Message from Megin Hemmerling, Regional President

July 17, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

Festive 4th of July celebrations were held in all of our buildings. Residents, families, and staff enjoyed great food, lively music, competitive games and, of course, traditional red, white, and blue decorations.

We recently hosted employee parties for all three shifts. It is our way of saying “thank you” to our employees for everything that they do. They work diligently, day in and day out, to make our organization the very best.

Annual mandatory trainings and competencies kicked off last month in our Skilled Nursing Facilities. We are finally able to complete these valuable group learning sessions in-person. It’s a sure sign we are getting back to normal.

Have a wonderful summer!

All the best,

Megin

What’s Happening in July at the Leonard Florence Center for Living!

July 14, 2023

Summer activities are plentiful as our residents enjoy spending time outdoors. Our July 4th BBQ and concert day featured delicious food and amazing music by George Lyons, who was actually a cover artist for Frank Sinatra. Residents and staff were eagerly singing along to a variety of “oldies but goodies.”

Our Playbill 2023 Summer Concert Series continues to be quite popular. These Tuesday concerts start at 6:15pm, which enable residents to relax after dinner and enjoy a midsummer night with different musical guests each week. Coming up: Pete Costello & Joey Voices, who are favorites among residents and staff.

This month’s outing to The Cheesecake Factory was followed by a scenic Charles River Boat Cruise. As you will see by the photos, it was a picture perfect day for residents and staff. Lastly, great drinks and catchy tunes made our Karaoke Happy Hour a huge success. It became obvious early on that there are many talented singers in our midst!

Wishing Constance M. a very Happy Birthday!

Seasons of Life

July 13, 2023

Take a look at an insightful reflection article written by Mary-Anne Schelb, a staff member at JGS Lifecare, our sister affiliate organization in Longmeadow. Mary-Anne reminds us, in her trademark down-to-earth way, to take time to be ourselves. Very good advice!

Seasons:

And I don’t mean Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I am referring to the seasons of life. Seasons of friendship, seasons of career, seasons of family. You get it.

We all know the saying friends come into and out of our lives for a reason a season or a lifetime. Really the same thing happens in all we do. Getting married, you become someone’s wife or husband or partner. You have children and you are mom or dad. You get a career and you are someone’s employee, or boss. Even C-suite employees report to someone. If you are a business owner, you may have a board of directors you are in step with – or you are answering to your customers or clients. Some of these will be for a reason – for a season or maybe a lifetime.

As the years pass and your children go through grade school, high school then college, the time comes when they graduate, are technically considered adults and they go out on their own. Mom’s and dad’s – yet proud, sometimes become saddened with their kids leaving the nest. Empty nest syndrome is a real thing and it is ok to feel sad, but…  (you knew there would be a but! 😉  do not lose yourself in this sadness! Try to replace the sadness with excitement that your kids are going forth into the world with all you have taught them, all you have shown them. Our job is to guide them and encourage them to become successful and contributing members of society.  (Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not,) Children have choices. They have the ability to choose just like you do. Let them live. Let them experience, and I dare you to do the same!

Whether you are still “mom and dad” – or now may be part of the sandwich generation and you are caring for your own mom and dad – or you are finding you are identifying too much with a job, take a deep breath – close your eyes, and picture the perfect you! Connect with your higher self (that perfect version of yourself) and move towards that. One small step at a time still moves you forward.

Don’t get lost in someone else’s dream, make sure you are living your own. And if you are? Kudos to you! We are very few and far between – so I ask this of you – reach out to a friend you see may be in need…  give them a hug, spend some time, lend an ear…  Talk to them about the wonderful person you know they are, and remind them – not to get lost…

We are all in this together.

Mary-Anne Schelb is Director of Business Development for the Western Mass Region of JGS Lifecare/Legacy Lifecare.  She is deep-rooted in the community building and fostering relationships to shape genuine bonds and levels of trust that her professional connections have come to rely on over the years.  Mary-Anne truly enjoys helping people with any and all of their eldercare needs as well as nurture self-care through her own personal path to better health and wellness as a Holistic Health Practitioner.

Making the Most of Summer at Cohen Florence Levine Estates and Florence & Chafetz!

July 11, 2023

It was a perfect summer day when residents and staff visited Warren’s Lobster House in Kittery Maine. While many indulged in the trademark fresh seafood and lobster dishes, some opted for chicken parmigiana with spaghetti, burgers, and steaks. After lunch, the group visited York Beach and Nubble’s Lighthouse, where the outing was capped off with a visit to Dunne’s Ice Cream. The iconic shop features over 50 flavors of ice cream! The photos from the trip say it all.

Our walking club meets in the early evenings to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. This is a great way to socialize and get exercise at the same time. New members are welcome!

Other highlights of the month included a fun and festive July 4th party, with red, white, and blue decorations and desserts. Big Buck Bingo was the game of choice. Live concerts, held outdoors whenever possible, make the summer even better. Musical performances by such entertainers as “Just the Two of Us,” “Pete Costello & Joey Voices and Slgy Moller set the stage for singing and dancing. A special treat at the most recent outdoor concert: delicious root beer floats. Many of our residents remember drinking these concoctions as children. Music and ice cream are a delectable combination!

Lastly, the widely anticipated Revere Beach trip will take place on July 20. Last year the trip was a huge success, with residents and staff frolicking in the ocean, eating pizza, playing games, and enjoying the sand at their feet. We’re hoping this year’s trip will be even better!

July Heats Up at Katzman Family Center for Living

July 10, 2023

We kicked off the month with a lively July 4th celebration. Amidst the waving of flags, traditional songs, and heartfelt remarks, the patriotic spirit was very much in evidence. Red, white, and blue desserts provided a fitting end to the holiday party.

Residents enjoyed a visit from the kids at Camp Yavneh. Singing, dancing and animated conversations were on the agenda. Residents welcome the opportunity to connect with the younger generation while the campers relish stories from their elders.

Our Memory Care Unit has been busy planting a variety of colorful herbs, vegetables, and flowers in the courtyard. Gardening is known to have therapeutic benefits for those individuals living with memory care in terms of emotional enrichment, physical exercise, and cognitive exercise. We are looking forward to working in the gardens throughout the summer and fall.

National CNA Week was a special time at KCL. We paid tribute to our wonderful CNA’s staff with a luncheon in their honor. Thank you to each and every one of you. We truly appreciate all that you!

Our Evening Summer Concert Series is in full swing, with talented entertainers performing throughout the summer. It’s a perfect way to unwind and listen to live entertainment right in our courtyard. Residents also enjoyed our bi-weekly luncheon outings, sampling fresh seafood at The Tides and Chinese food at the legendary Kowloon’s. Lastly, in a friendly competition, resident Franca Mancini’s great-granddaughter won, by unanimous decision, the “Best Dancer” trophy at one of our recent musicals. Franca was beaming with pride!

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and Congregation Sons of Israel Celebrate Baby Naming Ceremony With Four Generations in Attendance

July 7, 2023

In a heartwarming Shabbat service on the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Peabody campus, assisted living residents joined together with Congregation Sons of Israel (CSI) members to celebrate the naming of Aya Otsubo Soreff. The service was led by CSI’s cantor and spiritual leader Seth Landau. Four generations of the family were present as the beautiful baby girl was given the Hebrew name of Chana Bat Shalom.

“We were thrilled to hold such a special ceremony on our campus,” said Megin Hemmerling, Regional President of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “It was amazing to see four generations of the family together for this momentous occasion. Both residents and congregants participated in the touching ceremony.”

Family members in attendance included great grandmother Cynthia Mortlock and her husband Ray, Cynthia’s daughter Michelle Soreff LeFrancois, Cynthia’s son Adam Soreff, Adam’s wife and son Marla and Asher Soreff, Cynthia’s granddaughter Kayley Francois and proud parents Akiko Otsubo Soreff and Cory Soreff, Cynthia’s grandson. A festive kiddush luncheon followed the service. Akiko, Cory, and baby Aya reside in Japan and were visiting the family for a three week period.

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, which operates the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Assisted Living and the Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living, began to collaborate with CSI last February. Residents and congregants get together monthly to celebrate Shabbot. The services, which have been widely attended, enable both groups to participate in the Sabbath rituals, prayers, and songs, ruach and nusach (melody).

“This collaboration has been a wonderful experience for our congregants,” remarked Paul Ordman, President of Congregation Sons of Israel. “We are looking forward to expanding the programming to appeal to the unaffiliated Jewish community as well as other houses of worship.” Added Paul, “Joining the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare residents brings joy to our members.”

About Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is redefining senior care and re-envisioning what life should be like for those living with disabling conditions. The eldercare community includes a wide array of skilled and short-term rehab residences, ALS, MS and ventilator dependent specialized care residences, traditional and specialized assisted living options, memory care, independent living, adult day health, and homecare and hospice agencies that deliver customized and compassionate care.

About Congregation Sons of Israel

Congregation Sons of Israel is a Haimish, traditional, egalitarian synagogue, located about 18 miles north of Boston at Park and Spring Street near Peabody Square in Peabody, Massachusetts. The Shul and its over 250 member families are proud of its 100-year heritage as the “mother shul” of Peabody. Congregation Sons of Israel serves the needs of residents of Peabody and the surrounding communities, as a place of prayer, social gathering, and fellowship with a unique vision to promote multi-generational Jewish life and a spirit of inclusion. The Shul welcomes all who wish to visit and discover who we are and what we offer.