Media

For media inquiries, please contact Rebecca Chipman, Marketing/Public Relations Director, at (414) 464-3880, ext. 462 or e-mail rchipman@luthermanor.org.

Luther Manor Fact Sheet

Milwaukee's famous dancing couple continues to step it up
Luther Manor Health Care Center resident, Frank Pachucki and long-time dance partner, Betty Hornby, are highlighted in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/99181549.html. Watch the video of the dancers here: http://www.jsonline.com/general/37714089.html?bcpid=8725036001&bctid=221219544001

Johnson-Fofanah appointed Program Director of the Courtyards at Luther Manor
August, 2010
Kristy Johnson-Fofanah has been named Program Director of the Courtyards at Luther Manor in Wauwatosa. (Read more)

Luther Manor welcomes new Development Officer
August, 2010
Emily Kort has been named Development Officer at Luther Manor in Wauwatosa. (Read more)

Luther Manor to host annual classic car show
June, 2010
Luther Manor will host its 5th annual classic car show and ice cream social on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lippold Faith and Education Center at Luther Manor parking lot located at 4545 N. 92nd St. in Wauwatosa. (Read more)

Luther Manor announces the election of 2010-2011 officers and directors
May, 2010
The election of officers and directors for the 2010-2011 Board of Directors for Luther Manor, a ministry of the United Lutheran Program for the Aging (ULPA), was conducted at the organization's annual meeting held Monday, April 26, 2010. (Read more)

Luther Manor and Holy Cross Lutheran Church offer proactive brain health class
December, 2009
Luther Manor and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls have teamed up to offer Jump Start, an educational and participatory class focusing on wellness and early indication to ensure a better quality of life for people diagnosed with early stage memory loss and those wishing to take a proactive approach to brain health. (Read more)

Luther Manor activity professional wins national award
Jean Tillmann, Luther Manor Activity Specialist, won the 2009 Activity Assistant of the Year award from the National Association of Activity Professionals at the conference in Albuquerque, N.M. (Read more)

Luther Manor Foundation elects 2009-2010 officers and directors
August, 2009
The Luther Manor Foundation has elected officers and members for its 2009-2010 Board of Directors. The Foundation supports Luther Manor's ministry to older adults through community service programs as well as grants and subsidies on behalf of residents who are unable to fully afford the cost of their care. (Read more)

Luther Manor volunteer celebrates 70,000 hours of service
May, 2009
For more than 30 years, Luther Manor resident and volunteer Millie Cap has been faithfully serving the Luther Manor community. This year she reached 70,000 hours of service to the organization. She is the first to ever achieve this milestone. (Read more)

Luther Manor announces the election of 2009-2010 officers and directors
May, 2009
The election of officers and directors for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors for Luther Manor, a ministry of the United Lutheran Program for the Aging (ULPA), was conducted at the organization’s annual meeting held Monday, April 27, 2009. (Read more)

Adult Day Services: More than a Stopgap Measure
AgingWell Magazine - March 2009
Adult day care provides for specific acute needs of older adults and their caregivers. But to successfully address the approaching wave of baby boomers, such services will have to be modified in both programming and flexibility to meet boomer needs and expectations.
(Read more)

When Culture Change Meets Home and Community-Based Services
futureAge - January/February, 2009
Several cultural change models are well established in skilled nursing, but how can they be adapted to home and community-based services? Here is a look at how providers are putting culture change to work for their clients, with a special emphasis on building engagement and fighting isolation for clients still living in their own homes. (Read more)

Unable to Sell Homes, Elderly Forgo Move to Assisted Living
New York Times - November, 2008
The housing crisis has kept thousands of older Americans who need support and care from moving into retirement communities or assisted-living centers, effectively stranding them in their own homes. (Read more)

Alzheimer’s Association recognizes Luther Manor’s innovative programs
May 2008
Luther Manor received the Alzheimer’s Association Outstanding Organization Award for developing exceptional programs that have changed the perspective, care models and environments of those serving the Alzheimer’s community. (Read more)

Luther Manor receives Award for Excellence
May 2008
Luther Manor’s efforts to transform senior ministry in Lutheran congregations were rewarded this year with an Award for Excellence in the “Exits and Entrances” category from Lutheran Services in America (LSA). (Read more)

Volunteer Director receives professional achievement award
May 2008
The Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association awarded Cheryl Schmitz, Luther Manor’s Director of Volunteer Services, its 2008 Professional Achievement Award for her outstanding leadership and incredible ability to motivate others to dedicate their lives to service. (Read more)

Luther Manor Adult Day awarded $50,000 Helen Bader Foundation grant
January 2008
A formal evaluation of the Person-Centered Care Environment in Luther Manor’s Adult Day Center will soon be made possible with a $50,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation. The grant was awarded to help cover the costs of evaluating the best individualized environment for the 55 daily participants in the Center. (Read more)

Finding Day Care -- For Your Parents
Choices Grow for Increasing Numbers Of Baby Boomers Who Have Frail Relatives They Are Reluctant to Leave Alone
Wall Street Journal — January, 2008
On any given day, Luther Manor, in the suburbs of Milwaukee, provides day-care services for 58 people. Demand has grown in recent years, and the center has no more slots. Now it's looking to build a satellite campus. (Read More)

Volunteer wins state award
May 2007
For more than 25 years, Luther Manor Health Care Center residents and staff members have benefited from the kindness of volunteer Betty Lissack. Now the entire state knows about her dedication. (Read More)

Nurse wins Distinguished Alumna Award
May 2007
Beth Meyer-Arnold, RN, Director of Luther Manor’s Adult Day Services in Wauwatosa, was this year’s Marquette University Distinguished Aluma in Service to Nursing award winner. (Read more)

Alzheimer’s Association recognizes Luther Manor’s innovative programs
May 7, 2008
Luther Manor received the Alzheimer’s Association's Outstanding Organization Award for developing exceptional programs that have changed the perspective, care models and environments of those serving the Alzheimer’s community. Luther Manor has also served as a partner with the Alzheimer’s Association by offering support groups, educational courses and training.

In 1989 Luther Manor opened its Wauwatosa Adult Day Center with the goal of leading the way in innovation and service to people with dementia. Since then, Luther Manor’s Adult Day Center has been ahead of the curve in terms of exploring creativity and dementia, as well as person-centered care, and the now internationally recognized program, TimeSlips. Luther Manor was also the first to establish an overnight respite program for families caring for loved ones with dementia.
Luther Manor’s Special Care Center was built in collaboration with UW-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture, and provides activity-focused care in a house-hold living setting. The memory loss program in The Courtyards offers housing for 44 people with the early stages of memory loss, and also provides daily activities and health care.

Luther Manor and the Alzheimer’s Association have been partners on numerous occasions during the last decade to serve those with Alzheimer’s and their families. Some of these partnerships include support groups, education course, and training, and more.

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Luther Manor receives Award for Excellence
May 7, 2008
Luther Manor’s efforts to transform senior ministry in Lutheran congregations were rewarded this year with an Award for Excellence in the “Exits and Entrances” category from Lutheran Services in America (LSA). For 40 years, Luther Manor supported local congregations’ programs for the aging with a monthly stipend to share the expenses associated with operating senior centers. Thirteen senior center programs thrived until the 1990s when attendance began to decline. When five centers closed, Luther Manor knew it was time to alter its program.

In a successful attempt to revitalize senior ministry in congregations, Luther Manor changed its approach by offering grants for congregations that propose new, innovative programs. To begin this initiative, Luther Manor educated congregation leaders about new models of senior ministry, and inspired them to find models that engage middle and senior adults in exciting, creative endeavors. Since then, 10 congregations have submitted proposals. The possibility of the $4,000 grant has also encouraged congregations that previously did not have senior ministry on their agendas to seriously consider how they can begin to serve seniors.

This year, Luther Manor has awarded grants to: Capitol Drive Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Lake Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Galilee Lutheran Church, Pewaukee; Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Milwaukee; Wellington Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Ascension Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Unity Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, West Allis; and Cross Lutheran Church, Milwaukee.

LSA Awards for Excellence are given annually to help build a resource bank of ideas, and to celebrate innovation and excellence among the Lutheran health and human service organizations. The theme for the 2008 awards — Taking Risks for the Future — recognized that social ministry organizations must sometimes step out in faith to take a big leap into the future.

“Year after year we are astounded by the breadth and depth of creativity and commitment that Lutheran social service organizations put at the disposal of their communities,” said Jill Schumann, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America. “This year, especially, we are proud to honor so many organizations that took chances to make their organizations, neighborhoods and communities better places.”

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Volunteer Director receives professional acheivement award
May 23, 2008
The Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association awarded Cheryl Schmitz, Luther Manor’s Director of Volunteer Services, its 2008 Professional Achievement Award for her outstanding leadership and incredible ability to motivate others to dedicate their lives to service. Cheryl manages a team of more than 500 volunteers who provide more than 56,000 hours of service each year, contributing to the fulfillment of Luther Manor’s mission.

Cheryl began her career at Luther Manor as a volunteer 30 years ago. Shortly after, she joined the activities department staff and eventually become the Director of Volunteer Services. Cheryl’s strong, passionate voice for volunteerism can be heard throughout the Luther Manor campus, and she has proven to be a perpetual cheerleader for volunteers. Her leadership for the last 13 years has led to increased recruitment among teenagers, and a program initiated two years ago has brought entire families together to volunteer.

Each year the Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinator’s Association award recognizes outstanding professional achievements and contributions in the management of volunteers. The award acknowledges the valuable efforts made by program leaders to encourage the spirit of service in their communities.

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Luther Manor Adult Day Center awarded $50,000 Helen Bader Foundation grant
Jan. 3, 2008
A formal evaluation of the Person-Centered Care Environment in Luther Manor’s Adult Day Center will soon be made possible with a $50,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation. The grant was awarded to help cover the costs of evaluating the best individualized environment for the 55 daily participants in the Center.

Since 2001, Luther Manor’s Adult Day Center has been dedicated to providing Person-Centered Care — an approach to care that values the uniqueness of the person, and seeks to maintain, even restore, the personhood of individuals. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center on Age and Community will evaluate the current Day Center space as Luther Manor creates options to better facilitate Person-Centered Care. The result will be an environment that promotes personal worth and uniqueness, social confidence, respect, truthfulness, independence, engagement and hope for older adults and their families.

For example, environmental changes might include 4-person tables that promote and support conversation, uniform flooring to give the space flexibility, and a serving counter at wheelchair height. Research will begin in the spring to determine possible upgrades.

The Foundation grant to Luther Manor is one of 136 grants the Foundation awarded in 2007. The Foundation supports innovative projects and programs that advance the well-being of people and promote the successful relationships with their families and communities.

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Volunteer wins state award
May 11, 2007
For over 25 years, Luther Manor Health Care Center residents and staff have benefited from the kindness of volunteer Betty Lissack. Now the entire state knows about her dedication. Lissack was recognized at the recent Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (WAHSA) “Celebration of Winners” Banquet. She received the Best Performance in a Supporting Role Award.

“Betty displays kindness, gentleness, patience, and an unconditional love for the residents,” said Director of Volunteer Services Cheryl Schmitz. “She focuses on the residents’ strengths to overcome their daily challenges and gives them encouragement and hope for the day.”

Some of Lissack’s regular volunteer duties include escorting residents to doctors appointments, delivering cookies, coffee and conversation door-to-door in the Health Care Center, and hosting birthday parties. She has also been an effective new volunteer trainer.
Lissack has also shared her volunteer spirit with her family. First, her daughter became a “Volunteen,” and now is a Luther Manor employee. Years later, Lissack’s grandchildren joined the Luther Manor family as “Volunteens,” and are still active Luther Manor volunteers.

Lissack was recently honored at Luther Manor’s Annual Volunteer Banquet, April 26. She reached the 15,000-hour milestone in 2006. Lissack is part of a growing team of volunteers at Luther Manor. In 2006, more than 500 volunteers donated 60,000 hours to serve the
Luther Manor community.

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Nurse wins Distinguished Alumna Award
May 11, 2007
Beth Meyer-Arnold, RN, Director of Luther Manor’s Adult Day Services in Wauwatosa, was this year’s Marquette University Distinguished Aluma in Service to Nursing award winner. She received the award during a recent banquet at Marquette.

At Luther Manor’s Adult Day Center, Meyer-Arnold and her team work together to create an environment focused on person-centered care, a philosophy of care that respects and values the uniqueness of the individual, and seeks to maintain, even restore, the personhood of individuals coping with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Currently, the center serves about 50-60 participants a day and is a model for programs across the nation.

Even as a young nurse, Meyer-Arnold knew she wanted to develop nursing services for older adults. Since graduating from Marquette in 1972, Meyer-Arnold has conducted independent research on daily life activities in nursing homes, bathing experiences of persons with dementia, and caregiver use of overnight respite care. She began her career at Luther Manor in 1988.

In her speech for Sigma Theta Tau, a Nursing Honor Society at Marquette, Meyer-Arnold reminded future nurses of what they will bring to the table, including creativity, understanding, teamwork and the perspective of the patient.

“For me, finding out early on that I love doing this [nursing] was just wonderful,” Meyer-Arnold said. “Finding work that you love is the greatest gift.”


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