The post Uncertainty to hope: The power of faith appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

By Chaplain Jenny Schroedel, Optage Hospice

I once knew a woman whose son had died. Her grief was profound and unpredictable, and she was often caught off guard by the intense emotions she experienced. Even a trip to the grocery store could evoke tears.

Over time, she realized that her best strategy was to invite her grief to go along with her wherever she went. “Come on grief,” she would say, “We’re going grocery shopping.” By calling it out — and inviting it along — she learned to move through the world differently with her loss.

In groups, people will sometimes ask how long it takes to feel better, or “get over” a loss. While it is normal to feel better in time, most do not exactly “get over” loss. Instead, they learn to live with loss, to carve out space for it, to let it simply become part of who they are.

Here are some ways to accommodate grief:

• Expect it. Once my friend started inviting grief along with her, she was less surprised by her grief and more flexible with herself.
• Take Your Time. When emotions surge, it can be helpful to take a pause. Consider adding a little space between commitments so grief can breathe.
• Create Space. You could create a memorial corner with a photo of your loved one, a battery-powered candle and items they made, wore or treasured. This space can help create a pocket of quiet in the midst of life, a place to reflect, remember and heal.

Grief Support (offered via Zoom)

Making Space for Grief
March 20, 7-8 PM CT
We’ll invite members to discuss moments when they have been surprised by grief — as well as ways they have learned to create space for it.

Mind, Body, Spirit Grief Support
Wednesdays in April, 12 – 1 p.m. (April 3,10, 17, 24)
We’ll explore the impact of grief on the mind, body and spirit, as well as what you can do to help ease the process.

Optage Hospice Chaplain Jenny Schroedel facilitates grief groups across PHS sites and in the larger community. Jenny is also an author, most recently of Naming The Child: Hope-filled Reflections on Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death.

If you are interested in joining a group, contact Optage Hospice by email or call 651-746-8200.
Optage is the home and community services division of Presbyterian Homes & Services.

The post Making space for grief appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.

By Pastor Chris Wheatley, PHS Senior Director of Pastoral Care Services

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” —Titus 2:11

One of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote that if we lost the Bible in its entirety, and all that we had instead was a single slip of paper that told us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had died and risen again to save us, we would still have enough for our eternal salvation.

It’s an intentionally provocative idea, that a single statement can have everlasting implications, and it is the heart of what we at Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) mean when we point to “faith alone” in our Christian ministry value. But we should be grateful that we have more than this, because the biblical story provides even more than a salvation history. It encapsulates all human existence, from family squabbles to love at first sight, from disastrous wars to miraculous renewals.

And during Lent, it provides us with a chance to walk alongside Jesus himself as he prepares for his own death. I recently attended a discussion group at Maranatha used the “Way of the Cross” to allow residents to engage with the way Christ’s experiences reflected their own and showed a faithful way to endure hardship.

I was moved by a man who talked about times he has been betrayed by a friend like Judas. I was inspired by a woman who pointed out that it didn’t cause Jesus to become bitter. They saw in this story not only our past, but a path into the future as well.

We walk with Jesus to learn how to endure life’s sufferings with grace and love, to die with purpose and hope, and in the end, to rise like our Lord. Every PHS community will be using the “Way of the Cross,” a PHS devotional based upon St. John’s passion story, during Lent this year.  Ask the campus pastor for details, and accept my invitation to take part in the story that can change everything.

Rev. Chris Wheatley serves PHS as Senior Director of Pastoral Care Services. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor and has served in hospice, eldercare, hospital, HIV/AIDS and congregational settings. He and his wife Nicole are perpetually outnumbered by cats and Dobermans.

The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian ministry.

The post The Way of the Cross: A devotional journey for residents appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff. Today’s message was read aloud in employee huddles. If you are connected to Presbyterian Homes & Services as a resident, client, family member or volunteer, you are welcome to participate in the invitation below. Thank you!

Today we highlight the invitation that was shared last month by Pastor Chris Wheatley, our senior director of pastoral care services. He asked us to take a fresh look at our biblical framework — the selected Scriptures that guide our ministry.

Not only do they guide our ministry, but they also invite us to better understand God’s character and love. By reflecting on these Scriptures, we are reminded that just like those we serve, we are God’s beloved children.

And so, all employees are invited to take a fresh look at the biblical framework and share your feedback. This isn’t a task for pastors or chaplains alone.

Remember Jesus’ first disciples. They were not scholars but worked to provide goods and services to the people around them. They understood the challenges and joys of daily life with their neighbors. Jesus chose ordinary people to spread his word and love for others. Sound familiar?

Pastor Chris invited us to think and pray about our biblical framework from the perspective of PHS values. He also recommended Scripture verses that are clear and relevant to our challenges and opportunities.

So, which Scriptures influence your service at Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS)? Which Scriptures best speak to how we should shape our ministry?

If you need a little inspiration, consider Dave Rustad’s example. PHS caught up with Dave, a senior communication specialist, and asked about what motivated him to contribute a suggestion to our biblical framework.

Pointing to Genesis 1:27, Dave explained, “Scripture tells us every person we serve bears the image of God. One’s infinite value comes from God. To me, that feels like a foundational pillar for our ministry.”

Just like Dave, please consider and pray about our biblical framework and suggest any changes, additions and feedback to your supervisor or to Pastor Chris Wheatley at info@preshomes.org before April 1.

Thank you for partnering with us in this mission and ministry!

The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian ministry.

The post Bible verses to shape our mission appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6

The 2023 Annual Report, released this month, provides an overview of Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) activities, services and resources. Dan Lindh, president and CEO, and Jim Green, board chair, open the report with a letter offering an overview of the year.

In this letter they write, “We are convinced that God has called Presbyterian Homes & Services to ‘shine on’ in ministry (2 Corinthians 4:6). … Fulfilling this mission is not without hurdles, but 2023 was a year in which we made progress in recovering from severe workforce challenges, COVID-19 disruption and financial pressures. … Our census strengthened, operating revenue turned positive, and we invested in employees at the highest levels in our history.”

Highlights of the report include stories about a chef who found joy in his second career with a PHS senior living community, and sisters who found a PHS community that offered nothing but love and care to their mother and aunt who experienced memory loss. The report also details PHS financial results, initiatives connected to our home and community services, stewardship of resources and information regarding how and where we serve.

“Our ministry makes the love of God tangible to the older adults we serve,” conclude Dan and Jim.
PHS is pleased to share this annual publication with the readers of the Perspectives Blog.

Read the 2023 annual report online.

The post Shine On: 2023 annual report appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

The Bleifuhs sisters say after a long, challenging journey, they finally found a place that wrapped their beloved mother and aunt in love.

Caring for an aunt with vascular dementia and a mother with Alzheimer's has been a long, challenging journey for the Bleifuhs sisters: Jane Wolfgram, Julie Maiers, Jo Ellen Begalke and Jill Elfering. It wasn’t until the sisters moved their mom, Joan, and aunt, Clare, to Folkestone — a Presbyterian Homes & Services senior living community in Wayzata, Minn. — that they found peace of mind.

“From the moment we walked in [January 2022], Folkestone staff wrapped their arms around both of them, sat them down and put a warm blanket on them,” reflects Jane. “It has been nothing but love and care and treating them as if they were family members.”

“I used to say, ‘It can’t always be this good, can it,’” Jo Ellen observes. “But it’s two years, and it’s still that good.”

An upbringing made better by strong women

The siblings grew up in what they describe as a small house in Madison, Wis. “Four girls and one bathroom,” laughs Julie. “We spent a lot of time together. Now we’re back as sisters and friends.”

The sisters describe their growing years as “complicated.”

“Our mother had to work in order to support our family,” remarks Jane. “She was a full-time working mom, but we had a grandmother four houses up the street and another grandmother a mile-and-a-half away who were a big part of our lives.”

“The three of them [mother and grandmothers] were ‘the Three Musketeers,’ helping out wherever they could,” Julie recalls. “Mom had a lot to care for, but she just got through it.”

“Mom was resilient,” adds Jane. “She wasn’t always given an easy path, but she still took every step on that path and never once complained or regretted or felt as if it was unfair.”

Aunt Clare – like a second mom

Aunt Clare, Joan’s younger sister, lived in nearby Milwaukee and had a special relationship with her nieces.

“Clare was like a second mom,” asserts Julie. “We could tell her things that we wouldn’t necessarily tell our mother.”

“She was very caring, fierce and adventurous,” adds Jo Ellen.

When Clare moved back to Madison following the death or her and Joan’s mother, Clare simply became part of the Bleifuhs family.

“She and mom built a duplex together, so they were on each side of the duplex,” laughs Jane. “They each had their own space, but they had a connecting door in the basement.”

“Clare took care of mom, in a sense,” states Jo Ellen. “She was a little more savvy with money.”

Noticing cognitive decline

In 2015 and 2016, the Bleifuhs sisters began noticing that both their mother and aunt were struggling with memory issues.

“Your mom isn’t getting her tax information together,” Clare told Julie. It was a task Joan had done – and done well – for many years. Julie offered to assist her mom, but Joan was very confused.

About the same time, Julie noticed that Clare would forget things like where her car was parked in the parking lot, as well as many other little details.

Ultimately, this cognitive decline resulted in the Bleifuhs sisters moving mom, dad and aunt in and out of several senior communities and care settings over a period of five years.

“It’s a lot to handle to have three elderly relatives — two with memory issues and one who was ‘combative,’” Jo Ellen notes. “It’s too much for one person to handle. There are three of us girls who live in the Twin Cities, so it made more sense for us to move them here where there was more support.”

In May 2019, the Bleifuhs siblings helped move their loved ones into two separate apartments. Mom and dad in one, and Clare in another. “It was a joy,” Jo Ellen shares, “and then COVID-19 hit.”

The care setting the sisters originally deemed a “dream come true” soon morphed into a situation that didn’t fit their needs or expectations.

This caused the sisters to start discussing other options.

By God’s grace … Folkestone

“A friend of ours from work, whom we adore, her mother lived at Folkestone,” Jane relays. “She was so pleased with her mother’s care. She had nothing but glowing words – even through COVID-19.

“I came over [to Folkestone],” Jane recalls, “and by the grace of God there were two apartments available in memory care.”

The sisters helped their mother and aunt move to Folkestone in January 2022, and they could not be more delighted with the decision.

However, the following June, Clare passed away following months in hospice care at Folkestone. The last three weeks of Clare’s life, Jane stayed with her aunt.

“Every time any employee walked in to take care of her, they said her name,” Jane recalls. “Clare was unconscious at the time, so you might think, ‘What’s the big deal?’ But that was one of the most beautiful things you can ever do for another human being. William, the overnight aide, would come in and say ‘hello, Clare,' check on her, and then ask how I was doing.

“We always had complete faith and trust in the employees at Folkestone to keep us aware of needs as Clare continued to decline,” Jane observes.

The sisters say that the challenge of caring for an adult with memory loss is difficult, but they feel blessed to be able to travel this road as a team.

“We communicate well and express our opinions,” says Jo Ellen.

“We all have different strengths, and we’re able to contribute in different ways,” Julie asserts.

“Folkestone is incredibly beautiful, but that is not the important part,” Jane concludes. “Knowing that our aunt and our mom were and are treated in a way that you would treat other family members, with total respect and love … that defines the value of Folkestone.”

Hear from the Bleifuhs sisters

The post ‘Nothing but love and care’ appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

Before retiring, chef Jim Klein experienced success; after ‘unretiring,’ he encountered joy

Like many artists, Jim Klein wants people to enjoy his creations. He knows he has been successful not so much by the verbal compliments people share as by the smiles of pleasure etched on their faces after savoring one of his gourmet meals. It is this unspoken “thank you” that fuel’s Jim’s enthusiasm as nutrition and culinary director at Lexington Landing in Saint Paul, Minn.

Jim found his passion early in life, cooking meals as a child with his mother. That joy in creating tasty food and making people happy morphed into a real job at age 16 when Jim was hired as a prep cook at a local restaurant. His talents were further developed when, in high school, he signed up for a chef’s training program at an area vocational school.

After graduating, Jim attended the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. From there, he moved to Hot Springs, Ark., and started working as the executive sous-chef and then executive chef at the Arlington Hotel restaurant, with a Forbes Travel Guide (formerly “Mobil Guide”) four-star rating. It was in Hot Springs that Jim mastered garde-manger work, including sculpting ice, vegetable and fruit carvings.

In 1984, Jim relocated to Marina del Rey, Calif., were he served as executive chef for Marina del Rey hotels following the 1984 Olympics.

After Jim and his wife Karyn had their first child, they decided it was time to move back home to Minnesota. He then became the executive chef at the Minnesota Club until 1996. This was a role he loved and enjoyed. He later moved into food service management until his retirement in 2019, when his job was eliminated, and he felt he needed a break.

A short-lived retirement

“I had worked a lot of long hours and holidays in ways that chefs at resorts and clubs do,” Jim observed. “Following retirement, I did a lot of things around the house. We went camping. My wife and I also have Harley Davidsons, so we did a lot of trips on those.”

Retirement proved to be short-lived, however. After enjoying the spring and summer “downtime,” Jim decided to reenter the workforce. He initially toyed with the idea of working as a driver for a local electrical company but decided against the move.

“Cooking is really my passion,” Jim reasoned. “Why leave the thing that I love doing?” So, Jim applied for the nutrition and culinary director position at Lexington Landing. The rest, as they say, is history. Jim was back doing what he loved and connecting with people in a deeply personal way.

“You get to know what people like and what they don’t,” Jim observes. “Seeing residents smile when you engage with them —even if it’s knowing to not put ice in Esther’s juice, is a huge deal.”

Jim believes the gourmet meals he prepares at Lexington Landing would please the most refined palate. “Sole filet stuffed with shrimp on a bed of parmesan creamed spinach, sauteed beef tenderloin medallions with pearl onion Merlot sauce, and parmesan cheese cups filled with baby greens, berries and goat cheese, are crowd favorites,” Jim remarks. “We also had grand openings that featured different German Bavarian foods and drinks that were a big hit.”

Jim credits his staff

Jim oversees 16 servers and cooks. At all the special holiday events, his staff gets creative. Jim credits his entire team for elevating Lexington Landing meals to be among the highest rated in Presbyterian Homes & Services communities.

“Anytime we do gourmet dinners, the next day residents say we ‘knocked it out of the park,’” Jim asserts. “I’m proud of my team. I couldn’t do it without them. You are only as good as the people around you.

“The food we serve at Lexington Landing is special because of the staff,” adds Jim. “I had a sign that said, ‘A great meal can’t save bad service, but great service can save a wrong meal.’ So, if someone doesn’t like what the special of the day is, our servers can correct it by working with the resident and going back to the kitchen to make the meal right for them. Our residents really like the personal service.”

It is not just service that makes Jim’s kitchen special, however. It’s also the teaching and training that Jim pours into his team.

“It’s important to work with the staff and to teach them new skills,” says Jim. “Whether it is teaching a new skill, or teaching a technique that will save them time … staff training is a big part of what we do, and my staff enjoy it.

“I prefer to move people — especially younger staff— around, from the cold station to the hot station so they can learn different aspects of the kitchen and not be stuck in one area,” Jim comments. “We want people to grow, and Pres Homes offers opportunities for people to move up the ladder in a number of roles.

“I’m not working seven days a week like I used to,” Jim reflects. “I work five days a week now. I have a life outside of work. Cooking is something I can do for a long time.

“When I came out of retirement, I wanted to do something that was meaningful, something I had passion for and enjoyed doing. I still work hard, but I enjoy doing it. I tell my boss, ‘I love my job.’

“Food and making people happy are what I’m about,” Jim concludes. “Cooking and teaching staff different ways of doing things bring me joy.”

Hear from Chef Jim

The post A second serving of cooking passion appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.

By Campus Pastor Mark Triller, Kirkland Crossings and Towner Crest

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye upon you. —Psalm 32:8, NIV

Campus pastors and hospice chaplains at Presbyterian Homes & Services have wonderful opportunities to discuss spiritual life with residents and employees alike. Often, a person’s spiritual need involves a relationship question about another person or God.

Recently I listened to a resident in tears explain that she believes that her grandchild has left the faith.

She looked at me with desperation in her eyes and said, “How does this happen? Where did we go wrong?”

There are two problems here: the resident and her anguish and the grandchild and her spiritual condition. So I asked the resident, “Did you have an opportunity to tell your granddaughter about God?” She said that she indeed did. “So, I continued, “You modeled what Psalm 32 says about God teaching His people?” She said, “Yes, I guess so.”

I told her that her anguish is a good indication of how much she cares for this young adult. But still, God loves this young college student more.

For some who have not made a practice of sharing the faith with children when they were younger, this can lead to distress. The Book of Deuteronomy instructs that we are to, “impress [God’s commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.” If this was not done when children were little and you have come to a mature faith later in life, it is not too late. Explain to your older children how this understanding has happened to you and what God might offer them as well. Humility goes a long way.

Our lives can have new meaning and direction as we pray for them and for God to open up a new opportunity to talk with them about the kindness of God and the legacy that He has in our family.

Rev. Dr. Mark Triller serves PHS as Campus Pastor for Kirkland Crossings and Towner Crest in eastern Wisconsin. He is an ordained pastor and has served in university education, pastoral leadership and nonprofit management. He and his wife Annika have six children living in the St. Paul area.

The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.

The post Faith forward appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) has named Becky Rauen senior vice president and chief human resources officer (SVP/CHRO). In this role, Becky oversees all human resources functions for PHS and its 7,300 employees.

“We are excited to have Becky join our team,” said Dan Lindh, PHS president and CEO. “Her experience, skillset, values and passion make her the ideal individual to serve as our ‘chief people architect’ and to empower PHS employees to fulfill our mission of ‘honoring God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults.’”

Becky brings 25 years of experience in leading human resources in complex health care environments, including service as vice president of human resources for North Memorial Health, an organization encompassing 27 specialty and primary care clinics, home care offerings, two hospitals, more than 900 doctors and 6,100 employees.

About her new position Becky said, “One of the main reasons I chose PHS is because of the organization’s focus on Christian culture and the centrality of the employee experience to the mission of PHS. I can’t wait to support and further strengthen Presbyterian Homes’ values-driven, people-first culture.”

Additional work and industry leadership

Becky serves as president of the board of directors for the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, the nation’s only membership organization dedicated to meeting the needs of human resources professionals in healthcare. She previously served as director of human resources for Maple Grove Hospital, Maple Grove, Minn., and as chief human resource officer for Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, a PHS partner at Heartwood senior living community in Crosby, Minn.

Key responsibilities

Becky will serve on the PHS senior leadership team and will report directly to Dan (President Lindh). Becky’s key responsibilities include positioning PHS as an “employer of choice,” identifying and developing talent, maximizing the value of employee benefits, strengthening employees’ ownership mindset, and further integrating Christian values with PHS values, among others.

Education and family

Becky received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – Asia Division, and her master’s from the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minn. She resides in Chanhassen, Minn., with her husband, Jon, and has two adult sons, Jonah and Nate.

Welcome, Becky!

The post Becky Rauen named SVP of human resources for Presbyterian Homes & Services appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.

by Becky Rauen, Presbyterian Homes & Services senior vice president and chief human resources officer  

Self-care is essential in serving others. We’re reminded of this truth every time we travel by commercial airline:

Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm and listen for instructions from the cabin crew. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose. … Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children.

While it may feel selfish not to tend to others first – especially one’s own children – doing so could endanger their lives and yours.

Perhaps no issue is of more importance to me professionally than “care for employees.” Those who work in senior housing and services are caretakers, focused first and foremost on others. And, it takes great emotional strength to extend oneself in this way. Unfortunately, this often leads many industry employees to take care of themselves last.

Senior living employees today face many stresses and pressures, some from work and some from personal life. At times, life’s demands can feel overwhelming. To serve others, one must be prepared for and resilient in stress. Fortunately, resilience skills can be learned.

One of the most prevalent and persistent stigmas regarding mental health is that an individual thinks or feels he or she is the only one struggling. This is simply not true. Experts tell us nearly half of Americans will at some time in their lives experience a mental health problem, but only one in five will seek care.

This spring, Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) is unveiling new benefit program called “Learn to Live.” It is a best-in-class mental health solution to help develop new skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance use and other common challenges.

The program’s tools are delivered through computer-based-training, awareness campaigns, online resources, staff trainings, one-on-one coaching, teletherapy and other means.

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) genuinely cares. In fact, employees are the most important resource in our ministry. Our employees can only best serve others when they have the tools, resources and support they need to be emotionally and mentally healthy.

We are confident Learn to Live is the next right resource for PHS employees. Those using the tools and resources have reported a 46 percent improvement in depression and anxiety measures, and 75 percent say they are more productive at work.

Importantly, this program supports the Christian underpinnings of our ministry (e.g., “love one another”, John 13:34, and “bear one another’s burdens”, Galatians 6:2).

I am genuinely excited about the impact this new benefit offering will have for our employees and their families.  I look forward to its launch, and for this opportunity to learn new skills and new ways to approach life’s challenges. First pray, then do.

Want to know more about employment with PHS … visit: preshomes.org/careers 

Becky Rauen joined PHS in September 2023. She brings 25 years of experience in leading human resources in complex health care environments. She also currently serves as president of the board of directors for the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration. Becky says, “One of the main reasons I chose PHS is because of the organization’s focus on Christian culture and the centrality of the employee experience to the mission of PHS.” 

The post Self-care is essential in serving others appeared first on Presbyterian Homes & Services.