SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, March 2010

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Eden Principle #10 states, Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute. Leadership is not about control or titles; it is the ability to influence others to bring about positive change. Leaders spread their influence by growing other leaders. When making decisions, leaders look at the following: Is it resident centered? Is it fair and consistent? Is it fiscally responsible? Does it follow laws and regulations? We strive to be more conscious of how we work and interact with each other and look for opportunities to share well-deserved pats on the back!

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS -
Kugler Woods - In February we had a great time at the Mardi Gras and the 102^nd birthday party for Marie Stoecklin, all rolled up into one. We rated second place in the Chili contest - the Fire Department turned out to be real “Chili Connoisseurs”. It also brought us a lot of joy to see Edna Tebbe and Emmett Braats (SEM's youngest volunteer) pictured in the Milford newspaper.
Ripple Ridge - We enjoyed almost out to lunch from Wendy's and a lunch outing to Cracker Barrel. We had a Valentine's party with bingo and snacks and enjoyed Happy Hour. Also we celebrated Nan McMannon's 101^st birthday! We had some excitement when we took one of our residents (Nancy Stansell) sled riding! She had a great time and even made the Milford newspaper! This month we have a lunch outing on the 8^th.. Congratulations to Ashley Andrews who will be getting married this July.
Shumard Rehab - Upcoming Shumard activities: 13^th - Shamrock Cookie Baking; 17^th - Happy Hour complete with Green Beer & other green goodies; 18^th - Almost out to lunch; 20^th - Spring planting; 26^th - Easter craft.
McCormick Landing - In February we made cookies for our Firefighters, enjoyed our Valentine's party (the resident's made cards for the staff), and won 3^rd place in the chili contest. We have been playing balloon volleyball, cornhole and badmitten inside but are anxious for Spring to arrive. Weekly manicures and happy hour continue to be a huge hit - we like to look pretty when we are having fun.
Milcroft Manor - We won first place in the Firehouse Chili contest! On Ash Wednesday we had almost out to lunch at McDonalds - Fish sandwiches, fries and coke for everyone. We would like to give a big THANKS to Wilma Ring, Joyce Bourdon's daughter for donating a Grill for our household. Our almost out to lunch this month will be the Olive Garden. We are looking forward to our St. Patrick's Day Party.
Gatch Grove - February was another busy, fun filled month on the Grove, preparing for and enjoying Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras. March brings out to lunch at the Iron Skillet and candy making for Easter. Congratulations to newly engaged Leanna Williams and Stephanie Gibson. Thanks to a generous donation we have new cookware and a television for the household.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS - March 11^th - St. Patty's Dance with McNicholas High School; 17^th - St Patrick's Day Party w/Julie Clifford; 24^th - March Madness Basketball Tournament; 25^th - SEM Laurel's Line Dancers; 31^st 2:00 - SEM Haven Quilt Show - Warren County Quilt Guild will be here to bring quilts & talk about how they are made. We ask residents, family members & staff to bring their quilts in for the show.

Additional Highlights for Kugler Woods: March - 3^rd & 17^th 10:30am - Devotions with Chaplain Bill; 17^th - St. Patrick's Day Party with Ray Heckman; 18^th 11:30am - Out to Lunch;

EASTER EGG HUNT - Our annual Easter Egg hunt for children/grandchildren/friends of our residents and staff will be on Saturday, March 27th 2:00-4:00 PM. There will be food, games, prizes and lots of fun! We even have pictures with the Easter Bunny. Please mark your calendar. If you would like to donate candy or prizes please leave them at the reception desk.

A VALENTINE'S STORY - The Milford Fire fighters and EMTs not only save lives and put out fires, they also help out at SEM Haven. They help run the Senior Olympics, judge the chili cook off, provide hands on training and respond to emergencies promptly and professionally. They share smiles and genuine concern for the residents and staff. In order to show their appreciation, resident “Dink” Hamann and staff took pizza, drinks, and homemade desserts (including chocolate fire hydrants made by Gatch Grove) to the firehouse for Valentine's Day. Dink had a great time being treated like a queen!

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGING SATISFACTION SURVEYS - The results are in for the Nursing and Assisted Living resident surveys conducted in December 2009 by representatives from the ODA. Our residents ranked SEM Haven far above the state averages. Nursing residents ranked us at 88.09 (state average 85.85) and Assisted Living residents at 96.54 (average 92.07). Because of this we earned a “Quality Point” which positively affects our Medicaid reimbursement rate. To see results go to www.ltcohio.org.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT by Chaplain Bill

Bud Covert (Ripple Ridge) was born March 3, 1919 and raised in Oakley, Ohio, the youngest of seven children. His father worked for The Cincinnati Enquirer, and mom was a homemaker. He went to Withrow High School and worked for the Cincinnati Milling Machine making airplane propellers. He served in the Navy during WWII as a 3rd Class Carpenters Mate on the USS Almaack AKA-10, amphibious cargo carrier. He went from Great Lakes NTC, to San Francisco and the south Pacific. He took part in invasions at Layte Gulf, Luzon and Iwo Jima. He was in Australia and Japan after the surrender.

Bud worked at The Ford Motor Company as a precision tool grinder, retiring after 30 years. He could make or repair almost anything and was known for his precision; he made a part and a bearing for a transmission that worked perfectly! Bud had a '53 Pontiac, a '56 Oldsmobile, and a Chrysler with a big engine for pulling a trailer, but Fords were his favorite (in his room there is a picture of him with a Model T). His favorite vehicle was a custom Ford Van. He always bought used cars, except for a Ford Falcon, and that was the only car that ever gave him a problem.

Bud and his first wife, Inez, had three children; Tom, Jim and Carol. Inez passed away in 1976 and later he married Lenora, his wife now for 33 years. Together he and Lenora have 26 great-grandchildren! They traveled all over the US, especially Florida and Wisconsin. They had a camp in Brookville, Indiana where Bud could do one of his favorite things - cut down trees.

Bud likes Big Band music and marches. His hobbies were woodworking, fishing, hunting and especially golf which he played every day. Bud has a great sense of humor. For Halloween one year, he wore a gorilla suit and no one knew who he was. He had a great time. A passage for Bud would be: Proverbs 2:20-21. (20) Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. (21) For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it. We love having Bud here and his wonderful family as well.

2009 DONATIONS - We received gifts totaling $7,200 from over 90 donors to the SEM Haven employee, activities and capital improvement funds. Thanks to those who contributed to our successful giving campaign. We are also very appreciative of those who designate SEM Haven as a memorial for a loved one and to those who remember us in their will. This shows that you believe in our mission and the good work that we do. SEM Haven is a non-profit charitable corporation, so you can be assured that your gifts benefit our residents or staff directly.

STAFF NEWS - Congratulations to Joy Zielinski, her daughter Leah Clare was born February 13 and weighed 7lb, 7oz. Also congratulations to Tim Bentley on grandchild number 7, Makenna Lynn, born March 1 and weighing 7lb, 8oz. I also have a new grandchild, Olivia Staten Wolf born March 2nd and weighing 8lb, 2oz.

I would like to commend our staff on the extra effort they made to care for our residents during the bad February weather! Almost everyone made it in despite tough road conditions.

Barb Wolf
Administrator