Lutheran Home Foundation Receives $300,000 Grant for Elevator and Fire Safety Upgrades!
The Lutheran Home Foundation found out today that our grant request of $300,000 is going to be fully funded by City of Wauwatosa’s Community Development Block Grant. This grant will fund approximately 90% of the expense of the required elevator and fire safety project.
Why is This Project Required?
Under new regulations, we are obligated to make a number of improvements to four existing
elevators in order to conform to the requirements which are outlined in the Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators.
In the case that the Wauwatosa Fire Department had to respond to a call at the Lutheran Home, the firefighters would not be able to take strategic control and routing of our elevators to perform
adequate rescue or suppression activities. To become compliant with the new code, several upgrades will be needed, at a cost of approximately $330,000.
Why is Grant Money Needed?
The Lutheran Home's mission is to provide the best care for our residents regardless of their ability to pay. Today, over half of our long-term residents have outlived their financial resources. The only financial support the Lutheran Home receives for these residents is through Medicaid
payments, which fall more than $100 short of the cost of care for each of these residents, every day. In 2010 alone, the Lutheran Home absorbed almost $4 million in unreimbursed care for our residents who rely on Medicaid.
Without this grant support for these fireproofing projects, these expenses would come directly out of operating funds, limiting the amount of charity care that we are able to provide
Receiving this grant award is the result of a lot of hard work and prayers!
What a great combination!
$20,000 Donation Received to Update the Lutheran Home Beauty Shop
In memory of residents Joseph and Bunny Kuzma, the family made a donation of $20,000 to give the beauty shop a facelift. This project was selected by the children of Joseph and Bunny's.
They donated the money to us because they remain very grateful for the care both of their parents received at the Lutheran Home and Harwood Place. The family knows that the Beauty Shop is enjoyed by many and wanted to sponsor a project that could directly improve the lives of our residents.
The project planning has already begun and should be completed this year!
More About Joseph and Bunny
Joseph Kuzma was a Lutheran Home Adult Day participant from 1998 to 2000, when he then moved into the Lutheran Home for skilled care. Joseph passed on October 17, 2000 at age 85.
Bernardine "Bunny" Kuzma moved into an apartment at Harwood Place around 2005. In 2006 she moved to our Assisted Living area at Harwood Place. In October of 2009, Bunny moved into our Memory Care Assisted Living at the Lutheran Home. She found eternal peace on September 17, 2010, at age 93.
Joseph was a pathologist for the old Milwaukee County Hospital (now known as Froedtert and the Medical College) and Bunny stayed home to raise their eight children in
Wauwatosa.
Memories in the Making Program
Lutheran Home is now 1 of 14 organizations in southeastern Wisconsin trained to offer the Memories in the Making® program.
"Alzheimer's dementia brings with it a constant reminder of failures and losses. The Memories in the Making® Art program uses art to express trapped emotions and feelings inside. The ensuing sense of accomplishment brings renewed joy and self-respect to the patient or resident."
The state survey team arrived at the Lutheran Home early on Tuesday, May 3rd and spent the past few days conducting a thorough audit of our clinical practices. During their time on the Lutheran Home campus, the survey team audited the records of 24 different residents, focusing heavily on pressure ulcers, falls, medication, toileting, and the overall atmosphere of care. The survey team completed their assignment this morning and indicated during their exit meeting with the clinical team this afternoon that their survey was “deficiency free.” Yes, deficiency free!
The survey team offered only a couple of very minor recommendations and their overwhelming sentiment was that the Lutheran Home was an excellent facility with an excellent team!
The Lutheran Home staff does a wonderful job in providing compassionate and loving care to our residents! In today’s environment, achieving a deficiency-free survey is a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations to all Lutheran Home and Harwood Place employees.
“You have a really nice facility!”
“It was a pleasure to survey your facility!”
“Your CNAs are exceptional … nice … kind … respectful!”
-Survey Team
Lutheran Home Foundation Raises Funds to Renovate Memory Care Assisted Living Areas
Our memory care assisted living unit is well worn and in great need of renovation. This specialized unit is designed for individuals that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Research studies suggest that factors in the physical environment, such as lighting, color or noise, can greatly impact the behavior of a person with Alzheimer's. Making changes and adjustments to the environment can help make day-to-day activities easier and safer and can reduce specific
symptoms such as anxiety and wandering.
To date the Lutheran Home Foundation has raised $240,000 towards the renovation of this unit from a number of sources. It began with raising $40,000 at our annual Monarch Ball in September, where attendees participated in a live voice auction dedicated to this project.
In early November the Foundation received a $50,000 grant from the City of Wauwatosa’s Community Development Block Grant Committee (CDBG) to update flooring on the unit. The primary objective of the CDCG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing opportunities for housing and safe living environments.
Recently the Foundation learned that we will be the recipient of a very generous, anonymous gift of $150,000 designated for the renovation of the memory care unit. The donor is hopeful that this gift will inspire others to help complete this project.
In order to fully renovate both memory care assisted living units, our Foundation will need to raise an additional $200,000. Those interested in making a direct impact on the lives of our residents can contribute gifts such as in-kind donations of product or service or cash donations.
Planning and preparation for the renovations has already begun!
