Words of Wisdom from our Saint Therese Friends

Barb Hemberger • January 24, 2024

At the start of every New Year, we tend to look back at the past year, reflect on it and then quickly move forward to what we want to accomplish, or change about ourselves, in the year ahead.



To give us some advice on how to conduct ourselves in 2024, last year we asked residents at our Saint Therese senior living communities in Woodbury, Brooklyn Park and New Hope, to share some “words of wisdom” or a tip that they’d like others to know. With January almost in our rearview mirror, we now want to offer up their thoughts. (We didn’t ask for permission to use their names, so only include names for those we have.)

  • Alice Houchins (right), a resident at Saint Therese of New Hope, wanted people to remember that “faith, family and friends are what’s most important.” For those who are married, she also suggested “give your spouse space.” That is something she did during her 76 years of marriage to her husband, Ken, who passed away last year.
  • Said another, “It is not what you did that you regret, but what you didn’t do.”
  • One resident from Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake borrowed from a quote by theologian John Wesley: “First of all, do no harm. Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, as ever long as you can.”
  • “Thank Jesus every day for the gift of faith. Prayer is powerful!”
  • “Do not spend money you don’t have. If you can’t afford it, you don’t need it. Do not carry grudges— forgive and forget. Value your siblings; they are a gift. Help out your neighbors.”
  • One resident said to follow the acronym PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens.
  • Said Sally Riepe (right) at Saint Therese of Woodbury, “Always treat others in a way you would want to be treated. A smile and a “how are you?, always brings out a smile in others. Look for ways (even small ones), where you can make a difference. Thank God every day for the life and blessings he has given us. Pray for the unfortunate people who have no respect for human life.”
  • “Wake up each morning with a song—even when things go wrong. Keep a stiff upper lip, grin and bear it, when you are feeling good or not, at least you are still ‘upright,’ tell yourself, well that is ‘downright’ good.”
  • “Use your talents and act with piety in your relations with others. Always speak respectfully.”

  • “Be holy and walk with truth before God. If married, show honor and respect to your spouse. Exercise moderately and eat a balanced diet.”
  • And finally, Forrest Christofferson (right) at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake offered up a song with some implied advice about the benefits of living at Saint Therese. A portion of his lyrics are, “I got a new lease on life…No more shoveling snow, no grass to mow, no more back and forth to Home Depot. I got a new lease on life. Now I’m meeting new friends and the longer I’m here, the more the friendships increase!”



Thank you to all of our sage residents for their thoughts! Good advice for 2024.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Stay Connected

Search All Posts

About

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. 

Celebrating Youth Volunteer Excellence: Saint Therese Awards Scholarships to Inspiring Students

By Barb Hemberger • June 16, 2025
Generational Connections Changing Lives

The Power Trio Behind Saint Therese’s People-First Hiring Approach

By Barb Hemberger • June 5, 2025
Shaping the culture, one hire at a time

2025 Senior Health: Progress, Challenges, and Key State Insights

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.