Goris, Mary Goris, and Joan Larscheid, MCH staff Eric Herman, MCH residents Anne Mayock and Tom Anderson

• Mr. Robert Frediani• Mr. Daniel Fromm♦ and

Mrs. Mary Ellen Fromm• Mr. and Mrs. David Fulcher• Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Fulcher• Fr. James Gannon• Mrs. Katie Grant• Mr. and Mrs. Gregory

Gurnovitz• Mr. James E. Haines and

Mrs. Maureen Haines♦• The Most Rev. Jeffrey R. Haines• Mrs. Ann F. Helfer• Mr. and Mrs. Steve Helfer• Mrs. Judy Hicks• Mr. and Mrs. William Hughes• Mr. Edward F. Kelly• Rev. Timothy Kitzke• Mrs. Trudy Klapperich• Mr. and Mrs. Robert B.

Kliesmet• Mrs. Deloris M. Kloth• Ms. Pamela Knackert• Mr. and Mrs. David Laske• Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Linn• Mr. and Mrs. Paul V. Lucke• Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Madden• Mr. and Mrs. Gary D.

Mahkorn• Mrs. Anne Mayock• Mrs. William Moser• Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Muth• Mr. Sean Nelson• Ms. Sarah Oberhofer• Mr. and Mrs. James Parks• Judge and Mrs. V. Robert

and Virginia Payant• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Peer• Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Poehlmann• Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Regner• Ms. Julie A. Rolfes• Mr. Larry Schneider• Sr. Debra M. Sciano• Mr. A. Darrell Schwoch• Mrs. Margaret Schwoegler• Mrs. Lois Stolz• Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Vehrs• Dr. and Mrs. James

Volberding• Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Wolff• Mr. Jim Wudi

We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors who supported the following funds:

• The Helen Bader Foundation Fund

• The Benevolent Care Fund• The Clare Gardens Fund• The Fine Arts Endowment• The Fine Arts Fund• The Health Care Center Fund• The Fr. Charles R. Keefe

Chaplaincy Endowment• The Library Fund• The New MCH Car Fund• The Pastoral Care Fund• The Recommitment to the

Community Fund• The Area of Greatest Need

Fund

• Anonymous (12)• A&A Plumbing of Milwaukee• Dr. and Mrs. James L. Algiers• Ameriprise Financial

Services, Inc.• Mr. and Mrs. Val Anderson• The Helen Bader

Foundation, Inc.• Mrs. Beth Balgeman• Mr. James T. Barry, Jr.• Bazaar Home Decorating• Mr. and Mrs. Ray

Beauchamp• Mr. Michael K. Benton• Mrs. Mary Kay Bertha• Mr. Bruce L. Best• BMO Harris Bank• Mrs. Joan K. Brenk• Mrs. Joyce Britt• Mrs. Linda Bruss• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M.

Cannon• Mr. and Mrs. Joseph

Cardinale• Mrs. Janet Carter• Mrs. Velda M. Case• Ms. Anne Catalane• Catholic Financial Life• Mr. and Mrs. Edward

Charnitz• Chattell Chargers Inc.• Mrs. Mary Cherniack• The Community Relations-

Social Development Commission

• Mr. Ron Cisler• Cleary Gull Advisors Inc.• Mrs. Bridget Coffey• Mr. Neiland Cohen• Mrs. Christine Cone• Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Conley• Mr. Leo Crivello• Mrs. Mary A. DeChant• Atty. and Mrs. Don Demet• Mrs. Rohini Desai• Dr. Sue Ewens• Mrs. Margaret J. Fennig• Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Flatley• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Formella• Ms. Elaine Frary• Mr. Robert Frediani• Mr. Daniel Fromm♦ and Mrs.

Mary Ellen Fromm• Mr. and Mrs. David Fulcher • Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fulcher• Dr. Michael Goss• Mrs. Liselott Grassl• The Greater Milwaukee

Foundation• Mrs. Carol Greif-Schuele• Mr. and Mrs. Gregory

Gurnovitz• Miss Marie C. Hasenoehrl• Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Helfer• Mr. and Mrs. James Hoch• Mr. and Mrs. Steven A.

Hoelter

• Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Howley• Mr. and Mrs. William Hughes• Mrs. Jean D. Huyler• Mrs. Jean Jermain• Mrs. Jane L. Kaminsky• Ms. Jane M. Kirsten• Mrs. Trudy Klapperich• Ms. Geraldine L. Klein• Mr. and Mrs. Robert B.

Kliesmet• Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Kloehn• Dr. and Mrs. Edmund M.

Krigbaum• Mrs. Elizabeth Kwass• Mr. and Mrs. David Laske• Mr. and Mrs. Gary Mahkorn• Mrs. Mary Mahler• Ms. Sally McBride• Ms. Romy McCarthy• Mr. James R. McCulloch• Mrs. Thomas McGinn• Mr. and Mrs. Dennis

McGuire• Ms. Susan D. Mischler• The Rose A. Monaghan

Family Trust• Mr. Michael Mulcahy• Mr. Peter Mullaney• Mr. and Mrs. John O. Myers• Mrs. Amy O’Connor• Ms. Sarah Oberhofer• Mrs. Theresa Owens• Paratech Ambulance

Services, Inc.• Mr. and Mrs. James Parks• Mrs. Adrienne Parsons• Judge and Mrs. V. Robert

and Virginia Payant• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Peer• The Clare M. Peters

Charitable Trust• Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Poehlmann• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Quick• Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Regner

• Mr. and Mrs. Miroslaw Rogalski

• Ms. Julie A. Rolfes• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Salsini• Mrs. Margaret Sankovitz• Mr. Larry Schneider• Mr. A. Darrell Schwoch• Sr. Debra M. Sciano• Mrs. Nellette M. Seymour• Mr. William J. Shaw• Ms. Margaret E. Sheehan• Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shiparski• Mr. David Springob• Mrs. Rosalie Steiner• Mrs. Marjorie Steinmetz• Stu’s Flooring• Ms. Patricia M. Suminiski• The Ulster Project of Greater

Milwaukee• Mrs. Mary Ellen Van• Dr. and Mrs. James

Volberding• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Waldo• Miss Ruth Way• Mr. and Mrs. Rolin D. Weary• Mr. and Mrs. David J. Weiss• Mrs. Lillian R. White• Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Wichert• Mr. Connor Williams• Mr. Jim Wudi

Milwaukee Catholic Home sincerely appreciates your gifts. Every effort is made to acknowledge all donors correctly. If you name was omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our apologies and call Caitlin Elftman at 414-220-3213 so we can correct our records.

Milwaukee Catholic Home | 7

MCH resident Therese Ninneman with her daughter Katie Ninneman

2462 N. Prospect Avenue · Milwaukee, WI 53211414.224.9700

milwaukeecatholichome.org

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For a full calendar of events at Milwaukee Catholic Home, visit milwaukeecatholichome.org and click on “Community Life.”

PATIO POPS AND BACKYARD BEATS 2018Join us for another great outdoor summer concert season!

Our annual open house and Patio Pops kick-off concert will be held on Wednesday, June 13th. Appetizers and community tours will be offered starting at 5:30 pm, with music by Robin Pluer, Mrs. Fun and Juli Wood beginning at 7:30 pm. Contact Linda Cardinale at 414.220.3216 or lcardinale@milwaukeecatholichome.org to RSVP or for more information.

PATIO POPS SCHEDULEAll concerts held at 7:30 pm on the patio at The Residence at 2462 N Prospect Avenue.• Wednesday, June 13th: Robin Pluer, Mrs. Fun and Juli Wood• Wednesday, June 27th: The “Goompas” with Joe Zarcone• Wednesday, July 11th: Radio Rosies• Wednesday, July 25th: Lisa Edgar and Razzmatazz!• Wednesday, August 8th: Swing and a Miss• Wednesday, August 22nd: Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound

BACKYARD BEATS SCHEDULEAll concerts held in the courtyard at the Health and Rehabilitation Center at 2330 N Prospect Avenue.• Sunday, June 24th, 2:30 pm: Frogwater• Sunday, July 15th, 2:30 pm: Vivo• Sunday, August 12th, 6:30 pm: Swing Explosion!