Aase Haugen resident Maynard with AJ, CNA recording his vitals directly into Maynard’s medical records.
Aase Haugen recently upgraded all vitals carts on three nursing wings thanks in part to a $9,600 grant from Winneshiek County Community Foundation. Pictured above is Aase Haugen resident Maynard Johnson with AJ Shea, CNA recording his vitals directly into Maynard’s medical records.

Winneshiek County Community Foundation recently awarded Aase Haugen $9,600 to upgrade vital carts for each nursing home wing. Coupled with gifts from the Aase Haugen foundation, the nursing home was able to purchase three new carts. “The new vitals carts support our mission of delivering quality health care by providing improved accuracy, ease of use, and they will seamlessly transfer vital measurements to medical records of nearly 70 residents each day,” says Thea Hartzell, Aase Haugen director of nursing. “Vitals are measurements of blood pressure, temperature, oxygen, heart rate, and pulse and are used to monitor a resident's health and the easy-to-use equipment will make taking and recording vitals more efficient, freeing up staff time to have more interaction with residents.”

The new carts will seamlessly transfer vital health readings to residents' electronic medical records (EMR), making status readily available to physicians and other healthcare personnel across the spectrum. “The integration in the EMR will ensure consistent and prompt medical attention to issues that may arise,” says Hartzell.

In addition to the investment in vitals carts, gifts to the Aase Haugen Foundation from 2023 also helped to purchase a SaraSteady resident standing device, a Raizer device to safely lift residents, HUG weighted stuffed animals specifically designed for dementia care, reclining shower chairs, updated suction machines, new snack carts and dementia simulation training programs for staff.

“Seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations, and we embrace the responsibility we have to provide quality care, and a good home, to more than 250 individuals across our organization each year,” says Sam Boeke, Aase Haugen executive director. “Gifts to the foundation make a difference in the lives of many people – residents and staff alike – and will help us to continually improve, upgrade, and provide for the elderly.”

Aase Haugen is pleased to be a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) which provides customized options for every stage of senior living; including active living, rehabilitation, assisted living, and comprehensive programming for long term care, and dementia and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Aase Haugen Senior Services is a top employer in Winneshiek County and has been serving the community since 1915. Aase Haugen Senior Services is an all-embracing, all- inclusive senior living organization, providing a continuing care retirement community in a Christian environment, which nurtures the mind, body, spirit and connection to community.


Posted May 14, 2024 in Contributions