SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, August 2007

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Restoring "Rampant Normalcy": Ask what defines us as a person and we tend to think about our responsibilities and our hectic schedules, but it's the small moments between the big acts that make us who we are - what we wear, what and when we eat, what we do with leisure time, etc. Yet, in most long-term care facilities these moments are taken away and residents have no choice but to accept it. The household model of care restores normalcy to the lives of residents by creating homes with a living room, dining room and kitchen. Staff and residents work together as a family in making decisions about life in the household.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS - McCormick Landing - Our cornhole team won our first match and we have now challenged Gatch Grove. We have harvested cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden, we're so excited!
Gatch Grove - We have been busy making centerpieces for our dining room and practicing for our cornhole tournament. We have placed several bird feeders outside and really enjoy watching the birds (Lucky the cat enjoys it also).
Milcroft Manor - 4th of July on Milcroft Manor was full of surprises! Cindy the Nurse had a small band from her church come in and entertain the residents and staff. The residents and staff also went to Frisch's for some Big Boys and chili. The men really enjoy going out to the barbershop for haircuts every month.
Ripple Ridge - We are reaping the harvest of our garden. The residents have had zucchini in their salads and homemade zucchini bread. We are looking forward to tomatoes and green beans and will soon have a cantaloupe and cucumbers. We will be getting new tablecloths and napkins to compliment the colors in our dining room. Virginia Shelton has volunteered to set tables on the household. She says it keeps her busy and makes her feel useful. The clematis our residents selected is now climbing a string attached to our patio pole and has a beautiful purple bloom. We have been enjoying the beautiful roses and black-eyed Susan's and have been cutting some for table centerpieces.
Kugler Woods - Believe it or not, Kugler Woods lost our second cornhole tournament game by ONE point. We give warm congratulations to McCormick Landing, and say watch out for us in the Senior Olympics. THE HEAT IS ON!!

OPEN HOUSE - We are in the planning stage for an open house to celebrate the completion of our construction & renovation project. The date is Sunday, September 23 at 2:00. So far we have commitments from Ohio State Senator Niehaus and Representative Uecker.

STAFF NEWS - A lot of staff members have been receiving "WOWgrams" from co-workers, residents and family members. Everyone really appreciates being recognized for going the extra mile and this is a way you can do it. Just fill out the "WOWgram" (located near Ripple Ridge entrance) and place it in the box. We will make sure the staff member gets it. Please keep in your prayers Theresa Roy, housekeeper, who has been off for a lengthy illness.

RESIDENTS OF THE MONTH - Louise Schmidt was born November 15, 1914. She grew up in Walnut Hills and Deer Park and graduated from Regina High School. Her parents were Hungarian immigrants. She had three sisters and she was very close to them. In August of 1937, she married Michael Schmidt whose parents emigrated from Germany. They had six children: Sylvia, Richard, Mike, Mary Joe, Anne and Paul. There are 9 grandkids, and 12 great grandchildren, spread out in California, Florida and Georgia. Michael was a milkman, and had a newspaper route. Louise was a housewife. She raised a big garden from which she canned and froze vegetables, made jelly and baked pies. They also had an apple orchard in Bainbridge. Louise loved sewing and quilted with a group at St. Andrews Church. She also did a lot of charity work with St. Vincent DePaul. She played bridge and liked The Andy Griffith Show.

Ann Wilson was born November 21, 1921 to Jesse and Harold Young. Her father was from England and his brother, Willie, owned a printing & engraving company that produced stationary for the "Royal Family". Ask Ann to show you a copy of the invitation for Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. At age 7 she traveled by boat for a week to England to meet her relatives. In 1940, Ann graduated from Withrow High School, where she met her future husband, James F. "Pepper" Wilson, on a blind date. She worked at Poques Department Store until she became a mother and a housewife, making a lovely home for her 4 children, Bonnie, Dave, Roger and Beth. Ann now has 3 grandchildren, Tanya, Tyler, and Troy. She also has 6 great grandchildren. "Pepper" had an interesting career and they had an active social life as a result. He was a reporter for the Cincinnati Post, sports information director at the University of Dayton, General manager of the Cincinnati Royals basketball team, and public relations director for the Cincinnati Zoo. They were active in the Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church and Ann is still in contact with many friends from church. Since moving to SEM Assisted Living, Ann has become and "Ace" bingo player and, in her words, a so-so cornhole player. We are all very fond of Ann, residents and staff alike. Thank you Ann, for becoming part of our family.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS - Nursing - August 7^th - Men's Almost out to lunch; 8^th - Scott Schulte's Music; 9^th - Dog Show; 22^nd - Banana Split Social; 29^th - Vinyl Record Party; 30^th - Creative Aging's Water Color & Nature.

Kugler Woods (Assisted Living) - Every Wednesday morning at 10:00 - Senior Olympics Practice; August 7^th and 21^st - 2:00 Piano with Ruth Schaefer; 16^th - 1:30 Walmart Outing; 17^th - 1:30 Songs for Seniors with Mike Pendell; 22^nd - National "Be an Angel" day - 2:00 Angelic Bingo; 23^rd - 11:00 Newport Aquarium Outing and sack lunches on the bus; 30^th - 2:00 Making Homemade Ice Cream.

SENIOR OLYMPICS - We are beginning to practice for the SEM Haven Olympics, to be held on September 20th. We will have a variety of group events, such as, discus throw (frisbee); Javelin (Yard Jarts); Corn hole, Shoot the hoop (basketball), & Jigsaw relay. Our individual events are cookie decorating, squeeze, stack & twist & how long is a minute. The residents are already getting pumped up over the corn hole tournament, so the Olympics should be lots of fun.

SOCIAL SERVICE REMINDER - Our eye doctor, Dr. O'Leary, comes to SEM monthly. Our audiologist and dentist come as needed. Please call Melody Murray if you have questions.

Have a great month!

Barb Wolf,
Administrator