Friendship Village Introduces Skills Lab

Friendship Village Schaumburg has held a blessing event for its new, associates' skills lab which it introduced earlier this month. Friendship Village is now the only continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Illinois to have a comprehensive skills lab on site.

The skills lab, which was funded by Friendship Senior Options Foundation, provides a sophisticated simulation environment for associates who provide hands-on care to residents to learn new skills, review and practice previously learned skills, and be evaluated.

Friendship Senior Options Foundation was established to foster an environment of philanthropic giving in order to enrich the lives of the seniors in the area. One of the Foundation's pillars, which drives its mission, is education. "We strive to promote lifelong learning for both residents and associates," said Kate Garbarek, Friendship Senior Options Foundation manager. "The skills lab enhances the opportunities for associates to learn and improve different skills in order to always provide best practices. In awarding a foundation grant for this project, we not only promote lifelong learning, but do so in order to ensure that we continue to provide the very best in care for our residents."

Chris Petrik, manager of training and development at Friendship Senior Options said that the skills lab is equipped with a computer lab, classroom, and a bedroom and bathroom modeled after a residence in Briarwood Health Care Center at Friendship Village. "This gives associates the opportunity to be trained and practice in an environment that is learner-friendly and simulates the environment in which they work," said Petrik. "The skills lab reflects our commitment to providing the best resident-centered care."

Petrik added that the skills lab is also an excellent recruiting tool. "People want to work here because they know that we are invested in their future. The skills lab, which promotes continuing education, is proof that we're invested in the long term future of the associates."

During the blessing event, Chaplain Shawn Kafader of Friendship Village said, "We pause this day, to offer thanks for the addition of this associates' skills lab to our community here at Friendship Village. May this be a place where minds are enriched and gifts are inspired so that the best care can be offered by our nurses and nursing assistants in this community and beyond our community. Bless those who come to teach and those who will come to learn, making this a place of peace and hope for all…"

Friendship Village is a leading Chicago-area retirement community offering a complete continuum of care including independent living garden homes and apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, skilled care, and short- and long-term rehabilitation services. For more than 35 years, Friendship Village has been providing Chicago area seniors with exceptional retirement living options. For additional information visit www.FriendshipVillage.org