A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35Jesus words on love spoken some 2,000 years ago inspire and form our Christian ministry today at Presbyterian Homes & Services.For Alice Musiak, a housekeeper at Valley Ridge in Burnsville, MN, showing love is the best thing she does all day every day. She says, Ive been a housekeeper for three years. And I love it. I cant imagine doing anything else.Alices daily To Do List takes her around campus and into the homes of residents where she creates special moments with them.Recently, she noticed a resident with dementia, who was feeling down. Knowing she had just lost her husband, Alice tells what she did next: So, I grabbed a daily devotional book called Jesus Calling from our community library. I sat beside her and asked, Will you read me a devotional?Just last week, the same residents son came to visit. When he entered The Arbor, there was his mother, reading aloud from another Bible devotional as Alice followed along closely.So, he quietly pulled up a chair to listen, too, and commented softly, Mom always loves reading her Bible.Alice following along as resident reads from Christian Bible devotional Later, Alice made her way up to the laundry room on the third floor. Along the way she got a special request from a resident. Alice, can you help me with my puzzle? I cant fit any pieces in my puzzle. Im having a hard time.Alice explains, So I helped her, and it was really fun. Known by residents for her heart of gold, Alice giggles, I show it!Alice is truly a blessing here at Valley Ridge, comments Matthew Rectenwal, Environmental Services Director.To Alice, housekeeping is not about a To Do List. Its about the power of connection and filling residents homes with love.We Will is a series that spotlights inspiring examples of teamwork at PHS. With Gods blessing, We Will work together to build a better, brighter future for the older adults we serve.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds 'Hebrews 10:24How often in these past two years of quarantines and Covid restrictions have we realized how much we want to be together? Being together makes us happy. Being together helps us thrive. Being together just makes us better.Before the new year rolls in, we want to tell you about a new blog series. Throughout 2022, Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) wants to tell our stories in a series entitled, Better Together.But to do this, were asking for your help. Were looking for suggestions about two or more employees, residents, volunteers, family members, friends or any combination of the above, whose relationships and experiences show how we are better together.Were especially interested in stories about employees, not only to share how special these people are, but to encourage others to come and work with us!We want to hear about a new (even unlikely) friendship, a common or shared journey, a problem solved or goal achieved together through collaboration and teamwork.We want to hear about overcoming challenges and finding resilience and hope, recognizing Gods blessing, living into a larger view of God and ultimately enriching the lives of older adults.Were sure you know of such special people, including you!The author of Hebrews encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deedsWe can do this because God summons us into a holy relationship through Jesus and invites us into meaningful human relationships. Through these relationships, we can know and be known; serve and be served; love and be loved; celebrate and be celebrated.And thats what we want to do celebrate life together at PHS through the many stories that reveal how we are better together.From your suggestions, we will select and follow up on stories that show and tell how our lives interweave, our gifts multiply, our blessings abound and God is glorified. So much to celebrate and, fortunately, well have all year!

A steady stream of residents are being welcomed and settling into their new apartment homes atPrairie Gate, located in Council Bluffs, IA, which opened its doors on Monday, March 2, 2020. Prairie Gate, the 4thPHS community opened in Iowa, is being developed bySenior Housing Partners, the development arm of PHS.Natasha Urinko, Campus Administrator, and the Prairie Gate staff have been eagerly preparing for this week and are greeting and assisting new residents as they begin to create daily life together in this new community.The 17.5 acre campus is situated across from the Valley View Trail, connecting to nearby parks and the extensive Council Bluffs Recreation Trails system. To reflect the surrounding natural environment, the prairie-style architectural design connects the interior spaces with the outdoors, bringing views of the landscape and natural light through large windows.Prairie Gate offers senior independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, and memory care apartments. A skilled nursing care center will open in the near future. At the heart of the community is the two-story, 21,000 square foot Town Center offering an array of amenities and services, including community gathering spaces, restaurant-style dining, a bistro, salon, library, club room, business office, guest suite, chapel and wellness center with aerobics studio. Outdoor pathways, prairie plantings, gardens and a courtyard will be just outside the doors in a beautiful patio setting.Residents are being served by professional, dedicated staff members who uphold the standard of excellence that is the signature of PHS. When fully staffed, Prairie Gate brings 135 full-time and part-time positions to the community.

The Right Time to Think About Senior LivingCan you envision yourself living in a senior community? If not now, what about in the future? It may be easy to push away such questions for another day. Why Consider It Now? Because the worst time to decide about housing is when a crisis forces you to move. A compulsory move is rarely a positive experience. In a crisis, hasty decisions may result in costly mistakes, both financial and emotional. Its smart to think about where you will live and begin to discover the many options for older adults. Start now while you can choose freely.What If Life Changes? What significant life changes might prompt you to consider a change in living arrangements? Some trigger events happen suddenly, some we expect to happen, and some happen gradually. Such as:You live in an empty nestYou desire to hire out home maintenance tasksYou would prefer to cook lessYour neighborhood has changed and friends and family are no longer nearbyYour health changes, requiring adaptations in your home.Your spouse diesYou reduce or give up drivingDeciding whether and when you might move to a senior living community takes time, research and thought. Youll want a place that works for you today, but also will be suitable in the future.Where to Start?Where would you like to live? Close to home, where you are familiar with local services? Or would you like to relocate closer to relatives or a warmer climate? Whatever you choose, begin exploring housing options. Senior living options include senior independent, assisted living and memory care apartments and skilled nursing care centers. A senior community with a continuum of care offers all options within a single campus. Maintenance-free living comes with a variety of amenities and services such as restaurant-style dining options, community gathering spaces, style salon, library, fitness center, scheduled transportation. Learning about a communitys amenities and services can help you envision the lifestyle you wish.Whatever your preferences, the right time to consider your future home is sooner rather than later. Visit a senior living community in person and ask questions. Your decisions today will shape the kind of life you have tomorrow.This article was submitted by Amy Muller, Housing Advisor for Prairie Gate. Contact Amy 712-823-9145 or amuller@preshomes.org.

Are you concerned about your older adult parent in their current home environment? Their house may have served them well for years but now limits them. Exploring assisted living as an option may improve their quality of life and support their needs. How do you start the heart-to-heart about living options and support? Find out whats going on in their life and listen carefully, says Amy Muller, Housing Advisor at Prairie Gate, a Presbyterian Homes & Services community. Its crucial to keep your parent in the drivers seat so that they are making the decisions about their life.Ask your parent what it takes to maintain their house. Find out how much space in the house they use, how well they navigate its interior or go in and out freely and safely. Educate yourself and expand your parents understanding of assisted living so that assumptions about the old folks home dont become obstacles. Far from being a nursing home, assisted living offers an apartment setting complemented by supportive services including housekeeping, meals and personal care. Your parent may fear losing their independence if they leave their home. Assisted living residents make their own decisions and continue to lead their life the way they wish, Amy assures. Your parent will organize their own day with the freedom to come and go as they please. she says. Showing is better than telling. Touring an assisted living community give you and your parent a firsthand look. The most successful moves are made by seniors, with the support of their grown children, who have planned, researched and seen the choices available and know what they want, said Amy. Change is hard, so be prepared to provide emotional support to your parent and be patient. The goal is to help your parents adapt to their changing situation as they age and support the best possible quality of life in the best living environment for them today and for the future. Editors Note This article was submitted by Amy Muller, Housing Advisor for Prairie Gate. Contact Amy 712-352-6604 or amuller@preshomes.org. 

From Springs of Living Water, the e-newsletter of Optage HospiceThis month marks a sobering anniversary two years ago, we learned about a strange new virus and wondered if it would make it here. How could we have imagined how it would change the landscape of our lives?For those of us also facing personal losses, this time can be especially disorienting. Having muddled our way through 2021, a new year brings new challenges even as we are now in a season of looking forward of hope.Somehow, as difficult as it can be to feel hopeful, hope is both natural and essential. It helps us see the path forward, while nudging us to take the steps to get there. As we head into this new year full of so many unknowns, what do you carry? What do you hope for? Despite the sadness, the weariness and fear, could you bring your heart back to hope, even if just for a little bit?As we reflect on what we hope for, we begin to see a larger horizon. As difficult as life might be at this moment, we wont always be where we are now. Despite the losses we face, life leads us forward. Looking back, we remember all that we have experienced. Looking forward, we discover all that we have learned. Hope can help us see the way, and hope can help us get there.