FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012 A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Movingright along

St. Mark’s expansion on targetfor completion early next year

By Kevin Cosskevin.coss@austindailyherald.com

A$13.4 million remodel andexpansion project at St.Mark’s Lutheran Home and

Apartments of Austin is on track tobe finished early next year.

“Progress is going well,” saidChristopher Schulz, executive di-rector at St. Mark’s.

The rehabilitation, assisted livingand nursing care facility’s $13.4million project broke ground at theend of January. Now it’s on sched-ule to be completed in February orMarch of 2013, Schulz said. Rightnow, crews are working on the

new assisted living complex andthe rehab care unit.

“They’ve got walls up, the roofon and some siding on,” he said.“Probably by mid-August, it shouldall be sheetrocked on the inside.”

Apart from those new develop-ments, St. Mark’s also has more in-terior remodeling to complete.

“Our current assisted living isturning into memory care assistedliving,” Schulz said.

St. Mark’s has never had an as-sisted living area devoted to mem-ory care.

Workers put siding on a portion of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Home and Apartmentsexpansion Thursday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

> PROGRESS continues on 3-SL

Senior Living2-SL FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012 AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

FREEHEARING

EVALUATION

FREETRIAL

We guarantee your satisfaction.If you cannot adjust to yourhearing aids, you receive a

FULL REFUND.

$1,000On any Beltone Digital SystemEXPIRES 7-27-2012

FREESERVICE

If you already wear a hearingaid (ANY BRAND), we will clean

and inspect it at no cost.EXPIRES 7-27-2012

The Most Trusted Name in Hearing Aids507 1st Street NW • Austin, MN

1-888-647-1370www.beltone.com

HEAR AS WELL AS YOURNEIGHBORS ARE...

“I love my new Beltone True hearing aids. As theowner of a busy restaurant, I need to hear well innoise. These are by far the best performinghearing aids Iʼve ever worn in this situation.”

Steve Davis• Austin, MN

SAVE

Cindi Muth and Becky Arneson stand outside of their offices at Mayo Clinic Health Systemin Albert Lea. Muth is the health care home coordinator and Arneson is the registered nursecare coordinator in the medical home system. Colleen Thompson/Albert Lea Tribune

By Colleen Thompsonnewsroom@austindailyherald.com

Mayo Clinic Health System inAustin is working to develop its ownversion of the medical-home con-cept. Mayo teamed up as of Wednes-day with efforts in Albert Lea,calling it the Health Care HomeProject.Medical home is a different kind

of approach to health care. It’s amethod of working with patients insupporting, assisting andmanagingtheir health care needs and keepingthem healthy. In addition to a physi-cian, a patient’s health team con-sists of an office nurse, a registerednurse care coordinator, pharma-cists, health coaches, health educa-tors and other expert health careresources such as therapists and so-cial workers. Patients’ families alsoplay a vital role in the process.“Themain goal is to make the pa-

tient the decision-maker,” saidBecky Arneson, a registered nursecare coordinator. “We just coordi-nate things they’re not capable ofdoing themselves.”The role of care coordinators is

to be the patient’s primary contact.They are the go-to people and willconduct visits to the patient’s homeand the clinic, if needed. They assistthe patients in completing medicaltransactions, referring resources,managing appointments, reviewingimmunizations, assessing homesafety and whatever specific needsthe patient has.“It’s old-fashioned care, where

the providers really know you,” saidCindi Muth, a coordinator.And it’s free.“It’s of no cost to the patient for

working with care coordinators,”Arneson said.The local program now has 55

participants. While it’s typicallyused by patients with chronic ill-nesses, such as chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, diabetes andheart failure, the program is open toanyone seeing a health careprovider in Albert Lea or one of itsregional clinics in Lake Mills, NewRichland, Alden, Wells and Kiester.Right now, there are three certi-

fied physicians involved with Med-ical Home: Dr. Dieter Heinz, Dr. Don-ald Kammerer and Dr. Arvin Vocal.“We’re in the process of getting

more doctors certified,” Muth said.Albert Lea’s medical home was

certified by the state inMarch.Med-ical Assistance and other similarprograms provide funds now.“They worked very hard to re-

ceive that certification,” said Jen-nifer Levisen, the hospital’s publicrelations and marketing specialist.Now that they’re certified by the

state, they’re going for nationalrecognition. To be more credible,Austin andAlbert Lea started work-ing together as one unit.“It will open doors to private in-

surances and more reimburse-ments,” Muth said.The hope is that the local resi-

dents will see that it’s an officialprogram that can help those whoqualify.“The population will have more

faith in what we’re doing,” Arnesonadded.The program isn’t simply for

medical purposes. It also asks eachpatient to make at least one per-sonal goal for themselves and hope-fully achieve it.“There was one lady who just

wanted to walk across her backyardto sit by the lake,” Arneson recalled.“We want to make things like thatpossible.”Although new to Austin and Al-

bert Lea, case management pro-grams like medical home have beenaround for a while. They recentlyhave been brought to the forefrontthrough President Barack Obama’shealth care law.“Case management focuses on

wellness and preventativemeasuresregarding health for the whole pop-ulation,” Muth said.With all the changes in health

care, places all across the U.S. arestarting to use the medical-homeconcept. There are already 146 cer-tified health care homes in Min-nesota.“We think medical home is going

to boom,” Arneson said. “Healthcare is moving this direction.”

A program for patientsHealth Care Home Project is a new

method for working with local patients

Despite all thechanges going on,Schulz said residents atSt. Mark’s have not beenbothered by construc-tion. The work going onin the expansion is alltaking place outside,away from residents. Andthe remodeling is closedoff from the rest of the

building to reduce noiseand other distractions.

But that doesn’t meanresidents aren’t keepingtabs on the project.

“Quite a few of themwatch the constructiondaily,” Schulz said,adding that they’re as ex-cited about the project aseveryone else.

Talk of the expansionand remodeling started

about five years ago, hesaid. It took a while toline up funding and getthe project started.

The month of Julynext year will mark the50 year anniversary of St.Mark’s. Though they area couple of monthsapart, Schulz said, hehopes to combine anopen house for the thenew expansion with an

anniversary celebration.

—Adam Harringacontributed to this report.

Senior LivingA special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012 3-SL

Work continues at the St. Mark’s expansion Thursday. Worked is expected to be completed in early 2013.

The redevelopment includes:•Relocating 25 assisted living apartments to newly constructed space

•Renovating 20 apartments for new memory care assisted living•Replacing 16 long term care rooms with a new wing for short-term

rehabilitation services•Remodeling the remaining 45 long term care rooms

•Creating a new occupational and physical therapy area, a multi-purposegathering room, chapel and living area, all near the new front entrance to the

campus on Fourth Street•Relocating and enhancing the beauty shop and café area.

Progress: St. Mark’s to celebrate 50 years

CCoonnttiinnuueedd ffrroomm PPaaggee 11--SSLL

The new front entrance to the St. Marks expansion.

A construc-tion workeris busy inwhat will bethe newchapel at St.Mark's.

By Kessa Albrightnewsroom@austindailyherald.com

Georgia Nyenhuis is more ac-tive than most women herage. The 82-year-old has been

living at St. John’s Lutheran Homefor seven years, spending her timeby knitting, coloring, word puzzlesand gardening.Nyenhuis is paralyzed from the

bust down and gets around bywheelchair. Ten years ago she wasworking on the farm with her sonwhen she was injured. They wereunloading corn from a bin to awagon. Her son went to turn offsome equipment in the trailer andleft Nyenhuis to turn off the auger,a machine used to drill holes in theground. Nyenhuis somehow caughtin the machine by either her scarf,jacket or hair.“My son said ‘I’m going to call

911!’ and I just said, ‘Oh, whateverfor?’” Nyenhuis said.She thinks she was in shock after

the accident.An ambulance took Nyenhuis to

Mayo Clinic in Albert Lea and thento Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The ac-cident left her paralyzed from thebust down, and her hair was tornfrom the back of her head.She persevered. Now Nyenhuis

gets around well in a wheelchairafter going through physical ther-apy. Her hair has grown back, too.“I’m very thankful I’ve got my

hands,” Nyenhuis said.Nyenhuis has had strong faith

her entire life. She grew up southof Hayward with six siblings. Oneof them died in infancy, one at age12 and one three years ago of can-cer. Nyenhuis goes to Catholicchurch service every Sunday andreads Christian books in her sparetime.Her hobbies are more than just

something to keep her busy. Sincelearning from a St. John’s employee,she has knit nearly 30 caps for hergrandchildren and great-grandchil-dren.She will even display her work at

the Freeborn County Fair this Au-gust, perhaps giving special atten-tion to a bright red one, or one withseveral shades of blue.Nyenhuis holds a special place

for color, as she colors pictures sim-ilar to ones in coloring books forchildren. The color by numbers col-oring pages are much more complexthan a children’s coloring page,though. Nyenhuis received a blueribbon at the Freeborn County Fairlast year for one of her colorings.“I’ve got to keep my hands busy,”

Nyenhuis said.Gardening is Nyenhuis’ favorite

way to spend her days, and Nyen-huis is obviously familiar with itfrom her days on the farm. Everyyear, about 20 members of Nyen-huis’ family get together to makesauerkraut. They gather 400 poundsof cabbage then make the sauer-kraut and divide it among the fami-lies.St. John’s Lutheran Home has

had a gardening program for its res-idents for six years. There are about10 residents who participate in theprogram, but Nyenhuis is the only

one involved in the committee toplan gardening events.“It’s like therapy for me, I think,”

Nyenhuis said.Gardening is very relaxing for

her, and the raised garden beds easethe hobby for those in wheelchairs.A nifty system to ease gardening inother, lower gardens helps, as well.The workers dig a hole. Then theresidents drop the seeds in the holesthrough a PVC pipe, and the work-ers cover the hole and go over it

with a hoe.“There’s a lot of adjustments we

make,” said Shirley Leeman, an ac-tivities employee at St. John’sLutheran Home.Nyenhuis looked at her raised

garden in the St. John’s LutheranHome yard with pride. She findssolitude in her many hobbies.“She makes the best of her situ-

ation,” said Activities DirectorDiane Wichmann.

Senior Living4-SL FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012 A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

FOLKLORAMA IN WINNIPEG AUGUST 9-13, 2012 $849

SUMMERTIME ON THE MISSISSIPPI AUGUST 22-24, 2012 $439

SAULT STE MARIE, MI & ONT SEPTEMBER 9-12, 2012 $559

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2012 $419

NOVA SCOTIA & ATLANTIC CANADA SEPTEMBER 16-OCTOBER 2, 2012 $2499

FALL MYSTERY - ALL NEW 4 DAY TOUR! SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2012 $549

BRANSON, MO SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2012 $549Legends in Concert, A Tribute to Alabama, Dixie Stampede Dinner Show, Presleys Country Jubilee

NEW ENGLAND FALL COLOR TOUR SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 10, 2012 $1689

MAPLE LEAF TOUR (MONTREAL-QUEBEC CITY) OCTOBER 8-17, 2012 $1549

AUTUMN IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS OCTOBER 15-20, 2012 $829

NASCAR-KANSAS SPEEDWAY-Sprint Cup & Nationwide Races OCTOBER 19-22, 2012 $549

WASHINGTON DC & GETTYSBURG OCTOBER 22-28, 2012 $1019

CHRISTMAS BRANSON NOVEMBER 1-4, 2012 $549Shoji Tabuchi, Oakridge Boys, Daniel O’Donnell, Legends in Concert

CHRISTMAS BRANSON NOVEMBER 8-11, 2012 $549A Tribute to Alabama, George Jones, Daniel O’Donnell, Tim Conway

CHRISTMAS BRANSON NOVEMBER 15-18, 2012 $549Tony Orlando, A Tribute to the Four Seasons and the Beach Boys, Daniel O’Donnell, Dixie Stampede Dinner Show

CHRISTMAS BRANSON NOVEMBER 22-25, 2012 $549Yakov Smirnoff, Shoji Tabuchi, Daniel O’Donnell, Presleys Country Jubilee

CHRISTMAS IN LOUISVILLE, KY - All New Tour! DECEMBER 3-8, 2012 $879

FLORIDA - Great 14 Day Winter Get-A-Way FEBRUARY 3-16, 2013 $2049

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 3, 2013 starting at $2449Complete Package with Airfare

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS & ARIZONA MARCH 11-28, 2013 $2549

NEW ORLEANS & LAFAYETTE, LA APRIL 12-22, 2013 $1599

NEW YORK CITY MAY 4-11, 2013 $1399

HOLLAND, MI TULIP FESTIVAL MAY 10-12, 2013 $429

SPRING MYSTERY TOUR-ALL NEW 4 DAY TOUR MAY 16-19, 2012 $559

MYRTLE BEACH & CHARLESTON, SC MAY 18-26, 2013 $1299

NW CIRCLE & YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK JUNE 13-28, 2013 $2249

NASCAR-MICHIGAN SPEEDWAY-Sprint Cup & Nationwide Races JUNE 14-16, 2013 $529

THE PRICES ARE BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY • ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT ON SOME TOURS!

email: glenn@glennsmotorcoachtours.com

ASSISTED LIVING APARTMENTS

The Privacy of Individualized Apartments,Combined with the Ease of Living thatcomes from Fully Prepared Meals,Housekeeping and Laundry Services

SKILLED NURSINGHOME CARE

Individual Care To Meet Each Resident’s Needs Physical, Occupational

& Speech Therapy

HOME HEALTHCARE

Providing Assistance in the Comfort and Privacy

of Your Home

ADULT DAY PROGRAM

Live At Home But Spend The Day With Us

ADULT DAY PROGRAM 2

Separate Day Program Specializingin Memory Loss Disorders

Georgia Nyenhuis poses next to her raised garden of green beans and purple flowers. Nyenhuis said gardening relaxes her. Kessa Albright/Albert Lea Tribune

‘I’ve gotmy hands’

82-year-old stillkeeping busy afterbeing paralyzed in farm accident

Associated Press

Kenneth Burdick, the CEO ofBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Min-nesota, is out of a job after the non-profit health plan had concernsabout a “lack of disclosure” relatedto “anticipated business activi-ties.”The news comes six months to

the day after the Eagan-based in-surer announced Burdick as its newCEO.Blue Cross released a statement

Thursday morning, July 19, sayingthat the board of directors “becameaware of concerns related to

whether there had been adequatedisclosure of some anticipated busi-ness activities and immediately ini-tiated a Board review and internalinvestigation of the matter.”The company has named Scott

Lynch, currently a senior vice pres-ident and chief legal officer of BlueCross, as the interim CEO.The board anticipates identifying

a new CEO in 60 to 90 days, but “willtake the time required” to find thebest candidate, the company said.Burdick, 54, had spent several

years as an executive at United-Health Group before joining BlueCross.

Blue Cross of Minnesota CEO out after just six months