Congratulations Rolene Feather Earring, the May 2021 Millie E. Olson Award Recipient! (SIOUX FALLS, SD MAY 4, 2021)

Congratulations to Rolene Feather Earring of Westhills Village. Rolene is the May 2021 recipient of the Millie E. Olson award! Rolene holds the title of Charge Nurse, and she is a leader of the day shift. She is also a skin expert and manages a program which works closely with the aides, clinical care coordinators, the director of nursing, and the other licensed nurses. She assists in every area, with the residents being her first priority at all times. Whether the task is large or small, she gives everything she does her full attention and effort. She manages the flow on her shift, creating a calm environment with a “teamwork” attitude. Through these stressful and challenging times, it is often Rolene who is pulling a prank and lightening the mood with laughter.

Rolene exemplifies the mission at Westhills to be innovative and maintain the highest standards. She is so much more than a nurse. She is a teacher and mentor to her coworkers and a shoulder to lean on for residents. Families report she is a great staff member who is patient and kind. When Rolene smiles she lights up the room. Congratulations again Rolene, you are a very deserving recipient of the May 2021 Millie E. Olson Award!

The Millie E. Olson Award was created by the South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) and named after its first recipient, Mildred E. Olson of Garretson, who was an exceptional caregiver. This award is open to staff of any SDHCA member center. Each month’s recipient of the Millie E. Olson Award becomes Eligible for the Millie E. Olson Award of the Year, which is announced each September at an awards ceremony during SDHCA’s Fall Convention.

(SIOUX FALLS, SD, FEBRUARY 1, 2021) Danica Bruce has the ability to really listen, and to give a speaker the distinct impression that what they have to say matters. With all that is happening in our lives, with our frantic rushing, and with the many distractions that surround us, it's a skill that is all too easy to let slip away. But when Danica talks to a resident, they know they are her sole concern.
 
Danica is a medication aide and CNA at Clarkson Health Center in Rapid City. Her compassion and flexibility have made her an important part of the Clarkson team, and asset for the center.
 
She has an unusual talent for recognizing where the needs of the center are on a given day and responding appropriately. She is willing to lend a hand in any department, and will adjust her own schedule to ensure the needs of residents are met.
 
But most often you might see her cherishing some time to sit and talk with a resident, and often to pray with them. You can see by the way she acts that she is passionate about providing care. She carries herself freely, openly, and with joy.
 
Congratulations Danica! You are a very deserving recipient of the February 2021 Millie E. Olson award!

The Millie E. Olson Award was created by the South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) and named after its first recipient, Mildred E. Olson of Garretson, who was an exceptional caregiver. This award is open to staff of any SDHCA member center. Each month’s recipient of the Millie E. Olson Award becomes Eligible for the Millie E. Olson Award of the Year, which is announced each September at an awards ceremony during SDHCA’s Fall Convention.

Clinical Coordinator, Leanne Gregerson, RN, has been promoted to the Director of Nursing position at Westhills Village Health Care Facility.  Leanne joined the Westhills Village team over 7 years ago.  Since she entered the health care industry in 1997, working in group homes with people with physical and mental disabilities in Iowa, Leanne's heart and leadership has been apparent. Her attention to detail led her to become a certified medication aide in 1998 and in 2000 she became a CNA working in long-term care. Additional education led to an LPN license in 2009 and when she moved to Rapid City in 2013, she began working on the floor at Westhills Village Health Care as an LPN.   Leanne was promoted shortly after to Clinical Coordinator.  After her promotion to Clinical Coordinator, Leanne graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of South Dakota in 2019.

Leanne's son Hunter is 17 and has worked at Westhills Village as a server in Dining Services for nearly a year. He also participates in the Rapid City Youth City Council. Her daughter Caitlynn, an 8th grader, is an avid athlete and musician. Leanne's husband Greg also works at Westhills Village in transportation for the Home Health Department.

Westhills Village has been enriched by Leanne's commitment to our continuum of care, our residents, and her teammates. We are honored to see her as Director of Nursing and grateful for her continued service in our community!

Hi! I was born in Madelia, Minnesota and moved to Brandon SD when I was in the 1^st grade.  I graduated from Brandon Valley in 1990. (WOW!!)   I went into the Air Force for Satellite communications immediately after graduation, which was not for me so I got out and moved home and started my first job as a CNA. 

I started off as a CNA in 1995 – which I LOVED!!.  I later went to school to obtain my Medical Assisting Degree and worked at Sanford Oncology Clinic for 6 years.  The physicians there encouraged me to continue on and get my nursing degree so I went back to school and obtained my RN from USD in 2011.  At that time  Bethany Lutheran Home in Brandon SD was building a new nursing home facility so I worked as a nurse in their Assisted Living Facility until the nursing home was built (18 months).  I then transferred to the nursing home as a Neighborhood Leader (Nurse Manager) and worked there for 5 years until I was offered the DON position for Bethany Lutheran Home Sioux Falls, which I took.  I worked as DON for 5 years.  During this 10 years is when I learned about my love for the nursing home environment.  I knew this is what I wanted to do forever!

My husband, Bill and I have 3 children.  Quentin (27), Emili (19) and James (18).  1 dog – Scooby and 2 cats – Harley and Whiskers. 

Bill was a Union welder and traveled all around the United states and did so for many years.  He recently retired from welding and would like to find a more relaxing, enjoyable job here in the Hills.  We love to hunt, fish, camp, and ride motorcycles– basically anything outdoors.  Quentin is an engineer for VRC here in Rapid City.  Emili and James will be moving out here with us and are looking forward to their own opportunities.

We have always LOVED vacationing in the hills and when this opportunity came to move and work here we were ecstatic!   We dreamed of one day moving, working, and eventually retiring in the beautiful Black Hills.   We are truly blessed to have this opportunity and work for such an outstanding, loving, and team orientated company. 

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is very proud to announce that the Global Plasma Solution Ionization System has been installed and is now operational at Westhills Village Health Care Facility. This system is being used by many major hospitals as it kills such pathogens as Human Coronavirus, E-Coli, MRSA, Tuberculosis, Norovirus, C-Diff and Legionella - to name a few. This is a significant step made by Westhills Village to provide a safe environment for its residents/patients, staff members and others who come to Westhills Village Health Care.

We are extremely grateful and pleased that the Westhills Village Foundation has helped support us in this project and is going to match up to $20,000 in donations we receive towards this new innovative system in our Health Care Facility.

If you are so inclined and as you look at your giving, we can “double your donation” through the Foundation!  We are hopeful that the Foundation will receive $20,000 in donations in order to make the full match.

The nurses that make up our team are some of the most qualified, compassionate, skilled, and driven women and men in Rapid City. We believe in creating a community - and our nurses solidify that foundation - helping provide a continuum of care for our residents, peace of mind for Westhills families, and a wellness-centered community for all.

Our robust community has many career opportunities in
Independent Living, Assisted Living, Home Health and Health Care that include dining services, housekeeping, Licensed Nurses, CNAs and more!

KNBN NBC TV interviewed Betty Richards at Westhills today and will feature how Westhills is staying positive and encouraging during COVID!
Betty was the point person to help with organizing a group of dynamic residents who rallied together and sewed almost 700 face masks!! WOW!
The interview will air tonight on KNBN NBC TV at 5:30pm.

We are all doing well at Westhills and we have been trying to focus on all the positives and uplifting things that are happening!
Westhills wants the greater Rapid City community to know that Westhills is focusing on the positives! We want to spread the word how we are all helping each other and encouraging each other!
For example, many of our residents are volunteering to help in so many ways - they are helping wipe down and sanitize all hand rails and high touch areas, they are delivering meals to residents isolating in their apartments, we even had one of our residents buy a pizza lunch for all the employees!!
Also, we had our Health Care residents and staff cut out Hearts and display them in our windows as this viral campaign of “Spread the Love, Not the Virus” is happening everywhere.

Also, we have a very generous group a residents that have taken to sewing in a whole new way – “they put the pedal – of the sewing machine – to the Medal!”  They call themselves the “Rosies” (After Rosie the Riveter!) and have made up to 700 Face Masks   We got the pattern from Avera Monument Health so all of them are the same with a “filtering flannel” and hair bands for ear loops.  They are very working hard to supply masks for all the staff and now residents too 

1. Name: Reuben Julian August Bareis
2. Where were you born?: A Hospital! :) in Great Bend, KS
3. What countries of heritage do you have?: German, Swiss & French
4. What is your favorite color?: Blue
5. What was your favorite decade?: 50’s, He got married and also moved to Rapid City
6. Who is your favorite hobby?: Vocal Music
7. What is your favorite film?: Steamboat Round the Bend
8. Where is your favorite place you've traveled to?: England and Scotland
9. What's your favorite breakfast food?: Raisin Bran Cereal
10. What's your favorite spot in the Black Hills?: His room at Westhills Village. As he said, "It’s my world!"
11. Who was your favorite President?: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)
12. What's your favorite animal?: He doesn’t have one because he is allergic to most animals
13. What invention that has happened in your lifetime do you most appreciate?: Television or Computer
14. What was your favorite car?: Chevrolet
15. Who is your favorite visual artist?: Impressionist French Painting
16. What is your favorite sport to watch?: Baseball – The St Louis Cardinals
17. What is your favorite type of music to listen to?: Jazz and Choir Music
18. What's your favorite dinner meal?: Spaghetti
19. What's your favorite season?: Fall
20. What's the best thing about the year 2020?: Recovered from cataract surgery
21. What's your favorite gift?: Little Red Wagon – He got it for Christmas when he was 6 years old
22. How many years have you lived at Westhills?: 14
23. What's something you'd like to do this year?: Have fun with family and friends

February is Dining Services Appreciation Month. As part of our celebration, we asked team members to share some favorite recipes.

This recipe is from Jason and he recommends a hearty steak in addition to his delicious potatoes.

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:
3 pounds boiling potatoes, peeled
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Cut potatoes in 1 inch cube and place in a pot. Cover and bring to boil until the potatoes fall apart easily when pierced with a fork.

Heat the milk and butter in a saucepan making sure it does not burn

When potatoes are tender, drain in a colander. Use a masher to mash potatoes. As soon as they are mashed, slowly whisk in the hot milk/butter. Add salt, pepper, and sour cream and whisk to smooth.

Happy National Caregivers Day to our team members who care well for our residents and guests. We see your efforts and kindnesses and we appreciate you!

Westhills Village earns the reputation of "Best in the Black Hills" and a 5 star rating from CMS largely due to the solid team of caregivers who are employed at our facilities and on our campus. Thank you for your efforts to creating the best continuing care for our residents and guests!

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups milk
• 6 cups thinly sliced peeled potatoes
• 1-1/2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
• 1 small onion, grated

Directions

• In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour, parsley, salt, thyme and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
• Combine potatoes, ham and onion; place half in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Top with half of the sauce; repeat layers.
• Cover and bake at 375° for 65-75 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender. Dot with remaining butter. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender.

Every year we award a team member our "Rising Star Award" - recognizing someone who is going above and beyond to be a major part of the team at work.

CNA Toni Diamond is this year's recognized award winner. She's pictured here with last year's winner.

These ladies work together to create the environment of excellence you appreciate at Westhills Village - we're lucky to have them as part of our team.

In 2019, as we celebrated our 35th Anniversary, we offered additional fundraising opportunities for residents, Foundation Members, and community members to donate to our Employee Academic Assistance Fund.

The goal of our fund is to assist Westhills Village Employees in receiving additional training and education such as advanced nursing degrees, CNA certifications, or continuing education opportunities. We believe an educated workforce is an involved and excellent workforce - and we love the ways you helped invest in our employees last year. From our efforts over $25,000 was raised to benefit our employees.

Though we are now into our 36th year - we are still actively contributing to the Employee Academic Assistance Fund. You can give online, mail a check, or talk to someone in Reception or Marketing for more ways to be involved. Thank you for your support of Westhills Employee Academic Assistance Fund and our Employees!

We are excited for Brandon Petrotto  to join us full time as the Life Enrichment Coordinator at The Courtyard.

Brandon started at Westhills in October 2017 as an Intern.  

He recently  graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science.

He will continue to bring you quality programming, such as Cookin’ with
Mr. Good Lookin’ and is excited to use his passion for wellness and
exercise to enhance our Residents’ quality of life.

You won't believe The Courtyard until you see it! We're so proud of our state of the art Assisted Living facility and we think you will be too. Check out this video of the main areas that greet residents and guests as they enter The Courtyard, right on the campus of Westhills Village.

Christmas is a sacred time of year - for celebrating with loved ones, remembering Holidays gone by, and reconnecting with the joy of a heart of worship, gratitude, and sacrifice. May the love of Jesus surround you and yours as you celebrate this Holiday Season. We look forward to a coming New Year and reflect on the magic of a Baby in a manger and the hope of Peace on Earth.

December 5th is set aside as International Volunteers Day. Did you know there are many ways to volunteer within the Westhills Village Community?

In 2019, we had 324 people volunteer for a total of 3,246 hours of volunteer service. That's a lot of giving their time, energy, and talents to help create this robust community.

If you are interested in volunteering throughout our campus, contact Nedra or Debbie at (605) 342-0255 or visit our volunteer page on this website!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and look back on a year of success, of growth, of struggles, and of memories. The management and staff of Westhills Village wishes you and your family and loved ones a meaningful season of Gratitude. May a full table, warm hearts, and celebration of love be yours.

For the past 35 years, Westhills Village has delivered exceptional senior living for the Black Hills area. Through our beautifully landscaped grounds, continuously upgraded buildings, home care, therapy services, assisted living and skilled nursing, we have provided a vibrant lifestyle for our residents

Your vote of confidence, naming Westhills Village #1 in the Black Hills acknowledges our high standards, outstanding staff, and our forward-thinking leadership - which come together to achieve this quality of service.

As we look to the future, we are committed to providing growth, innovation, and excellence of care to our residents and to the Black Hills Community. Thank you for being a part of our success!

Westhills Village and Clarkson Health Care Facility are pleased to be rated 5 stars by Medicare. Our team works tirelessly to provide excellent continuum of care for short-term and long-term residents and community members. You can learn more about the ratings and local facilities here: medicare ratings

We hope today is a day of celebration! For Mothers who are still here, nurturing and loving, leading and caring and achieving, and for the mothers we have lost - may their memories and legacy carry us onward.

Westhills Village is home to many mothers, proud to provide employment for many moms, and grateful for the full and beautiful community we've created because of the many moms in our lives!

For International Women's Month, we're celebrating the community of women who live and work at Westhills Village. From the 219 women who are employed by Westhills Village, as administrative staff, office staff, human resources, dining hall, kitchen, laundry, maintenance, CNAs, Registered Nurses, med aides, and more - to the 160+ female apartment residents, and more women living in our Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Villas - these women are the vital heartbeat that helps Westhills Village be a home.

Throughout this month, as you spend time on the Westhills Village & Clarkson campuses - take a moment to thank a female employee for their contribution to making Westhills Village a vibrant community.

Remember that Westhills Village is committed to caring for our residents and our employees. We support our female employees through maternity leave, continuing education opportunities, and advancement opportunities. We know that women are essential - and we're so glad to have all of you as part of our community!

February is Heart Health Month and there’s no better time to  have a heart-to-heart about ways you can improve your heart’s health as you age. Just because your doctor hasn’t mentioned that you have a heart condition, doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from these simple, small changes that improve Heart Health!

Eat Colorful Fruits & Veggies - Low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals and fiber — adults should get at least five servings per day of these nutrition powerhouses.

Sleep Well - Not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Together, these four health conditions prove a powerful case that sleep isn't just beneficial, it's vital. Don’t watch TV or use other electronic devices before bed – or if you do, go to a different room so your bedroom is just for sleeping.

Practice Gratitude - Making a list and conjuring the feeling of gratitude about what you can appreciate about your life every day appears to have a real effect on the smoothness and rhythm of the heartbeat. 

Exercise Regularly - Regularly exercising thirty minutes a day can improve
your heart’s (and overall body’s) health!  Whether you take a brisk walk, play the Wii, sign up for a weekly class, or enjoy working out in the comfort of your living room - the important thing is that you do something every day. Consider adopting a dog to get out there and move!
Can’t adopt ? Volunteer to walk dogs at a
                                                                            local shelter!

We just found out that Scull Construction was awarded two Construction Industry Craftsmanship Awards for their work on The Courtyard!!

If you watch our CEO, Daryl Reinicke's testimonial, you'll understand a little bit of why we are so grateful

We love our beautiful space and expansion and we are excited to see them awarded for their excellent work! Great news!!

Westhills Village is pleased to announce the availability of Rapid City Regional CNP staff Ashley Brunmaier and Gretchen Landers in our on-site clinic here at Westhills on the 3^rd floor of Building C. Ashley and Gretchen specialize in geriatric care, and they are in the clinic every Tuesday from 9a-10a to see scheduled and walk in patients. They will also be available in the on-site clinic for scheduled appointments at your convenience on weekdays, with a 48 hour appointment request.

Their scheduler can be reached at 755-0220 to schedule appointments or answer any questions.

Westhills Village Community offers several gift certificate options for your loved one during the Holidays! Stop by (or call) the Reception Desk to purchase a gift certificate for:

• Meal Tickets
• Home Health Services Gift Certificates
• Transportation Gift Certificates
• Salon Gift Certificates (call the Salon at 605-721-3601)
• Housekeeping Services Gift Certificates
• Pantry Gift Certificates

Teresa began her employment at Clarkson Health Care 25 years ago as a certified nurse assistant, eventually moving to the roll of Health Unit Clerk. When the Activities Director position became available, Teresa was a natural selection and she stepped up to the plate with enthusiasm!

Teresa has tremendous respect from the residents, their families, and her coworkers as well. She is a ray of sunshine to everyone at Clarkson Health Care – constantly creating a fun atmosphere! Teresa provides plenty of activities for the residents to enjoy and always makes new attendees feel welcome.

Our programs continue to be creative and diverse because of Teresa’s new ideas. She is a strong proponent of the Music & Memory Program, which she helped certify Clarkson Health Care for.

We are so proud to have Teresa as a member of our team! Congratulations, Teresa!

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spiritualism is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.

Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment help you enjoy your spiritual health. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality. Your spiritual wellness may look different than others.

If you are a person engaged in the process of spiritual wellness, you are willing and able to transcend yourself in order to  question the meaning and purpose in your life and the lives of others. In addition, you  seek to find harmony between that which lies within and the social and physical forces that come from outside. We are always able to continue growing in our spiritual wellness!

• Canyon Lake Walk About - Wednesday, September 5th at 2pm
• Table Tennis Tournament - Thursday, September 6th at 7:30pm
• Strider Bike Obstacle Course - Friday, September 7th at 11am
• Hike in the Hills at Black Elk Peak - Saturday, September 8th at 9am
• Water Volleyball Tournament - Tuesday, September 11th at 4pm
• Croquet Tournament - Thursday, September 13th at 10am
• Outdoor Excursion to the Wax Museum - Saturday, September 15th at 10am
• Resident/Staff Bowling at Robbinsdale - Sunday, September 16th at 2pm
• Cooking with Mr. Good Looking - Tuesday, September 18th, at 2:30pm
• Dart Tournament - Thursday, September 20th at 10:15am
• Wear Purple to End Alzheimer's Day - Friday, September 21
• Walk to End Alzheimer's (Memorial Park) - Saturday, September 22nd at 9am
• 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk - Tuesday, September 25th at 8:45am
• Cribbage Tournament - Wednesday, September 26th at 1:30pm
• Swim Meet - Friday, September 28th, at 9am

Perhaps it’s been a while since you ventured into the great outdoors. Did you know that there are numerous walking and hiking trails and observation areas that are just off the beaten path and are paved, walker, wheelchair, and senior friendly? Here’s a few of our favorites!

Veteran's Point Trail

Veteran’s Point Trail is a half- mile trail at the north end of the dam at Pactola Resevoir on Hwy 385. Designed to be accessible for everyone - it has an asphalt surface, handrails, restroom facilities, and fishing access.

D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery

This Spearfish treasure welcomes visitors to the hatchery and museum for an educational closeup view of the fish production process! Enjoy walking trails, museum exhibits, and fish feeding opportunities!

Mickelson Trail

The George S. Mickelson Trail runs through the heart of the Black Hills, connecting Deadwood with Edgemont. The crushed-stone pathway incorporates nearly 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 tunnels, and much of it traverses national forest. Bike a short distance, walk a mile or so, and enjoy the picnic areas and benches along the trail. With some planning, you could even schedule day-trips to allow you to visit all fifteen trailheads and cover many of the 109 miles of this former railway.

Thank you to the 5,200 people who cast 55,389 votes in 143 categories and chose Westhills Village as the best "Skilled Nursing" in the Black Hills!

Each year, local newspaper The Rapid City Journal holds a competition for local businesses. This year, Westhills Village was overwhelmingly chosen as the best local skilled nursing facility.

We do not take lightly your confidence in our facility, staff and vision. Your votes are a meaningful way of letting us know we're on track - providing the type of continuing care that we believe is important for the Black Hills community, our residents, and their families.

Thank you again for your vote! We look forward to a year of continued excellence!

Physical activity has many health benefits. Regular physical activity, especially in aging adults, has been shown to:

• increase muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination
• reduce the risk of premature death
• reduce the risk of falls
• assist in prevention and management of health conditions like stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, certain cancers, obesity and depression
• enhance sleep, wellbeing and quality of life
• increase social interaction

Safety First

• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Wear hats and sunscreen outdoors in the summer.
• Use safety equipment such as bike helmets.
• Choose safe environments such as well-lit streets, open parks and indoor facilities.
• Make sensible choices about when and where to be active and who to be active with.

February is Heart Health Month and there’s no better time to  have a heart-to-heart about ways you can improve your heart’s health as you age. Just because your doctor hasn’t mentioned that you have a heart condition, doesn’t mean you
won’t benefit from these simple, small changes that improve Heart Health!

Eat Colorful Fruits and Veggies

Low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals and fiber — adults should get at least five servings per day of these nutrition powerhouses.

Sleep Well for Heart Health

Not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Together, these four health conditions prove a powerful case that sleep isn't just beneficial, it's vital. Don’t watch TV or use other electronic devices before bed – or if you do, go to a different room so your bedroom is just for sleeping.

Practice Gratitude

Making a list and conjuring the feeling of gratitude about what you can appreciate about your life every day appears to have a real effect on the smoothness and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Exercise Regularly

Regularly exercising thirty minutes a day can improve your heart’s (and overall body’s) health!  Whether you take a brisk walk, play the Wii, sign up for a weekly class, or enjoy working out in the comfort of your living room - the important thing is that you do something every day.  Consider adopting a dog to get out there and move! Can’t adopt ? Volunteer to walk dogs at a local shelter!