Villa resident nominated for volunteer award
Western Home Communities has nominated Greg Hankins for the Lifetime Achievement Mayor’s Volunteer Award. Congrats, Greg!
Therapy at WHC can assist Parkinson’s patients
It’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month, the perfect time to spread the word that three therapists at Western Home Communities have specialized training. They help people living with Parkinson’s disease to maintain and improve movement, increase confidence, and stay safer with better strength and balance.
Third floor gets a name: Brom Family Cottage at The Deery Suites
Hovey Brom is giving back to Western Home Communities. “It just seemed logical,” he says, humbly. “I just felt it would be good to express my thanks for all the things I’ve done with them.”
Model train takes over villa bedroom
Villa resident Gary Brown always wanted to build model trains, but the time wasn't right until early 2019. That's when he dove into the world of N scale, which is about 1/4th the size of the more familiar O scale (think Lionel trains). The smaller size affords a lot of details - and Gary built so much into his "train city" that the bed in his and Donna's spare bedroom had to go! Take a look.
Foundation donates to Learn & Earn for hands-on training
Big Bob, as he was aptly named by Western Home Communities’ Learn & Earn team, is a bariatric manikin provided by the foundation.
The gift from heaven
Nine years elapsed from The Evangelical Association’s first discussions for establishing an old people’s home to actual groundbreaking for the Western Old People’s Home in Cedar Falls on August 21, 1911.
Preserving your family history for generations
Learning about your family history can be fascinating, but leaving a record for future generations helps them understand their roots and document their ancestry.
CNAs commit to LPN program
In January, ten Western Home employees started their journeys toward becoming licensed practical
nurses (LPNs).
Researching your history through DNA testing
Some of you might have received a DNA test kit for Christmas. It’s been popular to find these under the tree in recent years.
Massage therapy and health as we age
As we age, our bodies can react more intensely to stress, and chronic stress can damage our health. It’s important to be informed and know how to manage stress from illness, loss, financial concerns, social isolation, caregiving situations, and a myriad of other things.
Forest Junction to Cedar Falls —Western Home’s First Resident
Amelia managed to obtain the $500 needed for admission and moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where the newly established Western Old People’s Home was located. She became the first resident on June 18, 1912.
New year will bring changes to Thalman Square
On the heels of a recently completed redecorating project at Windhaven Assisted Living, a new look is being designed for the attached Thalman Square Memory Support Assisted Living.
A granddaughter’s creative gift
Prairie Wind resident Marianne Trent treasures her granddaughter Mary’s artwork. And when she made the move to Western Home Communities in the summer of 2022, they decided Marianne’s new residence needed something creative and personal from Mary, a painted mural.
Do you know the costs and coverage of your long-term care insurance?
“Just last week I saw a 219% increase letter for long-term care insurance,” says Jake Bates, director of sales for Fortified Life.
What to do with Grandmother’s quilt
Lifelong seamstress and villa resident Chris Lorenz joined the Keepsake Quilters Guild decades ago but finally pursued the hobby in earnest after retiring from Hawkeye Community College.
More than a century to celebrate
On December 10, 2023, Anne celebrates her 102nd birthday.
Creating a Family Tree
Are you curious about your family’s history? The first thing to do is collect what information you already have about each branch of your family.
“Gilly” debuts at Gilmore’s Pub
Gilly, as he was recently named, is a robot that naturally grabs your attention as he glides through the dining room serving dinner and bussing tables.
U.S. Senator from Iowa hears nursing home concerns
U.S. Senator Charles Grassley visited Western Home Communities on Oct. 10 for a question-and-answer session with employees and other long-term care leaders from the area.
Meet our newest centenarian
It’s definitely not medicine that’s contributed to Erma Vander Linden’s long life. The Windhaven resident, who turns 100 on Nov. 6, takes a baby aspirin daily and that’s it. Erma says sleep is her only medication.