Evergreen Retirement Community

Did You Know . . .

. . . you are not the only one wondering about How to Choose a Retirement Community? Read more!

. . . that you can read our Green Leaves newsletter on-line? Read the latest issue of Green Leaves right now!

. . . that you can visit Evergreen on-line with our new 3-minute virtual brochure? Or contact Lindsey Monroe at lmonroe@EvergreenOshkosh.com or 920-237-2128 to request your free copy.

. . . that Evergreen will again participate in the Oshkosh Seniors Center Granny Smith Run/Walk on October 9? Evergreen Retirement Community is one of the major sponsors of the event and several Evergreen staff will run, walk or volunteer at the event. All proceeds benefit the fitness and exercise programs at the Oshkosh Seniors Center.

. . . that creating exceptional experiences and environments are part of Evergreen's mission? Read about real-life exceptional experiences at Evergreen.

. . . that Evergreen is again supporting the Oshkosh Area United Way by helping to kick off the 2010 campaign as a Pacesetter organization? Evergreen residents and staff have generously contributed to the United Way for many years and this is the fourth year that Evergreen has participated as an early Pacesetter.

. . . that ten Evergreen residents "put their hands to history" by participating in the painting of the new city of Oshkosh mural? The 72-foot long by 8-foot tall original artwork is being created to depict historical Oshkosh. It is a cooperative project giving the people of Oshkosh the opportunity to join hands in creating the special pictorial.

. . . that pet lovers are happy at Evergreen? Many residents enjoy the fact that they can own pets at Evergreen. Pets are allowed in the Village, Evergreen Homes and Manor Apartments as long as the resident owner is able to take care of the pet without assistance from Evergreen staff. Pets must also be approved by the Independent Living manager (who is a pet lover herself!) just to make sure that the pet will not be a nuisance to other residents. Pets are also welcome as visitors in the other areas at Evergreen.

. . . that physical therapy can address the postural instability that may occur with vertigo or dizziness? Stop by the Cedar or Cypress Center to learn more!

. . . that residents ranked Evergreen at 4.60 on a 5-point scale for "Overall Satisfaction" on the Annual Resident Satisfaction Survey this year? The ranking was the average response on the following scale to the question "What is your overall level of satisfaction with Evergreen?"

               5 = Very satisfied

               4 = Satisfied

               3 = Somewhat satisfied

               2 = Dissatisfied

               1 = Very dissatisfied

This average score has trended upward over the past six years as Evergreen continues to create exceptional environments and experiences for residents!

. . . that Evergreen has a new Ageless Art Center? Located off the Commons, the Center provides an opportunity for residents to have fun while learning something new. Weekly classes invite residents to explore and experiment with many forms of art. The emphasis is on the creative process rather than the final piece and no experience is necessary!

. . . that a two-day seminar on implementing high-performance work systems was held June 29 and 30 at Evergreen Retirement Community? Sponsored by Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence, the seminar familiarized participants with the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, a management framework based on cutting-edge best practices from the highest-performing organizations in the world. Read more.

. . . that Evergreen has adopted a highway? On three Saturday mornings this year, employees and their families will spend several hours picking up trash along the section of roadway that Evergreen has sponsored on Hwy E from Claireville Road to Sand Pit Road in partnership with the Adopt-a-Highway program.

. . . that you can follow Exhibits at Evergreen on Facebook? Let us know you like the exhibits!

. . . that Evergreen has installed a hearing loop in our Chapel to assist those with hearing aids equipped with T-coils? Sound is transmitted directly and wirelessly without background noise or interference to better serve our residents and community members.

. . . that Evergreen was highlighted in the March issue of Women Magazine? An article about design features in housing included insights from Evergreen and photos of Evergreen residents and living options.

. . . that Evergreen is featured in the February 2 issue of US News and World Report?

These Nursing Homes Care About Their Elderly Charges.

At new-culture facilities, the emphasis is on respect for residents and a

homelike setting. Dick Harron's buddies think he's off his rocker when he tells them "how much fun it is" to visit his 99-year-old mother at her nursing home. "It sounds strange," says the Oshkosh, Wis., retired sales manager, but "when I walk in there, I feel good.

Read more from US News and World Report on-line report.

. . . that Evergreen staff members share our expertise around the country? In March, Evergreen teams presented "Bathing Transformation: Personal Hygiene to Spa Experience" and "Laughter- The Spoonful of Sugar We All Need" at the Life Services Network Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. In May, the spa experience presentation will again be shared at the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Annual Meeting in Houston. Just another way that Evergreen demonstrates commitment to our vision of being a leader in transforming long term care!

. . . that Evergreen employees participated in the 2010 Help for the Homeless Campaign which provides assistance to those in our local community who are in need? Staff generously donated much needed personal items such as soaps, paper products and cleaning supplies to this worthy cause.

. . . that you can get updates about the new construction on Highway 41 in Winnebago County on-line?

Follow these links for updated information:

          US Highway 41 project from the Department of Transportation - with
          renderings of new interchanges
          US Highway 41 travel conditions

. . . that The GardenSide offers restaurant-style service for anyone who wants to enjoy a meal in Evergreen’s main dining room? Residents and visitors may stop in The GardenSide at any time during our new hours and order directly from a menu. No need to pre-select your meal or make reservations in advance! A stylish décor, made-to-order menu items and expanded service hours. Just one more way that Evergreen is here to serve you! Click here for a sample menu.

. . . that Evergreen sponsored gifts and food baskets for four families in partnership with the Adopt-a-Family program? Residents and staff contribute to this community outreach project each year during the Christmas season.

. . . that Evergreen Retirement Community has again been recognized by the Wisconsin Forward Award, the state’s premier organization for the promotion and recognition of high performance management principals? Evergreen was honored as a 2009 award recipient at a ceremony and reception in Madison. Award-winners demonstrate refined approaches, good-to-excellent results, and are considered industry leaders and role models for other organizations. Read more in the press release about the Wisconsin Forward Award.

. . . that Evergreen Registered Nurses Jane Peters, Creekview South Clinical Coordinator and Sarah Salzeider, Creekview North Clinical Coordinator, are certified as Culture Change Nurse Coordinators? They each completed an intensive Culture Change training program and an examination by the American Association for Long Term Care Nursing to receive the credential of CCNC-C.

. . . that Jane Peters, RN, Creekview South Clinical Coordinator, was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Wisconsin Nurses magazine? The three-page article focused on the positive aspects and rewarding benefits of working in a long-term-care setting. She encouraged other nurses and students to consider the long-term-care environment when making career choices. Jane is a past winner of the Nightingale Award for excellence in nursing.

. . . that Evergreen has been awarded the Governor’s Worksite Wellness Award – Silver Level? The award signifies Evergreen's commitment to building a work environment that enables employees to develop and maintain lifelong healthy behaviors. Evergreen - a great place to work!

. . . that Sarah Salzsieder, RN, WCC, Clinical Coordinator in the Evergreen Health Center has received Wound Care Certification through the National Alliance of Wound Care? Sarah was one of a limited group of long-term care nurses who were invited to attend a week-long intensive training provided by the Wound Care Education Institute. The education was part of the Wisconsin Wound Care Initiative encouraging LTC nurses to receive additional education specific to wound care and is a program that is being watched with interest by other states around the country.

. . . that Evergreen hosts an annual "World of Thanks" dinner and recognition event for residents, staff, donors and volunteers? Planning for the themed event occurs over the entire year and over 200 people attend. Read more.

. . . that you can see Evergreen on You Tube! Although the original show, "It's Your Law" with local attorney George Curtis, was televised last year, you can see one segment of the show which focuses on the many types of fitness opportunities available at Evergreen in this You Tube clip.

. . . that Vice-President Peggy Bellin RN, BSN, NHA, has received her Nursing Home Administrator’s license from the state of Wisconsin? Peggy is in charge of day-to-day nursing home operations for all three Health Center areas at Evergreen - Creekview North, Creekview South and The Post Surgical and Rehab Center at Manorview.

. . . that Evergreen Health Center nurses received special advanced end-of-life training to better equip them to care for hospice residents? The two-day training focused on symptom management and pain management.

. . . that living at Evergreen Village might not be as expensive as you think? Print a Cost Comparison Worksheet to compare the cost of living in your current home and living at Evergreen Village. Find out that many of the costs that you currently pay can be eliminated from your budget because they are already included in the Village monthly fee. Eliminate the need for the tedious ritual of writing multiple checks at monthly bill paying time. Invest wisely - choose Evergreen Village!

. . . that the Christmas Box Angel of Hope, a statue that serves as a place of mourning for parents who lost a child, has found a home at Evergreen! Standing near the Creekview entrance in the quiet beauty of nature, the angel statue offers visitors a place for personal reflection. Bricks are available to be engraved as memorials. Contact Carol Staszkiewicz at 920-237-2120 for more information. The statue was a collaboration with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, the Compassionate Friends of Oshkosh and Evergreen Retirement Community.

. . . that Evergreen has a Massage Therapy Room! The environment helps turn a massage into an experience! Wisconsin Certified Massage Therapists offer soothing massages to residents and staff. Read more about Massage Therapy at Evergreen.

. . . that Evergreen's I.D.E.A. Program encourages staff to submit ideas for inter-departmental improvements. Read more about the I.D.E.A. Program!

. . . that Evergreen often hosts group visitors from other facilities and organizations who are interested in learning more about the innovative ideas in place here?   A group of nursing faculty from two universities in India are pictured at left during their visit to Evergreen.