N O V E M B E R

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S P E C T R U M H E A L T H C O M P A N I E S

HORIZONS
Proudly serving the communities of Babbitt, Brainerd, Burnsville, Cook, Duluth, Ely, Eveleth, Grand Rapids, Metro/Faribault, Rochester, St. Cloud, Silver Bay and Willmar. Each November, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) celebrates National Home Care Month to honor home care professionals who provide care and compassion to others while making remarkable differences in the lives of patients and the families they serve. In addition, Home Care Aide Week will be celebrated November 10-16. These critical workers play a central role in their patients lives, and NAHC recognizes their efforts with this years theme: Home is the Center of Health Care. In coming years, home care and hospice are poised to play a central role in the delivery of healthcare throughout the country. A wide range of forces are joining to push care away from nursing homes and drive it toward home and community-based care. Based on demography and dollars, experts agree that the destiny of health care lies in the home. There is growing demand for home care, yet the Medicare home health benefit has been cut by $77 billion over 10 years. The cumulative effect of these disproportionate cuts has been to weaken what was once a $17 billion industry by pushing thousands of providers to the point of bankruptcy. The cuts have an even more serious impact on patients by limiting their access to the care they need at home. There will be even more patients who need home care as the 78 million baby boomers continue to age. The first of the boomers turned 65 last year and the rest will reach their golden years over the next two decades. Home care is not just the preferred choice for most patients; its also the best bang for our health care dollars. It costs M edicare nearly $2,000 per day for a typical hospital stay and $559 per day for a typical nursing home stay. Meanwhile, home care costs just $44 a day on average. And home care, combined with technology, helps the many U.S. seniors who live at home to stay independent, enrich their lives, and keep in touch with those they love. Home care aides also play a central role by joining in patients lives, whether this involves running errands, going with the m to the doctor, or assisting them with medical conditions. Aides are there to provide seniors with company and conversation, and many aides are more than caregivers for their patients. They are often friends who give warmth and comfort to the aged and ill.

Spectrum is sincerely grateful to have such wonderful homecare staff that dedicate their lives to providing quality care! Thank you! The Great American Smokeout
The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting even for one day smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes. Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. The American Cancer Society can tell you about the steps you can take to quit smoking and provide quit-smoking programs, resources and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. To learn about the available tools, call 1-800-227-2345.

Eveleth/Virginia Office
2000 Siegel Blvd Eveleth, MN 55734 218-741-3013 FAX: 218-741-1448

Twin Cities Office

6205 Crossman Lane Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 651-451-0569 FAX: 651-455-1179 www.spectrumhealthcos.com

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MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER / CEO

In each monthly article for our newsletter, I try to focus on issues and events that deal with our Mission, Values and organizational goals. I have shared with you issues and events both within and outside our company that impact our operations and shape our future. Some of it is good and refreshing like the new projects we have been able to do, and some may not be very good such as the state and federal budget problems, impacting our rate cuts over the years. This time last year we were discussing the progress of our Babbitt facility. Since opening in January, the facility now provides home to 30 residents! The success of Babbitt and other facilities indicates we are providing a valuable service in the communities we serve. The City of Orr and Iron Range Resources has been instrumental in our newest development. Scheduled for a March 2014 opening, our facility will create employment opportunities and housing for 32 residents within the surrounding area. For those who have been employed with Spectrum for a period of time, you have heard from me or others within the organization speak about the importance of working safe. In the event of a work related injury, Spectrum supports a Return to Work program. This program was designed to assist employees recovering from a work-related injury, which at the same time, allows the injured employee to remain a productive and integral part of our organization. Spectrum is committed to providing meaningful work activity for all employees who temporarily become unable to perform all, or portions, of their regular work assignments due to a work-related injury. Please be aware of your surroundings and take precautionary measures when walking or traveling, allowing for increased travel time this winter. As an organization, we have a lot to be thankful for. Not only does November bring Thanksgiving, we also have the opportunity to thank and honor those who serve or have served our country on Veterans Day. Thank you to our clients, residents and staff who have served.

Merle Sampson

Merle

Recently, a Willmar Homecare client called the Corporate office and expressed that he is so happy with the care he receives from Spectrum and that without our services and wonderful staff he would not be able to live independently. He also mentioned that everyone in this company should be proud of what we do and how we make a difference in peoples lives. Way to go Willmar!

New Hires*
Corporate Katie Olson Ely CFL Naomi Sperry Burnsville CFL Agnes Bambabibi Cook CFL Lauri Feela Saint Cloud CFL Kelsey Jacobson Nancy Guertz Ethan King
*Through October 30, 2013

Employment Anniversaries
Corporate Paul Aysta 9 years Eveleth Shelly Gerulli 2 years Natalie Jensen 1 year Emily Gibson 1 year Metro Rosemary Cook 25 years Kellie Parmett 1 year Saint Cloud CFL Debra Kampa 4 years Cook CFL Shannon Zupancich 5 years Babbitt CFL Larene Roseth 1 year Dawn Nelson 1 year

Silver Bay CFL Samantha Goette Dustin Thomason Babbitt CFL Whitney Shivers Christina Evridge Brainerd CFL Frances Marien

Burnsville CFL Silver Bay CFL Michael Napper Susan Spies 3 years 2 years Monica Wilson 3 years William Byrd 2 years Natalie Holden 3 years Saadia Omar 2 years Judy Gregerson 3 years Sara Buckley 1 year Gretchen Jacobson Mohamed Mahazu 3 years 1 year Alexis Jacobson 1 year Brainerd CFL Laura Mitchell 2 years

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Brainerd CFL Resident Writes Book

Rachel, a resident in our Brainerd CFL has written a book called The New Normal where she documents her journey through life tackling all of her medical and personal struggles, highlighting her faith, strength and many successes. Such a fantastic accomplishment for her with a great unique perspective.

Rachel L. Vrudny Author Biography Rachel Vrudny is a 53 year old divorced

mother of two Besieged by an acute ischemic stroke at age 51, with all of its after effects including legal blindness, speech and swallowing problems and left-side paralysis, and other attendant problems, she continues to strive toward Godly excellence and purpose in her life. As such, she continues a life-long love of writing and has recently begun a non-profit group called Magdala Foundation, Inc.; a corporation committed to bringing written voice to cultures of oral tradition and forgotten people groups. A bit of a gypsy at heart, Rachel has lived in 5 states, traveled to 45 of the 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii -, lived in the Middle East for several years, and traveled extensively throughout the world from there. A lover of languages and cultures, she continues to avidly pursue these interests.

Description This book will explore the four times in my life when I should, by medical prognosis, have died. Yet the LORD had further plans for me, that I could not even have imagined! It has not all been pie in the sky moments, in treatments or recove ry. As a matter of fact, there have been quite a few tears, fears, and wonderings. But through it all, Christ has been faithfully and steadfastly by my side, urging me to look up and press forward. The glory of the LORD was still unfolding.

Whenever I would sing, I would notice off and on tears forming in Maes eyes. I would stop and ask her if my singing was that bad and laugh while wiping Good Morning! I work at Carefree Living here in Babbitt, and was asked to her tears and start up again. On past occasions, I would get a little movement share my recent darkness with you. But before I do, I need to give you a from the corner of her mouth and know she was laughing with me. little background. I called Mae, my dancing partner. When she had troubles moving on her own, Right away when Bill and Mae moved into Carefree Living, we saw something I had her arms around my neck and say to her, Lets Dance! I would then extremely rare and special about them. It was Mae who needed the extra put my arms around her, hum a peppy tune and together danced in our minds help, but Bill wanting to be close to her, moved in also. Within the first week, it as I helped her to sit up, lie differently or move her to whatever position she was determined Mae would need additional help and was moved into the wanted or was best for her. As time slowly passed this night, and seeing Mae Memory Care Unit. slowly slipping away, I reminded her that she better save me a few dances in Over the next few months we could see Maes health deteriorating. Bill stay- heaven. ing ever faithful to her; several times a day, would come over and give her We were already going through the CD a second time when the hymn, He kisses, would coax her to smile by touching her cheek and depending upon Leadth Me came on, Mae still fixed on my face with the same expression she how tired she was, visited with her for hours even if she couldnt respond. has had for weeks. The summer months were tough ones, not only for family members, but for I was to the left of her when suddenly she opened both of her eyes so wide those of us who took care of her. Maes condition was constantly fluctuating. that it actually startled me! She looked so alive with excitement! Her eyes One day she would be up eating, visiting, putting puzzles together, and the strained farther left, leaving my face. I asked her, What do you see Mae? next, we would wonder if she would last the night. The past couple of months Her eyes still wide open, slowly started moving to the right. She stopped on the expression on her face did not change much. One eye completely shut or my face and then like she was catching up to something, continues on moving close to it, and the other half way open. Her mouth was in a fixed position, but right. I remember saying to her of the words spoken from family members, once in a while you would see a smile due to a little movement from the cor- Fathers Bill & Seth and friends; that it was ok to let go, that there will be no ner of her mouth. more pain or tears. I then asked if she sees her mom & dad, and the Lord, As for me, I work the 3 rd shift, 11 at night to 7am. When I arrived, I was won- telling her it was time to come home. dering if Mae was still with us due to her condition the night before. She was. She fixed her eyes to the far right and smiled bigger than you could ever As my shift started, I made my rounds and then went back to Maes room. imagine, showing all of her teeth. A smile that I have never before seen on Like I did so many nights before, I put on her favorite music and turned it up to her face, nor had seen in earlier photos. Her face was absolutely radiant; in drown out the sound of her oxygen tank. It was a CD of instrumental hymns. her eyes and smile you could see such calmness but at the same time and Hymns we have all grown up with. And like so many times before I went to excitement of a child. I could feel the over powering love in her gaze.And her bedside, I would hold her hand, bend down so I would be closer to her then.her face began to relax, and return to how it was earlier. As I continface, and stroke her cheek and forehead with my other hand as I sang along. ued to sing He Leadth Me, I knew she was gone. In the darkness I felt the loss of my dancing partner, but she was rejoicing in the light! I was blessed by When I sang, I sang with a smile, and would talk to her about faith. Reinforc- sharing that brief moment of light with her and know I will ing what her family members would say; that it was ok to let go, how there is cherish it for as long as I live. no more pain, sadness or tears in heaven, of what a good and faithful servant she has been, how excited God will be to have her home and along with I want to leave you with this Bible passage: Psalm 116:15 family members who have passed, how they will be waiting with our Lord to Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. welcome her and then I would end our conversation by saying the Thank you Mae, I love you!

In the Midst of Our Darkness, There Is Always Light by Dawn Nelson

Lords Prayer. Then start singing again. So this night wasnt any different than any other night for me.

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Congratulations to the branches listed for their success achieving an extended period of no lost time injuries!

SPECTRUM (S)MILES

UPDATE
Congratulations to: Gladys Aika, Cosmus Arita, Samantha Berg, Lyndsey Brown, Sara Buckley, Kathy Celley, Rachelle Crow, Sandra Forbes, Danee Haenke, Amanda Herberg, Heather Hyde, Kathy Jarve, Patti Johnson, Jen Karr, Alina Kruth, Debbie Lenzen, Corissa Lindell, Misty Mealey, Mike Napper, Kathy Nasr, Aquilla Oglen, Rochunda Seymoure, Linda Storms, Megan Timm, Tiffany Zemke who received recognition from their supervisors or co-workers for going above and beyond their dayto-day duties. These individuals will receive points that can be applied towards Spectrum merchandise shown in the Spectrum (S)Miles catalog. To recognize someone for their outstanding contributions, request a Spectrum (S)Miles recognition form from your branch office or obtain one from a designated location. Nearly 500 (S) Miles have been given to deserving Spectrum employees since the program began in 2010.

Rochester HC2130 days no lost time (since 2008) Duluth HC2130 days no lost time (since 2008) Eveleth HC2130 days no lost time (since 2008) Eveleth Corporate2130 days no lost time (since 2008) Cook CFL1327 days no lost time IGH/Metro HC1324 days no lost time Silver Bay CFL1084 days no lost time

Thank you for working safely!

SAFETY FIRST!
Thanksgiving Fun Facts
91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving. The cranberry is a symbol and a modern diet staple of thanksgiving. Originally called crane berry, it derived its name from its pink blossoms and drooping head, which reminded the Pilgrims of a crane. The First Thanksgiving lasted for three days Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving's feast table. Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast. The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers. The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog. Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity

Do you have a story to share, a specific client or employee that stands out? We want to hear about it! Contact: humanresources @spectrumchealth.com
4TH QUARTER CEUS AVAILABLE SOON
We are in the process of transferring our online learning information to Silverchair s new parent company, Relias Learning. Your 4th quarter CEUs will be completed through this new system. You will receive information on the changes that will effect you in the coming weeks. *Reminder to all staff that Silverchair CEU's are an ongoing requirement of employment. Please complete assigned programs in a timely manner.*

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