Tonya comes to us after completing Cosmetology school at the Cosmetology Training Center in Mankato. She worked as a stylist for a few years while going back to school and receiving her Certified Medical Assisting license at Rasmussen College, also in Mankato. She than worked at ACMC in Marshall as a CMA for a about a year then transferred to ACMC in Granite falls. She also spent 7 years working at RCW elementary school in the Title 1 department.
RenVilla: No new positives. Continuing outbreak testing. Visitation may continue as normal.
Meadows on Main: No new positives. No change.
Prairie View: No new positives. No change.
The county transmission levels can be found at the link below. In addition to this information, you can find Renville County’s 7-day Metrics including:
We are seeing another increase in cases locally. Please remember to follow the visitation guidelines that are required by MDH and CMS when visiting:
Visits must occur in resident’s room/apartment (cannot occur in common areas/during group activities).
Temp/Screening is required at main entrance before visit. You will be provided a visitor sticker from a staff member at completion of screening. Please push call light button for assistance.
Face masks must be worn at all times.
Proper hand hygiene must be followed.
Physical distancing – remain 6 feet apart – must be followed.
Vaccinated residents may choose to have unmasked visits in their room/apartment with vaccinated visitors without social distancing.
St. Francis Health Services is proud to announce Renville Health Services leadership has been recognized for achieving the highest level in both Action and Excellence Honor Roll of Safe Care for Seniors.
Safe Care for Seniors is a new way of thinking and process to prevent harm in the course of caregiving. This program, through LeadingAge MN, provides the structure and support for our entire organization to keep those we serve safe from harm and to treat everyone who lives and works here with respect and dignity. The plan begins with an individual pledge and is followed up by a five-step action plan.
The Safe Care for Seniors Pledge expresses our public commitment to do all that we can as caregivers to address the intentional and unintentional harm that can occur in our settings. It is a commitment we make as individuals and as an organization, and one we share with staff, residents and families.
The 5-Step Action Plan is focused on opportunities for improvement in safety, quality and communication. You will see a strengthened commitment from leadership, safety champions from throughout our organization, new opportunities for learning and training, a focused effort on improving communication with our residents and families and engaging them in our safety and quality work, and creating a stronger safety culture that encourages speaking up, reporting and learning from mistakes.
Integration of the Safe Care for Seniors pledge and actions in everything we do as an organization, helps ensure the older adults we serve are safe from harm and that all who live and work in our setting are treated with dignity and respect.
Through our commitment to safety, respect and dignity, we are improving the quality of care and services we provide, empowering our staff to respond appropriately in difficult or unexpected situations, and enhancing relationships with the seniors and families we serve – all of which contribute to safe, inclusive and trusted environments that provide a high quality of life for all who live and work there.
A special gift, filled with the love of a community, the heart of a small business, and the passion of employees, will be delivered to residents of Heritage Manor Health Center in Chisholm this Valentine’s Day.
Within 48 hours of the start of “Adopt a Resident” Valentine’s event all residents were adopted and will each receive a beautiful floral arrangement, designed by Mary’s Lake Street Floral of Chisholm, for Valentine’s Day.
“We hope our residents feel the outpouring of love and support from our families, friends, and community during this uncertain time and to know that they are thought of each and every day,” said Tina Janezich, activity director / HR specialist at Heritage Manor.
During a recent marketing meeting, Janezich got the idea to deliver joy in the form of flowers from a facility in southern Minnesota that had done a similar event around Christmas.
“I really wanted to do something special for our residents since COVID has restricted their physical connection with family members and friends and thought this was the perfect way to spread some love throughout our facility and brighten their day,” said Janezich.
“I knew immediately I wanted to team up with Mary (Pogorelc) from Mary’s Lake Street Floral here in Chisholm, but I was unsure if Mary would be able to pull something like this off so close to the holiday, as I know this is a busy time of year for floral shops,” she explained.
However, as soon as Janezich called Pogorelc and shared this idea, she loved it and wanted to collaborate.
For Pogorelc, it means a lot to be part this event and to help bring smiles to people in the community. “When Tina contacted me about this I loved the idea,” said Pogorelc, owner / designer of Lake Street Floral.
Pogorelc wanted to do this because of the impact she knew it could have. She shared a story from a couple years ago when her granddaughters were visiting. They wanted to do something nice, so they created little bouquets and hand delivered them to residents of Guardian Angels of Hibbing where their grandpa is a resident.
“It brought so many smiles and hugs for my granddaughters,” said Pogorelc. “I jumped at this opportunity, knowing how a small gesture could make someone so happy, especially now.”
Another heartwarming aspect is the amazing support from community members who purchased the arrangements to be sent to residents.
After the duo talked about the vision and costs, Pogorelc set up a system for those who wanted to share love this February to call and donate.
Janezich wanted to get the information out on Facebook as soon as possible so they would have adequate time to share this event with families and the community, so she posted as soon as the system was in place.
“By that evening, we had close to 100 shares and over 10,000 views,” said Janezich. “I am just so grateful for the heartwarming support we have received.”
Janezich feels it’s extremely important to give back and support each other. “It’s imperative that we bridge a connection between our residents and the community, especially during these difficult and uncertain times,” she said.
Pogorelc shared similar sentiments. “ (I) would love to do this more during the year,” she said. “It’s very well received by residents.”*
Today was a momentous day for Renville Health Services as RenVilla hosted its 1st vaccination clinic for residents and employees. Thank you Thrifty White Pharmacy for assisting in this process. There was a great turnout, and everything went very smoothly. It must also be said that there was a new and notable sense of hope in the air as we have been eagerly anticipating this day for the past 10 months.
We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions to help you understand why the vaccine is so important in defeating COVID-19. You can find this along with the Moderna Fact Sheet, on our website at sfhs.org/resources/covid-19/.
Renville Health Services, an affiliate of St. Francis Health Services of Morris (SFHS), is pleased to announce we were recently awarded a Minnesota Nursing Facility Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) grant by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) focused on preventing falls. The initiative for fall prevention and fall reduction began January 1, 2021 and will continue through December 31, 2022 within our care center and related SFHS’ skilled nursing care centers.
The Falls Prevention Project will provide our care center with additional resources to make positive system improvements to prevent falls for individuals receiving services that is focused on each individual’s preferences and needs. This program will have three components; expanding falls prevention and person centered education, implementing Safe Being technology, and increasing exercise program opportunities.
The education component of the Falls Prevention Project comes to us with a new partnership with Pioneer Network to expand our work force knowledge of Person Centered/Directed care. Pioneer Network is the national leader for culture change that advocates and builds a culture of aging where individual choices are respected and fosters care that is directed by the person receiving it. Staff will learn how to better address needs and lifestyle choices to reduce an individual receiving services’ risk for falls.
In the second part of our Falls Prevention Project, we will be installing Safe Being technology in our care centers. The Safe Being system provides the capability for real time remote monitoring while respecting the person’s privacy. Safe Being uses a watch-like device that provides data on lifestyles and daily activities and interprets gestures identifying how/when a resident is moving, eating, drinking and sleeping. Each person wearing the device will send an alert when there is a change in status or has been identified as being at risk for a potential fall or has fallen.
The third component of the Falls Prevention Project will be increasing exercise program opportunities such as Bingocize and Otago to improve strength, flexibility, and balance to help reduce falls.
The Falls Prevention Project is intended to build sustainable practices throughout our care center beyond the original two year grant period. SFHS is a faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization. In addition to their skilled nursing care centers, they offer a variety of services that include customized/assisted living, a full range of therapies, senior housing, transitional and skilled nursing care, and behavioral and residential programs throughout the State of Minnesota.
Renville Health Services Receives CARES Grant from the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
Renville – (December 23, 2020) – Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA) has awarded Renville Health Services a $22,850 CARES grant. The CARES grant is designed to allow community-based organizations to provide support services, such as chore services, homemaker, visiting, telephone reassurance and caregiver support services. These funds are designated to address the service needs of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CARES grant is made possible through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act funding through the Administration for Community Living and the Minnesota Board on Aging). MNRAAA is focusing these dollars on rural areas and our population with the greatest social need and those facing social isolation.
“We are seeing additional challenges to the older adult population due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We have also seen new opportunities to assist our communities during these unprecedented times. This grant allows organizations to assist the older adults through unique ways”, said Jason W. Swanson, MNRAAA, Executive Director.
About Renville Health Services
St. Francis Health Care Services will support patients within their organization and community to improve quality of life. With access to telehealth, SafeBeing alert and monitoring system and the use of LiveFine Automatic Pill Dispenser, patients can remain as independent as possible in their environment while getting the cares they need.
About the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
As the designated Area Agency on Aging for 27 counties in southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging is a catalyst in building communities where older adults live with dignity, mutual respect and shared responsibilities across generations and cultures. To learn more about MNRAAA, visit www.mnraaa.org.
ELLIE AALDERKS NAMED DISTRICT E VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Ellie Aalderks, a volunteer with Renville Health Services, was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the District E Volunteer of the Year Award.
The District Volunteer of the Year Award honors individuals in older adult services whose commitment and dedication enhance the quality of live for seniors and their communities. Ellie was one of six volunteers in the state selected for the regional award.
“For those of us who know Ellie, we understand how deserving she is of this recognition. We are so lucky to have her as a member of our community.” – Casie Knoshal, Administrator at RHS.
Ellie received the award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute, the state’s largest and most comprehensive aging services conference. Nearly 4,000 professionals in all aspects of older adult services attend the annual three-day event to learn about new and innovative programs, share best practices and network with their peers.
About LeadingAge Minnesota: Driven to transform and enhance the experience of aging, LeadingAge Minnesota works alongside its members, caregivers, advocates and consumers to collectively shape the future of aging services and ensure older adults in every community live with dignity, meaning and purpose. Together with more than 60,000 caregivers, LeadingAge Minnesota members provide quality services and supports to nearly 70,000 older adults every day in independent senior housing, assisted living, adult day, home care and skilled nursing settings.
We are proud of the work St. Francis, our parent company, has done in developing quality systems to serve our care centers under the LeadingAge Minnesota Performance Excellence program- What a great accomplishment; we look forward to beginning the program at Renville Health Services!
Renville Health Services has been awarded a grant through the Minnesota Hospital Association to support funding for this year’s Summer Health Care Intern Program (SHCIP) that is provided through a contract with the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health. This is a wonderful opportunity for area students to gain first-hand experience in a healthcare setting. The goal behind SHCIP is to inform area students of career opportunities that are in high demand locally and across the state. In addition, internship programs assist students in discovering their passion and individualized career paths as they progress through their education.
This paid internship program encompasses all departments: Nursing, Social Work, Restorative Rehabilitation, Culinary/Food Safety, Resident Life Enrichment, and Environmental Services. All interns will shadow and interview all department managers and leadership team members including the Administrator and Director of Nursing. All interns will develop and complete an individualized summer project that reflects their specific area of interest discovered after their introduction to all departments.
To qualify, interns must actively be a high school or college student. Internship positions will post on 5/1/19. You can apply at www.jobswithus.org or contact our Human Resources Director, Natasha Segelstrom at 320 329-4371.
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