Category: Family Resource

Before Mary was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), she loved being outdoors, whether taking a six-mile hike or digging in her garden. As her condition progressed, however, walking became increasingly difficult. Finally, after a serious fall landed her in the hospital, and then to transitional care (TCU), Mary realized she couldn’t return home. […]

Lifespark often refers to the “Roller Coaster of Health Care Crisis®” to describe an all-too-common consequence of traditional, reactive care: in and out of the hospital, back and forth to doctor appointments, on more and more medications, and a gradual loss of independence. That’s exactly what was happening to Marcie, age 80, when she was […]

“Our culture reinforces the belief that our activities define us,” said Dr. Bill Thomas, renowned geriatrician, author, and Lifespark Independence Officer. No wonder, then, that when we meet someone for the first time, we ask, “What do you do?” which, according to Dr. Thomas, is code for “I want to know your identity.” This isn’t […]

Ardis had always cherished her independence, but as her chronic health conditions progressed, her prospects of staying independent were dimming. Life was becoming a cycle of hospitalizations, transitional care stays, and readmissions, yet Ardis continued to resist home health services, fearing she would lose her independence. Ardis’s daughter, Tammy, was trying to stay on top […]

When Jeanne, 79, moved into The Legacy of Farmington, a Lifespark Senior Living community, in July 2020, Covid-19 had torn through communities across the country. To contain the spread of infection, all group activities—communal dining, movies, game nights, classes, outings—had to be canceled, in compliance with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and […]

“Even if a goal seems impossible, even if you can’t imagine reaching it, even if you don’t see a path, you just tell yourself, ‘Just take it step by step and don’t give up,’” said Mat Steinlin, Lifespark’s Director of Information Security, a guy who’s learned a thing or two about setting seemingly impossible goals. […]

Lifespark’s philosophy is that there’s no right or wrong way to age. What matters is that you get to live your life according to your goals and your desires. Not those of your adult daughter, your next-door neighbor, or even your doctor. But what if those goals and desires have faded into the background? You’re […]

“Sherlin has been building a relationship with Bill for two years. She knows what gets him up in the morning—what’s important to him. And because she knows him so well, she’s been able to help him fulfill his goal of staying in his home and out of the hospital,” says Hilary Frank, Lifespark’s Director of […]

A couple of months ago, my mom tripped on an uneven chunk of sidewalk, fracturing her patella, bruising her hands, and lacerating the skin above her left eyebrow. The ER doctors put her in a hip-to-ankle brace to immobilize her leg and stitched up her forehead. Considering her age (just shy of 90), my mom’s […]

Long after my sisters and I left home, my mom decided it was time to upsize. That’s right, upsize to a bigger house, adding on a porch, deck, and a room over the garage. Mom had always wanted a dream home, and after raising three kids in a tiny house with just one bathroom, she […]