The Potato Situation

by Willa Jones (written October, 2012)

Let's hear it again for mashed potatoes!

I have analyzed the lunch menu for October 2012. I circled mashed potatoes. You guessed it! Two circles!

There are red, party, au Gratin, tater tots, sweet, riced, fried (twice), boiled, and scalloped. Including the two mashed, I count 12 days with potatoes. Then there are five with rice and seven with pasta for substitutes.

Who knows where couscous fits into this scheme. It is not listed in my Webster's Collegiate Dictionary nor in my "Composition of Foods" prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Handbook No. 8. Couscous is simply one of those mysteries of life but it does not compare with mashed potatoes.

Since this is voting time (Have you noticed? Oh, hasten the day!), I wondered if those of us who longed for our favorite potatoes should exercise our civil rights by:

1. Stuffing the suggestion box with, "More mashed potatoes, please." Be polite-it will get you everywhere.
2. Make and carry placards around in the dining room expressing our desires.
3. Form ourselves into a singing group and entertain the other diners with:
           
            Que sera sera.
            Mashed potatoes for you and me.
            The future then happy can be.
            Que sera sera.

It's Winter

by Loren Horton

Here it comes
Wind
Whipping out of the north
Penetrating coats
Making ears tingle
Gone-that mild fall
Suddenly its cold

Snow
Is never far behind
Once leaves have fallen
And geese have flown south
Here comes snow
Mixed with ice
Threat to life and limb
Cars skid and slide
Pedestrians slip and tumble

All part of life
In Iowa winter

An Autumn Walk

by Loren Horton

Whose idea was it
To go for this walk
In the crisp autumn afternoon
Scuffling through fallen leaves
Turned red then brown
Shuffling through unmowed grass
Brittle as straw
Against our leather shoe soles
Head turning from side to side
In pendulum rhythm
So we do not miss
Those hidden virtues
Of bright gleam of goldenrod
What is that rustling overhead
Scampering squirrel
Brief glimpse of red tail
Disappearing behind the branch
Of tall shagbark hickory
Soon the path will change
To snow, and memories
Of this good idea
This walk in the crisp air
Of autumn's glory

Summer In Iowa

by Loren N. Horton

The heat of the scorching west wind
Turns the green fields to gold
As it turns the arid soil to dust

Flowers wilt before its force
While trees droop in melancholy
And all life forms huddle to escape

The summer sun shines with intensity
Its brightness exaggerated day by day
In the cloudless enormity of the sky

Only the promise of fall brings relief
To the eagerly awaiting earth, now still,
In earnest yearning for cooler times

Oaknoll Softball T-Shirts

For the 2012 softball season, the Oaknoll-employees team has a new T-shirt design by NEIL MURPHY of Dining Services. Above, he models the shirt.   (Photo submitted by Bob Heffernen)

Favorite Quote

Submitted by Dick Feddersen

"It ain't what we don't know that gets us in trouble. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so!" ~ Mark Twain

Oaknoll Receives ANCC Designation

Oaknoll Retirement Residence is pleased to announce it has achieved Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation identifies the elements of long-term care work environments where nurses can flourish. The designation substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses at Oaknoll Retirement Residence and identifies it as one of the best places to work.

"For us, the process of seeking Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care ™ Designation has helped us describe what we were already doing well, identify areas where we could grow, and provide us opportunities for expanded leadership among all the staff," stated Kim Bergen-Jackson, Director of Health Services. 

"The designation is bestowed on organizations focused on professional work environments and best practices.  We value the people who work here and strive to be an employer of choice.  We believe employees who are invested, engaged, and involved provide exceptional, high quality care."

"The Pathway to Excellence in Long-Term Care designation is a visible affirmation of the value of our professional staff.  It stands for high standards and a level of specialization that has not been recognized in long-term care.  This process and designation raises the image of long-term care nurses and certified nursing assistants from the inside, building pride in the workplace, confidence and self-esteem.  The nursing staff not only have a voice at the table, but they expect to be at the table.  They are trained experts in their chosen profession."

"I am very proud to work at Oaknoll and I am thrilled with the work we have done to achieve this designation.  It is an honor to be the first long-term care community in the country to receive this designation," Bergen-Jackson, stated enthusiastically about the staff at Oaknoll.

"I'm very proud of Kim (Bergen-Jackson, Director of Health Service) and our staff for receiving this prestigious designation.  Oaknoll has always strived to give our residents the highest quality of care.  We absolutely believe a professional work environment and best practices contribute significantly toward this goal," said Patricia Heiden, Executive Director at Oaknoll Retirement Residence.

"Kim's leadership style encourages and empowers nurses and CNA's to grow and develop professionally.  By providing these opportunities for leadership, Kim has assembled a staff that is invested and engaged in all aspects of resident care."

"The Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation affirms the professional satisfaction of Oaknoll's nurses.  Indeed, Oaknoll is not only a wonderful retirement community for our residents it is also a wonderful place to work," commented Heiden.

The Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation is granted based on the confirmed presence of characteristics known as “The Pathway to Excellence Criteria.”  For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care distinction, it must successfully undergo a thorough review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research. These initiatives must be present in the facility’s practices, policies, and culture. Nurses in the organization verify the presence of the criteria in the organization through participation in a completely confidential online survey.

As a Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ designated organization, Oaknoll Retirement Residence is committed to nurses, to what nurses identify as important to their practice, and to valuing nurses’ contributions in the workplace. This designation confirms to the public that nurses working at Oaknoll know their efforts are supported. The honor encourages other nurses to join their colleagues in this desirable and nurturing environment.

The Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ designation is perfectly suited to small and medium-sized long term care organizations, and is attainable by healthcare facilities around the world. 

Oaknoll Retirement Residence is a member of Leading Age Iowa, a statewide association for nursing homes and senior housing communities.  Leading Age Iowa members are dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in older adult services. 

Oaknoll Retirement Residents has been an active LifeCare retirement community since 1966 and is one of only seven LifeCare communities in the state. 

About ANCC:

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ and Pathway to Excellence® programs; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC provides leading-edge information and education services and products to support its core credentialing programs. www.nursecredentialing.org