The Lutheran Home, for the 2nd straight year, was awarded first place in the commercial division of Arlington Heights’ acclaimed Frontier Days Parade. One of the largest Independence Day parades in the Midwest, this year’s July 5th parade theme focused on Volunteerism. The Lutheran Home’s “hands that serve, hearts that care” entry highlighted the thousands of hours donated every year by residents, teens, neighbors and staff at the Lutheran Home.

Not too many people remember what life was like around the Lutheran Home without the caring presence and cheerful smile of Susan Brandt. Since 1968, Susan has faithfully served Lutheran Home residents and their families as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and Certified Family Partner.

Sue’s experience and insight have been blessings to the community and hundreds, possibly thousands, of Arlington Heights neighbors. Sue has decided, after 41 years of serving others in their retirement years, to start her own retirement years. She is excited to travel and spend extended time pursuing her interests.

Lutheran Home colleagues celebrate Susan Brandt. Sue’s friends at the Lutheran Home are thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside her, be mentored by her, and wish her great happiness in her retirement.

The Lutheran Home, a Lutheran Life Community in Arlington Heights now offers a new orthopedic rehabilitation wing. Just like all areas of care at the Lutheran Home, this 12 person unit features all-private rooms. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, new furniture, lighting, and carpeting. Visiting family members and friends are enjoying comfortable, newly furnished social areas in which to relax, snack and converse. Rehab guests have access to a private courtyard as well as seven-day-a-week professional therapy services in the rehabilitation unit’s designated fitness center. The centralized location of this new unit means it’s very close to the Lutheran Home’s General Store and Oakton Square Deli, convenient places to share a cup of coffee or an ice cream sundae with friends and family.

The Lutheran Home rehabilitation unit features in-room dining. The call-in delivery service features extended meal hours and a bistro-style menu with a variety of delicious, made-to-order dishes. Rehab guests are invited to enjoy regularly-scheduled daily activities and participate in special events, such as monthly birthday parties, church services, entertainment and luncheons.

Professionals from Alliance Rehab are highly trained therapists who work with the individual and their doctors to create rehab plans and exercises that best suit them. Therapists are assigned patients and accompany them throughout the entire recovery process, from pre-surgery, preparatory therapy to inpatient therapy and, finally, to outpatient services.

Throughout its services, Lutheran Life Communities faithfully provides care with whole health focus – social, spiritual, and of course, physical. They’re all part of a vibrant, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. To find out more about rehabilitation options near you, call (800) 545-5524.

Renovations are underway to create a new orthopedic rehabilitation unit at the Lutheran Home!  Just like all areas of care at the Lutheran Home, this 12 person unit will feature all private rooms. Guests in this new area will have the opportunity to enjoy in-room dining, access to a private courtyard and seven-day-a-week professional therapy services in their own designated fitness center. The same quality of care that distinguishes Lutheran Life Communities as an innovative leader in healthcare will be enjoyed by the guests of the new orthopedic unit at the Lutheran Home. This new orthopedic rehabilitation unit is anticipated to open early spring!

Meals are an essential part of each day. They provide nourishment for our bodies, as well as a wonderful opportunity to relax and socialize. A lunchtime sandwich with your favorite soup is great, but the same sandwich and soup in a beautiful setting with friends leaves you feeling even better!

Residents and guests at Lutheran Life Communities will find dining experiences that maximize everything your meals should be. Dedicated chefs, nutritionists and servers work together to create a completely satisfying dining experience. Food orders are placed daily, with alternative entrées or side dishes offered.

Most residents enjoy their meals with table side service in restaurant-style dining rooms – no long tables or cafeteria trays. Because meals are not served in a cafeteria style, food stays fresh and tasting great.

“It’s our pantry style serving that keeps hot food hot, and cold food cold,” says Angie Zamora, Corporate Dining Services Director for Lutheran Life Communities. “Much of the plating of resident meals is done right at the individual dining rooms, as opposed to being transported from a central kitchen.”

Independent living and Hearthstone residents have the option of eating in their community’s restaurant-style dining areas conveniently located on the campus, and in some cases, just down the stairs from them! Diners are greeted by a wait staff ready to take their order from menus with many options. Special requests or dietary adjustments are made to order. “We want to make sure people eat something they enjoy. If they don’t see something they want off the menu, we will cook it up to order. We are flexible and want to provide a satisfying meal for them,” says Dining Service Manager Javier Barrientos, who has served Lutheran Home residents for the past 10 years.

“We are accustomed to meeting a wide variety of nutritional needs. Custom menus can be created for residents or rehabilitation guests, and we understand how important it is to have options, no matter what your diet restrictions,” explains Zamora.

Lutheran Life Communities chefs go beyond preparing meals – they serve residents, their families, and neighbors at community events, holidays, parties, and other special events. Each of these occasions is an opportunity for their culinary creations to take center stage.

“We look forward to these occasions when we can really serve up something extra-special for our residents and guests,” says Zamora. “Each community’s talented cooking staff enjoys the opportunity to add something new – like a recent three foot tall fruit tree – to make these events beautiful and memorable.”

For events like the Journey to Adventure Cruise where residents spend an evening on a “cruise” to another country, cuisine from the host country is prepared.From Germany to Mexico, Greece to Poland, the food has been paramount in

experiencing the cruise destination. “Cooking for the cruises is a lot of fun,” says Barrientos, “We learn about new foods. As a staff, we try to pick out the foods we think taste the best and the residents will enjoy the most.”

Residents’ opinions about the food are taken very seriously. Resident Council and food advisory meetings are scheduled opportunities to suggest new meal options and provide feedback on menus. “It’s very important that we hear rom our residents and visitors. We are always looking for new suggestions for delicious and healthy meals, or how we can improve,” said Zamora.

Room service is also being introduced in select Lutheran Life Community rehabilitation neighborhoods. The call-in/delivery service features extended meal hours and a bistro-style menu. If it is received as anticipated, it will not be long before every rehabilitation neighborhood across the system will offer room service.

Families are always encouraged to dine with their loved one at Lutheran Life Communities. Many great memories include family and a fine dining experience, and Lutheran Life staff delights in the opportunity to make new memories each and every day.