 NEWS SEARCH |  |
|
| |
|
Wheeler joins the staff at Pioneer Park
| | | | |
There's a new nursing home administrator at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree.
Derek Wheeler, who currently lives in West Des Moines, has been working in nursing home administration for the past 14 years. Wheeler is from Topeka Kansas and earned a political science degree from Washburn University. He also has a minor in business and German.
Wheeler, who is still looking for a place to live closer to his work in Lone Tree, said he's pretty open minded and has a lot of interests including: theatre, reading, music, live sports, horseback riding and animals.
There's a new nursing home administrator at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree.
Derek Wheeler, who currently lives in West Des Moines, has been working in nursing home administration for the past 14 years. Wheeler is from Topeka Kansas and earned a political science degree from Washburn University. He also has a minor in business and German.
Wheeler, who is still looking for a place to live closer to his work in Lone Tree, said he's pretty open minded and has a lot of interests including: theatre, reading, music, live sports, horseback riding and animals.
Working with older people, Wheeler said he enjoys getting to know them and understanding their needs.
"I view long term care environments as an extended family," said Wheeler. "Getting to know the residents and their families. Individuals in long term care have a rare opportunity to share in the lives of others."
Wheeler said one of the challenges with administrating nursing homes, as with any industry, is finding the right staff.
"Finding dedicated staff that will provide the level of service required and commitment to be a part of a team that is making a difference in the lives of those that they are entrusted to care for," said Wheeler.
When it comes to plans for the future, Wheeler said there are no plans for making major changes at the facility in Lone Tree.
"We would like to see some minor refurbishments in the long term care side of the complex," said Wheeler. "Modifying service plans in both assisted livings to enhance the overall living and dining experience."
As part of the plan to enhance the dining experience for residents at the facility, Martin Brothers Distributing Company of Cedar Falls, which supplies the Lone Tree Pioneer Park and other facilities across Iowa and Illinois, took some time to cater a sample bar on April 16.
District Sales Rep Leilani O'Donnell was on hand to share a variety of menu options with residents of the Pioneer Park facility. On the menu was: broccoli and cheese soup, Italian wedding soup, tomato basil soup, meatballs, cookies and brownies, meatloaf, red potatoes, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, cheese ravioli, tropical fruit and pasta salad, loaded baked potato salad, chicken fettuccini and other tasty dishes.
Residents, relatives and visitors were invited to the tasting event and the resident council will be discussing the menu options with their kitchen staff.
The Pioneer Park kitchen currently services three residential areas including the Pioneer Court, the Pioneer Place and the Pioneer Villas, providing for the dietary needs and desires of each unique area.
Pioneer Court houses 46 beds, which are all duly certified for long term care. Pioneer Place houses a special memory loss unit with nine beds, of which five are currently filled. There are 12 apartments in the Pioneer Villas, which is an independent living area of the Pioneer Park facility eight of those are currently occupied.
| |
©The Lone Tree Reporter 2009
| | |
| |
|
  | Send us your community news, events, letters to the editor and other suggestions. Now, you can submit birth, wedding and engagement announcements online too!
Copyright © 1995 - 2009 Townnews.com All Rights Reserved. |
|
