Social Work – The Helping Profession

Barb Hemberger • March 28, 2024

March is National Social Work Month and as we close out the month, we would be remiss in not recognizing the key role social workers have at Saint Therese – one that is essential to meeting our mission “to do ordinary things with extraordinary love,” and that demonstrates our core values every single day.

The National Association of Social Work describes social work as “the helping profession,” with a primary mission to enhance human wellbeing and help meet basic and complex needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.


At Saint Therese, social workers are an indispensable part of our clinical teams and a critical resource to residents in the care centers and to their families. The work is varied, fast-paced, and very rewarding, according to comments from social workers over the years who said they like that they can make a real difference with residents and families.


For Patience Manyeah, MSW, a social worker at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake since July 2023, the profession seemed like a calling. “I like to help, and I have passion about helping the elderly. My main focus has always been seniors, that’s where my heart lies.”She relishes the stories they tell, their life stories. “I find it so fascinating to hear what they did for work when they were younger.” Patience said the residents care about her, in turn. “Even if they are having a rough day, I know they care.”



She said she thinks she has a calming influence on the residents, and they know that she respects them.


That respectfulness is a part of her lineage, having been born in Liberia in West Africa, which has a culture of respecting the elderly. She and her family moved to Pennsylvania in 2001, and then in 2016 she moved to Minnesota. She received her bachelor’s in social work at Temple University in Philadelphia and her master’s in social work at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.


Prior to joining Saint Therese, Patience worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and also worked as an intern and counselor at a number of addiction treatment centers in the metro. But now she’s found a home at Saint Therese where she has quickly gained the respect of her colleagues and residents.

Thank you to all of the social workers at our Saint Therese communities. We’re better for having you on our team!

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At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

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By Barb Hemberger • May 23, 2025
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report was recently released, offering a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report, based on 55 measures from 24 distinct data sources, highlights both strides made and challenges persisting in senior health. While there is encouraging progress in areas like reduced early death rates and strengthened social connectedness among older adults, significant mental and behavioral health challenges remain. Key Findings from the Report Falls and obesity rates have stabilized after peaking earlier this decade. The number of geriatric clinicians increased by 5 percent, marking the highest rate ever recorded by the rankings. Volunteerism saw a 19 percent increase between 2021 and 2023. The healthiest state for older adults was Vermont, followed by Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut. Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state, with Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky following suit. Insights from States with Saint Therese Senior Communities Minnesota ranked 7th overall, placing it among the top 10 healthiest states for older adults. It showed a promising 13 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between 2021 and 2024. However, the state also experienced a significant 23 percent rise in depression rates among adults aged 65 and older, increasing from 12.8 to 15.7 percent between 2018 and 2023. Michigan secured the 21st spot in the rankings. The state showed notable improvements, including an 18 percent drop in falls, decreasing from 32.6 to 26.7 percent of adults aged 65 and older between 2014 and 2023. Additionally, cognitive difficulty rates decreased by 13 percent, from 8.8 to 7.7 percent during the same period. Ohio ranked 36th overall, but one bright spot was a significant 35 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between September 2019 and September 2024. Positive Signs for Volunteering The news about volunteering is a positive sign as emerging evidence shows that older adults who volunteer regularly have fewer cognitive complaints and a lower risk for dementia compared with those who do not volunteer regularly. At Saint Therese, volunteers are as much a part of our organization as our residents, families, visitors, and employees. We rely on and value the countless hours and dedication of those who support our mission by volunteering in our communities. We are always looking for volunteers. To find out more, or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit us here. The Bottom Line The 2025 Senior Report, produced by the United Health Foundation, underscores the complexities of senior health in the United States. While strides have been made in areas such as access to specialized care and volunteer engagement, persistent challenges like obesity, depression, and behavioral health highlight the need for continued efforts. The Report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a healthier future for older adults across the nation.