Message from Megin Hemmerling, North Shore Regional President of CJL

August 10, 2022

Dear Residents and Families,

As we relish being together in person this summer, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone how important it is to get your COVID booster. For those over the age of 50, The Commonwealth of Centers for Disease Control, Department of Public Health and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Massachusetts strongly recommend that the booster as the best way to lower the risk of severe disease. Being fully up to date on doses will help as we all re-engage with our social circles to fully participate in life again. It’s the best way to ensure we are all safe.

I am so proud of our employees. They continue to go above and beyond on behalf of our residents. Congratulations to Patricia “Patty” Vigliotti,  who was recently honored at the 2022 Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (MA-ALA) Excellence Awards Dinner for her outstanding work in the Dietary Department at Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates. Patty has played an integral role in food service for the last 15 years. You can read more about Patty and the awards in this newsletter.

Enjoy the easy days of August with family and friends. It helps make the summer much more special.

All the best,

Megin

Behind the Scenes on the Peabody Campus

August 11, 2022

Introducing Kappy Girls at Kaplan Estates! This is a new group of knitters, crocheters, and basically all individuals who just want to have a good time together. No prior experience required! The women are planning to make headbands, blankets, and scarves to donate to children at Citizens Inn, a homeless shelter for mothers and their children. Started by Kaplan Estates residents Florence Scribner and Christine Cora, the group is growing quickly. New members are welcome.

Beloved concert maestro Jimmy Honohan had the honor of being the first entertainer to perform back in the renovated great room at Budnick Center. The floors look amazing. Jimmy, you made everyone’s day by performing a medley of songs that inspired the residents to clap, dance and sing.

Our “garden” party on the 4th floor of the Brudnick Center was a huge success. When the weather’s too hot, as was the case in early August, we bring the “outdoors in” with our giant flower garden. Music, costumes, and refreshments made the day extra special.

This summer, our memory care residents are enjoying a variety of gardening activities. They take care of the vegetable garden, flowers and birdfeeder. Being outside and surrounded by nature is very beneficial, according to Susan LeClaire, Therapeutic Activities Director of the Dementia Special Care Unit.

Each month, we hold “International Festivals” focusing on honoring the ancestries of our residents. For June studied Ukraine; in July we highlighted France: we are concentrating on Poland for August. To reinforce the overall theme, we decorate the room in the country’s traditional colors. Additionally, we serve regional cuisine, play ethnic music, and discuss the culture in depth. Both short videos as well as printed booklets showcase interesting facts about each country. It’s like visiting a new country every month!

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Wins Prestigious Dietary Services Award at the 2022 MA-ALA Dinner

August 4, 2022

Kaplan Estates team member Patricia “Patty” Vigliotti was recently honored at the 2022 Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (MA-ALA) Excellence Awards Dinner for her outstanding work in the Dietary Department at Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates. Patty has played an integral role in food service at the assisted living for the last 15 years.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have Patty on our dining team,” said Andrea Hillel, Executive Director of Kaplan Estates. “Over the course of her employment, she has provided residents with exceptional customer service.” Andrea noted that Patty consistently goes the ‘extra mile’ to ensure the residents are satisfied.” Added Hillel, “Both her peers and the executive team recognize her exemplary leadership in the dining room.”

Patty, a longtime resident of Peabody, was thrilled to accept the Dietary Services Award at Mass-ALA dinner. “I am honored to be recognized for my contributions to Kaplan Estates,” said Patty. “I work with an incredible team of people and thoroughly enjoy interacting with the residents. It’s the perfect job for me.”

Hillel explained why Patty was nominated for the award. “As part of the Dietary Wait Staff team, Patty’s thoughtful, attentive, and dedicated approach to service make our residents feel as if they are dining at home with a dear friend. Equally as important, her warm and welcoming nature also extends to prospective residents and their families.’ Added Andrea, “Her personal connections truly make a difference in the lives of our residents and their families.”

Each year, Mass-ALA recognizes the best of the best in the assisted living industry at Mass-ALA’s widely -attended Excellence Awards dinner. The 2022 theme, “Honoring Excellence, Celebrating You,” paid tribute to the people who make a difference in the lives of older adults.

Edelweiss Village in West Roxbury, an affiliate of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare under the Legacy Lifecare umbrella, also won the highly-coveted Volunteer Award for their student program with Roxbury Latin. Congratulations to all!

Cohen Florence Levine Estates Have a Ball at the Beach!

August 2, 2022

A summer day at Revere Beach turned magical when Cohen Florence Levine Estates and Florence & Chafetz residents spent a fun-filled day by the ocean. Amidst blue skies and temperature in the 80’s, residents frolicked in the sand and the ocean. As many of the residents are originally from the Revere and Chelsea area, this trip sparked many stories about growing up near the beach.

Executive Director Kristen Donnelly, Director of Marketing Jen Fazekas, and Director of Nursing Ansu Kinteh helped the residents set up on the beach and into the water. Accessible beach wheelchairs were generously provided by the DCR so that all residents could dunk their feet in the ocean. Splashing was allowed!

The outing, organized by much beloved Jimmy and Shellie Honohan, enabled the residents to enjoy the many delights of Revere Beach. Residents relished a pizza lunch from renowned restaurant Bianchi’s. The lunch was sponsored by Judy Weiss of Judy’s Jewels. Judy, who is a long-time volunteer at the assisted living, is adored by staff and residents alike.

Both the Boston Globe and Revere Journal were on hand to capture the memorable moments. In fact, the very next day the Boston Globe ran a photo on the front page of resident Diane Weinstein and Ansu Kinteh. That’s what we call star appeal! Clearly, the smiles on everyone’s faces were a sight to behold.

Recreational Programming Director Jimmy Honohan summed up the perfect day. “Staff members and residents had the time of their life,” said Honohan. “For me, hearing their laughter and seeing such happy expressions made the trip incredibly special.” He added, “There’s really nothing better.”