Message from Adam Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

June 20, 2022

Dear Residents and Families,

On Memorial Day we paid tribute to those who fought so valiantly for our country. It is a day of remembrance and reflection. As we care for many residents who are veterans, I want to thank them all for their loyalty, dedication, and bravery. Our country is stronger because of them.

I also want to share some exciting news. Our organization has received the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification. This certification was bestowed upon us by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. I am extremely proud of how our employees support our residents and families, as well as one another, each and every day.

I wish you and yours a great start to summer and a Happy Independence Day.

Warmly,
Adam

Adam Berman
CEO
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Designated as Top Place to Work!

June 14, 2022

We are excited to announce that Chelsea Jewish Lifecare has received the prestigious Great Place to Work® designation. The certification process involved surveying employees on more than 60 elements and was bestowed upon the organization by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Employees were surveyed about such topics as community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and the feeling their work environment is safe. Rankings are based on employees’ experiences, no matter who they are or what they do. Other organizations that have received this prestigious designation include American Express, Hilton, Target, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Whole Foods Market.

“I am so proud that our employees feel our organization is a great place to work,” said Adam Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “They are what make this organization so special and it’s gratifying to know they really enjoy the work environment. Our employees support our residents and families in so many important ways. Clearly this designation is a testament to the culture they have helped build.”

“Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

The Chelsea Jewish Lifecare residences and agencies include the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates, Shapiro-Rudolph Adult Day Health Center and Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody; the Katzman Family Center for Living, Cohen Florence Levine Estates, Florence & Chafetz Home for Specialized Care, Chelsea Jewish VNA and Hospice, and the Leonard Florence Center for Living, all in Chelsea.

Berman noted the original goal of the survey was to receive candid feedback from employees. “It was a pleasant surprise to be honored with this certification,” stated Berman. He emphasized that the employee responses are a valuable tool for the continued growth of the organization. “I have personally read each and every comment and will take to heart all suggestions and recommendations.” Added Berman, “We have created a supportive, caring, and productive culture, which translates to the high-quality care we provide to our residents. But there is work to do to further improve. Such improvement will always be our first priority.”

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare received this certification along with Legacy Lifecare, the network of not-for-profit organizations of which it is a founding affiliate and member. Other affiliates include JGS Lifecare of Longmeadow, Deutsches Altenheim of West Roxbury, and Elizabeth Seton Residence and Marillac Residence of Wellesley.

We applaud all our employees who make our organization so very special!

Look What’s Happening in Peabody!

June 13, 2022

Our residents had a great time making “Welcome Spring” door hangers using pretty pastel colors and decorative flowers. They really brighten up the hallways.

Over at Kaplan Estates, both are our newest residents and our long standing residents partied together on the patio as they got to know each other better. The group of 30 enjoyed cocktails, snacks, music, perfect weather, and an abundance of fun filled the afternoon.

This summer, our Natalie Kaplan Speaker series began once again with Ryan Melville, President of the Peabody City Council. The lecture was followed by a “Beverage Bash” social. Our speaker series meets monthly and provides us with speakers from all walks of life who share their professions and interests, sparking interesting conversations.

More than 25 residents are participating in our Falls Prevention Program. Physical Therapist, Michelle Baker, is conducting monthly classes to improve balance and reduce fall risks. She offered a plethora of handy tips to avoid the risk of falls. We look forward to next month’s class.

Kaplan resident Hale Bradt presented a Memorial Day program entitled Wilber’s War – “A Family’s Journey.” The subject was WWII, based on his book by the same name. Hale’s talk gave our residents an in-depth look at what it was like for his family from the perspective of both sides: being overseas during wartime in the thick of it all, as well as being on the home front for his wife and children. Hale possesses over 700 letters that were written during wartime, which provided valuable insight into the family dynamics during wartime. Hale is an Astrophysicist and was a professor at MIT. He and his wife are much beloved residents at Kaplan Estates. They are always upbeat, positive, and very personable!

Celebrate National Safety Month in June

June 10, 2022

In 1996, the National Safety Council established June as National Safety Month in the United States. The goal is to focus on ways to keep the environment safe and free from danger. To that end, our organization has prepared emergency plans as well as trained staff in a number of scenarios. Frequent updates are essential as rules and regulations change continuously.

Marc Richard, Director of Facilities Engineering at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and JGS Lifecare, explained the importance of safety in our residences. “It is imperative that all our centers maintain their safety standards,” commented Richard. “We have multiple regulatory inspections surveys during the year such as OSHA, CMS, DPH, LSC, Joint Commission and VA, as well as inspections from the local police department, fire department and Board of Health, among others that check for our compliance with all regulatory codes.

Our organization has partnered with the TELS P.M. program, which is a computerized task and preventative maintenance inspection program that tracks the centers compliance with safety measures. The TELS program generates weekly reports showing tasks that are upcoming, completed and/or need attention. It also features a work order system that generates work orders tickets immediately directly to the department and prioritizes them by need.

Additionally, each of our centers also have an Emergency Preparedness Plan, which is reviewed annually. The plans are center based, with policies and training procedures that cover all possible needs during a disaster or emergency. Every year each center performs two disaster drills, one that is community based and involves local emergency services, and one that is considered a tabletop drill, which is based on a situation of  vulnerability in which the center may experience like a blizzard or a hurricane.

Precautions are also taken in terms of personal safety. “It’s a known fact that seniors are most at risk for falls,” stated Richard. “In fact, falls are the most common incident as people age. As a result, we make sure that areas are marked for wet floors, handrails are used properly and the corridors are always clean and clear. These  precautions can prevent many falls.”

Marc noted that the safety procedures at CJL Lifecare and JGS Lifecare are constantly being monitored and reviewed. “Through frequent surveys, inspections, equipment checks and safety committee meetings to monitor quality improvements, we feel confident our environment and residences meet the most stringent safety requirements,” stated Richard. He added, “Our number one priority is to keep the environment of our residents and staff safe.”

Chelsea Jewish VNA/Hospice & Palliative Care Team Go Above and Beyond

June 8, 2022

The VNA and Hospice team at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare provide valuable community care services. Without a doubt, our talented employees are what make this department so special. Karen Madrid, clinical director of Chelsea Jewish VNA/Hospice & Palliative Care, explained it best. “I want to recognize Michele Baker, Lauren Casey, and Kelly Caggiano for all their hard work. They excel in their flexibility in picking up new tasks as well as always going above and beyond for their patients.”

This month we applaud the efforts of this amazing team. Please read below to see who they are and how they define their roles in the organization.

Meet the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Home, VNA/Hospice & Palliative Care Team

Lauren Casey
Occupational Therapist

For Lauren Casey, the best part of working as an Occupational Therapist at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, is that every day is different. “I love that I get to meet different patients at their homes, and in a sense, become part of their families,” remarked Lauren. “It’s so gratifying to be told that you have helped change people’s lives.

Growing up in New Jersey, Lauren moved to Massachusetts immediately after she graduated from Quinnipiac University with master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Currently she resides in Melrose with her husband Mike and two beautiful children: Raegan (8) and Brayden (6). In between attending her children’s many sporting games, she finds time to indulge in her passion for running. It is a busy household indeed.

Originally Lauren thought about working in pediatrics, but during her fieldwork she was placed in a SNF and from then on, she was hooked. She realized right away that she enjoyed working with the elderly. Once she joined the Chelsea Jewish Home Care team, she knew she made the right decision. “I haven’t looked back since!” exclaimed Lauren.

When asked what the most aspect in dealing with patients and their families, Lauren didn’t hesitate for a minute. “Good communication is vital,” emphasized Lauren. “ We are there to serve our patients, but we need to instill motivation and confidence. Every patient is different and I have to constantly adapt to who they are –and their specific needs.”

Lauren is impressed how well the VNA team works together. “We have an especially caring group of therapists and nurses,” remarked Lauren. “Everyone seems to have the same goal of getting the job done and doing what’s best for our patients. It’s a winning combination.”

Kelly Caggiano
Hospice Nurse

As the mother of three children, Gianna (10), Michael (7) and John (6), Kelly Caggiano manages to combine the demands of a busy job with the needs of an active family. Growing up in Malden, Kelly decided to go into hospice care after her grandfather was in hospice. “It was great to be with him at the end of his life,” said Kelly. “Even though it was a difficult time, it was meaningful to be with him. I realized what an important role hospice plays for both the individual and the family.”

For Kelly, the best part of her job is to the opportunity to meet patients and make sure they are comfortable at the end of their life. “One of the key challenges of hospice care is educating families about medications that can keep their loved one comfortable,” stated Kelly. “It’s important that we educate people about the fact that medication manages symptoms and helps keep patients comfortable.”

Kelly acknowledges that good communication is vital to her job. As she explained, “Our hospice team works so well together because we communicate with each other and work as a team. Everyone here is definitely a team player.” Added Kelly with a smile, “And I truly enjoy working with the hospice team!”

Michele Baker
Physical Therapist Assistant

For over 15 years, Michele Baker has worked as a physical therapist assistant in the homecare division pf Chelsea Jewish VNA. It is a job she loves and one she excels in when dealing with patients and families.

“My favorite part of my job is the patients,” admitted Michele.” Every day is different and I love being out in the community. In truth, I have a good rapport with patients and families as I try to bring laughter and consistency to my sessions. Building a strong relationship is key.”  Added Michele, “The most difficult part of working in homecare are the snowstorms and parking. It’s a good day if my car doesn’t get towed,” she said with a laugh.

Born and raised in Somerville, Michele and her husband Chris have been married for 19 years They have two beautiful daughters: Maddie (14) and Ally (4). The family currently resides in Dracut. In terms of extended family, there are many family members and frequent get-togethers. In fact, Michele comes from a very large family. Her mom is 1 of 11 children while Michelle is 1 of 7. Unbelievably, Michelle is the 68th grandchild!

For Michele, one of the best aspects of her job is the relationships she has built with staff members. “Many have become my close friends,” said Michele. that I built through work with the staff are amazing. Michele works closely with CNA’s, HHA’s, NSG’s,  and housekeepers. “I encourage them to come to me if they are encounter problems with patients or need suggestions as how to make them feel safer, alike feel comfortable speaking to me about a problem their patients may have and we try to work together as a team to make the patient safer. “ Michele emphasized that the staff always puts the patients and their families first. “We work together really well,” said Michele. “It is truly team effort.”

Satisfaction Ranks High on the List at CJL and JGS

June 1, 2022

One of the most effective ways to find out how our residents feel about our services and residences is to simply ask them! We did just that, and the feedback from our both Resident Satisfaction Survey and Family Care Plan Meetings are helpful, relevant, and honest. Take a look at what our residents are saying this month:

Short-Term Rehabilitation

“I was hungry when I got here, since I had missed lunch. The chef came and asked what I’d like to eat. He brought me beautiful bowl of cut fruit! He was so kind!

“Food has been excellent so far — warm and tasty”.

“Everyone has been very attentive.”

“The staff are so nice and very professional.”

“People are quick to respond and take such good care of me.”

“The therapists have been fantastic so far. They explained the exercises and listened to my concerns. They observed and respected my limitations. In fact, they helped me do tasks I didn’t think I was ready to do yet.”

“Rehab is very good for me. The staff makes me work hard. I like that!”

Long-Term Rehabilitation

“Team members were thorough, thoughtful and receptive to my questions.”

“Great job by all involved. We really appreciate your efforts!”

“I appreciate the work everyone does to give my mom the care she needs and allows her to have a quality of life. Having activities and socialization is important to her and her family.”

“Thank you so much for giving me peace of mind when it comes to my mom’s care. All of you are so helpful and kind!”