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April 22, 2025
Dear Residents and Family Members,
April marked a variety of important holidays for our residents. I hope everyone who celebrates enjoyed the rituals of Purim, Easter, and Passover.
Spring brings new beginnings and is a prime time to get your house in order. It is also a good opportunity to stay up to date on annual medical appointments, commit to some type of exercise and enjoy the outdoors. After a cold and snowy winter, let’s take advantage of the nice weather!
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare VNA now has a special space in Kaplan Estates in Peabody for the residents who live there and have rehab needs. The new Wellness Center, as described in this newsletter, features state-of the art equipment and a talented, skilled staff.
Over at Katzman Center for Living, room refurbishments are about to begin. We look forward to seeing the updated changes.
Here’s to a busy and fun spring season!
All my best,
Megin
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April 24, 2025
The past few months have been full of inspiring events and collaborative efforts on the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Northshore campus. Residents, staff, and families joined together to participate in a wide range of unique, enjoyable and engaging activities. Here is a sample of what’s been happening in Peabody:
In honor of National Handwriting Day, residents gathered to write heartfelt thank-you cards to our brave first responders, both locally and in L.A., where teams were battling fires in extreme conditions. With support from Legacy Lifecare VNA, Occupational Therapy (OT) demonstrated adaptive handwriting tools for residents with fine motor challenges—helping everyone share their gratitude. This activity illustrates how our adaptive equipment can be used to assist in handwriting for anyone with fine motor or coordination issues.
Residents embraced the joy of planting during Horticulture Class for Tu B’Shevat. Guided by Jennifer Ferringo, COTA, and supported by Laurie Faria, the therapeutic benefits of horticulture were explored, from cognitive skill-building to motor coordination. The freshly planted greenery is now thriving! We also held a seed planting “Farm to Table” activity in honor of Occupational Therapy Month. Residents cultivate herbs and use them in cooking groups, an activity that combines gardening with culinary therapy. It appears we have a very talented group of aspiring chefs!
In March, Massachusetts Senator Joan Lovely stopped by the Jeffrey & Susan Brudnick Center for Living to discuss the future of skilled nursing facilities. Her visit highlighted our organization’s commitment to collaboration and excellence in care.
Harriett & Ralph Kaplan Estates residents celebrating National Rubber Duck Day by engaging in the “Chuck A Duck” Balance Game. Legacy Lifecare VNA Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy staff incorporated fun with function. Residents participated in dynamic and static balance activities, as well as exercises to strength and eye/hand coordination.
The Elijah Society brought us challah dough so residents could experiment with making their own challah. Before baking, they braided and seasoned the loaves to their liking. While the challah rose, everyone enjoyed a spirited game of “Find Someone Who …Bingo.” Soon, the aroma of freshly baked challah filled the halls.
Over at Brudnick Center, Red Sox Opening Day gave us a great reason to party! Residents and staff were decked out in blue and red while partaking in a bevy of game day snacks. It was also a treat that the Red Sox won their first game of the season.
Two important Jewish holidays were celebrated in March and April. Purim, so important to the Jewish community because it tells the story of a triumph over harshly persecuted people, is one of the most joyous of Jewish holidays. The annual Purim Party featured noisemakers, creative staff costumes and a variety of tasty hamantaschen, a triangular filled-pocket pastry.
In April, the eight days of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, were celebrated with traditional Seders on the first two nights. Residents and families came together for two special meals that include songs, rituals, prayers, stories and traditional delicacies such as matzoh ball soup, beef brisket, carrot tzimmes and 7-layer cake.
Take a look at the photos from these past few months. No doubt about it, our Peabody campus is bustling with activity!
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April 16, 2025
Steve Saling and Patrick O’Brien had one of their lifelong dreams come to fruition on Saturday, April 14. As part of the Outward Bound program, the two Leonard Florence Center for Living ALS residents traveled to New York City with staff and Chelsea Jewish Lifecare CEO Barry Berman to attend the taping of Saturday Night Live (SNL), the iconic late-night live sketch comedy variety show on NBC that is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Both Steve and Patrick are huge fans of SNL. Although tickets are almost impossible to get, Barry Berman arranged for Steve and Patrick, both of whom are on ventilators, to attend the April 14th episode. Nighttime Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm was the guest host, and the incredibly talented Lizzo served as the musical guest. Critics have said it was the best show of the season.
Patrick, who himself is an award-winning filmmaker and DJ, acknowledged that being at SNL, and especially meeting Lizzo, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “Hearing Lizzo say ‘I love you, Patrick’ was totally amazing,” said Patrick. He added, “Lizzo is a truly beautiful person.”
The SNL team was so welcoming and gracious,” said Barry Berman. “To see the looks on Steve and Patrick’s faces brought us so much joy. It truly was a memorable night for all.”
Bringing residents on ventilators to an out-of-state event is no small feat—it requires an extraordinary level of coordination, expertise, and care. From dedicated respiratory therapists who ensure each resident’s breathing support is continuously monitored, to a registered nurse who provides critical medical oversight throughout the journey, every detail matters. A specially equipped vehicle and trained driver are essential for safe and comfortable transport, offering the necessary environment and stability these residents need.
Steve Saling agreed that it was a night to remember. “Wow, SNL was an experience of a lifetime. We were treated like VIPs and got a meet and greet with Lizzo before the show,” said Steve. “It was super cool to see how they put together the show. Good times.”
Many Leonard Florence Center staff members made it possible for Steve and Patrick to attend the show. Recreational Programming Director Jimmy Honohan drove the organization’s van, accompanied by staff members Shelly Scarpa, Amalia Almeida, Paula McKay, Darly Charles, and Ruth Gonzales. This incredible effort simply wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our donors. Their contributions make these meaningful experiences a reality.
Way to go Steve and Patrick!
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April 14, 2025
[L-R Kim Yannetty Pires, Derek Pires, Nancy Pires, Mary Ann Pires seated]
When Mary Ann Pires first started work at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home in 1962, she never imagined her job would continue for 63 years, or that she’d still be working at age 83, or that two of her sisters and one of her brothers would be longtime employees as well. Today, the four siblings hold a variety of roles within the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare (CJL) organization.
The story starts with Mary Ann. She began her career as a nurse’s aide, then worked in PT, food service and the dietary department. Starting each day at 5am, Mary-Ann still works full-time as the adored receptionist at Cohen Florence Levine Estates Assisted Living. “I was 21 when I started this job,” recalls Mary Ann. “At that time there was only one building with 65 beds on Lafeyette Avenue. How we have grown!”
Mary-Ann loves the fact that residents ask for her on her days off. “It makes me feel good to know they miss me,” said Mary-Ann. “I’m always excited to come to work and see the residents, their families and our staff members.”
Nancy Pires has been at Katzman Center for Living, formerly Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, for 28 years. She started in the Dietary Department and then worked as a Nurse’s Assistant. Nancy vividly recalls how the wellness spa came into being. “One day Mr. Berman was brainstorming ideas for new services and mentioned that he wanted to build a spa at KCL. I loved the idea!” exclaimed Nancy. “Residents look forward to coming to the spa for a beauty day. It makes them feel good.” Now a nail technician, Nancy interacts with residents each and every day. “What I like best about my job is that we make the residents happy. I love seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter,” said Nancy.
Nancy remembers one resident in particular. Years ago Teresa L. made Nancy a beautiful paper flower that Nancy, to this day, keeps displayed in her office. She thinks of Terri every time she looks at the flower. “I will always remember her kindness.”
Derek Pires, 67, has been with CJL for almost 50 years. He started out washing floors when he was 18 years old and worked his way up through the organization, including stints in maintenance, dietary and food service. Today, as Director of Operations, Derek has played an integral part in opening every single building on the Chelsea campuses.
For Derek, it’s the people at CJL who set the organization apart. “I feel fortunate to have established many close relationships with both staff member and residents,” said Derek. He noted the camaraderie that exists among the employees. “We are like one big family.”
Kim Pires Yannetty, 65, began helping out in the kitchen at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home when she was in high school. For the last 23 years she’s been at Cohen Florence Levine Estates, first as a nurse’s assistant in assisted living and memory care. Currently she’s a vital part of the front desk team. It’s such a happy place to work,” exclaimed Kim. “Residents feel comfortable here. I especially like that the staff work together seamlessly.”
“Over the years, the Pires family has become indispensable to our organization,” said Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “They each have different positions and strengths. Mary Ann, Kim, Derek and Nancy are loyal, talented, professional and, above all, have a genuine respect for our residents.”
The siblings agree that the leadership at CJL is what makes the organization so special. “Mr. Berman and Mrs. Mullen are truly remarkable,” said Nancy, “ They inspire. They listen. They put residents, family and employees first. That is huge.”
Although two of the Pires’ siblings, Lisa and John, are not involved with the organization, they visit the two Chelsea campuses frequently. It is a unique experience for the entire family — one that is filled with warmth, compassion and, of course, humor.
“I always joke that our family should write a book or make a movie about our experiences,” remarked Derek. “Actually, we could make a great sitcom. There’s a lot of laughter at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare.”
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March 27, 2025
[L-R: Karen Madrid Clinical Director, Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice, Chrissy Riley Rehab Manager, Physical Therapist]
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Northshore announced the opening of its brand new Wellness Center in the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates assisted living residence. The Wellness Center offers a variety of state-of-the art exercise equipment including the highly touted NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainer, the Omni-Cycle and the OmniVersa Ultrasound/Electrotherapy System. Additionally, the Wellness Center is stocked with a variety of therapy tools such as dowels, yoga balls, dumbells, balance boards, Therabands and Theraputty.
“We wanted to create a Wellness Center that truly encompasses the health and wellbeing for the Kaplan Estates residents,’ explains Jennifer Ferringo, OTA & Community Liason Legacy Lifecare VNA & Out-Patient Therapy. “By incorporating traditional exercise with preventative education, we will provide our residents with the tools and strategies to stay fit and healthy.”
The two machines reflect an advanced therapeutic exercise system. For example, The Nu-Step Recumbent Cross Trainer features a comfortable wheelchair height seat that swivels and allows users to access and transfer onto the seat from any angle, with 10 levels of resistance. The Omni-Cycle machine uses biofeedback to provide upper and lower-extremity driven exercise options in three different modes for patients with varying physical limitations. Lastly, the OmniVersa Ultrasound/Electrotherapy System is a modality that combines electrotherapy and ultrasound, which will help identify and reduce chronic pain, as well as treat various conditions.
Ferringo noted that a key benefit of the Center is that it gives the Legacy Lifecare VNA staff an opportunity to get to know each resident on a more personal level. “We truly enjoy working with each resident and helping them live their best life at Kaplan Estates!”
We hope residents and family members will stop by and see, firsthand, all the Center has to offer.
For more information about Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates assisted living, please contact Jill Hemeon at 857-337-8850 or jhemeon@legacylifecare.org.
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March 20, 2025
Jill Hemeon has an affinity for the elder generation. “I never had the chance to meet all four of my grandparents as they unfortunately passed away before I was born. As a result, I have always had an appreciation for the senior population,” remarks Jill. “My close friends actually tease me that I treat their grandparents like my own. I love talking to them and hearing their stories. Guess I’m just an old soul at heart!”
Growing up in Danvers, Jill was the youngest of three children. Today her loving, close-knit family all live near one another and Jill’s parents still reside in the family home that she grew up in! Currently Jill and her boyfriend, Matthew, live in Medford. The couple met in college and reconnected a few years later. The rest, as they say, is history.
Jill began her career working for experience alongside studying Hospitality Management at the University of New Hampshire. It was a logical choice as she enjoyed talking to people and helping them navigate their travel plans. She flourished working in the hotel industry until Covid hit and travel basically became nonexistent. In retrospect, the pandemic ended up shaping the course of her Jill’s career. She applied for a variety of jobs and after a few different opportunities, she found her niche: working with seniors and their families while guiding them through the transition to senior living communities. Jill joined the Legacy Lifecare family in 2021 as the Director of Community Relations at Edelweiss Village Assisted Living, an affiliate of Legacy Lifecare.
In her current role as Area Director of Community Relations, Jill works closely with the organization’s Marketing and Communications team, assisting all communities within Legacy Lifecare. Jill feels fortunate to be part of the Legacy Lifecare organization. “I have worked at other senior living companies, but I can honestly say there is something different and very special about Legacy Lifecare,” said Jill. “Perhaps it is because we are a nonprofit. In any event, it’s obvious that Legacy Lifecare truly cares about its residents, staff, family members and community partners. My role enables me to visit all the different campuses and see, firsthand, how many lives are touched each and every day.”
Residents and family members make a huge impact on Jill. “I really like interacting with seniors and hearing their stories. Each one is so unique. There is a wonderful 104-year-old woman at Harriett & Ralph Kaplan Estates who encourages me to take the stairs instead of the elevator,” said Jill. “She insists it will keep me young!” Another family member greets Jill with a big hug every time he sees her. “He tells me how grateful he is for helping his family explore long-term care at the German Centre Home and how they can sleep at night knowing their mother is well-cared for in a safe environment.” Adds Jill, “This is what inspires me to do my job!”
In her spare time, Jill enjoys trying new restaurants and cuisines. “I am definitely a foodie!” Puzzles are also a passion. “You can always find a 1000-piece puzzle being worked on in my home,” said Jill. As both Jill and Matthew grew up with dogs, they plan on getting one of their own as soon as their life calms down a bit and they have the time needed to become dog parents. Meanwhile, Jill’s role as “Auntie” to her four beautiful nieces (two who are twins) brings her countless hours of fun and surprises. “The girls are an absolute joy.”
When asked what she likes best about her job, Jill is quick to respond. “It is so rewarding to help individuals, and their family members make the transition to senior living, especially when it is what’s needed for a higher quality of life. There is nothing better than seeing a resident settle in their new home. In fact, I never tire of hearing a family member tell me they can’t get in touch with their loved one because they are too busy socializing at an activity or up walking with physical therapy working on gaining strength back. That is music to my ears!”
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March 18, 2025
A reporter from the Lynn Item visited the residents at Kaplan Estates. They were having so much fun at lunch he decided to write a story about them!
(Photo caption: Kay Morrocco is cheered by her friends after an impromptu sing-along during lunch at the Harriett & Ralph Kaplan Estates in Peabody.)
Click here to read the story on itemlive.com.
Photo by: Jaime Campos
Story by: Luke Acton
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March 13, 2025
The Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy staff at Legacy Lifecare VNA ushered in Patient Safety Awareness Week, held nationally March 9 through March 15, with an educational session for Kaplan Estate residents. The event focused upon strategies and techniques to help reduce the risk of falls.
“We want our residents to understand the ‘Safety Starts with Me’ theme,” remarked Jennifer Ferringo, COTA & Community Liason at Legacy Lifecare VNA & Out-Patient Therapy. “It’s important that our residents are mindful of their surroundings — both inside and outside the assisted living.” Ferringo explained that individuals have the power to make safe and purposeful movements. “For example, using a reacher when sitting, as opposed to standing, helps reduce the risks for falls,” advised Jennifer.
During the session, residents shared strategies that worked for them and how they were able to modify their environment to make certain situations easier for them at times. Jennifer stressed that therapy should be used before a fall or fracture occurs to help individuals remain strong and healthy.
Going forward, Harriett & Ralph Kaplan Estates and Legacy Lifecare VNA will offer monthly educational sessions on such topics as overall safety, medication safety and infection control. “Clearly, this is a collaborative effort to ensure the optimal safety of our residents,” remarked Ferringo. “Our goal is to keep each resident strong and healthy. We want them to live at the assisted living as long as possible.”
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February 11, 2025
On Friday, February 7, 2025, Andrea Hillel, Executive Director of Harriett & Ralph Kaplan Estates, along with staff and residents, showed their support by wearing red for National Wear Red Day. This event helps raise awareness about heart health as well as supports women’s health in general. A blood pressure clinic and cardiovascular education, hosted by Jennifer Ferringo, Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA & Community Liaison at Legacy Lifecare VNA and staff members, emphasized the healthy heart theme.
Attendees embraced the day by wearing a sea of bright red. Also known as “Don’t Forget to Wear Red Day,” the event is a wonderful way to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart.
Launched in 2004 by the American Heart Association, the annual Go Red for Women movement focuses upon a woman’s greatest heath threat — cardiovascular disease. Today, Go Red for Women not only advocates for the health of all women, funds lifesaving research and educates women across the United States and around the world but is committed to removing the unique barriers women face to experiencing better health and well-being. Cardiovascular disease impacts some women at higher rates than others, but the simple truth is that most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.
“We were thrilled to see our staff and residents come together in support of this initiative,” said Andrea Hillel. “They understand that heart disease can be prevented and how important it is to be up to date with one’s medical appointments and annual check-ups.”
Take a look at the photos of staff and residents “going red.” What an inspiring sight!
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