December 30, 2010

Heart to Home | Christmas & New Year


Holidays at Heart to Home have been very enjoyable this year. We've had a full schedule of activities over the past month that have helped make the snow (and rain!) bearable. Here is a list of some of the fun events over the past month:
  • "Accordion Pete" (and his chocolate lab!) came to visit and performed a holiday concert last week.
  • Melissa, our music therapist, came to perform a special holiday concert for residents, friends and family the weekend before Christmas.
  • Lori, our wonderful visiting hairstylist came and 'glamored up' all of the residents for "Grandpa & Grandma Shots". During "Grandpa & Grandma Shots" each resident gets dressed up in fancy clothing with makeup on, jewelry on, etc... and we take beautiful photos.
  • We had some very gracious family volunteers come decorate and make beautiful holiday cards.
  • Amy and Muffy came and decorated beautiful holiday cookies with all of the residents.
Games, crafts, food and visitors aplenty all joined us at Heart to Home over the past month to make this a truly "Magical" time of year. Thank you to all of our dedicated staff, volunteers, ancillary service providers, families, friends and wonderful residents for making 2010 a truly remarkable year at Heart to Home.

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On a special note... We wanted to share some kind words with everyone who help make Heart to Home possible. We were not able to post a PDF version on the blog so we re-typed a holiday card that was sent to us from our visiting music therapist:

"Dear Josh, Amy & all of the staff at Mendota and Mendakota Manors,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you again for the opportunity to work with you and your residents. You have two incredible homes that are clearly among the best of the best in long term care options in the Twin Cities. I would feel very comfortable with my loved one in one of your homes. Not only are the physical structures and operations of your homes incredible, but also you truly do treat the residents with dignity and respect, which sadly is not the standard anymore. From an outsiders perspective it looks more like you are working with family and friends than "residents" which is the way it should be. I commend you again for the care and compassion that you bring to your residents. It is a pleasure and honor to be among your care team. If you could please share this with your whole team I would appreciate it. Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday season!"

- Sincerely, Meslissa Hirokawa, Music Therapist

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


November 29, 2010

Heavenly Hugs by Susan Johnson




Heavenly Hugs are beautiful teddy bears that are made using clothing and jewelry from loved ones. They are wonderful keepsakes for families grieving the loss of a loved one. Pictured above are two of the bears that Susan made using bathrobes from a loved one. You can learn more about ordering a "Heavenly Hug Teddy" by contacting Susan Johnson at (952) 238-1703 or Hopeas@usfamily.net.

November 10, 2010

Resident Outing | Como Zoo and Conservatory

Perfect weather greets us as we arrive at the Como Zoo and Conservatory!


Heart to Home staff and residents begin arriving via bus.

A view of the conservatory fountain. The lush plants, flowers and fruit were amazing!

A resident enjoys watching a new baby giraffe.

Lunch break for staff, residents and family!

Residents and staff enjoying the sights and sounds of the conservatory...

Heart to Home's residents and staff had a wonderful time during our outing. We would like to send a special thanks to the families that generously donated money to our resident outing fund. Thank you!

Heart to Home | New Board Member 2011

Josh Cesaro, Heart to Home's Administrator and Co-Founder, was recently nominated to the Saint Paul Senior Worker's Board and the Residential Care Providers Network Board. Josh is honored to serve as a board member for these two wonderful organizations.

October 13, 2010

Heart to Home | State Fair Party

The staff, residents and resident families had a great time at our State Fair Party!

A friendly Great Dane (Athena the dog) came to visit...

Friends and family mixed and mingled...


Some of the fun treats! Including: fresh popcorn, a chocolate fountain, bbq food, balloon art, an ice cream bar... Good times were had by all!

Here is the display of resident crafts for our State Fair Blue Ribbon Competition. Each resident paired up with a staff member and over the course of two weeks worked together making some beautiful artwork, food, crafts, etc... It was a great way for our staff and residents to connect one on one.

Garden Views of Mendakota Manor

Here are some great pictures of Heart to Home's Mendakota Manor garden...


The staff and residents at Mendakota Manor planted some sunflower seeds in the spring and look at them now! They're as tall as the roof!


September Staff Training!

A big "Thank You" to the Regina Medical Center's Grace Unit RNs for providing our staff with continuing education ("Dealing With Difficult Behaviors" and "Strategies for Improving Sleep in Older Adults"). Here are some pictures of Heart to Home's staff at the training session:

September 17, 2010

Fun Times at H2H!

A Great Dane comes to visit Mendota Manor! He sure was a sweet dog and a big hit with the residents.

Melissa, our music therapist, strums some tunes for the residents.

The bird feeder thief caught red-handed! We have lots of active wildlife at Mendakota Manor.

August 20, 2010

Resident Outing | Concert at The Village of Mendota Heights


The staff and residents had a wonderful time at The Village of Mendota Heights (www.VillageMH.com) on Wednesday evening! We sat outside and watched two wonderful bands perform, mingled with friends, family and neighbors and enjoyed some delicious chocolate sundaes. Here's a picture of the band that performed (The Bunny Clogs). Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries so I was unable to capture any actual pictures of the fun event (better luck next time!).

July 19, 2010

Summer Fun at H2H

A sweet little puppy comes to visit Mendota Manor!

4th of July Family BBQ!

4th of July Family BBQ!

'Accordion Pete' Comes to Visit H2H!

June 17, 2010

Resident Outing to Osaka Seafood Steakhouse Restaurant

The staff and residents had a wonderful time during the recent outing at Osaka Restaurant in Apple Valley. The chefs at Osaka thrilled us by cooking our entire meal in front of us. It was quite the show!








May 21, 2010

The future of long term care?

Here is a wonderful article outlining the benefits of residential care homes. Smaller settings, such as Heart to Home, have created a new culture in long term care... One that is sure to continue growing in popularity. You can read the article by CLICKING HERE

May 12, 2010

The Healing Power of Touch

Massaging the hands of residents with dementia can be a powerful tool in helping them feel less stressed and more relaxed. There is growing awareness of the value of therapeutic massage and skilled touch for elders with dementia. More and more elder-care communities are incorporating the services of a licensed massage therapist, but caregivers of all kinds possess the power of touch to help manage behaviors and improve the quality of life of the elders they care for...

Click Here to Read the Full Article in Provider Magazine

Heart to Home's team of CNAs, RNs and LPNs utilize the healing power of touch to help improve the lives of our residents.

May 6, 2010

Music Therapist Visit!


Our new music therapist Melissa Hirokawa came to Mendota Manor today. She was great! The residents loved the music so much. She will be performing at Heart to Home on a regular basis. We will also be working on creating an intergenerational music program (with the local daycare) at Mendakota Manor in the coming months. Learn more about Melissa @ http://livingspirittherapy.com


May 4, 2010

Dr. Stivland Featured on Fox 9 News

Dr. Todd Stivland, our visiting doctor at Heart to Home, was featured in a recent news story on Fox 9 News. Please view the video below @ http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/dr.-leaves-clinic-behind-for-house-calls

April 26, 2010

Charlie Comes to Visit Heart to Home!


Last Friday, Josh's 8 month old son Charlie came to visit the residents at Mendota Manor and Mendakota Manor. He was a big hit and will be sure to come back soon!

April 9, 2010

New Music Therapist at Heart to Home

We are excited to begin working with Jenna, a music therapist, specializing in senior care and memory care therapy. Jenna will begin visiting the residents at Heart to Home starting at the end of April. Some unique features of her therapy include 1:1 song writing and art / music therapy integration. You can learn more about the benefits of music therapy at http://www.musictherapy.org or http://www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/MT%20Alzheimers%202006.pdf

Jenna will be a nice compliment to our activity program which also includes visits from Accordion Pete, therapy pet visits, beautician visits, etc...

April 5, 2010

Heart to Home | Easter Celebration

We would like to thank all of the friends and family who came to celebrate Easter at Heart to Home over the past weekend. We had a wonderful turnout for our ham dinner celebration (20 - 30 guests total!). We look forward to a fun spring and summer!

January 12, 2010

Exercising & New Year Party at Heart to Home

Getting ready for the New Year party with a festive hat!

A fun game of ball toss at Mendota Manor.

Stretching and exercising is an important part of everyone's day.