Program areas at Winona Senior Services
Winona Senior Services, Inc. (WSS) supports and serves the healthcare needs of senior citizens living in the Winona, Minnesota, region. It includes the following services:* Lake Winona Manor, a 110-bed skilled, long-term care nursing facility* Watkins Manor, an assisted living facility with 59 units. * Adith Miller and Roger Metz Manors, memory care residences that provide a home to up to 20 dementia-affected individuals. * Winona Area Hospice Services, caring for an average of 43 residents per day with terminal illnesses(Continued on Schedule O)Additional programs that benefit the community include:Health Professional Training: WSS works closely with nurse education programs in the community to provide clinical sites for LPNs, RNs, and CNAs for assistance and training completion with our residents. Students provide supervised nursing care. We also provide practicums for the therapeutic recreation and social work students through Winona State University. Preventive Care: WSS encourages preventive care through a number of resources. WSS participates in a number of educational opportunities for the community on topics relating to care of the aging parent, home care, Hospice and choosing independent or assistive living. WSS participates on many community-wide events, providing free education and counseling advice on senior service topics. Community Relations: WSS works with many area nonprofit organizations to support the care of the elderly and health-related activities. Many staff speak to outside civic, educational and non-profit groups, as well as actively participating in community events. WSS staff also delivers meals to community members through a local meal delivery program.Community Education: WSS staff sponsors a support group for those dealing with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. In addition, it offers a grief support group. WSS staff spoke on topics of interest to seniors at various locations in the area such as the Senior Friendship Center, the Learning Club and Winona Volunteer Services. Due to the covid 19 pandemic, public speaking engagements for local community groups and businesses were sharply curtailed during 2022. Staff adapted activities to insure resident safety, minimize the impact of prolonged isolation and incorporated creativity to find ways for families to remain in contact via window visits, zoom calls, and other means.WSS is committed to being a "dementia friendly" community, partnering with other non-profit organizations in the community to care for this vulnerable population. The Namaste program implemented by Lake Winona Manor in May of 2017 seeks to improve the lives of people with advanced dementia, through a spa-like experience. People with dementia are often confused or upset by the noises around them. Residents can have their hair done, nails painted, hands, feet or face massaged, feet or face soaked, while soft, calming music is played and soothing scents (aromatherapy) fill the air. The Namaste program dedicates one-on-one time with the resident while creating a calm and therapeutic environment to help the individual feel less anxious. Between 10-20 residents participate daily. Charity Care: WSS provides medical care to the community regardless of an individual's ability to pay.