The Tartan Times OCTOBER 2016 The Caledonian House Grand Opening www.chicagoscots.org The Tartan Times The Tartan Times Caledonian House Grand Opening continued More Caledonian House Grand Opening After a celebratory ribbon-cutting sioned in 2008, The Wayne Rethford, Presi- disorienting corridors. Each of the ceremony on Wednesday, July 13, Caledonian House dent Emeritus, led a Caledonian House’s two floors is 2016, the Caledonian House is now has now been fully prayer of invocation. home to ten residents, all with pri- open for business.…and what a realized.” Jim went He recalled the first vate bedrooms and full bathrooms, magnificent home it is! on to thank Barry donation made to the all opening onto a great room MacLean for his Caledonian House where activities take place by the The Caledonian House is located generous dona- capital campaign by fire side. At the heart of the home on the Scottish Home campus. The tion of $1.5 million. Jean and Frank Mohr, is an open kitchen that fills the air Scottish Home is a unique senior liv- With a $5.5 million of Lake Forest, Illinois. with the wonderful aromas of cook- ing community nestled in five park- capital campaign Many a teary eye were ing and baking. The Caledonian like acres just a few miles west of goal, Jim reminded visible along with the House design features many refer- downtown Chicago. It is part of the the crowd that fun- smiles, as the years of ences to Scotland’s Charles Rennie first and oldest charity in Illinois, draising is still un- hopes, dreams, careful Mackintosh, including the wood ve- between resident and caregiver which was established in 1845. The derway. Donations planning and hard work came to neer column design, textural earth- and, in turn, increase the bonds of Scottish Home has always empha- of any amount are fruition; the accompanying emo- toned furniture, complementary familiarity that are so important sized warm community, close bonds needed and will be ble accepted the BABC’s Award. He tion of this great achievement. light fixtures and uplifting artwork. to person-centered memory care,” between residents and staff, and most welcome. assured the audience that the Soci- concluded Gus with a broad smile strong links to family and friends. ety “will continue its culture of car- In Gus Noble’s words, “The Caledo- Each of the two homes (one on and a look of inspiration. Both assisted living and healthcare Next, Gus Noble, President, was ing through the Caledonian House.” nian House is a state-of-the-art resi- each floor) have identical layouts options are available in a warm, lov- invited to the microphone. In Gus’ dence accommodating 20 people in featuring a large great room, com- “We have built a bridge to the fu- ing environment. words, “The Caledonian House rep- “You may be surprised to learn,” a personalized and comfortable, yet plete with a stately stone fire place, ture, structured upon consistent resents the evolution of the won- Gus explained, “that an organiza- very high tech design.” The elegant, living area, and plenty of space values of the past.” The ribbon cutting ceremony be- derful, loving care for which the tion founded in the 19th Century but cozy surroundings are enjoyed for residents to enjoy. The central gan with opening remarks made by Scottish Home is known. It is the received an innovation award in the by residents, staff and caregivers. great rooms are filled with natural After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Society Chairman Allan Garraway, culmination of ten years of planning 21st Century. “How did we do it? We light and are ringed with spacious guests were invited inside to toast who welcomed attendees saying, and hard work. The House is built used our 100+ years’ experience of Gus added, “We have also formed a resident rooms, a library and a re- the new home and the people who “What a great day for us all to be upon two principles: spirit of home providing quality, person-centered partnership with Concordia Univer- laxing spa. Each of the 10 bedrooms had made it possible. Assembled here together for the opening of and love of family.” care to build the Caledonian House, sity Kott Center for Gerontology to has lovely views of nature, provid- around a grand stone fire place, vis- our Caledonian House on this his- a bold innovation where infrastruc- document the Caledonian House’s ed by surrounding woods to bring itors were called upon to lift their toric 106 year old Scottish Home Gus went on to share that The Cale- ture and operations are designed to architectural, operational and phil- a sense of pleasure and well-being glasses in a toast to the residents campus. Please join me in celebrat- donian House project has received improve the quality of life for those osophical innovations in order to as the residents look out or enjoy and the staff who are all an integral ing the beginning of an exciting new a prestigious honor - the British with Alzheimer’s disease and other develop a new model of memory their outdoor porch and terrace. part of this new living environment. chapter in the history of our com- Consul General 2016 Award for In- kinds of dementia.” care – one that can be replicated The Illinois Saint Andrew Society’s munity.” Allan welcomed Hubert E. novation. At the British American throughout the caregiving commu- Chante Wright, Director of Nursing Board of Governors were extremely Hermanek Jr, the Village of North Business Council’s gala dinner, held “As well as being architecturally nity.” stated, “We’re redefining memory proud to welcome donors, fam- Riverside President and other of- at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on innovative,” continued Gus, “the care in this innovative resident di- ily, and friends of the community ficials who attended the ceremony. May 20, 2016, the award was an- Caledonian House is operationally The Caledonian House is focused rected program. Our philosophy for the ribbon cutting ceremony. nounced. Celebrating excellence in innovative. In institutional mod- on the future, and is providing a of holistic, personalized, one-on- “Please join us as we raise our Jim Bell, Board member and the thought leadership, the Caledonian els of care, three different workers leading edge model of care. one care is inspired by the Scottish glasses to the many donors whose Chairman of the Capital Cam- House was one of six nominees for provide care-giving, food services spirit of kith and kin. In this unique generosity and support have made paign was the second speaker. Jim the 2016 British Consul General and housekeeping. At the Caledo- Taking cues from Scottish and Mid- home residents feel valued, loved our dream of the Caledonian House beamed at the crowd stating that Award honoring an established nian House, each caregiver will be western architectural design, the and purposeful. We encourage become a reality,” said Andy Kerr, this was “one of the most important company, innovative company or trained to provide all three services. new two-story building looks, feels residents to remain active, engaged Society Governor, his glass held days in the 171 year history of the individual achievement. On behalf This holistic approach will increase and functions as a home rather than and fulfilled. “ high. Illinois Saint Andrew Society. Envi- of our Scottish community, Gus No- meaningful interaction an institution. There are no long, www.chicagoscots.org Continued on next page 2 www.chicagoscots.org 3 The Tartan Times The Tartan Times Honorarium to the Campus Trees who will come here to live sur- rounded by loving care. Gus explained, “when our tree surgeon told me that the white oaks were nearing the end of their natural lives, we felt an obligation to honor these majestic trees. Just as we take our heritage and iden- tity very seriously, we also take our stewardship of our natural environ- ment and our campus very serious- ly. “ “The life, love and laughter you find in most homes usually takes place around a dining table. By making A CULTURE OF CARING WHERE FRIENDS BECOME the tables for the Caledonian House For more than 100 years, the FAMILY When Gus learned that several bench. The bench is upholstered Radio Interview from the white oaks, we gave new Scottish Home has empha- Caregivers are cross-trained of the Scottish Home’s white oaks in MacLean tartan to recognize the life to the trees.” sized warm community, close in personal care, nutrition, were to be removed to make room generosity of Barry MacLean and with Gus Noble resident-caregiver bonds and meaningful engagement and for the Caledonian House, he was his family. “And, you know, when I asked the The Alzheimer’s Association projects strong links to family and housekeeping. Consistent disappointed that we had to lose architect to show me where on the that, by 2030, 16 million Americans friends. The Caledonian House resident-caregiver interaction these 100+ year old trees. Then he These heirloom pieces of furniture blue prints the trees had been, we will live with the disease – a four-fold is the Scottish Home’s bold, in- will build the familiarity and and the architect arrived at an in- are a testimony to the strength of discovered that the dining tables increase that could cost a trillion dol- novative response to the chal- the trust that will encourage genious idea – our trees would be the Society, the strength of the staff are placed over the exact spot lars each year. The Caledonian House is lenges of Alzheimer’s disease residents to remain active, en- used to make the dining tables and who work at the Caledonian House where the trees had grown for a practical response to this challenge, and dementia.