Dairyland Peach Sections Business Profile 2019 | Page 18

Dairyland Peach Business Profile 2019, Page 18
Tree of Life Assisted Living provides not just
a house but a warm, welcoming home
Upon entering the Tree of Life in New Munich, an
inviting greeting on the wall reads: “Be warm, be wel-
come, be at home.” The simple statement summarizes
what they are about — residents are encouraged to
be individuals, to spend time doing what they choose,
and to live their best life.
The Tree of Life began five years ago, in the house
previously known as Das Goldene Wohnheim. It op-
erated for 24 years under Elaine and Leroy Garding,
and was closed for two years prior to 2014, when it
was opened by Tina Valerius of St. Joseph. Tina, who
has a nursing background and worked in other facili-
ties, recognized the need for person-centered care. She
knew it could be done better, and that is what she set
out to do.
“Once people move in, they don’t want to leave.
They are getting care and they flourish,” Tina said.
She and her Assistant Manager, Jan Funk, describe
residents who came in with walkers which they no
longer use, and others who improved their physical
and mental health since coming to Tree of Life. They
attribute this to the personal care and down home
feeling.
Tree of Life is full to capacity with a waiting list.
They are licensed for 18 residents and employ 13 staff
members. All together, Tina describes this group as a
close-knit family. Residents are treated with respect
and politeness. Tree of Life has been blessed with ex-
cellent staff who recognize that their time and care
relates to resident well-being, and they know residents
suffer without it. They even do extensive assessments
of new residents to learn their lifestyles and habits,
so each person can keep their life how they had it.
Staff may ask, what order do you like to put clothes
on in the morning? The information is extremely help-
ful, especially when memory loss begins. Keeping a
routine helps folks feel more comfortable in their en-
vironment.
Residents have a lot of personal choice when it
comes to activities. A favorite, according to Linda
Mohr, Activity Director, is the coffee social, as she
describes them as a “food-motivated crew!” Occa-
sionally, Father Dan from the local Catholic Church
participates.
Quilting, crocheting, acrylic and watercolor paint-
ing are also popular. Linda describes how much the
residents enjoy math quizzes. “It keeps their minds
sharp,” she said, and they enjoy this level of thinking.
One day, Linda had residents re-learn how to write
checks. Mind activities and daily exercise individual-
ized for their ability levels are well-liked.
Residents take van trips to grocery stores, shopping
excursions, restaurants, fairs, car shows, bowling trips,
fishing, pontoon rides, the zoo and other activities of
interest. Church services are piped in from Immacu-
late Conception Church, and daily rosary is available.
Pictured in front of one of the trees at the Tree of Life include (from left): Bobbi Engebretson, Activity Assis-
tant; Mildred Poepping, Paulette Ritter, Tina Valerius and Lily, Eleanor Niehoff, Jan Odegaard-Reller, Linda Mohr,
Activity Director; Mathias Welle, wife Jane Welle, Delbert Wessel, and Jan Funk, Assistant Manager.
An annual Grandparent’s Day event has become a
highlight that residents look forward to, bringing a
crowd of nearly 300. To celebrate Grandparent’s Day,
families of residents are invited for a barbecue party
with live music and games. It begins with a memo-
rial service to honor residents who passed away the
previous year, and their families are presented with
an engraved stepping stone. Family photos are also
taken. The party follows, and has been growing each
year. This year it will be held Sept. 8.
The Tree of Life staff are trained in all areas, can
meet the needs of their residents through hospice, and
serve residents with dementia.
As residents near the end of life, the level of care in-
creases. Tina, along with her management staff, take
care of the person on hospice 24/7. At the time of
passing, they lead prayers and have a viewing or ser-
vice for staff and residents as preferred by the family.
Compassionate care is of utmost importance.
Staff support positive mental health in residents by
offering aromatherapy, music therapy and pet thera-
py. Three staff are certified in Reiki massage. Tina and
her staff attend as many trainings as they are able, to
continue learning techniques and skills to better serve
their residents.
Staying updated and constantly improving resident
care is Tina’s main goal for the Tree of Life. She asks
often, “How can we do this better?”
The answer, she acknowledges, centers on dignity
and love. Not providing a structured life, but offering
a life one looks forward to living. The Tree of Life is
not a place to go to die. Instead, it is a place to go to
live.
For more information about Tree of Life Assisted
Living, visit www.treeoflifeassistedliving.com.
632 Main Street
New Munich
320-837-5100
www.treeoflifeassistedliving.com