SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, February 2008

EDEN ALTERNATIVE – How do our households run? Who makes decisions about resident care and life on the household? Research has shown that much better outcomes are achieved when decision-making is placed as closely as possible in the hands of the residents and front-line staff. At SEM Haven we are working toward team based management on the households. To go along with this many of our staff are taking part in “cross-training” where they learn skills needed to help each other and the residents so that the household runs smoothly. This way the residents have more staff available who are trained to meet their needs. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have as we transition to this model of care.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS
Ripple Ridge Walter Kistner was our resident spotlight for January. We have planned his favorite meal (goetta & eggs). Our next resident spotlight is Nancy Stansell. We will be going to Cracker Barrel in February. During our Learning Circle, the residents asked "Where did Valentine's Day originate, why cupid and candy and romance? Dave will be doing some investigative work to find the answers to these questions. We had our 2^nd Anniversary celebration Feb 1^st with a Happy Hour and wonderful appetizers.
Kugler Woods On Feb 28^th we will be serving lunch to staff members as a fundraiser. It is National Chili Day, so we will have many different kinds of Chili's, crackers, cheese and sour cream, plus a variety of desserts. In January we had fun going to Bob Evans for lunch and we enjoyed a wonderful New Years Eve Bash on Dec. 31^st. There was comedy entertainment, hot hors d'oeuvres, and champagne for all. Everyone laughed and had a great time.
Gatch Grove We raised $141 at our bake sale and are going to purchase a new radio for our living room. We are excited about the team-based approach to resident care and are proud of the steps the staff on our household have taken to learn more and try new things to enhance the lives of our residents.
Milcroft Manor We had a household potluck lunch with residents and staff to wish Laura good luck as she prepared for her maternity leave. This month the residents will be going on an outing to Sky Line Chili for lunch. We are also making valentine crafts in preparation for our valentine party.
McCormick Landing Last month we went to IHOP for lunch and had a great time. The residents like to try different places for our lunch outings. Volunteer Bonnie Pollard, a retired art teacher, has been helping us with some great craft ideas. We have been working on Valentine crafts. Recently we lost one of our dear residents, Ruth Baldridge. Her family has donated Ruth's TV and we now need a TV cart and a DVD/VCR. We will be keeping them in our storage room and bring it out for different activities. If anyone would like to make a donation to our family we would appreciate it greatly.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGING RESIDENT SURVEY – Last fall, the ODA did satisfaction surveys of residents throughout the State of Ohio. SEM Haven residents ranked our care and caregivers much higher than the state average. This enabled SEM Haven to earn a “quality point” which improves our reimbursement. For survey results go to www.ltcohio.org.

VA AID AND ATTENDANCE BENEFIT – This underused benefit may be available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. For more information call 1-800-827-1000. You can also go on-line at www.va.gov or go to any local veterans service organization.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT - Meet Mary Deasy, Ripple Ridge household. Mary was born December 5, 1919, the youngest of six children. Mom and Dad were farmers and ran two grocery stores. They had a cow, some goats, two horses and a whole flock of chickens. She was raised in Frankfurt, New York and attended Nurses College at Buffalo City Hospital where she worked as an eye, ear, nose and throat nurse. She became a navy nurse and spent time in Hawaii, then St. Albans Naval Hospital. After the service she worked as a head nurse and supervisor at Utica State Hospital, the first psychiatric Hospital in the United States. It is a big museum now.

She married James Deasy, a combat engineer, in 1946. They have two daughters, Grace and Susan, 6 grandchildren and one adopted great grandchild. Susan is active in building schools in this area and Grace works as a rehab counselor. Mary likes to read and play scrabble and cards. She is a dedicated and devoted Christian. She assists Chaplain Bill as a prayer partner and helps in the chapel, passing out and collecting songbooks. She is a good friend to all; we are lucky to have her at SEM!

STAFF NEWS – Congratulations to Anne Wedmore, Illa Sandlin, Nancy Maltry, Christina Reeder and Peggy Havens who recently completed the nurse aide training course. Laura Mullenix (Milcroft Manor) has a new 9 lb baby boy Zachary, born February 2^nd. We are proud of Tiffany Stahl who has completed her training for LPN.

Ruth Fetzer is retiring after 28 years (she came with the building)! We are happy for her, but sad for us. Her gentle nature and infinite kindness has touched a lot of lives at SEM, residents and staff alike. She plans to keep in touch with us, perhaps as a volunteer.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS – February 6^th - Ash Wednesday Service; 13^th - Larry Kinley Trio; 14^th Household Valentine Party; 20^th - Cupid Tea; 27^th - Wellness Club with Angela, Occupational Therapy; 29^th - Ruth Ann Schaefer piano music. Feb 7^th & 28^th we will again have “Chair volleyball”.

Additional events in Assisted Living: Feb 6^th & 20^th - 10:30, Family Devotions with Bill; 14^th - Wear Pink Day, 2:00 Sweetheart Social; 21^st - 11:30, Lunch Outing (Red Lobster); 25^th - 6:30 pm, Songs For Seniors with Mike Pendell; 28^th - Nat'l Chili Day, 2:00 Chili Tasting Contest.

Have a great month!
Barb Wolf
Administrator