SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, July 2011

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Studies show that implementation of The Eden Alternative is a powerful tool for improving quality of life and quality of care for those living in nursing homes. Also, in homes that have adopted Eden as an organizational-wide philosophy, there is often improved staff satisfaction and retention and significant decreases in the overuse of medications and restraints. Most importantly, Elders, supported by their caregivers, can once again direct their own daily lives. For more information go to www.edenalt.org.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS:
Kugler Woods: Our lunch outing in June was to Red Robin. Between the "Endless Fries" and cocktails, we had a great time. We welcome newcomers, Betsy Lyons to Kugler Woods and Caroline Moersdorf to Hickory Cottage. We also welcome back our volunteer, Marge Hale, who spends her winters in Florida. Construction is going very well and we are looking forward to our beautiful new space.
Ripple Ridge: Our garden is growing and the residents are getting excited about eating fresh vegetables. We had a summer grill out with steak, salad, hash brown potatoes and summer squash. We brought in lunch from Bob Evans and went out to Longhorn Steak House. For July we are planning games, outside time, crafts, manicures and a Hawaiian dinner on the 28th. Tiffany had her baby girl, Bailey Rae on July 1st weighing in at 9lbs. 2oz.!
Gatch Grove: We had another busy month with lunch outings to Frisch's and the Iron Skillet. We had group exercise and physical games with staff started again, and had several nice socials. Tim and his helpers have been busy crafting ceramics to decorate our household. We had a grilled lunch in honor of STNA appreciation. Another big THANKS to the STNA staff of Gatch Grove. July will be especially busy with socials, happy hour, baking, and training for scheduled competitive games. We also plan a scenic bus ride and lunch outings to Applebee's and Bob Evans. The Grove is in anticipation of and final preparation for the wedding of Denise Apgar.
Milcroft Manor: Our garden is coming along nicely. The residents have been able to spend quite a bit of time outdoors d/t the cooler mornings. We are watching the sunflowers & waiting for them to bloom. We had a great time on our outing to The Cracker Barrel and enjoyed our summer cookout. In July we will have an independence parade on July 3rd. Bob Evans for lunch and several ice cream socials in honor of Ice Cream Month.
McCormick Landing: The flowers are in full bloom and we have been enjoying our patio area. We would like to thank Marion Schrecongost and her daughter Jean DeSantis for our own ice cream freezer; we will be using it quite often and trying different flavors. We plan on having banana splits, vanilla ice cream with toppings and floats. Our volunteer Bonnie, who is a retired art teacher, comes in every other Thursday and we always make something fun. We have been playing games, having our learning circles, enjoying family time and discussions. We have quite a talkative and close family here on McCormick Landing and there are usually folks in our living room socializing. We went to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack in Newport and sat on the patio watching the boats. We had a grill out for the STNA's on our household and we gave them a small gift and a thank you card for all that they do for us daily. We got third place in the ‘cookie' bake off using a very good recipe of staff member Lorraine Klaus. We would like to welcome Jake Howell to our household.
Shumard Rehab: We had 2 wonderful cookouts in June. The rain held out for one but we weren't so lucky for the second. We enjoyed burgers and hot dogs on the grill and then grilled chicken for a wonderful salad. We topped the second meal off with a brownie sundae. We will begin offering manicures on the household on most Fridays during the month. We are looking forward to attempting to make pizza on the grill in July as well as a good old fried chicken picnic. We have added some beautiful hanging baskets to our courtyard and are gearing up for our new patio.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - The kitchen remodel has been completed on Milcroft. This month we will be working in Shumard and McCormick. The Kugler Woods phase 2 renovation will be complete this month (it is looking great!); however we can't move until final inspection from the Ohio Department of Health which could take several weeks to schedule. Residents and families will be notified in advance of any moves.

FAMILY SATISFACTION SURVEYS - Thank you to the families who completed the recent survey sponsored by United Church Homes. We use your answers & comments to continue to improve the quality of life for our residents.

STAFF NEWS - Bobbi Saldivar, LPN passed her boards for Certification as a Hospice & Palliative Care nurse. Tiffany Blankenship, LPN had a baby girl named Baily Rae on July 1st weighing 9 lbs 2 oz.

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH by Chaplain Bill - Ruth Marie Miller was born and raised with 2 brothers in Hamersville, OH. Her parents were farmers and her father also drove a dairy truck. Marie graduated from Hamersville High School then worked at Cincinnati Milacron in the cafeteria. Her husband Richard had a good job working in the office of Allis-Chalmers, tractor manufacturers.

Marie and Richard had two adopted children, Lloyd and Shirley, plus several foster children. There are three grandchildren; Danielle, Donnie and Debbie. They lived in a house in Madison Place with a nice flower garden. Marie's favorite flower is lilacs, and she had loads of them. Marie was famous for chicken and dumplings, also for her pies and chocolate chip cookies. When she sent Christmas gifts to family and friends, she always sent cookies and goodies.

Marie was very good at crafts - she made quilts, place mats, curtains, Christmas decorations and wreaths for doors. She lived at SEM Laurels for 15 years, and sold a lot of her crafts.

The family liked to travel to Florida, the Smokey Mountains, and all kinds of parks for picnics. Marie liked to watch Lawrence Welk, Ruth Lyons and Paul Dixon and she loves the old gospel hymns especially "The Old Rugged Cross". She also likes to listen to her nephew play the violin. Marie was a member of the Madeira Church of Christ where she was active in the "Ladies Fellowship Group". She is also a good student of the Bible and enjoys Chaplain visits and prayer in her room, especially prayers for her family. A verse that I would use for Marie would be Mark 11:24. "Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (KJV) Her granddaughter said, "I never met a person who had a bad thing to say about her". If you haven't met her, take the time to visit; you will be blessed.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS - July 4th - entertainment by Mike Pendell at 10:30 and The Ice Cream Man cart will visit the households; 7th - Action Auction; 9th - Jack Daniel will play the piano; 13th - We will have a staff talent show. Our competition this month is the discus throw.
Kugler Woods Highlights: July 5th and 19th - Manicures and Happy Hour; 8th - Patriotic Party with "The Merry Moores" entertainment; 20th - History with Bill; 21st- Lunch Outing; 28th - Courtyard Noon Picnic. There are many scheduled activities. Please pick up a detailed activity calendar from Amy or Vivian at any time.

COOKIE BAKE-OFF WINNERS: Taste: 1st - Kugler & Hickory; 2nd - Ripple Ridge; 3rd - McCormick. Creativity: 1st - Gatch; 2nd - Kugler & Hickory; - 3rd McCormick.

CHEESECAKE COMPETITION - On July 6 our six households are competing for the best recipe - yum!

SEM HAVEN OLYMPICS - They will be held August 29 through Sept 2. Mark your calendars!

Have a Great Month!

Barb Wolf
Administrator