Ecumen

03/16/2026

We’re continuing our month‑long celebration of National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that good health begins with reliable, science‑backed information. With so much nutrition noise online, it can be hard to know what (or who) to trust. That’s why Week 2 is all about finding guidance rooted in evidence—not trends.

Read more and try this week's recipe!

We’re continuing our month long celebration of National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme— “Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that good health begins with reliable, science backed information. With so much nutrition noise online, it can be hard to know what (or who) to tru...

03/10/2026

We’re excited to share some big news at Ecumen!

Ecumen’s Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as our next President & CEO.

With this selection, Ecumen is building on a long and powerful legacy of mission-driven work serving older adults and strengthening our position as a leader in a rapidly changing health care landscape. A registered nurse, Dr. Batheja brings deep experience – starting at the bedside in senior living and leading large clinical teams.

He’ll officially join Ecumen on March 23, and we can’t wait to welcome him across our communities.

As she retires from Ecumen, we extend our sincere gratitude to Shelley Kendrick for her outstanding leadership and service to Ecumen and those we serve. She guided us successfully through COVID, hospice expansion and the transition of St. Benedict’s Communities from CentraCare to Ecumen. She championed a people-first culture and mentored countless team members during her tenure. We wish her all the best!

Join us in welcoming Cyrus to Ecumen. We’re excited for this next chapter and the continued growth and strength of our work.

Read more in our blog.

SHOREVIEW, MN (March 10, 2026) — Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of living spaces and services for older adults, today announced that its Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. [read the ful...

03/09/2026

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—is all about simple, everyday choices that help us feel our best. This month we’ll be sharing weekly highlights featuring practical nutrition tips and spotlighting on one of our amazing Ecumen dietitians—plus their favorite healthy recipe! Are you ready to Discover the Power of Nutrition with us? 🌿🥗💪
Read more and try this week's recipe!

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—is all about simple, everyday choices that help us feel our best. This month we’ll be sharing weekly highlights featuring practical nutrition tips and spotlighting on one of our amazing Ecumen diet...

03/02/2026

Peter Gallatin, our Director of Spiritual Care, shares this Spiritual Thought for the Week:

I love watching the snow and ice melt no matter where I am...on a lake, by the river, or even into the storm drain in front of my house.

Nothing stays frozen forever. In our lives sometimes we feel "frozen" unsure of what to do next. We too are invited to trust gentle small movements of our own lives as we begin to "thaw." Each moment can be a moment of renewal, no matter how big or small.

May you recognize the grace in slow melting!

02/25/2026

Join us as we explore the many transitions life brings—both the challenges and the opportunities for growth. These supportive gatherings offer space for grief support, education, and meaningful connection with others who have experienced losses of various kinds, including the death of a loved one, shifts in independence and residence, changes in relationships, and other significant life changes.

Led by Ecumen Hospice staff, our time together provides a compassionate environment to share stories, learn new insights, and walk alongside one another as we navigate grief and discover new beginnings. There is no cost to attend and these events are open to the community. No registration is required.

Learn more here --> https://ow.ly/zR7a50YmauZ

02/13/2026

Wondering what the newest Dietary Guidelines really mean for your daily nutrition? Explore the simpler, whole‑food‑focused updates designed to support healthier habits—guided by the expertise of Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian. Read more here:

Wondering what the newest Dietary Guidelines really mean for your daily nutrition? Explore the simpler, whole‑food‑focused updates designed to support healthier habits—guided by the expertise of Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian. [Read the full story here]

02/09/2026

Aging in place isn’t really about the house.
It’s about how life feels.

It’s morning coffee in the kitchen you’ve stood in for years.
Neighbors who know your name.
A favorite chair that feels like home.
And the freedom to live life on your own terms.

If staying independent, comfortable, and connected matters to you or someone you love, we shared practical tips on how to make aging in place safer and more realistic, without losing what makes home 𝙝𝒐𝙢𝒆.

Read the full blog here:

February is National Senior Independence Month. A reminder that independence doesn’t fade with age. Discover resources that empower older adults to live full, meaningful lives on their own terms. [Read the full story here.]

01/30/2026

Bringing you smiles and sunshine during what feels like the longest stretch of cold Minnesota has seen in a while!

Our Ecumen Prairie Lodge residents aren’t letting the chilly weather get them down—turning cold days into creative ones instead. 🫶☀️❄️

01/28/2026

At Ecumen Meadows, every resident’s story matters. Recently, during a visitation for one of our beloved memory care residents, our Resident Assistant Claire created something truly special. A beautiful scrapbook capturing his life and moments in Memory Care.

“This was the highlight of the visitation,” says Denise Erwin, Ecumen Meadows Senior Living Consultant. “The family was so touched. It was incredibly meaningful.” Claire has made a scrapbook for every resident, showing the love, care, and connection that makes Ecumen Meadows such a special place.

At Ecumen, we hire the best because our residents deserve the best, and we’re always looking for compassionate, talented team members to join our team. Visit www.ecumen.org/careers for our current openings!

https://ecumen.org/blog/honoring-life-love-and-memory-at-ecumen-meadows/

At Ecumen Meadows Memory Care, every resident’s story matters. Find out how our team brings joy, connection, and unforgettable memories to life. [read the full story here]

01/23/2026

We’re ending the week on a high note by celebrating JoAnn, a CNA at The Fountains, Ecumen Lakeshore's short-term transitional care! JoAnn has been caring for our Lakeshore rehab patients for an incredible 36 years, and we are thrilled to recognize her today.

Thank you, JoAnn, for your dedication, compassion, and the joy you bring every day. We are so grateful for you!

01/21/2026

Looking for a healthy reset after the holidays? Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian, shares expert-backed tips to support balanced blood sugar and renewed energy. Read more below!

Getting back into healthy habits after the holidays? Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian, shares simple January tips to help you reset and feel your best. [Read the full story here.]

01/20/2026

Peter Gallatin, our Director of Spiritual Care, shares this Spiritual Thought for the Week.

“The problem of poverty is not that we do not have enough; it is that we do not share enough.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.

"In the Christian tradition, there is a story of feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. What appeared to be very little became abundance when it was shared.

Across many faiths, the lesson is the same: community creates abundance.

At Ecumen, we see this abundance every day. We empower individuals and families to navigate aging not by doing everything alone, but by sharing responsibility, compassion, and support. When we show up for one another, aging becomes a purposeful journey filled with dignity, care, and hope.

Blessings on your journey."