|
|
July 12, 2024
Dear Residents and Families,
Summer has arrived! With the warm weather upon us, we hope residents and their guests will enjoy the lovely outdoor spaces on each of our campuses. We have been mindful to provide plenty of covered spaces as well as umbrellas. Please remember to hydrate and wear your sunscreen.
The Leonard Florence Center for Living was recently awarded the Bronze Award from the American Healthcare Association (AHCA). The AHCA awards program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate high standards of care and practices. This is a very well-deserved recognition.
Mr. Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, hosted Employee Appreciation events on all of the CJL campuses in June. The all-day celebrations included food for all three shifts, entertainment and thank you gifts for our wonderful staff members.
Congratulations to Congregation Sons of Israel on their 115th anniversary! The festive celebration, held at the Brudnick Center for Living on June 23, was a special evening. Dinner, musical entertainment and heartfelt tributes were enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
Have a wonderful summer!
All the best,
Megin
|
|
|
May 8, 2024
Residents and staff members of the Leonard Florence Center for Living (LFCL) participated in the 1st Annual ALS Advocacy Day. This inspiring event was held at the Massachusetts State House on May 2. Steve Saling and Martha Waite, two ALS residents at the LFCL, were among the guest speakers.
ALS Advocacy Day was created to raise awareness about ALS and recognize the significant challenges faced by individuals living with the disease. The goal is similar to that of the Leonard Florence Center: to help achieve the best possible quality of life. Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico was on hand to welcome guests, along with representatives from ALS organizations and community members.
Six LFCL residents, three of whom are on ventilators, attended this meaningful day, accompanied by ten staff members. The day required a great deal of logistical planning, but both residents and staff agreed it was a memorable time for all.
Image Captions:
- Featured Image: LFCL Residents at ALS Advocacy Day
- Left Gallery Image: Steve Saling and Senator DiDomenico at ALS Advocacy Day
- Right Gallery Image: Martha Waite, ALS resident, speaking at ALS Advocacy Day
|
|
|
July 12, 2024
At Katzman, making memories and celebrating moments benefit our residents and staff. With summer now upon us, we are enjoying the warmer weather and new activities.
A few highlights include our summer “Evening Concert Series”. Live music and a delicious BBQ, right in our landscaped courtyard. Day trips to Kittery Maine let us take in the scenic views of the coastline and enjoy a delicious lunch at Warren’s Lobster House. And as summer is all about relaxing, our residents partake in the “simpler side of summer” by participating in gardening activities, reading outdoors or embarking in spirted conversations.
Both our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations resulted in large turnouts. Residents, families, friends and staff members helped make these special days warm and memorable.
Our “Staff Appreciation Day” paid tribute to the hard work and compassion of our wonderful staff. Lunch for every employee was provided by food truck Taco Loco. Staff had their fill of burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Happy stomachs, happy staff!
Residents and staff cheered loudly on the Red Sox opening day. We showed our loyalty and support by wearing Red Sox attire: red, blue and white clothing and, of course, logo hats. The food made us feel like were at Fenway with an endless supply of hot dogs and popcorn.
On another sports note, the Celtics made for an exciting May and June. Throughout the season our residents became ardent fans, watching game after game, and ultimately seeing them win their 18th NBA championship! Residents were thrilled to be a part of sports history. In fact, resident Richard Green recalled being at the Boston Garden in 1957 when the Celtics won their first championship banner. “It was an exciting night and now I am so grateful to be able to witness the Celtics win all 18 championships,” remarked Richard. “They have won more championships than any league. And this year has been a season to remember!”
We’ve been fortunate to have a bevy of talented musical entertainers on our campus, including Jody Embling, Tony Funches, Ray Cavicchio and crowd favorite, Chelsea Jewish Lifecare’s own Jimmy Honohan. Activity assistant, Ena Brita entertained residents by showcasing both country and Mexican music. Thank you all for bringing the joy of music to our lives. Also on the activity calendar: renowned radio personality “Barry Scott’ of Boston’s JAM’N 94.5 challenged our residents with music and trivia games. There was a lot of laughter, animated discussions and correct answers!
Katzman Chef Chuck Magno created an “International Month of Food.” He asked residents to choose a country so we could all explore its cuisine. The past few months we’ve enjoyed traditional recipes from China, Greece, Italy and Mexico, all while complying with the kosher dietary guidelines. What delicious feasts!
Residents and staff continue enjoy our biweekly restaurant outings to Floramo’s in Wakefield, the Tides in Nahant and the Weathervane in Kittery Maine. The menus feature delicious seasonal specialties. Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, followed by a boat cruise along the Charles River, is also part of our summer ritual.
Congratulations to resident Betty Adams who became a great grandmother. She is beaming with happiness and love.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and let’s keep making more great memories!
|
|
|
July 9, 2024
Amidst a bevy of activities, events, programs and celebrations, the summer has been busy and full. Residents, staff and guests are taking advantage of the warm weather to relax on the patios and balconies. Summertime and the living is easy!
LFCL’s “Outward Bound Program” has been a model for skilled nursing facilities across the country. This unique program enables our specialty house residents to go into the community and enjoy a variety of outings. For example, in June we took a group from Torf and Weiner to Castle Island. The weather was perfect and there were so many scenic landmarks along the way.
July 4th is always a popular time and this year was no exception. The holiday kicked off with a delicious BBQ on July 2, followed by a musical concert from “Big Smile Entertainment” on the Fourth of July. Also on the agenda: Residents and staff traveled to the Weathervane in Kittery Maine for fresh, mouthwatering seafood. And for all our aspiring artists (and there are many!) our “Paint the Night” art class was the ideal way to showcase their considerable talents. We now have their colorful masterpieces on display!
A highlight in June was our Staff Appreciation Day on June 18. This special event paid tribute to our wonderful employees. Below are a few quotes from our staff members that capture the sentiments of the attendees:
- “I’m truly happy to be working for a company that constantly shows appreciation to all staff.”
- “Thank you, LFCL—it’s truly an honor and privilege working here.”
- “So grateful for Mr. Berman!”
Residents also shared their thoughts as well. Lynda K., a Slifka resident, enthusiastically remarked, “It’s wonderful to see an organization like Chelsea Jewish Lifecare be so appreciative of their staff. We all see how hard they work each and every day.”
|
|
|
July 8, 2024
Saul Gurman, a resident of the Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living, turned 101 on June 27. Gurman is one of the last known survivors of the Rohna warship which was sunk in 1943 during WWII. To this day, the incident remains the greatest loss of life at sea in the history of the US. Over 1000 American soldiers lost their lives. Saul Gorman was sworn to secrecy for 50 years about this terrifying time, but now is able to discuss it. His memory and attention to detail is uncanny. Saul celebrated the day with family, friends, Brudnick Center staff and residents. Amidst cake, ice cream and festive decorations, Saul chatted with guests, remarking, “I can’t get over how well I feel!”
A lifelong resident of the North Shore, Saul lived in the same house in Beverly for 66 years. Saul arrived in the United States on January 1, 1946, after traveling up the Henry Hudson River in five degrees weather from Karachi. He grew up in Chelsea, where he returned after the war and married his high school sweetheart, Eva. The couple raised two sons and a daughter in Beverly and remained together until Eva’s passing in 2012 at age 88. Paul, who was awarded the Purple Heart during WWII, is still an active member of the HMT Rohna Memorial Association.
Saul’s son Bob Gurman noted that his family has a longstanding relationship with the Brudnick Center. “My mom and my sister Debra were both at the Brudnick Center. With my dad now a resident, I can see, firsthand, the importance of the interaction between staff and residents. Brudnick provides wonderful care for the people we love.”
At the Brudnick Center, Saul is active and engaged. Staff and residents enjoy hearing Saul’s WWII stories as well as listening to his take on current events. “Saul is a joy to be around,” said Tammy Starion, Executive Director of the Brudnick Center for Living. “He lights up a room with his smile and zest for living.”
|
|
|
July 2, 2024
Summer got off to a great start with our first Evening Summer Concert! Ray Cavicchio and Sharon Zee, who have been performing with us since the building opened in 1996, kicked off our highly anticipated concert series. Over 70 people turned out to see the performance. The engaging duo are always a welcome sight on our campus.
Congratulations are in order for James Agguire, who was named our June Employee of the Month. James is an integral part of our Dietary Department. There were cheers all around when James was presented his well-deserved award during a special lunch in his honor.
Other activities included a trip to the Cheesecake Factory, followed by a scenic boat cruise on the Charles River. We knew summer had arrived the minute we boarded the boat! Take a look at the photos and see the smiles all around.
One of the season’s highlights was our much anticipated Paint Day. From the colorful and stimulating renderings, it’s obvious we have some very talented artists in our midst. As always, residents and staff enjoyed our Judy’s Jewels fundraiser. We raised over $900 for the activity fund! It was fun to shop, especially finding great bargains in the process. Kudos to everyone involved.
Last but not least, our staff enjoyed a celebratory lunch for achieving 100% occupancy in Cohen Florence Levine Estates as well as Florence & Chafetz. This milestone was made possible because of the hard work, dedication and commitment of every single staff member. Thank you for all that you do!
|
|
|
July 2, 2024
Cycling Without Age, a national fitness program, provides bike rides for seniors. More than just riding bikes, the program’s goal is to create lasting connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting the well-being of senior citizens or anyone feeling isolated, especially due to mobility limitations. Cycling Without Age will now be an integral part of the activity calendar at the Brudnick Center for Living.
Carol White, whose mother was a resident of BCL until her passing three years ago, helped bring this amazing program to the Brudnick Center. Carol has worked tirelessly since March 2020 —the start of the pandemic— to establish Cycling Without Age Massachusetts. Her dream became a reality in March 2023 and the rest, as they say, is history.
This initiative empowers individuals to experience the exhilaration of outdoor cycling and become visible members of the community. Started in 2012 by Ole Kassow, the initiative helps the elders get back on their bicycles, even those individuals with limited mobility. Ole introduced the trishaw to seniors, which is a lightweight bike with three wheels and pedals that can be pushed with your feet.
In June dementia residents had the opportunity to try out the bikes for the first time. The smiles on their faces clearly reflected how much they enjoyed the ride. “Our residents loved it,” said Megin Hemmerling, Regional President of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “It was such a fun day for many of our residents living in the dementia special are houses. These bike rides are pure joy!”
According to the Cycling Without Age website, the program strives to create new relationships between residents and staff, focusing upon building trust, happiness and increasing the quality of life. Individuals who have not ridden a bike for years are now able to recall the sensation of being back on a bike. For many, it triggers happy memories of past bike rides.
The next Cycling Without Age day on the Peabody campus is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23 from 9:30am to 11am. Residents and staff are already looking forward to getting outside on their bikes and feeling the wind in their hair.
Featured Image: Caroline, far right, with her husband and two BCL residents on a bike.
|
|
|
|
|
June 19, 2024
There are three very special employees at Brudnick Center for Living. Valery Mauricio Gomez, Fernanda Lopez and Lismar Pimentel have all been working at BCL as part of the Lynn Technical School Co-Op Program. After graduation they are all entering college, each having received a full tuition scholarship to three highly acclaimed schools. Valery will be attending Merrimack College; Lismar has been accepted at Northeastern University and Fernanda will be going to the University of Pennsylvania. Not surprisingly, all will be embarking upon nursing programs.
“We are so very proud of these three individuals,” said Tammy Starion, Executive Director of Brudnick Center for Living. “They are exemplary employees who demonstrate, every day, a high degree of compassion, dedication and loyalty. I have no doubt they will make exceptional nurses!”
The co-op program at Lynn Technical School enables students to extend their learning experience into a real work environment as employees. In essence, these work cooperative programs place students with different employers throughout the community to give them real world experience and show the students what it’s like to work in a variety of companies and organizations.
The co-op program was invaluable to Valery, Lismar and Fernando. “It is important for nursing students to have bed-side CNA clinical experience before getting into nursing school,” said Lismar Pimentel, who resides in Lynn. For Lismar, developing relationships with the residents is the best part of the job. “Providing the residents with a shoulder to lean makes me grateful for the skills to help and care for them. The experience I and the other students gain from being a CNA enables us to acquire the empathy we need as well as overcome the challenges that come with nursing early on. Being a hands-on CNA is the perfect training ground for nursing school.”
Fernanda Lopez points out that the structure of the houses at BCL fosters a sense of community. “My house, Berkeley, is made up of amazing residents and co-workers, which makes my job very enjoyable. Both staff and residents here have been so welcoming from the very beginning.” Fernando also noted that working at BCL taught her how to treat a resident with compassion and understanding. “It’s much different working with real people as opposed to the mannequins used in CNA courses. “I learned how to quickly react in situations that are unexpected, how to properly understand their emotions through nonverbal gestures, and how to care for a patient without the intimidation of hurting them.” Added Lopez, “The encouragement and recognition I received at BCL fuels my passion for nursing.”
Congratulations Lismar, Valery and Fernanda. We look forward to seeing you on vacations and holidays.
Pictured Above L-R: Valery Mauricio Gomez, Fernanda Lopez, Lismar Pimentel
|
|
|
May 22, 2024
Participants in the Harvard Medical School Global Healthcare Leaders Program capped off their final week with a visit to the Leonard Florence Center for Living. The diverse group of 45 individuals hailed from all over the world, including India, China, S. Korea, Brazil and Poland. Participants had the opportunity to tour the Center and meet with the ALS residents and staff members. Residents demonstrated the Center’s revolutionary technology. Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, the nonprofit that operates the Leonard Florence Center, addressed the group and led a Q & A session.
The Global Health Care Leaders Program is a multi-modular program that aims to bring together the most important topics defining the future of health care industry for the leaders who will lead the charge. The nine month program culminates with three weeks at Harvard, during which time attendees take part in presentations, case studies, breakout discussions and site visits.
As the country’s first urban model Green House® skilled nursing facility, the Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea provides a level of independence not typically found in skilled nursing facilities. Home to individuals living with ALS, MS and on ventilators as well as residents who require long-term skilled nursing and short-term rehab care, the Center has been featured in numerous national and local print and broadcast stories.
Main Photo Caption: L-R Megin Hemmerling, CJL; Barry Berman, CJL; John Glaser, PhD Program Director Harvard Medical School; Betsy Mullen, CJL; Ina Hoffman, CJL and Shelley Scarpa CJL.
Gallery Photo Caption: Group Photo of Harvard Medical School Global Healthcare and Leonard Florence Staff
|
|
|
|
|
