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October 14, 2025
Dear Residents and Families,
As we welcome fall, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the beauty that surrounds us. The leaves are especially brilliant this year, and the crisp autumn air has made it a spectacular time of year. Whether it’s a walk through the gardens or simply sitting by the window, I hope everyone is enjoying the change of seasons.
We wish our Jewish residents, families, and staff a very happy and healthy New Year. We also hope you enjoyed Sukkot and the beautifully decorated sukkots on our Chelsea and Peabody campuses.
Our community proudly participated in the 17th ALS/MS Walk for Living on October 5. It was a glorious day, which you can read about elsewhere in this newsletter. Please know that it’s not too late to support this important cause. Donations are still being accepted, and every contribution makes a difference to our ALS, MS and ventilator dependent residents.
Our winter menus will soon be in effect. Residents can look forward to heartier soups and stews as well as comforting seasonal favorites—perfect for the cozy days ahead.
Let’s not forget to set our clocks back on November 2 as daylight saving time ends. While the days grow shorter, enjoy the season and everything it has to offer.
Lastly, a reminder to schedule your flu shots and any other vaccinations recommended by your doctor. The health of our residents is our top priority!
All the best,
Megin
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October 20, 2025
What a jam-packed and joyful three months it has been! We kept the energy high with our Summer Concert Series — six unforgettable weeknights of live music out in the courtyard, where even Elvis made an appearance. He’s still got the moves! And, of course, we danced, sang, and celebrated with the always-wonderful Alan Labella at his monthly party — a crowd favorite we always look forward to!
To kick off the Jewish holidays, we had a special visit from the Rabbi Bronstein, who generously handed out Rosh Hashanah gifts to our residents — a thoughtful and meaningful touch as we prepared for the New Year.
Over at Florence & Chafetz, shadow boxes have been completed, each one a personal and artistic reflection of our residents’ lives and memories. The Sensory Room is also finished, offering a calming and engaging space for relaxation and stimulation.
Book Club Buzz: Our CFLE Book Club is thriving! Members just wrapped up Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts, and the discussions are lively indeed! We love seeing our book group grow and connect through the magic of stories.
Sukkot in All Its Glorious Color
Fall sets the tone for festive celebrations and special events. Our Sukkah was a beautiful sight to behold, full of seasonal charm. Residents enjoyed spending time inside, eating, socializing and reciting prayers. Lively Sukkot songs filled the room. Sukkot is one of the most joyous Jewish holidays and residents, staff and families visited often.
Safety First
We continuously educate staff and residents on safety procedures, which is why our residents recently participated in an evacuation drill. This exercise is part of our ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness.
Activities Galore!
With numerous activities, trips and events, the days are flying by. Restaurant outings, birthday celebrations, tea parties, concerts, movies and more are on the agenda. We want our residents to remain active, engaged — and happy!
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October 15, 2025
It’s been a busy fall at the Leonard Florence Center for Living (LFCL), with activities, events, awards and holiday celebrations. Here are some highlights of the season:
Last month, the Leonard Florence Center for Living hosted a meeting and tour with Resilient Aging Environments Network (RAEN), which is made up of executive-level leaders in senior living, design and manufacturing/consulting. The group is involved in the dynamic issues of supporting resiliency for an aging population in supportive environments. Their visit served as part of RAEN’s annual conference. Needless to say, attendees enjoyed the tour, asked thought-provoking questions and were very impressed with our residents, our staff and our home!
The Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot were celebrated with services, rituals, and of course, delicious food. Our beautifully decorated Sukkah stood out with its vibrant fall colors. A big thank you to our residents who helped build it.
Take a look at the story on our new bus that was donated by Frank and Judy Mastrocola. Judy, who was Special Projects Coordinator at LFCL for over 10 years, understands what it means to our residents to have a state-of-the art bus available for trips and outings. Thank you, Judy and Frank. We are most appreciative!
There’s been a flurry of activities at the Center, including the popular Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune games, musical bingo, pizza making sessions, bowling, birthday celebrations, exercise classes, movies and lively concerts. It’s a great way to keep our residents active and engaged.
We held a festive celebration in honor of staff anniversaries. Congratulations to our wonderful CNA’s: Sylvia McClure for 15 years; Augustine Pierre-Louise for 10 years and Maria Medina for 15 years. Thank you for all that you do!
The 17th Annual ALS & MS Walk for Living took place on Sunday, October 5. This year over 700 walkers participated in the widely anticipated event. The complete story and photos are elsewhere in this newsletter. Clearly, it was a day to remember.
Last but certainly not least, please also read about Mr. Berman and Steve Saling accepting the 2025 Gupta Family Endowed Prize in Florida for innovation in ALS Care. It is a hugely prestigious award that pays tribute to the dedication, passion, commitment and hard work of everyone involved with the Leonard Florence Center. Congratulations Mr. B and Steve!
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October 14, 2025
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is proud to announce it has received the prestigious 2025 Gupta Family Endowed Prize for Innovation in ALS Care from the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. The award was presented to Chelsea Jewish Lifecare CEO Barry Berman and Steve Saling, CEO of ALS Residence Initiative (ALSRI) at the 24th Annual NEALS Consortium Meeting in Clearwater, Florida.
In partnership with Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, ALSRI designed and built the award-winning Leonard Florence Center for Living, containing the Steve Saling ALS Residence. Saling envisioned building a place where people with ALS could live safely with autonomy and real quality of life. The residence features private suites, a deli, a café, landscaped outdoor areas, and most critically, cutting-edge environmental control systems. Using eye-tracking and other assistive technology, residents can independently open doors, control lighting, communicate, and even drive their wheelchairs – all without needing physical movement.
“We were thrilled to receive such a meaningful award,” said Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “Steve Saling and I teamed up in 2007 to build a revolutionary home for elders and people living with ALS and multiple sclerosis. It is gratifying beyond words that the Leonard Florence Center for Living has enabled residents to live full, active and independent lives.”
The Gupta Family Endowed Prize is a global prize awarded to a nominated team who has developed promising new approaches to improving care for people with ALS. The goal of this prize is to encourage idea sharing, innovation, and forward thinking on scalable ongoing projects that have directly improved ALS patient care.
“We honor and respect the incredible research to treat and cure ALS across the country and the world,” said Steve Saling. “The ALS Residences at the Leonard Florence Center for Living have set out to demonstrate that until medicine proves otherwise, technology and compassionate skilled care are the cure. Thank you to the Gupta family, the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, and the Northeast ALS Consortium for recognizing our efforts.”
The selection committee awarded the 2025 Gupta Family Endowed Prize to the ALSRI and the Leonard Florence Center because of their work in creating the first fully accessible, tech-enabled ALS residence model. This innovation demonstrates ALSRI’s commitment to initiating ground-breaking new approaches that lead to exceptional care for individuals living with ALS.
“The ALSRI has already made a significant impact on the ALS community and will continue to do so by expanding their model to other cities across the country,” said Merit Cudkowicz MD, Director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. I look forward to seeing them continue to pioneer new approaches. I am grateful to the Gupta family for supporting this work.”
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October 13, 2025
Residents have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather and celebrating the best the season has to offer, highlighted by our annual Fall Foliage Ride. Here’s a look at some other memorable moments:
Honoring a Hero
We proudly honored resident Vincent Sorrentino, who entered the Vietnam War at just 18 years old and spent two years as a POW. Vincent shared, “It was a very scary time for a young man of 18, but you get behind your country and do what’s right.” We are deeply grateful for your service, Vincent!
A Glimpse into the Future!
At 104 years young, Rose Quarato continues to amaze us with her lifelong gift of palm reading. After a brief hospital stay, Rose returned to KCL with a smile and a story. “I actually enjoyed myself at the hospital,” exclaimed Rose. “I gave palm readings to four doctors and six nurses!” Rose’s spirit and talent remind us that age is no barrier to joy and purpose.
Hidden Talents Revealed
Chef Jimmy Valentin surprised everyone with a courtyard conga performance that had residents clapping and dancing. His rhythm and energy were infectious. Who knew he was such a talented performer?
Celebrations & Milestones
Congratulations to Benji Velez of the Dietary Department, who is our Employee of the Month! Also, resident Patricia Delorey celebrated her 95th birthday with a musical performance by her son-in-law Robert Chaisson and his three-piece band. Congratulations to you both!
Fire Safety & Community Engagement
At a recent Resident Council Meeting, residents voiced their fire safety concerns—and Chelsea Fire Department’s Omar Frometa answered the call. Omar not only provided valuable insights and answered every question, but also brought smiles by letting residents and staff try on his firefighting gear. It was a hands-on experience that sparked both curiosity and confidence.
Spiritual Gatherings
October brought meaningful observances of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with services led by Sidney Zimmerman. Families joined residents in prayer and reflection. Sukkot was celebrated under our beautifully assembled Sukkah, thanks to the proud efforts of our residents.
Garden to Table
Our raised garden beds yielded a bounty of herbs and vegetables, which residents harvested and shared with our kitchens. The items added incredibly fresh flavors to our meals.
Animal Encounters
New England Party Animals, a New Hampshire company, brought chickens, rabbits, ducks, hamsters, goats, and more to visit KCL. Residents lit up with joy as they bonded with their furry and feathered guests.
Health Care Food Service Week
Our campus celebrated the dedication and hard work of our food service team on October 5-October 11 with a special lunch and much applause. What would we ever do without them?
ALS & MS Walk for Living Fundraiser
Last but certainly not least, we held our annual Bazaar Sale, organized by Activity Assistant Carmen Vargas. This year we raised over $1,500 for the ALS and MS Walk for Living! Every single dollar raised went towards the amazing ALS and MS residents at the Leonard Florence Center for Living.
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October 10, 2025
Featured in the Chelsea Record! Click here to read the story.
Watch the event on Chelsea Community Cable’s YouTube Channel here.
The 17th Annual ALS & MS Walk for Living, held on a spectacularly beautiful early October day, paid tribute to the amazing residents and staff at the Leonard Florence Center for Living. Over 800 walkers, which included residents, families, staff and supporters from Chelsea, Peabody and surrounding communities, participated in the two-mile, dog friendly walk. It was a day to remember! After walk activities included a BBQ hosted by Chili’s, face painting, live dance performances and petting zoo.
As the country’s first urban model Green House® skilled nursing facility, the Leonard Florence Center provides a level of independence not typically found in other skilled nursing facilities. The Center takes care of more individuals living with ALS than any place else in the world.
This year, the Center’s award-winning Outward Bound program was a focal point. Outward Bound enables residents to enjoy events outside the skilled nursing home environment. Bringing residents, some on ventilators, to an out-of-state event is no small feat—it requires an extraordinary level of coordination, expertise, and care. These outings are a way for our residents to participate in activities that were part of their lives before they became disabled as well as make new memories.
For example, when residents Steve Saling and Patrick O’Brien moved into the Leonard Florence Center for Living in 2010, they never imagined that 15 years later they’d be sitting side-by-side in front row seats at a Saturday Night Live (SNL) taping after hanging out with music superstar Lizzo. But that’s exactly what happened this past spring.
“SNL was the thrill of a lifetime,” said Steve Saling. “We were treated like VIPs and got a meet and greet with Lizzo before the show. It was super cool to see behind the scenes and how they put the show together.”
The 2025 ALS & MS Walk for Living honored John Carroll, a resident of Beverly, MA. Carroll, Managing Principal at The B.C. Group Private Wealth Management, has been an active supporter of the Leonard Florence Center and its residents. Each year John and his team proudly donates an All-Inclusive Boston Celtics Suite Experience to a group of ALS, MS and vent dependent residents and their families. “Sharing is caring,” explains Carroll. “The residents of the Leonard Florence Center inspire me every day with their courage, determination, humor and zest for living.”
To date, the 2025 walk for Living has raised over $80,000, with donations still coming in. It’s not too late to contribute; simply go to the Walk for Living website and click on Donate. Every single dollar raised goes directly back to patient care and programs for the ALS and MS residents. All donations are tax deductible.
Take a look at the photos from this special day. The smiles on everyone’s faces says it all!
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September 15, 2025
Our annual Resident Satisfaction Survey is now underway, and we are hoping each of our residents and families will participate again this year. Your feedback is so important to us.
Please note there are only six days left to complete the survey! The survey, which is completely confidential, began on October 20 and will end on November 3.
“Our residents and families are our best resources to assess the level of care we provide on a daily basis,” explained Melissa Kershaw, MPT, Director of Organizational Development for Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “These survey results help us provide the highest caliber of care and services by letting us know how we are doing as well as address areas for improvement.”
This year we have once again partnered with Activated Insights, a nationally recognized research firm. Residents and families should have received an email or text invitation from Activated Insights with a special link to the survey which can be accessed via a smart phone, computer, or tablet and is compatible with all devices and web browsers. It takes approximately ten minutes to complete the survey. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to your Executive Director.
Kershaw stressed the importance of the survey. “This survey provides us with a wealth of valuable information. Your participation really does make a difference!
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August 29, 2025
The Leonard Florence Center for Living (LFCL), operated by Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, showcased its brand new bus donated by Judy and Frank Mastrocola. The couple was on board for the inaugural bus run, along with Chelsea Jewish Lifecare CEO Barry Berman and ALS residents Patrick O’Brien and Steve Saling. As the country’s first urban model Green House® skilled nursing facility, the Leonard Florence Center for Living takes care of more individuals living with ALS than any place in the world.
Trips are an integral part of LFCL’s Outward Bound program, an initiative that enables the ALS, MS and ventilator-dependent residents to enjoy events outside the skilled nursing home environment. Bringing these residents on trips is no small feat—it requires an extraordinary level of coordination, expertise, and care. The new bus, developed with “liquid springs” to ensure a smooth ride, will be used to take residents out of the building for activities, outings, and special events.
“We are truly grateful to Judy and Frank Mastrocola for their generous gift,” said Barry Berman, who designed the bus. “They have been wonderful friends and supporters of our organization and understand how much these trips mean to our residents. Their donation will help our residents live their best lives.”
As long-time residents of Chelsea’s neighboring community of Medford, Judy and Frank Mastrocola have been involved with Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and the Leonard Florence Center for Living for decades. In fact, Judy was Special Projects Coordinator for the Center. “This maiden voyage was a flashback to working with Barry Berman and the ALS, MS and ventilator-dependent residents for over 10 years,” said Judy Mastrocola. “I remember going to a book signing with Patrick and Steve in Boston in an older, much smaller van. We are excited that the new bus can accommodate up to four ventilator-dependent residents per outing. It’s all about giving the residents the freedom to live their lives to the fullest.”
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August 12, 2025
Chelsea Fire Department Chief John Quatieri and Captain Joe Conlon met with members of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare (CJL)/Legacy Lifecare leadership team to discuss safety procedures on our Chelsea campuses. Over the years, Chelsea Jewish Lifecare has developed a long-term relationship with members of the Chelsea Fire Department. The two groups meet periodically to review the most updated safety requirements, procedures, initiatives, and protocols.
CJL staff members who attended the meeting include Mr. Berman, Mrs. Mullen, Jeff Lind, Adam Ernst, Kristen Donnelly, and Ginny Person. The goal of the meeting, which was held at the Leonard Florence Center for Living, was to discuss fire safety in light of the tragic events in Fall River.
“We are fortunate to have such a responsive, skilled and dedicated fire department in our community,” said Adam Ernst, Executive Director of the Leonard Florence Center. “The Chelsea Fire Department does an amazing job protecting our residents and staff and keeping them safe through their tireless efforts to maintain the most up-to-date fire safety protocols. We are eternally grateful for their support.”
Chief Quatieri and Captain Conlon praised Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and its facilities for maintaining such rigorous fire safety precautions. Going forward, the Chelsea Fire Department and CJL will continue to foster a collaborative dialogue focused upon strengthening fire safety protocols. “This strategy will ensure that our organization provides the highest level of fire safety protection to our residents and staff,” concluded Ernst.
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