SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, January 2010

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Eden Principle #8 states: An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them. At SEM our residents participate in decision making - when to get up in the morning, what to have for breakfast, what to wear, when to bathe, plans for household events and celebrations. Our households each have a nurse leader and a team leader whose responsibility is to guide their team in resident-centered care. The households have a lot of autonomy and we have seen wonderful friendships formed among residents, staff and families.

HOLIDAY TREATS -The staff at SEM Haven wish to thank the many families and vendors who brought in a wide assortment of treats for us to enjoy. It really means a lot to be remembered in this way and want you to know how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness. In addition, several families made donations to our employee fund, which we use for staff member recognitions. Thank you!

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS Our Christmas Sampler open house was wonderful again this year with many residents, families and staff attending. In addition, the individual households had separate holiday celebrations with gifts for all!

Ripple Ridge - We enjoyed an outing to the Aronoff to see the Nutcracker. The lunch outing for December was to Cheeseburger in Paradise. We had Christmas carols from the girl scouts and a local school. The residents enjoyed a Christmas gift exchange along with many other Christmas activities. Congratulations to Kelli Bonham for making the Dean's List at the University of Cincinnati.

Milcroft Manor - The residents enjoyed our Christmas party with live entertainment by Dave Hawkins. January 2010 will be loaded with fresh new ideas. We will be having more sensory stimulating activities such as touch and familiar smells. There will be more physical games that residents can play along with staff and more music on the household. We are also excited about our new living room make over!

Kugler Woods - December was a wonderful month - it seems like one party ran into the next. We made and sold goodies and crafts, decorated the tree with our families, celebrated with Mike Pendell and Jim Herman (entertainers) and had lots of other parties. Kugler Woods would like to wish all neighbors a very Happy New Year and good health.

Gatch Grove - Thanks to all the residents, families, and staff for all the help with decorating, crafts for the bazaar, and dishes for our special events in December. All events were well attended and joyous. Looking forward into January we have plans for lunch at O'Charley's, pizza for almost out to lunch and happy hour on the 21^st. We also have several socials scheduled. We were all saddened by the passing of Paul Towle, he will be greatly missed. We send a big Welcome to new family members: Grace Mladinich, Joyla Givens LPN, and Stephanie Gibson STNA. Gatch Grove is poised for a happy and blessed 2010!

McCormick Landing - We enjoyed decorating and spending time with our friends and family during the holidays. All of the residents received nice gifts during our Christmas party and we enjoyed watching each of them open one at a time. We baked cookies, worked hard for the Christmas Bazaar, enjoyed different musical entertainment, played cornhole & poker, and enjoyed all of the spirit & joy of the holidays.

Shumard Rehab - The patients enjoyed the "12 days of Christmas". Staff signed up to buy a small gift for a patient so everyone received a gift a day for the 12 days before Christmas. We plan to go to Arby's for Almost Out to Lunch, & will have a Luau & grill out to fight the winter blahs. The patients will also make individual pizza for pizza month along with our usual Happy Hour. We will practice & lead cheers during the Basketball tournament.

COLD & FLU SEASON - Most of our residents and staff will receive the H1N1 flu vaccine this month. We ask that anyone with symptoms of illness not visit your loved ones at SEM Haven. As you know, elderly individuals are very susceptible to complications of flu or colds.

RENOVATION PROJECT - The Kugler Woods/Shumard Rehab entrance will re-open this month. It is looking great, as well as the chapel and gift shop renovation. We are looking for volunteers to help the residents run our gift shop. Please contact Nancy Maltry.

EMPLOYEE NEWS - Ramona Horton (Milcroft Manor) has a great-granddaughter, Kentlee Dawn, born 12/10/09 and weighing 6 lbs, 11 oz.

FAMILY SATISFACTION SURVEYS - Thanks to all who completed the confidential survey conducted by United Church Homes. We are already working on some issues that were identified - it really helps us to know what we do well and areas we could improve.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS: We will have a soup social an Jan 14th, each household will make soup & then bring some to share at the social in the afternoon. Bill Roth will sing on the 20^th & on Jan. 28^th we will have our Basketball Tournament with all the households participating & Shumard residents as the cheer leaders.

Kugler Woods: Jan 6^th 10:30am - Devotions with Chaplain Bill; 12^th & 26^th - manicures, 2:00pm - Piano with Ruth Schaeffer; 19^th 1:30pm - Songs for Seniors with Mike Pendell; 20^th10:30am - History with Chaplain Bill; 21^st 11:15am - Lunch Outing

Barb Wolf
Administrator