Our Community Newsletter
Take a look at our community newsletter for a sneak peak into life at The Forum at Desert Harbor. You'll read about our numerous activities and events, and learn about our active residents!
In the News
2009 National Quality Award Winner!
The Healthcare Center at The Forum at Desert Harbor, a Five Star Quality Care Community, has been recognized as one of the 2009 recipients of the Step I National Quality Award presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). This year 664 health care and assisted living facilities from across the nation applied for the quality award at this level. The Forum at Desert Harbor was one of 435 facilities to receive the award presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 60th Annual Convention and Exposition in October 2009.
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The Step I award recognizes providers that have developed a foundation to begin a journey of continuous quality improvement, and that they have taken the first step in corresponding with any public measures of performance.
The 57-bed, licensed Healthcare Center at The Forum at Desert Harbor, offers a 24-hour licensed nursing staff, along with a team of physical, occupational and speech therapists that provide rehabilitation services on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Individualized care planning, regular assessments and specialized dietary services encourage maximum independence when short- or long-term nursing care is needed.
“We applaud the Healthcare Center at The Forum at Desert Harbor for having passed this first step that demonstrates their intention to begin a rigorous quality improvement program, and look forward to their moving forward to pursue the requirements for the Steps II and III awards in the coming years,” stated Bernie Dana, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers, one of the nine members that oversee the program.
The awards are sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Member McKesson Medical-Surgical, a leading distributor of medical supplies and equipment to physician practices, surgery centers, hospitals, home care, and extended care facilities, and My InnerView, a Web-based applied research and quality-management company that supports leaders across the entire assisted living, senior housing and skilled nursing profession with tools to measure, benchmark and improve performance.
The Forum at Desert Harbor Honored 10 Employees
The Forum at Desert Harbor honored 10 employees this May at the retirement community’s 18th annual Scholarship Awards Reception.
The 2009-10 Scholarship Fund Committee raised a total of $24,270 in resident contributions, which was awarded to this year’s scholars: dietary staff Kelsee Becker, James Johnson, Natalie Martin, Miranda McDonald, Ashley Morrill, Sarah Santos, and Zachary Zettler; housekeeping staff Elisa Belmontes and Jenni McKeeman; and assisted living, Angela Tucker.
Resident Eleanor Imhoff, chairman of The Forum Scholarship Fund Committee, welcomed the scholarship recipients and their friends and family members to the Scholarship Awards Reception.
"Will all the parents of the recipients please stand and be recognized,” Imhoff beckoned. “You are to be congratulated on your son’s and daughter’s accomplishments. We at The Forum appreciate the service these fine people provide us.
Six residents founded The Forum Scholarship Fund in October 1991, as a means of enhancing employees’ potential through the benefits of continuing education. “That first year three scholarships were awarded for a total of $4,500,” Imhoff recounted. “Since 1991, 226 scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $360,000.”
Gratitude was extended to The Forum residents in the audience for their generous Scholarship Fund contributions, which provide financial assistance to qualified employees interested in pursuing a post-high school education at the college, nursing, or technical school of their choice.
"The overflowing support from residents continues to enable employees to pursue an education,” Imhoff said. “These fine recipients are representative of our living legacy.
"It is such a privilege to serve on the Scholarship Fund Committee,” Imhoff said as she introduced the other resident, committee members: Bonnie Feldman, Mel Kinney, Dottie Limbrick, Jack Longley, Mary Oreshack, Miriam Spear, Bob Stone, Jane Wiseman, and treasurer Audrey Mahoney. Special recognition was given to Mary Dotzauer, planner of the 18th annual Scholarship Fund Kickoff Dinner held on Sept. 20, 2008. Staff representatives include executive director, Susan Davis, and director of activity services, Margie O'Boyle.
As the Scholarship Awards were presented, each employee thanked the residents for their generosity. The 10 scholarships serve a variety of diverse fields ranging from Zachary Zettler’s desire to make a difference as a firefighter, to Miranda McDonald’s pursuit of becoming a surgeon, and James Johnson’s focus on studying political science.
To learn more about the Scholarship Tax Exempt Program, contact The Forum at Desert Harbor’s director of activity services, Margie O’Boyle, at 623-972-0995. The full-service, rental retirement community is located at 13840 N. Desert Harbor Dr., north of Thunderbird Road at 91st Avenue in Peoria.
Parade of Homes Tour
May 27, 2009
A Parade of Homes Tour marches through The Forum at Desert Harbor, a Five Star Senior Living Community, at 3:30 p.m. on May 27. Four residents will open their doors to invite visitors on a personal tour of their one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The delightful Parade of Homes Tour offers an inside look at The Forum at Desert Harbor located at 13840 N. Desert Harbor Dr., north of Thunderbird Road at 91st Avenue in Peoria. Seating is limited. For reservations call The Forum at Desert Harbor at 623-972-0995 by May 25.
Prospective residents will toast the tasteful tours that offer a different wine paired with fruits, cheese and crackers at each apartment. The Forum residents will also offer food for thought on some of the joys of living at an active, senior living community.
The resort-style retirement community skirts the shores of Desert Harbor Lake where residents enjoy such outdoor activities as pontoon boat rides, luaus and lakeside picnics. The monthly calendar is filled with trips to local attractions, recreational activities, fitness programs and social events.
The Forum at Desert Harbor is a full-service rental retirement community owned and operated by Five Star Quality Care, Inc. The independent private residences, assisted living apartments, and on-site healthcare center make life easier for residents year-round.
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