in this issue 13


1 from the president A focus on Alzheimer’s care


2 2011 board members Society selects five board members


4 understanding Alzheimer’s


A challenging disease for families and caregivers


10 one family’s journey Son tells story of mother’s dementia


12 ending Alzheimer’s Society sponsors fundraising walk


13 2011 award winners


Staff members, volunteer receive top awards


16 sharing God’s love


Mission group volunteers at South Dakota center


18 society snapshots Geriatrics program names first fellow


20 from the foundation


Your gift provides training in Alzheimer’s care


board of directors Chairperson


2011 • Vol. 45 • No. 2


The Good Samaritan magazine is published three times a year by:


The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society 4800 West 57th Street • P.O. Box 5038 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117-5038 www.good-sam.com


our mission


Through this publication, we hope to promote our mission to “share God’s love in word and deed by providing shelter and supportive services to older persons and others in need, believing that ‘In Christ’s Love, Everyone Is Someone.’ ” Comments and questions should be directed to Mark Dickerson, director of communications, at (605) 362-3234 or mdickers@good-sam.com.


Executive Editor Managing Editor Creative Director


2 The Good Samaritan • 2011 • Vol. 45 • No. 2


Mark Dickerson Doris Haugen Erin Solko


Susan Nickerson, Hays, Kan. First Vice Chairperson


Patricia Haugen, Sioux Falls, S.D.


Member – Executive Committee Neil Gulsvig, Wausau, Wis.


Member – Executive Committee Christopher Johnson, Stillwater, Minn.


President and Chief Executive Officer David J. Horazdovsky, Sioux Falls, S.D.


Lori Bussler, Winthrop, Minn. Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, Park Ridge, Ill. Teresa Hildebrandt, St. Peter, Minn. Rev. John Holt, Albert Lea, Minn. Michele Juffer, Wagner, S.D. Bruce Kallis, Mott, N.D. Scott Peters, Sioux Falls, S.D. Joanna Randall, Olathe, Kan. Sharon St. Mary, Roseville, Minn. Al Brown, Dunnellon, Fla. Kari Berit, Red Wing, Minn.


The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is the country’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and housing services. Our 22,000 staff members serve the needs of more than 27,000 people in 240 communities across 24 states. Founded in 1922, our organization is committed to providing high-quality senior care and services while sharing God’s love in word and deed.


The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws.


All faiths or beliefs are welcome.


© 2011 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.


On the cover:


As the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease is the only one among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. The Good Samaritan Society helps people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias through its various services nationwide.


16 4


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24