AmericanWay Management Corp. receives 
2010 Best of the Best Award
Assisted Living Federation of America national award recognizes innovative best practices.

April 15, 2010...The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has awarded AmericanWay Management Corp. in Portage, Wisconsin, its prestigious 2010 Best of the Best Award, a national recognition reserved for the nation’s most innovative and effective business practices in the senior living industry. The company is one of only 25 companies to receive a Best of the Best Award this year. AmericanWay and the other winners will be profiled in the May/June issue of ALFA’s flagship magazine, Assisted Living Executive. Award winners will also be recognized at the ALFA 2010 Conference & Expo, May 25-27, in Phoenix.

“These innovations recognize companies that have put their imaginations to work to continually improve and streamline operations, enhance resident care and services, train and retain quality employees, and much more,” says ALFA President and CEO Richard P. Grimes. “Plus, the industry-wide benefit of the Best of the Best Awards is the program’s ability to multiply excellence as these and other companies in senior living adopt these best practices as their own.” 

AmericanWay Management Corp. was recognized for its leadership skills development program, a 10-month program designed to help prepare direct-care staff to progress to management positions.  President and Owner Janis Deets Nowak, who was the administrator of a 2006 "Best of the Best" award-winner before founding AmericanWay, created the program as part of  AmericanWay's commitment to promoting from within.

All employees who aspire to leadership  are invited to participate in the leadership development program. The course, led by Nowak, covers a range of leadership topics from team building to self-management. Participants also spearheaded leadership projects such as developing volunteer programs. Throughout the course, participants developed a camaraderie and enthusiasm that transcended the boundaries of their day-to-day roles and spilled over into the community.

The goal of the program was to begin preparing staff for management positions within the company as those positions become available. “This leadership workshop shows the entire staff that their voice really does matter,” Nowak says. She adds, "I view this award as a tribute to our employees. Without their motivation, professionalism and desire to learn and develop new skills, we wouldn't have experienced this level of participation.  I'm very proud of our team."

For more information, contact Rachel Henderson(rhenderson@amwelcome.com).

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About the Assisted Living Federation of America: Founded in 1990, the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the only national association exclusively dedicated to professionally operated senior living communities. ALFA’s member-driven programs promote business and operational excellence through national conferences, research, publications, and executive networks. ALFA works to influence public policy by advocating for informed choice, quality care, and accessibility for all Americans seeking assistance with long-term care. Visit www.alfa.org for more information.

About Assisted Living Executive magazine: ALFA’s flagship publication, Assisted Living Executive reaches more than 20,000 c-level and senior executives. Published six times per year, the magazine focuses on best practices and strategic solutions that advance operational excellence for senior living companies. Assisted Living Executive is an ALFA membership benefit and also available by subscription. Go to www.alfa.org/ALE for details. Visit the magazine’s digital edition at www.alfapublications.org.

Carol, Janis, and Rachel of AmericanWay with Cupid and elf companion Jessie. (Cupid appears at far right).

Santa’s Reindeer land in Portage, attend Holiday Fun on Main Street

Saturday, November 28, 2009…Famed sleigh-pullers Cupid, Vixen and Rudolph, flying over Wisconsin while rehearsing for December 25th’s deliveries, took time to check out the holiday fun on Portage’s main street. Their appearance was sponsored by Portage-based AmericanWay.

Cupid and her elf companion were available to pose for photos with onlookers.  Rudolph, perhaps the most famous reindeer, was not as accessible.  The bench-warmer turned lead reindeer – and subject of song and story – preferred to stay in his pen. 

Rudolph's spokesperson explained that "Rudolph, with his nose so bright, is not here for the limelight," and that Rudolph's boss (Santa) was the primary attraction. The spokesperson did, however, issue a statement from Rudolph, saying “Rudolph wants everyone to know that he is very happy to see everyone and that he and Vixen are greatly enjoying the graham crackers.”

For the full scoop, more photos, and some fascinating facts on real reindeer, check out the great story by Lyn Jerde of the Daily Register.

Brain Fitness is serious fun...try it!
See for yourself why our residents enjoy playing the Dakim® BrainFitness™ system

Monday, September 28, 2009.... Do you interpret the word "exercise" to mean "something to be avoided at all costs?"  You're not alone. For most people, exercise is one of those "if-it's-not-fun-it-doesn't-get-done" things in life...and that applies to mental as well as physical activity.

Of course, we know there are benefits to exercising our brains thoroughly. Numerous studies have shown a substantial reduction in dementia risk with consistent, long-term mental stimulation.  It seems exercising the mind builds a cognitive reserve that can help compensate for aging.  That's why AmericanWay has installed Dakim BrainFitness systems in all its homes.  Just as importantly (to us, anyways), it's proving to be a lot of fun!

"We first installed the Dakim system at our Harbor Suites Madison community in May, and we have people who are on it several times a day," said Janis Nowak, founder of AmericanWay.  "Their faces light up when they sit and play.  We are always looking for ways to make the days more enjoyable for our residents, and the Dakim system is turning out to be big hit. Now we've got it in all our homes, and we are inviting everyone to try it out.  It's fun...and challenging."

It's also simple to play.  The 20-minute sessions are played on a touch-screen computer that requires no mouse, keyboard or computer experience.  Entertaining, stimulating activities are filled with colorful images, humor, stories, music clips and "oldies" content that are updated every few days.  The system self-adjusts the level of challenge for different capabilities. Games are designed to exercise short- and long-term memory, critical thinking, visual-spatial orientation, calculation and language abilities.

To learn more, click here to read the Dakim press release picked up by Reuters.  You'll find out that AmericanWay is the first assisted-living provider in Wisconsin to adopt the Dakim system company-wide.

Better yet, call Rachel Henderson at 608-566-1500, and invite yourself over to try it out! 

Click on the image to listen to the show

AmericanWay founder Janis Deets Nowak offers tips for addressing difficult behaviors in "blogtalkradio" interview with Denise Brown

April 30, 2009...Repetitive questions...agitated behavior...wandering. These are some of the most trying behaviors exhibited by people who have Alzheimer's Disease or other age-related dementia. Janis Deets Nowak, founder of AmericanWay, explores the sources of these behaviors, and possible solutions to reduce them, with Denise Brown, host of Caregiving.com's blogtalkradio show. In the show, Janis and Denise respond to questions posted by followers of the Caregiving.com online community.

As with so many challenges in life, understanding the problem is the first step to finding an appropriate solution. Titled "Managing Difficult Behavior on Your Caregiving Journey," families and caregivers can click here to listen to the episode.

Ms. Nowak and Ms. Brown served together on the National Certification Board for Alzheimer's Care. Caregiving.com posts new blogtalkradio episodes one to three times weekly.

Recoloring memories with paint; those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia get special assistance

AmericanWay opens second memory-loss care home in Portage

Thank you to all of the attendees who helped us celebrate the opening of our second dementia specialty care home in Portage. We appreciated the great turn-out for our August 19 "Open House & Ice Cream Social," and also appreciated your positive comments on its newly-remodeled interior.

We are pleased to report that we already have two residents moved into AmericanWay of Portage II (the first home, which opened earlier this year, is filled). For those of you who missed the open house, AmericanWay of Portage II has a warm, comfortable feel that augments the bright and lively feel of the first home. New kitchen countertops and cabinets, the dark hardwood look of the floor, an elegant green/blue-ish paint motif (alabaster cream in the bed rooms) received rave reviews.

Thank you again to all those who came to the open house, it was great to see you! If you were not able to make it to our opening celebration, but would still like to see what everyone else loved so much, we'd be happy to show you (and hear your opinion, too!). Call or email Rachel Henderson for a tour...608-566-1500.

Click on the image above to view a video of the story at the Health Corner website.

Art program at AmericanWay featured on Lifetime's "Health Corner"
Show to be repeated on September 28th at 8:30 am Central Time

The "Painting My Memories" program held every month at the AmericanWay homes in Portage was featured in the lead story on a Health Corner episode that aired on Sunday, August 10. The story focuses on the therapeutic benefits of painting programs for people who have Alzheimer's Disease, and will be repeated on Sunday Septermber 28.

The "Health Corner" segment includes video footage of AmericanWay residents engrossed in a "Painting My Memories" session, and enjoying the encouraging, non-judgemental assistance of Linda Goehre, founder of "Painting My Memories." It cites a British study that "found art therapy helped relieve depression in Alzheimer's patients...and may also slow down heart rate, breathing...and reduce blood pressure." Interviews with Linda and AmericanWay founder Janis Nowak are also included.

Janis comments on the profound effect the program can have on the residents who participate in the program.

The interviews and video taping of the "Painting My Memories" session were conducted and directed by Journalist Rebecca Kleefisch, on assignment for Health Corner. Health Corner host Leeza Gibbons, who introduces the story, is a noted supporter of Alzheimer's causes and founder of the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, which runs the Leeza's Place program.

Health Corner brings "educational, inspirational and transformational" information to viewers every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Central time. Check your local listing for the Lifetime channel.

Click here to view the video segment on the Health Corner web site.

Linda Goehre

"Painting My Memories" Program to start on May 12

AmericanWay is pleased to welcome Linda Goehre and her "Painting My Memories" Program to AmericanWay of Portage Dementia Specialty Home beginning on Monday, May 12 for monthly painting sessions with our residents.

Linda works carefully to get to know each resident and prepare activities to match their skill level. She then helps them recall and paint their most cherished memories.

Residents enjoy the sensory, memory and mental stimulation of creating art. More importantly, as memories flow forth through brush strokes, happy moments are re-experienced, honored and shared.

We look forward to having these paintings brighten our home, and sharing them with family and friends. We'll be posting some of our residents' works on the web site, so be sure to return to this page on occasion. You will find the beauty of these paintings, and the memories of our residents, touching and inspiring!

AmericanWay Employees Achieve Alzheimer Certification

April, 2008...Congratulations to Dawn Burmania, Nickie Graziano, Sara Hartmann, and Tammy Pagel for having passed the national Certified Alzheimer Caregiver (CAG) exam and are now “Certified Alzheimer Caregivers.”

AmericanWay employees who will be staff members in the new AmericanWay Dementia Specialty home took a 100-question national exam to demonstrate their knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and quality care practices.  The exam is offered by the National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care (NCBAC).  NCBAC is the ONLY independent, nationally recognized board that administers standardized certification examinations in dementia care following the healthcare certification/licensure model.  The mission of the NCBAC is to offer a national certification program that promotes the public good by providing credentialing and registry services for those who care for people with Alzheimer's disease.

For more information, contact Rachel Henderson at 608-566-1500.

The Daily Register announced AmericanWay's Open House in this prominent article on March 3, 2008.

AmericanWay opens new Alzheimer's facility

March 4, 2008....AmericanWay has opened Columbia County's first senior care home devoted solely to caring for residents who have Alzheimer's Disease or other form of age-related dementia, AmericanWay of Portage Dementia Specialty Home. The newly renovated nine-room home is located at 611 E. Albert St. in Portage.

Residents will benefit from a smaller staff to resident ratio and specially trained staff who know how to deal positively with the behaviors of residents. Laura Warren, AmericanWay's Director of Health and Wellness, said that Alzheimer's residents succeed here, because the staff "accepts the residents for who they are, and focuses on the residents' abilities." She adds, "This kind of specialty care reduces not only stress for the resident, but for their families, too. Caring for someone with dementia is exhausting for family members, and it's a great relief for the family when they see their loved one find contentment."

All rooms are private, and residents find satisfaction and acceptance by sharing in light chores, dining, and daily activities. "People who share age-related memory problems are more patient and understanding of each other," Warren notes.

AmericanWay manages seven senior living homes at three locations in the tri-county area. In addition to AmericanWay of Portage, properties include Golden Years in Randolph, Northview Gardens in Portage, and Leisure Living in Coloma. AmericanWay also has its AmericanWay University in Portage, where staff from AmericanWay and other assisted living organizations can meet their State of Wisconsin Continuous Education requirements.

For more information or a tour of AmericanWay of Portage Dementia Specialty Home, please contact Rachel Henderson at 608-566-1500.

AmericanWay completes purchases of four senior care facilities

May 2007...AmericanWay Management Corp. LLC. has purchased four senior care facilities in the central Wisconsin tri-county area. They include: Golden Years, an 18-bed assisted living facility in Randolph (Dodge County); Leisure Living, a 16-bed home in Coloma (Waushara County); Northview Gardens, a 28-bed assisted living facility in Portage (Columbia County); and Edelweiss Gardens, also in Portage.

Edelweiss Gardens will be renovated to be the site of AmericanWay of Portage Dementia Specialty Care (the first memory-loss specialty care home in Columbia County) and AmericanWay University, which will offer training to caregiving staff of AmericanWay and other Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF's). All caregivers must take 12 hours of Continuous Education classes certified by the State of Wisconsin.

AmericanWay Management Corp. LLC. is headed by president Janis Deets Nowak, CPA, NHA, CAEd. Nowak serves on the board of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) and is chairperson of WALA's Education Committee. Before founding American Way Management Corp. at the end of 2006, she was President and Program Administrator of New Perspective, a provider of residential Alzheimer's care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Under her leadership, New Perspective received state and national recognition for its innovative programs.