Archive for category: Advena Living Communities

Fun Facts about Nurses for National Nurses Week

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. They are responsible for so many things to ensure people are happy, healthy and on the way to healing. For National Nurses Week, we want to thank all of our wonderful nurses at Advena Living for their commitment and dedication.

Did you know that National Nurses Week starts on May 6th and ends on May 12th, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday? That is one of the many interesting and fun facts about nursing.

Here are 5 other tidbits we learned this week:

The Lady with the Lamp

Florence Nightingale was best known as the founder of modern nursing, according to History.com. But getting there wasn’t without challenges. As part of an affluent family during the Victorian Era, Nightingale was forbidden by her parents from pursing nursing because it was considered low-class at the time. Despite their objections, she continued to follow her calling.

She earned the nickname “Lady with the Lamp” during the Crimean War, when she would check on patients at night carrying her lamp.

The Symbolic Nursing Cap

Nursing apparel certainly has changes from the days of a crisp white dress and the symbolic white nurse’s cap. The cap is thought to have evolved from a nun’s habit as a head covering, and later became a “hallmark of the profession,” according to researchers from americannursinghistory.org.

Eventually, nursing caps became obsolete because they were uncomfortable, hard to keep clean, and because of gender biases.


Nurses,
the TV Show

Nurses was the first primetime medical drama to feature nurses. The series ran from 1962 to 1965 and was a spinoff of the show Empty Nest, which was a spinoff of Golden Girls. Since then, there have been many dramas set in the hospital that blur the lines between reality and fiction.


These Shoes Were Made for Walking

If you’re a nurse, you better get out your pedometer. This study found nurses walk a whopping 4-5 miles during an average 12-hour shift. For comparison, most Americans walk about half that in 18 hours.

Rise to the Top

When it comes to professions, nursing continues to be at the top of US News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs for paying well, opportunities for professional advancement and satisfying work/life balance.


About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we support our team members in developing professionally and we strive to be a company where people choose to work. We take pride in shaping our organizational culture to support and appreciate all employees. At our core, we believe every person who works and lives in our communities has value.

We are always looking for dedicated people to join and grow with our team. Those individuals should be passionate and committed to providing quality care and enriching the lives of all community members.

Advena Living offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas.

To apply, click here.

Happy and You Know It: 10 Real Ways to Attain Happiness

Within the past couple of decades, there have been numerous studies on happiness and how to attain it. While there haven’t been any groundbreaking discoveries, a team of international researchers were able to pinpoint certain activities that are actually achievable.

Seeking Happiness

In the study, the team came up nearly 70 ways people are often told how to be happier. That number alone shows that this is a widely studied topic and people are often seeking ways to achieve happiness and lead more fulfilled lives.

Researchers then asked academic experts on the science of happiness to rate those dozens of ways to determine which ones were most feasible and effective.

Achievable Strategies

At the top of the list, they found these 10 strategies can lead to greater happiness:

  1. Invest in time with friends and family
  2. Join a club
  3. Be active both mentally and physically
  4. Practice your religion
  5. Get regular physical exercise
  6. Be nice to others
  7. Be generous
  8. Check your health
  9. Experience nature
  10. Socialize with colleagues outside of work

For the complete list, which includes volunteering, sleep and gardening, click here.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we believe our community members should continue to enjoy the simple daily pleasures, rituals and activities that make them who they are.

We know that moving to a long-term care or assisted living community can be a challenge. That’s why our team works to ensure that new residents do not feel alone and are comfortable in their new environment. We strive to make the concept of “home” a real thing for everyone who lives at our communities, no matter how they define it.

Advena Living is a family-owned company that specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer.  We welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.

The Power of Plants: How They Relieve Stress and Offer Other Benefits

There’s a simple way to reduce stress, be more productive at work and help improve your overall wellbeing. All you have to do is buy a plant.

Reducing Stress

Researchers from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology wanted to see if there was any correlation between interacting with plants and stress levels.

This relatively simple study involved two tasks: repotting a plant and doing a computer activity. After each task, researchers measured blood pressure and heart rate.

They found the interaction with plants resulted in a lower stress response and participants reported feeling more relaxed, as compared to the computer task.

Other Benefits

Other studies found having a house plant can help sharpen your attention and boost your productivity. And in some cases, it may improve your outlook on your job, in general.

To learn more about science-backed benefits of indoor plants, click here.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we believe that plants should always be part of the indoor décor. While we love our beautiful hanging baskets and flower gardens outside our communities, we know there are benefits to having indoor plants as well.

Science tells us that plants can lower stress, improve quality of air, and even recover from an illness faster. Those are some great benefits. We also look at it a different way, as a way to feel more at home.

Advena Living communities strive to make the concept of “home” a real thing for everyone who lives in our communities. Our goal is to ensure each community member gets to live how they want to, on their own schedule, and can maintain those special daily pleasures that are a part of who they are.

For some people, that may be growing violets by their windowsill, something they’ve always done. For others it may be about working with their hands out in the garden and giving them a purpose. Or it could simply be that a plant reminds them of their previous home and provides a sense of comfort.

Advena Living is a family-owned company that specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer, which is what we do—welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.

 

5 Ways to Get Excited about your Job

Sometimes there are days where it feels like we’re going through the motions. Wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, maybe watch TV, go to bed and do it all over again. A change of mindset may be all it takes to get excited about your work day. Here are five easy ways to overcome the monotony.

Start Your Day with Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can have a positive effect on our mental health and overall wellbeing. First thing in the morning after you wake up, think of three things you are thankful for. Experts who start each day with a grateful mindset believe recalling people, happy experiences or positive events allow you to also feel the good emotions that come along with those things.

Remember Your Passion

It’s worth reflecting on what drew you to this line of work in the first place. Maybe it was because you wanted to help people and change lives. If you’ve been in the same job field for many years, it’s easy to lose sight of this. Remembering why you chose this career can help get you excited about your job and give you a new sense of purpose.

Add Value

Think about the value you add to your company. What are you really good at? What is it that you do that no one else does? Consider all the ways that you contribute to your organization and take pride in that. While we all have parts of our jobs that aren’t our favorite, instead, focus on what you do great and the parts that you enjoy.

Share those skills. Teaching or mentoring coworkers can give you a confidence boost in your abilities and the potential to support others.

Try Something New

Consider taking on a new project or learning a new skill at work. It will not only help build your resume and make you more invaluable in your job, but it can also combat any feelings of boredom you may be experiencing at work.

Have Something to Look Forward To

For some people, the excitement of an upcoming vacation or fun activity is almost as fun as the actual event itself. Chase that feeling every day on a smaller scale. The anticipation of something to look forward to, like lunch with a coworker, may be all it takes to motivate you to get through the day.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we strive to be a company where people choose to work. We take pride in shaping our organizational culture to support and appreciate all employees. At our core, we believe every person who works and lives in our communities has value.

We are always looking for dedicated people to join and grow with our team. Those individuals should be passionate and committed to providing quality care and enriching the lives of all community members.

Advena Living offers long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas.

See the Light: Treating SAD with Light Therapy

This time of year, you may be a little moodier, have a lack of energy, or feel disconnected from others. You’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a common type of depression that happens around the winter months. According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms can include irritability, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, sleeping too much and feeling hopeless. While there isn’t a specific way to prevent SAD, an easy and inexpensive way to manage symptoms is with light therapy.


Using Light Therapy to Treat SAD

Phototherapy or light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder.

Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, says light therapy affects brain chemicals that are linked to mood and sleep by giving off a light that is similar to natural outdoor light. He recommends using a 10,000-lux light box or lamp for 20 minutes within an hour of waking up.

“You don’t have to stare directly at the light, but you want to keep your eyes open,” suggests Dr. Sawchuk. He recommends people eat breakfast or read the paper near the light.

 

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Talk to your doctor if you are feeling the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and want to consider phototherapy. In most cases, SAD symptoms often fade around spring or summer.

At Advena Living, we know how difficult these cold winter months can be. We encourage our community members to get involved with social activities and get some vitamin D when the weather permits.

 

About Advena Living

Advena Living communities offer long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas. We are dedicated to the vision that each person has value, and we should honor their individual choices. Even in a heavily regulated environment, Advena Living understands the importance of making home a real thing. We do this through the pursuit of person-centered care, the preservation of autonomy, and participative decision-making throughout the organization.

When a person moves into one of our Advena Living communities, our goal is to welcome them and their family as new members of our extended family. We work hard to accommodate what they want their schedule to be and what choice they want to make.

New Year, New Job: Advena Living is Hosting a Job Fair

Ready to kick off 2022 with a new job?  Advena Living is hiring, and we are looking for motivated candidates like you!

Advena Living strives to be a place where people chose to live and work by supporting our employees and staying true to our values. We believe in providing high quality care to people of all walks of life. And we are interested in bringing on team members who are equally as excited to make a different and provide the best care possible.

Job Fair Information

We’re holding a job fair to hire for direct care positions including RN, LPN, CNA and CMA at our three Wichita area locations:

Stop by and visit us at our job fair on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the Holiday Inn Express on 1236 S. Dugan Rd in Wichita by the airport. We’ll be there all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you can’t attend the job fair in person, join us virtually:
Meeting ID: 833 9955 4331
Passcode: NewJob!

Full-time employees receive health insurance and a 401(k), as well as PTO, paid holidays, and insurance options for life, dental and vision. Generous sign-on bonuses are being offered for all positions.

If this sounds like the new job you’ve been waiting for, stop by our job fair. For more information on the positions or the event, contact Jamie at Advena Living (785) 789-4750.

About Advena Living

Advena Living offers skilled nursing, long-term care and rehab at all of our seven communities. Some communities also provide independent and assisted living. Our name, Advena, means “newcomer” in Latin. We welcome all newcomers to our communities— whether a new community member needs extra care and a comfortable environment, or an employee wants to find fulfillment in their careers.

Join us in celebrating our new brand: Advena Living

Cornerstone Healthcare Solutions is proud to announce and celebrate our transition to a new corporate name and brand identity as Advena Living, representing our system of continuing-care and community living facilities in Kansas, and Cornerstone Employment Solutions, our nurse staffing agency providing staff to senior communities across Kansas.