Good Samaritan Society - Services

11/26/2024

Good Samaritan Society – Davenport recently participated in the Festival of Trees, Quad City Arts and won third place for their 'Gifts from a Toolbox' creation! 🎄

Residents made ornaments and decorated the Christmas tree to enter the contest. Over the past 38 years, the event in Davenport has evolved from a 2-day event in one room, to a 10-day event utilizing the entire River City Complex in Downtown Davenport.

Great job to all involved!

11/26/2024

U.S. News and World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, recently revealed the 2025 best nursing homes, which includes eight Good Samaritan Society/Sanford Health nursing homes with a high performance rating in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.

2,152 homes were High Performing in short-term rehabilitation, including:
Good Samaritan Society – Ambassador in New Hope, Minnesota
Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare in Austin, Minnesota
Good Samaritan Society – Maplewood in St. Paul, Minnesota
Good Samaritan Society – Fairfield Glade in Crossville, Tennessee

1,327 homes were High Performing in long-term care, including:
Good Samaritan Society – Albert Lea in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Good Samaritan Society – Bethany in Brainerd, Minnesota
Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville, Minnesota
Good Samaritan Society – Parsons in Parsons, Kansas

Learn more:

U.S. News & World Report revealed the 2025 Best Nursing Homes, which includes eight Good Samaritan Society/Sanford Health nursing homes.

11/26/2024

Every caregiver faces unique challenges.

We’re here to help caregivers take better care of their loved ones and themselves.

Learn how:

Read through common scenarios faced by caregivers as well as links to services we provide if you find yourself in any of these situations.

11/25/2024

Lucille from Good Samaritan Society – Woodland in Brainerd, Minnesota, is celebrating 100 years around the sun today! 🥳

On Saturday, Lucille hosted a very special birthday party at the location with many family and friends who traveled near and far to celebrate her turning 100 years young.

When asked how she felt about turning 100 and what advice she'd like to pass on, Lucille said, "I don't know how I got here. I am very blessed. My advice is very simple: just keep moving, just keep doing and love every day!"

11/25/2024

Buying the perfect Christmas gift for the seniors in your life can be challenging.

We have several ideas to help you choose the items they’ll love.

Check out our full list of recommendations at: https://san.fo/498H6Pv

11/23/2024

This little piggy went to... Good Samaritan Society – Olathe and stole everyone's heart! 🐷

Oden the miniature pig has become a celebrity at the Olathe, Kansas nursing home, thanks to the help of his owner and environmental services manager at the location, Brett Martin.

Oden was the size of a soup can the first day on the job and was shy. A year later, he's the size of an English bulldog and loves visiting residents and staff. Brett puts Oden on a leash and they roam the hallways.

Memory care unit residents have a particular bond with Oden, as he reminds them of life back on the farm. Brett says they often think Oden is one of their own pets from way back when.

Watch the full story on KCTV5 News Kansas City: https://san.fo/3VskPXF

11/22/2024

Staff members Danielle, Debbie and Carole enjoyed representing Good Samaritan Society – Grand Island Village in Grand Island, Nebraska, as they decorated the Village tree at Stuhr Museum for their Fantasy of Trees event! 🎄

These trees will be on display until Jan. 5 in the museum for everyone to enjoy and vote on different categories. This year's theme is Christmas Memories. ✨

Great job, ladies!

11/22/2024

Senior living is a broad term that encompasses the types of care and housing available for older adults.

At the Good Samaritan Society, we offer many senior living options, including assisted living, independent living, long-term care and memory care. Many of these options are available all on one campus.

Learn more about our senior living services: https://san.fo/48Yq8Dy

11/21/2024

Having all the fall fun at Good Samaritan Society – Echo Ridge in Rapid City, South Dakota! 🍂

Assisted and independent living residents had a wonderful time making wreaths for the Thanksgiving holiday and loved getting to socialize during the craft!

11/21/2024

70% of long-term care residents served at the Good Samaritan Society live in rural communities, primarily in the Upper Midwest. On , we recognize and appreciate the critical role our caregivers have within our communities.

An example that showcases the Society's pride and strength of rural health care is "People Worth Caring About," a long-term care workforce docuseries featuring Nebraska nursing homes, produced by the Nebraska Health Care Association in partnership with Peter Murphy Lewis and Golden Gen Movement.

Episode three of the docuseries features Good Samaritan Society – Auburn. Administrator Cassie Greene, Maria and team have fun hosting Future Farmer of America students for a volunteer activity with residents as they plant succulents. The story highlights the impact the Good Samaritan Society has on rural communities and how it fosters intergenerational relationships to get students interested in long-term care careers.

Cassie said, "For us to expand the workforce in Nebraska, we need to be reaching out to those younger individuals to make it less scary to walk into a nursing home. The residents here are your family and they have a good story to tell.”

We're honored to celebrate moments like these on National Rural Health Day and thank our caregivers who support the health, healing and comfort of rural communities. 💗

Watch the full docuseries episode at: https://san.fo/3YXvomd

11/20/2024

Good Samaritan Society chaplain Gilo Agwa provides spiritual care to residents at the Society’s Stillwater, Minnesota, location and appreciates the close connections that residents and staff have.

The faith-based mission of the Society is unique and special. Read our faith & family resources: https://san.fo/3ObZBJv

11/20/2024

If you’ve been putting off discussing advance care planning, the holiday season is an ideal time to bring up the subject with your family members.

Advance care planning is the process of making decisions about your future health care in the event you won’t be able to make them yourself.

Learn how to start planning:

Many of us put off the things in life that we know we should do, including advance care planning.

11/19/2024

Residents from Good Samaritan Society – Ambassador in New Hope, Minnesota, had a ssssmashing good time during a recent visit from Snake Discovery: Reptile Store & Zoo! 🐍

The hands-on presentation included learning about and seeing different snakes, a turtle, a salamander and other small reptiles.

The 25-pound boa constrictor brought the most excitement and many of the staff, residents and family members couldn't wait to hold it!

11/19/2024

If you have an aging parent, you might find that you’ve gradually or suddenly become a caregiver.

Read our steps to help you feel more prepared in your role: https://san.fo/3OfdjLt

11/18/2024

In October, leadership from Good Samaritan Society – Water Valley (Windsor, Colorado) and Good Samaritan Society – Fox Run (Greeley, Colorado) gathered for an Employee Hall of Fame Dinner! ✨

Longtime staff members and their families and friends were invited to the dinner, co-hosted by Randy Fitzgerald, vice president of operations for the Society, and Amanda Kerr, Society administrator.

33 staff members were honored as Hall of Fame inductees, of which two had served at the Good Samaritan Society for over 40 years. Each staff member was honored in front of their loved one.

When asked on the importance of the event, Amanda Kerr said, "Working in senior living can be incredibly satisfying and incredibly hard. Our staff love serving our residents and family members. But with the aging process, we also grieve when residents transition to higher levels of care or pass away. We wanted to honor those who show up every day to live out the calling of Good Samaritan Society. That in Christ's love, everyone is someone."

At the event, Randy Fitzgerald told the audience, "The Good Samaritan Society is extremely honored to have people who dedicate their careers to serving those in need. That includes dining, housekeeping, maintenance, activities, resident care, sales, and other positions. All of you work together to make sure that residents and their families know that they are loved and honored. Thank you so much for all that you do.”

11/18/2024

Navigating the costs of in-home medical and non-medical care can pose many questions. The Good Samaritan Society has many resources and tools to assist you.

Here’s what you need to know about paying for home-based services.

Learn more: https://san.fo/3YtPs0C

11/17/2024

Dancing queens! 💃

A new tradition has started at Good Samaritan Society – Prairie Creek Assisted Living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

Once a month, residents gather for seated and standing dancing sessions. This month, they learned about salsa and jazz dancing. The ladies were excited to reminisce about the dance halls in Sioux Falls!

11/16/2024

Good Samaritan Society – Hutchinson in Hutchinson, Kansas, recently welcomed Traditions Hospice to the community to hold a pinning ceremony for resident veterans!

Thank you for your service!