WEDNESDAY, september 16, 2020 | SENIOR LIVING | PAGE 1
SENIOR LIVING Thorne Crest Senior Living Community
invites you to a FREE Virtual
Online...
Historical Lecture Series
Gary Schindler is a retired administrator at Riverland Community College and has devoted much of his time in retirement in history related travel and research. His lectures have been showcased in lecture series across southern Minnesota.
H Friday, Sept. 25 at 2pm
Please go to ThorneCrest.net for Link Instructions or contact Catherie at 507-369-6929
“Songs from ‘Your Hit Parade’ in World War II”
Enjoy some of the major hit songs and performers from December 1941 through April 1945. Listeners will hear the original hit songs as determined by the producers of "Your Hit Parade.”
H October 16 at 2pm
“The Big Bands from Freeborn County to the U.S. – 1937 to 1945”
H November 20 at 2pm
“Drama in the Kennedy Limousine – Nov. 22, 1963”
1201 Garfield Avenue • Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-373-2311 • ThorneCrest.net
Thorne Crest is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.
welcoming A new leader Kelsey Diehl is the new administrator of the St. John’s Lutheran Community Luther Place campus off of Minnesota Highway 13. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
New St. John’s administrator to oversee campus at Luther Place By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
St. John’s Lutheran Community off of Minnesota Highway 13 in Albert Lea has a new leader at the helm. About a month ago, the organization hired Kelsey Diehl to serve as administrator. Diehl, 22, said she grew up in a small town near Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning her bachelor’s degree in health care administration in the spring. She said she didn’t have a nursing background when she first went to college, but in her second semester of her freshman
“You are here to care for them — this is their home.” — Kelsey Diehl, administrator of St. John’s Lutheran Community ‘s Luther Place campus year she was introduced to the program. She took the introductory course and really enjoyed it, and then two summers ago she completed an internship at a small facility where she is from. “That’s where I originally fell in love with being in the nurs-
Health talk series to address isolation for seniors in pandemic how to maintain social distance without increasing social isolation will share information on how to reduce isolation using both There are multiple known low- and high-tech activities, negative health effects re- which will increase individuals’ lated to social isolation that well being. This program is free have been accelerated and open to the public. by the pandemic. These Webinar meeting ID and can range from increased passcode are required to falls, mortality, cognitive participate. No prior regdecline and emergency istration is required. For room visits. Social isolawebinar details, visit classtion will be the focus of a es and events at mayofree virtual “Health Talk clinichealthsystem.org or Series” Zoom webinar for Anita contact Kathy Leidal with seniors from 11:30 a.m. to Bissinger community engagement at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, 507-377-6389. Oct. 15, according to a This program is organized press release. Anita Bissinger, licensed clini- by Mayo Clinic Health System cal social worker at Mayo Clinic and Thorne Crest Senior Living Health System in Albert Lea, Center in Albert Lea. By Albert Lea Tribune
ing home and serving seniors,” she said. That passion was solidified when she completed her practicum at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester. After the practicum was completed, she stayed on to help there for a while this summer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said her CEO there knew St. John’s Lutheran Community CEO Scot Spates, and she found out the two complexes were similar in many ways. Both are standalone not-for-profit facilities focused on resident-directed care, and both utilize a household model. “You are here to care for them — this is their home,” Diehl said. She said she looked into corporations but found her values better aligned with not-for-profit facilities. “It felt like a really good fit,” Diehl said of St. John’s. Both facilities also use many of the same vendors, which was helpful as well. Diehl will oversee the St.
John’s site off of Minnesota Highway 13, which she said has about 37 residents. Spates remains the administrator of the organization’s Fountain Lake campus and CEO of the entire organization. She said she likes that Spates is there to provide guidance for her, while also encouraging her to develop her own leadership. She said she is glad to get back to a small town and looks forward to getting involved in the community. She lives in Owatonna but commutes to work. Outside of work, Diehl said she enjoys being outdoors and going for walks and enjoys reading books.
Senior Spotlight: Polly Nelson Age: 88 Native of: Albert Lea Place of residency: Thorne Crest Senior Living Community Family: My husband, Hud (now deceased), one daughter and sonin-law and two grandchildren Education: Graduate of Albert Lea High School Former occupation: Worked at Gamble Clinic after high school. Also, helped my husband with business we owned, Nelson’s Silo and Dairy Supplies. What is your favorite childhood memory? Being busy with four other siblings all growing up on a farm outside of Albert Lea What is your favorite adulthood memory? Buying a home and starting a family What would you say is your greatest accomplishment? Our
happy home life. I love to walk and am happy to be very active for my age. What is the greatest lesson life has taught you? To always listen to others and to be helpful to them during difficult times.
What do you enjoy most about living at Thorne Crest? My independence and also my interaction with others who live and work at Thorne Crest. I also enjoy the opportunities to use the pool and many activities.