With warm weather creating the perfect setting, nearly every resident from both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living was able to participate and enjoy the festivities—an especially meaningful moment for a community rooted in heritage and excellent care.

With over 30 vendors set up both inside and outside Finnish-American Village’s Annan Maja Heritage Hall, this year’s market offered an even wider array of unique treasures, cultural and seasonal delights, local artisans, and an abundance of festive Christmas décor.  

This meaningful restoration was made possible through the generous support of Finlandia Foundation, whose grant funded critical repairs that preserved the spirit and charm of this landmark. Finlandia Foundation’s commitment to promoting Finnish heritage and cultural continuity shone brightly in their support for this project, aligning perfectly with our mission to nurture community and uphold tradition.

The Village’s integrated services — Home Care, Assisted Living, and Short- and Long-Term Rehabilitation — have each been recognized by respected state, national, and federal organizations that evaluate quality, safety, and resident satisfaction. Together, these divisions of Finnish-American Village form one continuous mission of service, under the strong leadership of Katja Pukkila (Assisted Living Manager), Crib Castro (Director of Nursing), and Emily Bernarding (Home Care Administrator).

It is with deep gratitude and mixed emotions that Finnish-American Village announces the retirement of Maija Toukolehto, who, after 26 years of unwavering commitment, has stepped away from her cherished role as our Social Services Director.

“We are deeply honored to be acknowledged by the Best of Florida Guide,” said Emily Bernarding, Administrator of Finnish-American Home Care. “This recognition reflects the compassionate care our team strives to deliver every day to the members of our community.”

Participants were not specifically asked about the activities that gave their life purpose. Previous studies on aging, though, have found a wide range of activities give older adults a sense of life purpose, sometimes referred to as “ikigai.”

We were honored to send a delegation of dedicated leaders who not only observed but actively engaged in this immersive cultural event through a South Florida lounge and a series of talks about the impact Finnish-Americans have had in the South Florida community…

We are honored to have been notified that Finnish-American Home Care has been awarded a finalist ranking in the 2025 Best of Florida Guide, either as a “Winner, Regional Winner, or Honorable Mention.” We will know the final award at the end of August!

In April, 2025, Annan Maja hosted our first health fair! Attendees enjoyed a health talk on the Healing Power of Music, the One Blood donation bus, and the Alzheimer’s Research Institute giving free screenings, we were joined by sponsors offering services and giveaways and Finnish snacks from the St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church!

Executive Director Daniel Benson and Assisted Living Manager Katja Pukkila warmly received the distinguished guests and gave a tour of Lepokoti and Annan Maja Heritage Hall. The visit highlighted Finnish-American Village's commitment to providing exceptional care while preserving Finnish heritage and values.

Finnish-American Village is honored to be ranked in the top 1-2% of facilities in both Florida and the United States. With a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a deficiency-free certification from the Florida Assisted Living Facility Association, we take pride in delivering exceptional care. Our Home Care, Assisted Living, Short- and Long-Term Rehabilitation, and Skilled Nursing services represent the highest standard of healthcare in Palm Beach County.

A very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Finnish-American Village is proud to announce its nomination for the Palm Beach Post Community Choice Award for Senior Living, an honor that reflects the trust and appreciation of the local community for the exceptional care we have provided since 1974. Voting began on December 17, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024 at https://bit.ly/finnishamericanresthome.

Our beautiful ceremony today was enjoyed by many residents, staff, and our Finnish American community.

In November, 2024, Finnish-American Village hosted the first Scandinavian Christmas Market at Annan Maja! Over 1,000 local community members enjoyed Finnish treats, fun for the kids, and gift ideas from Finland, Sweden, Norway, etc.

Ruissalo Foundation management from Turku visited the Finnish-American Village!

Finnish Americans may be a small portion of the American population, yet they have made a huge impact on American culture. Here are just a few ways…

Reminiscence therapy is a treatment that helps individuals with dementia recall and cherish positive experiences and memories from the past. It requires using props and prompts, like pictures, songs, and fragrances, to engage one’s senses — sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound — that can spark a positive memory. This therapy could improve the well-being of loved ones with dementia.

Many think and plan what year they will retire, but not as many give consideration to the particular month they should get that party started. There are several key issues to consider when choosing what month to retire.