Friendship Village Lifestyles Director Appointed by Mayor

Among Friends — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:21:50 +0000

Our very own Lifestyles Director, Mike McCann, will help shape the services and resources for all older adults in Schaumburg as Mayor Al Larson’s latest appointment to the Community Council of Aging.

Mike McCann, Lifestyles Director at Friendship Village since 2007 and the person who innovated the use of Wii programming in retirement communities across the nation, has been appointed to Schaumburg’s Community Council on Aging by Mayor Al Larson.

The Community Council meets monthly to discuss resources, events, programs and initiatives that impact local Schaumburg’s older adults. The Council plans quarterly special events and publishes a resource directory that includes information on assisted living, senior housing, dental, hearing and vision resources, mental health, meals programs, social groups and more.

“Mike exemplifies Friendship Village’s ‘Growth’ core value in a very positive way for his team and other members of management,” said Stephen A. Yenchek, President and CEO of Friendship Village and its parent, Friendship Senior Options. “We’re all delighted that his latest achievement gives him the opportunity to touch even more lives.”

Under Mike’s leadership, Friendship Village has developed hundreds of different programs and special events for residents each month, encompassing cultural, social, fitness and spiritual programming. Mike’s department worked with the Schaumburg Park District to develop the annual Silver Games for contestants ages 62 plus and created active resident volunteer partnerships with Schaumburg’s Hoover School, the Willow Creek Food Pantry and the Schaumburg Child + Family Center.

Shortly before joining Friendship Village’s management team, Mike gained national renown for pioneering the use of Wii in retirement communities, appearing on NBC Nightly News with anchor Brian Edwards. His idea has spread to retirement communities across the country and recently was featured in an episode of The Simpsons.

Apart from his work at Friendship Village, Mike works as a counselor with Elgin Family Services and with Locust School in Marengo to develop and implement their Fine Arts program. He has served with the Elgin Community Crisis Center as a case-worker/counselor, Hoffman Estates Park District as Head Soccer Coach and cook with P.A.D.S. of McHenry County. He is a member of the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, Champion of the Schaumburg Business Association Trivia Challenge, frequent guest speaker for a number of social service organizations, as well as a scheduled speaker at the state conference for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Mike jokingly credits the Spiderman comic books he read as a child with inspiring his sense of social responsibility. Quoting the line, “Where there is great power, there is great responsibility,” he says he feels no greater responsibility than to help others.

“When I started my career, it was in the field of youth work,” he said. “I found the challenges of helping them to find their own voice and to develop leadership skills very rewarding. Then, I found that the senior demographic shares many of the same needs and issues facing youth. Both groups are looking to have a voice, a sense of belonging, the ability to give and make changes and to have a sense of value. And while they are different, both groups face physical challenges as well. I found myself drawn to the cause of seniors looking to maintain their independence and value while giving back to their families and communities.”

Perfection in Assisted Living

Among Friends — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:50:14 +0000

Excellence is expected. Every day. All day. Perhaps that is why The Willows has received a “Violation-Free” status with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the fourth year in a row.

“It’s really about our associates,” says Judy Petersen, director of The Willows, Friendship Village’s Assisted Living neighborhood. “All of us have a passion for the elderly. Their wisdom, honesty, sharing, resilience and perseverance are amazing. They really know what is important in life.” She added, “Everyone who works here knows what is expected of them. In addition to the needs of each resident, our associates know and understand state regulations, Friendship Village’s mission and our quality expectations.”

Only 7% of Illinois assisted living communities have perfect state surveys. Evaluations are made based on unscheduled health inspections, staffing ratios, quality measures and overall quality. Under state regulations, a “violation-free” status places Friendship Village among a select group of communities that are surveyed every two years by the Illinois Department of Public Health, rather than annually.

The Willows is housed in the upper two floors of the Birch Pavilion. It includes 100 assisted living apartments, including 25 in the secure “Reflections at The Willows’ neighborhood, which provides memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Willows’ common areas are scheduled for a complete renovation during early 2010.

Striking a balance of a family atmosphere with exceptional care is rare. Judy attributes specialized programs such as Spa Days, “Ravinia” nights, lots of music and ongoing spiritual counseling from a full-time chaplain with this unique balance. Each month, residents create a “Circle of Friends” where staff and residents connect personally. This optional gathering usually attracts 20 to 30 people each month.

Rejoicing in each resident’s success contributes to the positive energy, too. Willows resident Phyllis is creating a tidal wave of interest in water aerobics. This great, great-grandmother who has always been wheelchair-bound, began synchronized swimming in college. Now, several of her neighbors join her for swimming in Friendship Village’s 60-foot Aquatic Center.

“I tell my associates to take care of themselves so they can take care of the residents, but really we refuel by being around the residents,” confides Petersen. “It gives us energy, drives our ambition for excellence and ignites our passion for the work we do.”

Friendship Village has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to quality, becoming the first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Illinois to earn accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Today, it is among the 12 percent of CCRCs nationally that have earned accreditation.

Friendship Village was the first Chicagoland CCRC to offer assisted living, launching the new option for residents in 1988. Currently, The Willows is among a handful of assisted living communities offering a lifecare contract to new residents, with lifetime access to healthcare services.

Among Friends » assisted living

Friendship Village Lifestyles Director Appointed by Mayor

Perfection in Assisted Living