SOULcial Salute October 2024

Senior Living Nursing: Done Best, It’s A Lifestyle

Sue Weinzierl, Director of Nursing, LALD – Rivers of Life – Savage and Eagan

For Sue Weinzierl her exceedingly high-level approach to providing care began developing while growing up on a farm with all that it entails. A large part of achieving excellence is born of giving all that you have-and then some. She credits that work ethic to her folks who demonstrated as much. She also credits her Catholic faith for helping drive and guide her growth as well.

While for years Sue worked in clinical settings with her Associate Nursing Degree, she longed for more connection with patients rather than the transactional work of clinic appointments. It had to be a very strong urge to turn over a new leaf at that stage. Nonetheless, while in her early 40’s Sue went back to college and completed her Bachelor’s degree in nursing.

In 2008 with her new degree, she ventured into memory care. And loved it! She knew clearly this is where she could deliver all that she wanted for residents. She also had some managerial drive that found room to develop in the senior living community business model.

Sue spent some years each with a number of senior living communities and a residential home before settling into her current venture. Each of these allowed her to not only hone her management and operations skills but build her reputation as an outstanding trainer. All the while she thrilled in caring for and building relationships with residents, families and staff.

Delivering Best Care

Sue’s passion is giving older adults the very best care.  “There simply is no alternative than to treat them with complete dignity and respect,” Sue insisted. This highest bar of conduct left no alternative but to personally train each staff to that level and hold them accountable. And while it assures care is delivered with consistent quality it also became Sue’s business advantage.

Her passion for training, development and expectations of staff has created not only stability in operations and happy residents and families but an employee following as well. As Sue transitioned through the communities she has served, often times the best staff have followed her. Sue even gets calls occasionally from past staff asking her for advice on things.

In 2020 the owners of Rivers of Life found Sue and knew she was the right person for helping launch their new venture. And Sue knew such a ground floor opportunity was where she could invest herself most fully. “It allowed me to combine my education, years of experiences and my own vision to help the owners create something special,” Sue explained.

The first couple of years helping set up the business as well as running operations were more than challenging. But her dedication and that of the quality staff she attracts paid off.

What Excellent Memory Care Looks Like

“I train each employee to serve at this level and hold them strictly accountable.” Sue said clearly. “It’s fun training new employees.” She added. The culture created by this approach is noticeably deeper than usual. Care staff regularly work with kitchen staff. It becomes family-like and they look out for one another. This pays off in staffing as they will cover shifts for one another as a matter of course.

Staffing at the Savage community has much lower than average turnover in its four years. One family member even became an employee there. Sue likes to hire students to give back to the profession as well. Hiring also comes out of current staff personal networks. That is a testament to good culture.

Assisted Living and Memory Care As Family

The owners both are very personally involved and know all the staff and residents by name as well as many of the family members. They are also always directly available to support management. Staff even knows all the family’s pets’ names that come to visit.

Assisted Living and Memory Care Is Fun

“We let our residents’ interests drive our activities.” Sue explained. “We have a lot of fun and laughter around here. And residents have to feel special and that they are being treated well every day.”

Sue concluded by saying “We bend over backwards for our residents!”

Quality Culture Is Good Business

When one woman moved in, her husband was a hard “No” to join her. Over time the staff cared for him with such consistent kindness when visiting that he finally decided (on his own) to move in. They then were able to spend their final year or so together.

When a resident dies the family isn’t necessarily done with Rivers of Life. They often stay in touch.

Now with the second Rivers of Life open nearly a year in Eagan I asked Sue where she is at after all this work. “I’m still going strong. I love, love what I do.  With great staff and fellow management I am enjoying being at a point where I am achieving more balance in and outside of work!” she quickly responded.

“Sue gets to know the people she cares for and forms meaningful relationships while improving their quality of life. Sue’s dedication to those living with dementia is evident with every interaction.” Mark Abdel, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Rivers of Life Memory Care & Enhanced Assisted Living