Residents from Mercy Living Plus, Oelwein Care, Grandview and Arlington Place had fun participating in the Golden Olympics!

Teams of four residents from each facility competed against each other. This was our sixth year of participation in the Golden Olympics. Medals and ribbons were won by all.

GOLDEN OLYMPICS

Mercy Living Plus201 8th Avenue, S.E., Oelwein, IowaE-mail: mercyplus2002@yahoo.com

September 2014

Representing Mercy Living Plus: Mary Alessio Sharon BushDonna GuentherDorlin Moeller

They could be identified by their yellow shirts. They competed in the following events.

KICK BALLMary AlessioSharon Bush

TREASURE DIGSharon BushDorlin Moeller

BEAN BAG TOSSSharon BushDonna Guenther

CROQUET GAMEDonna GuentherDorlin Moeller

BOWLINGMary AlessioDorlin Moeller

OLYMPIC THROWMary AlessioDonna Guenther

MERCY LIVING PLUS CHEERLEADER

Ramona Menuey

News from Sue The month of September brings us into some of the fall activities as we start the season out with a trip to the Casino. Residents wanted to go again before winter time. The children are back in school and they are ready to come visit the residents and bring their books to read to them. The experience of a child with the resident brings back many childhood memories. The residents love to see the children and the children find they will form a close relationship with their reading partner. A Fall Festival is planned for Sunday, September 14. Please come and enjoy a visit with your loved one. Rain date is Sunday, September 21. Fall Crafts with Mary Grimm, William Center Programs, Exploring Pages at the Library, Homecoming Parade, Harvest Checks and Van Rides. A great start to the beginning of Fall!.

Sue Schneider, Activity Director

Crop Check As we continue our weekly Crop Checks, we have heavy hearts. One of our farmers and columnists, Art White, passed away this month. He loved farming and talking to his friends about the farm. Trips to the fields brought many memories and comments. He loved to see the “fancy machinery” as he called it. He knew how many bushels of beans the fields should get and how much they were going to get per bushel. Our van continues to go out to check on the crops, but we are missing one special passenger as we tour the countryside!

Housekeeping Week Our Environmental Services and Housekeeping staff work hard keeping our facility clean and safe. Housekeeping cleans with style and a smile. Laundry brightens and whitens. Thanks for all you do.

Thank you… for all that you do for us. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Dimes for Bingo – Donna Heath

Music & Entertainment: Dave Poggenklass, Betty Benter, Nancy Hooten, Harry Ebbeson, Arlene Miehe, Fontana Nature Center, Jim Kinney,and Harold Gray Carnations for Birthday Party: Buds ‘n Blossoms

Spiritual Services: Carol Hamilton, Father Paul McManus, Deacon Jim Patera, Denise Lindemann, Anna Mary Harrington, Rose Moser, Linda Jensen, Connie Markle and Pastor Jacob Shinn

Piano Playing for Church Services: Coila Huffman and Kimberly Pont

Volunteer Services: Randy McQueen, Candy Kiel, Joe and Colleen Bovy, Joey Gonzales, Joyce and Rick Trotter, Linda Meyer, Mary Grimm, Arlene Miehe and Coila Huffman

Welcome to Mercy Living Plus:Lucille Polark Raymond DuganLetha Kappmeyer

Farewell and Best Wishes:Lucille Polark Mary ReisnerKatherine Koch

With Sympathy:Art White

Happy Birthday: September 10 Jack Theobald September 24 Teresa Cushion September 28 Iva Martindale

Staff Birthdays: September 9 Fran Swarts September 24 Martha Heinze September 25 Mary Hough September 29 Nathan Conner

Fishing…Our fishermen were up early as we traveled to Fontana Park this month for our fishing trip. It was a beautiful day! With the fishing poles ready we waited for someone to get the first bite. It looked like we were going to be catching blue gills for the day. I have to say we did have a fish story to share as one of our residents caught

a big fish! She was so excited and couldn’t reel it in! With the tugging of the line, the line broke and the fish did a flip and in the water it went. I saw the belly and it was a pretty good sized one. We all were very excited as we saw the enjoyment in the residents faces. The residents enjoyed a sack lunch and a good time!

Picnic BBQ in the ParkThe residents enjoyed a BBQ supper in Mercy Park this month. Leora found the only ant that we invited to her table. She made sure she pointed it out for all to see! The weather was great as we sat and took in some sunshine, the birds, the breeze and the smells of the BBQ. The residents enjoyed the social time with staff, volunteers and other residents.

Fall Carnival in the ParkFamilies and residents are invited to attend the annual Fall Festival in Mercy Park on Sunday, September 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please let Sue or Yvette know if you would be able to attend and assist your loved one to the park and around to the various games. Volunteers are also needed for the games if you would like to participate. Come have some family fun. If it rains we will have the festival the following weekend, on Sunday, September 21.

Message from KristiAs we age, we often face additional needs and challenges connected to getting older. If a family member, neighbor, or friend has reached a point where he needs assistance with his daily routine, you’ll need to know what those daily needs are. Here at Mercy Living Plus, we encourage individuals to be as independent as possible, while respectfully helping with the tasks that have become difficult. Here at Mercy Living Plus we would like to request thta all residents, female and male, have their own electric razor. This helps us provide some of the needed hygiene of our residents. It is also important that when new items for residents are brought in to Mercy Living Plus that they are marked appropriately to ensure they stay with the correct resident. Our staff would be willing to help with the marking of items. Simply stop at the nurses’ station.

Personal care is an important daily need for our residents. They may need assistance with bathing, dressing and personal grooming. The staff at Mercy Living Plus is glad to help encourage dignity and independence along the way. Thank you for sharing your family and friends with us here at Mercy Living Plus.

Sincerely,

Kristi Brownell, RN, MSNNurse ManagerMercy Living Plus