FOR HALLMAR - Mercy Medical Center · 2012. 11. 12. · THEMERCY touch 19 FOR HALLMAR...
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THE MERCYtouch 19 FOR HALLMAR Hallmar, Mercy Medical Center’s geriatric care center, passes Sara Sorensen’s inspection with flying colors. And the fact that it offers immediate access to medical services at Mercy makes it even better. Not only has Sara’s husband, Al, lived at Hallmar for six years, but her mother and both former in-laws also found respite there when age and health concerns began to take their toll. Al, 91, had a stroke on May 28, but is steadily regaining his physical abilities with the help of Hallmar’s nurses. A former professional football player for the Chicago Cardinals in the early l930s, Al has experience in conquering battles. “Al is the biggest fighter I’ve ever seen,” says Sara. “He toughs things out. He has more courage than 10 of us put together.” Sara’s first experience with Hallmar, which opened in 1960, came years ago when her former father-in-law fell and broke his leg. He needed better care. “I’d heard about Hallmar. And since I’d always had a big love affair with Mercy, I thought it would be a perfect fit for him,” Sara says. It was, and since his experience was pleasant, Sara decided when it was time that her mother-in-law should also go to Hallmar. When her own mother became ill, Sara found a room was available at Hallmar. Both mothers were there at the same time. When Al, Sara’s husband of 20 years, began failing, Sara knew she had to decide on full-time care at home or Hallmar. Now 91, Al is happy at Hallmar. Sara likes knowing that many Hallmar staff members have been there a long time and truly enjoy their work. Hallmar stands out as her first choice for geriatric care. Having the hospital just down the hall is an added bonus. Nursing care is directed and supervised by the nurse manager, with licensed nurses available 24 hours a day. “Hallmar is institutional- looking but that shouldn’t scare people away,” she points out. “There’s no carpet, but that’s good. It’s very sanitary, very clean, and the patients are always primary in care.” If Sara sees things that need to be done, she lets staff members know, and they always listen. “They take very good care of Al,” Sara says. “He’s comfortable and content there.” Hallmar provides a wide range of activities for residents – restaurant visits, picnics, music groups and more. There is always something going on. “The staff becomes very close to people at Hallmar. That to me is a real plus,” Sara adds. “It’s a warm, homey atmosphere, with lots of love and affection.” Being part of Mercy is reassuring for family members, and also allows residents to attend Mercy’s chapel if they choose, says Jackie Foster, Hallmar’s Nurse Manager. Hallmar employs 52 staff members, who care for up to 55 residents, which allows for a first-rate patient-staff ratio, Jackie adds. “Quality care is what really sets us apart,” she says. “It can’t be beat.” Even in tough times, Sara adds. Last June’s flood forced the evacuation of Mercy and Hallmar. Al spent two weeks at another facility. When he returned, Sara recalls, “Staff were there with flowers and hugs. It was a real family welcome. He was at last home again.” “...a big love affair with Mercy...” Sara Sorensen Wife of Hallmar resident “Quality care is what really sets us apart.” Jackie Foster Hallmar’s Nurse Manager Sara Sorensen, wife of Hallmar resident, Al Sorensen Al Sorensen, has been a Hallmar resident for the past six years. 18 SUMMER 2009 www.mercycare.org She has an eagle eye for spotting the details that make the difference in looking out for one’s loved ones.
Transcript of FOR HALLMAR - Mercy Medical Center · 2012. 11. 12. · THEMERCY touch 19 FOR HALLMAR...
THEMERCYtouch 19
FOR HALLMAR
Hallmar, Mercy Medical Center’s geriatriccare center, passes Sara Sorensen’s inspectionwith flying colors. And the fact that it offersimmediate access to medicalservices at Mercy makes it evenbetter.
Not only has Sara’s husband,Al, lived at Hallmar for six years,but her mother and both formerin-laws also found respite therewhen age and health concernsbegan to take their toll.
Al, 91, had a stroke on May28, but is steadily regaining hisphysical abilities with the help ofHallmar’s nurses. A formerprofessional football player for the ChicagoCardinals in the early l930s, Al has experience inconquering battles.
“Al is the biggest fighter I’ve ever seen,” saysSara. “He toughs things out. He has more courage
than 10 of us put together.”Sara’s first experience with Hallmar, which
opened in 1960, came years ago when her formerfather-in-law fell and broke his leg.He needed better care.
“I’d heard about Hallmar. Andsince I’d always had a big love affairwith Mercy, I thought it would be aperfect fit for him,” Sara says.
It was, and since his experiencewas pleasant, Sara decided when itwas time that her mother-in-lawshould also go to Hallmar. Whenher own mother became ill, Sarafound a room was available atHallmar. Both mothers were there at
the same time.When Al, Sara’s husband of 20 years, began
failing, Sara knew she had to decide on full-timecare at home or Hallmar. Now 91, Al is happy atHallmar. Sara likes knowing that many Hallmar
staff members have been there a long time andtruly enjoy their work. Hallmar stands out as herfirst choice for geriatric care.
Having the hospital just down the hall is anadded bonus. Nursing care is directed andsupervised by the nurse manager, with licensednurses available 24 hours a day.
“Hallmar is institutional-looking but that shouldn’t scarepeople away,” she points out.“There’s no carpet, but that’sgood. It’s very sanitary, very clean,and the patients are alwaysprimary in care.”
If Sara sees things that need tobe done, she lets staff membersknow, and they always listen.
“They take very good care ofAl,” Sara says. “He’s comfortableand content there.”
Hallmar provides a wide range of activitiesfor residents – restaurant visits, picnics, musicgroups and more. There is always somethinggoing on.
“The staff becomes very close to people atHallmar. That to me is a real plus,” Sara adds.“It’s a warm, homey atmosphere, with lots of loveand affection.”
Being part of Mercy is reassuring for familymembers, and also allows residents to attend
Mercy’s chapel if they choose, saysJackie Foster, Hallmar’s NurseManager. Hallmar employs 52staff members, who care for up to55 residents, which allows for afirst-rate patient-staff ratio, Jackieadds.
“Quality care is what reallysets us apart,” she says. “It can’t bebeat.”
Even in tough times, Saraadds. Last June’s flood forced theevacuation of Mercy and Hallmar.Al spent two weeks at another
facility. When he returned, Sara recalls, “Staffwere there with flowers and hugs. It was a realfamily welcome. He was at last home again.”
“...a biglove affair
with Mercy...”Sara Sorensen
Wife of Hallmar resident
“Quality careis what reallysets us apart.”
Jackie FosterHallmar’s Nurse Manager
Sara Sorensen, wifeof Hallmar resident,
Al Sorensen
Al Sorensen, has been a Hallmarresident for the past six years.
18 SUMMER 2009 www.mercycare.org
She has an eagle eye for spotting the details that makethe difference in looking out for one’s loved ones.
