SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, May 2008

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - We recently went through the process of re-registration as an Eden Alternative home. This involved completing an application stating the progress we have made over the past two years on our journey to eliminate the three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom. The application included letters of support from our Board of Directors and resident councils. We also had testimonials from staff, residents and family members. The final step was an hour-long conference call with the Eden Alternative support office. I am happy to report that the office was very impressed with our resident-centered care philosophy and the progress we have made towards our goals. We can celebrate our approval to continue to be an Eden Alternative home for the next two years. Many thanks to the staff who participated and especially to Dorothy Seip, assisted living resident and Chris Baumann, volunteer.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS:
Gatch Grove - We are having two cookouts in May and a lunch outing on the 19th. We are planning a fundraiser called a Chinese Auction for this month and are continuing to work on sprucing up our patio areas and landscaping with flowers and vegetable plants. We are also having a “block party” with Ripple Ridge.
Ripple Ridge - is busy planning our garden. Residents and staff together decided what we would like to plant then went shopping. We will not be putting them into the ground until after Mother's Day per some very good advice from our elders. Staff unloaded a truck of top soil to our garden area. Thanks to the Community Journal who provided tickets for us to attend the Cincinnati Flower Show at Coney Island. In addition to the beautiful flowers there were a lot of memories of old Coney. This past month, 17 residents and many staff went to Demeo's for lunch. The bus only holds so many, so the rest went by foot. It was quite an adventure and we had a lot of laughs, especially getting up "that hill". On a sad note, our family said goodbye to Ruth Knoop. We will miss her great sense of humor and her love of birds.
Milcroft Manor - Milcroft Manor had a Yard Sale & Bake Sale March 1 and made $130.00 for the household! We are planning a summer blast with live music. We are getting started on the court yard for our flower garden. We would like to give a warm welcome to our newest family member Marjorie Dunnom.
McCormick Landing - We have been busy working on some awesome spring crafts. Resident and staff birthdays have been extra special, thanks to homemade cakes from Sheron Jones and Judy Wallace - DELICIOUS! We are looking forward to gardening and time outdoors.
Shumard Rehab Center is moving right along with therapy, several of our patients are meeting their goals & are returning home and we are awaiting new arrivals. The recent blue sky & sunshine are welcomed by all.
Kugler Woods - On May 1st, Kugler Woods resident of 12 years, Millie Cooper, went to her final home in Heaven. Everyone in Assisted Living will miss Millie very much. "Millie" was seen as our "House Mother", states Vivian Hamilton. "She always took care of everyone, including her neighbors and the staff. We have always considered ourselves a family and "our Millie" always seemed to be at the head, or the helm, so to speak." On Friday the 2nd of May, "Kugler Woods" was a very solemn household, claims Cindy Ladrigan and Gail Morehead. "It just won't be the same without "Our Mother".
Millie Cooper was the biological mother of 6 loving children, Bob, John, Jerry, Betty Anne, Mary Louise and Joe. Her biological family became SEM's family, also. Her son, John, is Milford’s Fire Chief, and many times the fire department participated by volunteering their services to SEM by taking charge of our "Senior Olympics" with Nancy Maltry and by doing "Christmas Bingo's" with the Kugler Woods residents. Millie Coopers sister, Vi Jordan,and her friend, Annie Rein, have been volunteering for years calling and taking care of Kugler Woods bingo's on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Vivian states. "Vi and Annie are an integral part of our family." Also, her sister, Betty Smith, now a resident in McCormick Landing, along with friends, Chris Mulhaney and Ginny Smaltz, have volunteered for years helping with the Catholic services. Millie comes from a long line of giving family members and friends, they must all take after Millie. "Millie will be missed by every single one of us" states residents and staff of Kugler Woods.

NURSE’S DAY - We are celebrating National Nurse’s Week, May 4-10. This is a time to honor our professional nurse’s. At SEM Haven we have 11 RN’s and 25 LPN’s with many years of service to SEM Haven! On Friday, May 9 our nurses will be recognized with a special gift and a catered luncheon. We really appreciate our wonderful nurse’s at SEM!!

STAFF NEWS - We are proud of Jackie Turner, Stephanie Pemberton, Elizabeth Moore and Tim Bentley who have completed nurse aide training and will be taking the state test. Also congratulations to Estrella Jordan who completed the ServSafe Food Safety certification program.

GO CINCINNATI - On Saturday May 17th, throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, individuals are spending the day doing community service projects. Here at SEM Haven, Eastside Christian Church members will be making our home even more beautiful. They have planned a landscaping project for the areas between our reception corridor and Milcroft Manor and between the gathering room and Shumard Rehab. They are providing the design, all of the labor and most of the plants. In addition they will be cleaning our windows! What an honor to accept their generosity. Be sure to come up to thank them as they work that morning.

NURSING HOME WEEK - National Nursing Home Week begins on Mother's Day, May 11 and continues through May 17, 2006. Each year this week is filled with activities and events honoring our residents and staff. Following are the highlights of our schedule for that week:

May 11 - 3:00 Mother’s Day Open House with harpists Maliah & Olivia;
May 12 - 10:00 makeovers & hand; 12:00 Gatch Grove & Ripple Ridge household cookout; 2:00 Dave Hawkins Folk Music
May 13 - Residents & Staff Coffee & Donuts on the households; 2:00 Anderson Steppers Line Dancing
May 14 - 7: 00 Senior - Senior Prom with Mark Rasmussen; Students from area High Schools will join us for an evening of music, dancing, food and fun.
May 15 - 2:00 John Lewis Magic, On the Edge of Illusion
May 16 - 10:00 Week in Review (Video of weeks activities); 12:00 Milcroft Manor, Shumard Rehab Center & McCormick Landing Household cookout; 2:00 AL Hillbilly Band
May 17 - 10:00 Super Poker, 2:00 Super Bingo

OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH:
May 1^st - Volunteer luncheon; 5^th - Home school Talent Show; 26^th - Memorial Day Service

KUGLER WOODS HIGHLIGHTS
May 1, 8, 9, 13, and 15^th - Hillbilly Band Practice
May 7^th - 11:30 am Outing to See the Cincinnati Reds
May 7^th - 10:30 am Family Devotions with Bill
May 14^th - 3:00 make up for Prom 7:00 Sr. Sr. Prom
May 16^th - 2:00pm Hillbilly Band Performance for Nursing
May 21^st - 10:30 am History With Bill
May 22^nd - 10:45 am Hofbrahaus Lunch Outing
May 27^th - Nat'l Pizza Day (Larosa's for dinner and fruit pizza for desert)

FEATURED RESIDENT - Bill Oehler, Chaplain, writes about Mel Chifari. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, son of Italian immigrants who owned and operated an Italian bread bakery. Mel was a high school grad and attended college at night. Before going into the army in WWII, he worked for the Department of Human Services.

In the army, Mel worked in supply. He was in on the first big landing in WWII, North Africa. It was hard getting into Morocco with the Vichy French shooting at them, but they made it into North Africa, then up through Italy. He also spent time in England and Wales. Mel and Mary were married on November 23, 1946. They have a daughter, Jean, and grandchildren Brian and Justine. They lived in Long Island and Mel worked for the postal service from 1945 - 1980; first in Manhattan as a clerk, and then in Long Island as a mail carrier. After he retired, he worked at the Chase Bank mail room for two years. Mary and Mel liked to dance to Big Band Music and listen to opera. They belonged to social clubs and went on trips. Mel likes to read and watch the history channel & baseball games.

Mel is a devout Catholic and a member of St. Andrews in Milford. He faithfully attends our chapel at SEM Haven. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. On your own intelligence rely not; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” I thank the Lord for letting my path cross with Mel’s.

Sincerely,
Barb Wolf
Administrator