SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, October 2011

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - What is "home"? Throughout life we all have many homes. You are born into a home (a house or apartment). Your family may move once or many times to different homes. You go to college and your dorm room can become a memorable home, like no other. Then you get an apartment and later move into one or more homes of your own. Time goes on and you may move to a condo and then to a retirement home, assisted living or nursing care. The Eden Alternative teaches us that these are all true homes. At SEM Haven, pets, plants, children and family members are part of daily life. We seek to eliminate the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom. We believe that every resident, no matter how frail, can and does make a difference. Residents and front line staff are empowered to make decisions regarding care and life choices.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS - McCormick Landing - We are thinking ahead and starting crafts for the holiday sale in December. In September we went to Red Robin for a lunch outing and had a great time. We have added some evening activities for those residents who like to stay up. They are enjoying evening snacks, conversation with the staff, "wheel of fortune" and "don't forget the lyrics" just to name a few. We have decided on our theme for the Halloween costume and pumpkin carving contest …but shhhh its top secret! We welcome Georgia Hunter to our household.
Ripple Ridge - We enjoyed almost out to lunch from Frisch's and a lunch outing to Cracker Barrel. We went on a shopping outing to Wal-Mart. We had a themed American dinner in September with hamburgers from the grill, potato salad and strawberry shortcake. We will be busy this month getting our Halloween costumes ready for the big party. Ripple will sponsor a fund raiser on the 20th, we will be selling chili, dessert and pop for lunch. Any help or donations would be appreciated. This month we have almost out to lunch on the 5th, a lunch outing on the 19th and a shopping trip to the mall on the 28th. We would like to welcome our future household member Denise Carnes into the activity position.
Milcroft Manor - We had our final cookout for the summer season and also enjoyed a meal of string beans, cottage ham & red potatoes. The residents broke string beans that we grew in our garden. We had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year & enjoyed them throughout the summer. The flowers are still hanging in there with the mums in full bloom. It won't be long & the flowers will be gone but…spring is coming. In October: 5th - Wendy's almost out to lunch; 11th - Celebrate Ben Moon's Birthday; 14th - Oktoberfest/family dinner; 21st - we will have a hay ride to raise money for our household.
Gatch Grove - We had beautiful weather and a great turnout for our annual family reunion. Thank You to all who helped us get ready and everyone that came to enjoy the festivities! We had 2 lunch outings last month, Red Robin and Quaker Steak and Lube. Happy hour is always happy on Gatch - good food and good times. October‘s lunch outings are to Roosters (10th) and Long Horn Steak House (17th). Almost out to lunch will be from Frischs'. We are working on Halloween costumes for the big party (help is always needed), pumpkin carving on the19th and of course happy hour on the 25th. Congratulations to Diane Lincer for winning our September sunflower babies raffle. Our October raffle is a Halloween centerpiece, on display in Gatch's dining room. Buy your chances at the front desk, or see a Gatch staff member. We're getting ready for the Christmas bazaar coming in December and would like to find other local shows to sell our crafts. If you know of any please see Tim, Joanna, or Denise.
Kugler Woods/Hickory Cottage - We welcome Tim Prigge and Callie Fannin to our Hickory family. We had a full week of parties for our "patriotic" National Assisted Living Week including entertainers, games, and a USO swing dance with Chaplain Bill as our cool DJ. We also had a nice outing to Longhorn Steakhouse and have been enjoying watching our construction workers make progress everyday on our renovations. As a fund raiser Kugler/Hickory is offering Rada Cutlery - quality American made cutlery that is great for gifts. See Deanna or Vivian or visit www.HelpOurFundraiser.com and use the order number 503475, password care.
Shumard Rehab - We had almost out to lunch last month from Wendy's. Our patients will select the restaurant at the end of this month. We are looking forward to once again have "Walle Wednesday". Everyone is invited to come and share some time with the little dog who thinks he is a staff member. We are also gearing up for the Halloween competition - let the GREATEST PUMPKIN WIN! We have been blessed with full capacity this past month and wish to give a big thanks to the staff for continuing to provide excellent care to our patients. We will be trialing a new concept for the rehab patient's therapy. A therapy schedule will be posted each day in their rooms so that both they and staff members can better plan their day.

RENOVATION PROJECT - The final phase of the Kugler Woods Assisted Living renovation should be completed by November. We are looking forward to getting back to normal!

STAFF NEWS - Congratulations to Grandma Deb Taulbee (Shumard); Cyless Trey was born in July (her 14th grandchild). Chanel Walker (McCormick) has a new son, Peyton Ray, born September 14 and weighing 7lb, 14oz. Peyton is also the grandson of Phyllis Perry. Leah Simpson had a 5lb, 12oz baby girl on October 5th (unnamed as of this writing). 7 staff/family members participated in the Alzheimer's Walk at Sawyer Point on a chilly day, but thankfully no rain. All who participated were given yellow pinwheels to symbolize caregivers of those with Alzheimer's. There were over 5,000 people who walked to fight to end Alzheimer's. Those who walked were: Helen Canfield, Cindy Sundgren, Connie Wechter and granddaughter Elizabeth Woeber, Tammy Miller, Kelli Hamm, and Jessi Smith. This was the third year in a row that SEM Haven has participated in the event - keep us in mind next year to walk or donate to this great cause

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS We had a great time at our dog show September 21st. Residents from Shumard Rehab were the judges: Mary Ann Proctor, Sandy Rowe, Margaret Merz & Loretta King. The winners were:
Cutest: Walle (Connie Wechter's granddog),
Best Dressed: Molly (Connie Wechter),
Best Trick: Punkin (Laura Jones, Volunteer)
Friendliest: Indy (Carole Nesbitt)

Dance the Day Away was a big hit. Barb Wolf & Nancy Maltry demonstrated ballroom dancing with volunteers Ken & Richard. Juanita Williams joined in several line dances and many residents joined in the dancing also. On October 12th we will have an Apple Bake Off. Each household will bake their favorite apple dessert & judges will pick the best. 13th - Fall Fest with country music by Ivan & Connie Gunn; 26th - the Jr. League of Greater Cincinnati will be here for a performance of singing & dancing; 27th - annual Halloween Costume & Pumpkin Decorating Contest (each household chooses a theme & judges pick the best costumes & pumpkins); 31st - pass out candy to neighborhood children for trick or treat at 6:00.
Assisted Living Highlights: Every Saturday afternoon, Bingo with Volunteers Vi Jordan & Ginny Smaltz; CLR and Poker every Monday; Snack and Chat every Tuesday evening; 6th - Oktoberfest with Laura Hazelbaker; 20th - Lunch Outing (Residents Choice); 21st - Songs for Seniors with Mike Pendell.
Pick up an activity calendar from Vivian or Amy, or make sure we get your e-mail address so we can send them to you monthly.

STAFF RECOGNITION - The following individuals are being recognized this year with a special gift from SEM Haven. We are very lucky to have so many long-term dedicated staff members.

30 years of service - Sheron Jones, Mary Ann Mulholland, Lorraine Klaus, Connie Brandt
25 years of service - Cecilia McGee, Shondia Schaeffer, Kelly Hamm
20 years of service - Deanna Ball, Sandy Anderson, Wanda Sauter, Roger Judd, Melody Murray
15 years of service - Marlene Rybolt, Denise Apgar
10 years of service - Meleah Caldwell, Amy Musselman, Sheila Jones, Lois Pierson, Karen Brown, Felicia Ayers
5 years of service - Kathy Booth, Rachel Wilson-McFarland, Merlin Balogh, Sharon Caudill, Jessica Davis, Sandy Plank, Anne Wedmore, Sarah Ryan

FLU SHOTS - Helen Canfield, director of nursing, would like to let everyone know that our residents will be getting flu shots beginning this month. State rules require us to get signed consent from each resident/family each year. Please complete consent forms you received last month. We also will be providing the vaccine to our staff free of charge.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT - Meet Tim Prigge, born September 24, 1922 in Superior Wisconsin. He comes from a true American family. His father emigrated from Germany and became an engineer on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. His mother was a superb homemaker. He has a brother Clarence, and two sisters, Hazel and Mildred. Tim was in the Army Signal Corps during World War II. He was in the Philippines, New Guinea and also served in the occupational forces in Japan and helped with the "Marshall Plan", rebuilding the country. After the war he followed in his father's footsteps and worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 38 years.

Tim married Tillie in 1950. They had two children, Barbara and Chuck. After Tilly passed away in 1960 he married Thea, a lady from Holland. Their 50th wedding anniversary is coming this year. Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth, is an airline attendant and she married a man from Holland where they went for the wedding. They have two grandchildren, Chris and Michael. One of Tim's hobbies is fishing. During the 1960's they had a cabin on a lake in Wisconsin where they caught enough fish to freeze and have in the winter. They lived in Florida during the 90's and he swam every day. Other hobbies are cards, drawing, painting, photography and fixing things. Tim also likes sports, especially the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. He went with our group to see the Reds play and loved that.

Tim's favorite music is Big Band - Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. He also loved Teresa Brewer and his favorite song was "I'm Looking over a Four Leaf Clover". Tim is a devout Catholic and never fails to come to our Catholic services in our chapel. A passage of scripture I would pick for Tim would be Ps 26:1-3. "Grant me justice Lord! I have walked without blame. In the Lord I have trusted; I have not faltered. 2) Test me Lord, and try me; search my heart and mind. 3) Your love is before my eyes; I walk guided by Your faithfulness. (NAB) Catholic translation. Tim is a great guy and I am so glad to have him here with us. Chaplain Bill

Barb Wolf
Administrator