Tag Archives: Victorian Village

Active at Any Age at Victorian Village

HOMER GLEN, Ill. (October 2016) — Active Aging Week at Victorian Village wrapped up recently, but residents at the senior living community will still have plenty of opportunities for an active lifestyle. The community’s Active Aging Week included a “Balance Boot Camp” as part of the on-going Senior Fitness program. Exercise opportunities provided by Senior Fitness all year long are helping residents maintain their health and strength, so they can enjoy a more active retirement. Not all the activities at Victorian Village require a regimen of cardio or weight training. There are classes — like the new American Sign Language class attended by several residents – and clubs, like the Knit & Stitch group that recently raised funds to support the Alzheimer’s Walk for the Cure. The Life Enrichment Department at Victorian Village also gives residents a chance to get off campus, whether or not they have a car in the parking lot. They take trips to grocery and department stores, as well as field trips to places like the theater, the planetarium, or a forest preserve — all on their brand new bus. One new opportunity coming up for residents is the chance to travel to a local school […]

Victorian Village hosts Illinois Senate Minority Leader Radogno

HOMER GLEN, Ill. (July 2016) — Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-41st District) made a return visit to Victorian Village last week, touring the Health & Wellness Center Small Houses and speaking with interested residents at the Grand Victorian. Her visit sparked a few political discussions among residents, and gave the state senator a chance to see the unique Small Houses in use. Senator Radogno has been to Victorian Village before, when the Homer Glen senior living community was constructing the first Small Houses in the state of Illinois, and when Victorian Village celebrated the opening of those Small Houses at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This visit, she toured the completed buildings, now home to long-term residents and short-term rehab clients. Later, she spoke with residents at the Grand Victorian about budget struggles in Springfield and the redistricting initiative. She noted that she was “acutely aware” that Medicare costs would continue to go up, and that the Illinois government was looking at ways to do things more cost effectively — studying innovative methods, like the Small Houses, to see if they were more cost-effective than traditional models. The senator also answered some questions about whether she’d run for governor (she’s focused on her […]

Victorian Village Small Houses awarded 5-star rating

HOMER GLEN, Ill. (June 2016) — Victorian Village Health & Wellness Center is proud to announce that it has received a five-star overall quality rating — the highest possible rating — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “I am very pleased with this recognition of the quality service and care that the Victorian Village Health & Wellness Center program provides,” said Dave Tiemersma, Executive Director of Victorian Village. According to CMS.gov, CMS created their Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. The Nursing Home Compare feature of the Medicare website gives each nursing home in the country a rating of between 1 and 5 stars. Nursing homes with 5 stars are considered to have much above average quality. More information about the rating system is available on CMS.gov. The rating takes a few different things into account: the result of health inspections, staffing, and quality measures — which includes information on 11 different physical and clinical measures. Victorian Village Health & Wellness Center (VVHWC) received above average ratings in every area considered. The Victorian Village Health & Wellness Center opened in Feb. 2014, the first “Small Houses” in […]

Hallmark of Caring honors Providence employees

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (March 2016) — Each year, we honor outstanding employees in an event called “Hallmark of Caring.” Providence people in various jobs are nominated by their co-workers, our residents, or residents’ families for their efforts throughout the year. This year’s 74 honorees live out our mission to “enhance the lives of those we serve in the name of Jesus Christ,” and demonstrate excellence in skill, work ethic, and compassion. Employees will be added to the list below until the event on March 11 — look for updates here and on our Facebook pages. Join us in congratulating the honorees!   Honorees from Park Place of Elmhurst:   Stephanie James, CNA – Skilled Stephanie is extremely compassionate and always has a positive attitude. She makes an extra effort, like coming in early to shampoo a resident’s hair because they cannot extend their head in the shampoo bowl in the salon. She also shows initiative by leading restorative exercises with our residents.     Angela Bianchi, CNA – Skilled “When Angela’s here, you know it’s going to be a good day.” This was said by a client who has a great appreciation for her. That’s because Angela is always cheerful, takes pride in […]

Modeling a new kind of care

Small Houses celebrate first anniversary HOMER GLEN, Ill. (February 2016) — The small houses at Victorian Village Health & Wellness Center mark their first anniversaries this year— the first residents moved in to Hope House on Feb. 2, 2015, and Faith House opened its doors a month later. In their first year of operation, residents and staff alike are adjusting to challenges and enjoying their unique skilled nursing setting. “We’re still learning and growing,” said Deb Brandy, Life Enrichment Director at the Health & Wellness Center. The houses certainly don’t look or operate like the stereotypical nursing home. The architecture features short hallways, private bedrooms, and an open kitchen. That set-up is making it easier for Janina to get out of her wheelchair and use a walker to get around. In one house, magazines lay by the fireplace, a decades-old wedding photo adorns the bookshelf in the library, and CDs are stacked up on the end table in the living room — mostly hymns, except for one album of love songs by Elvis. There’s also an iPad for playing games, videos, and music. Residents can wake up and go to sleep when they want — Hope House residents tend to […]