Roxane Pratt, Great River Klein Center, received the Excellence in Long-term
Supports and Services Award for Dietary Services at the recent Iowa Health
Care Association/Iowa Center for Assisted Living annual meeting in Des Moines.
Pratt’s efforts began with a simple act that meant so much. When
she heard a Klein Center elder talking about a salad she used to make,
Pratt added it to the menu. More recently, Pratt used another elder’s
recipe to make soup for a special event at the Klein Center. She joins
elder learning circles and activities to interact with them, learning
their favorite foods and then adding them to the menu.
“Roxane makes our elders feel valued and appreciated,” said
Amy Vandiver, life enhancement supervisor.
Klein Center Administrator Ann Abolt said: “Roxane is constantly
looking for ways to improve the dining experience for elders and staff.
She implemented a new menu, and the elders love the new choices.”
Pratt also has improved the Nutrition Services Department. “Her staff
rarely misses work,” Vandiver said. “They have fun, and they
look out for each other. She leads by example.”
Great River Klein Center is a member of the Iowa Health Care Association
and Iowa Center for Assisted Living. The nonprofit trade association represents
more than 700 nursing homes, assisted living programs, residential care
facilities and home health agencies in Iowa. For more information on long-term
services and supports in Iowa, visit
www.iowahealthcare.org.