COVID-19 Updates

For the latest news on how we’re responding to COVID-19, read more here:

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October 30, 2020

• Family Update from Adam Berman, President

  Dear Residents and Families, With the summer gone and fall well under way, we wanted to provide you with an update on our organization and our continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, our strict adherence to MA DPH and CDC guidelines, and your cooperation, we… View Article

October 14, 2020

• Sam Baah, Care Manager at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence

  Sam was born in Ghana and came to the US in Dec. 1999. There was an immigration lottery at the time and he won the lottery and was able to bring 3 of his 4 daughters: Priscilla, Esther and Christabelle. His wife Teresa would join him many years later along with his daughter Ophelia. Sam… View Article

October 6, 2020

• Donnette Barnett, CNA at Wernick Adult Day Health Care

  Donnette was born and raised in Springfield, along with her sister Kim. She graduated from Commerce High School in 1983 and gave birth to her son Warren Jr. in 1984. She and her husband Warren Sr. have known each other practically their entire lives and they married in 1990. After staying home full-time for a… View Article

September 29, 2020

• Ava Wills, RN at Spectrum Home Health & Hospice

  Ava was born and raised in the 16 Acres Neighborhood of Springfield along with her 2 brothers Michael and John. She graduated from Classical High School, and then, following her dream to become a doctor, went to Springfield College for 1 year, to take pre-med courses. But a bout with mono forced her to drop… View Article

September 22, 2020

• Christine Lunsford, RN, BSN, Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator, Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Christine was born and raised in Springfield along with her older brother Michael. She graduated from Central High School in 1996 and then pursued an education to become a nurse. She has always enjoyed caring for others and being a nurse was a goal of hers since early on. She graduated from STCC in 1999… View Article

September 10, 2020

• Deana Carnegie, Dietary Aid, Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Deana was born and raised in Jamaica to a large family. She was one of 9 children, with 3 brothers and 5 sisters. She graduated from Newell High School and then became a hairdresser.  She was employed for many years as a hairdresser and during that time she married and had 1 son, Craig who… View Article

September 2, 2020

• Carmen Figueroa, Lead Care Manager at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence

  Carmen was born and raised on Central Street in Springfield to a family that included 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Although her childhood dream was to be a mailperson and work in the post office, she attended Putnam High School and trained to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. After completing her CNA license requirements, she… View Article

August 26, 2020

• Uvalyn Davis, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Uvalyn was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She was part of a large family, as one of 8 brothers and sisters. She attended St. Andrew’s Technical High School, studying to be an accountant. After her schooling, she worked at several grocery stores and then a shoe store and in 1992, came to the US…. View Article

August 18, 2020

• Tony (Antoinette) Moseley, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Tony was born and raised in Springfield, along with her 3 sisters and 1 brother. She graduated from East Longmeadow High School and started working at Spectrum Home Healthcare as a Home Health Aide in July 1996. After a few years, she was working on the New York unit of the Jewish Nursing Home, as… View Article

August 12, 2020

• Dianne Modesta, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Dianne was born on the island of Trinidad, located in the West Indies.  In 1983 she and her brother came to Springfield to join her parent, who had previously come seeking new work opportunities.  She was 8 years old at the time. Dianna also has family living in Canada and England.  She now has two… View Article

August 3, 2020

• Virtual Lunch and Learn Series at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence
, Program Announcements

  Friday, August 21st, 2020: Beyond the Blues – Aging & Depression Presenter Dr. Stuart Anfang, Medical Director of the Memory Disorder Program at Baystate Medical Center Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020:  Spirituality and Aging – Finding Meaning & Purpose as we Age Presenter Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare LONGMEADOW, Mass. –… View Article

• Susan Halpern, Vice President of Development and Communications

  Born in Springfield, Susan was raised in Longmeadow along with her 3 siblings: Jim, Wendy and Billy. She graduated from Longmeadow High School, the University of Vermont, and Western New England School of Law. Susan practiced law for 10 years, first at the offices of Cohen Rosenthal and then at Cooley Shrair. In 1985, she… View Article

July 27, 2020

• Zuzanna Lakomska, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Zuzanna was born in Poland and moved to the United States in 1990. While in Poland she worked for seventeen years as a kindergarten teacher. She and her husband Julian, “happily married for forty years,” have a son Jacob, who is thirty seven, a daughter Natalia who is thirty, and two grandchildren, Matthew five and… View Article

July 21, 2020

• Beth Ann Kalinko, CNA Sosin Center for Rehabilitation

  Beth Ann Kalinko was born and raised in Springfield and that is where she still resides. She has one brother, Gregory.  She graduated from Classical High School and then went to work at American Cyanamid, a West Springfield company that made Breck products. Beth worked on the production line for a while and then went… View Article

July 15, 2020

• Jessica Brown, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Jessica Brown was born and raised in Springfield.  She graduated from Putnam Vocational High School and that’s where she  was first connected to JGS. In order to get certified as a CNA, she came to JGS as part of her school training, and she officially started working here on June 21, 1993  just 11 days… View Article

July 10, 2020

• Sharon Ritchie, Director of Food Service

  Sharon was born and raised in Longmeadow, MA. She started working at JGS Lifecare just prior to her 16th birthday in 1991. She was hired part-time as a dietary aide in the kitchen of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. After her graduation from Longmeadow High School in 1993, Sharon started working full-time. In addition, she… View Article

July 9, 2020

• Resident Engagement in a Quarantine Environment

  LONGMEADOW, MA (July 2020) –Social distancing requirements in nursing homes and assisted living residences present their own unique set of challenges during this pandemic. To address this, the staff at JGS Lifecare have been working hard to make sure the residents are engaged, active – and happy. “We have implemented a variety of creative activities… View Article

July 3, 2020

• Leavitt Family Jewish Home – Outdoor Visits by Family and Friends Bring Great Joy

  LONGMEADOW, Mass. – “It is wonderful to see my children, they are the love of my life!” exclaimed Sandy Novitch, a resident at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. Debbie and Wayne brought flowers and chocolates and the family exchanged air hugs and kisses. “One day we are going to hug!” smiled Sandy. There is a… View Article

• Ana Guzman, CNA Wernick Adult Day Health Care

  Born in Puerto Rico, Ana came to this country at the age of 12 with her mom and 2 brothers. They settled in Springfield, with an uncle nearby.  She attended Chestnut Middle School and then returned to Puerto Rico to live with her father. Three years later, Anna returned to Springfield, earned her GED, and… View Article

June 29, 2020

• Vivian Hatwood, Leavitt Family Jewish Home Kitchen Manager/Assistant Director

  Vivian was born in Worcester, MA and came to Springfield at the age of 4. She was educated in the Springfield public schools and graduated from Putnam Vocational High School, with an emphasis in fashion design. She soon began working at Buxton’s Leather Factory, followed by several years at the US Postal Service. Vivian and… View Article

• Choosing an Assisted Living Residence Virtually

  How do you find the right assisted living for a family member when in-person tours are not an option? At Ruth’s House in Longmeadow, the assisted living residence operated by JGS Lifecare, virtual tours, live chats and Zoom meetings help facilitate the process. “Virtual tours are an excellent way to assess the ambience, activities, amenities,… View Article

June 23, 2020

• Cheri Ludwiczak, Chef at Michael’s Cafe

  Cheri was born and raised in South Deerfield. Her grandparents had a farm there where they grew “everything: corn, tobacco, potatoes, as well as pigs and chickens.” She traces her interest in culinary arts to her experiences watching her grandmother make traditional Polish foods. “We’d go there for Sunday supper every week,” she said, “and… View Article

• JGS Staff Thank You Ad

June 19, 2020

• Violeta Delgado, Housekeeper at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Violeta is a member of the Housekeeping team at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home.  She joined the team 3 years ago, after working for over 20 years at Vibra in Springfield. Violeta was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She first came to the US to help care for family member. She liked it here,… View Article

June 15, 2020

• Jesus Carattini, Maintenance Department at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home

  Jesus Carattini is a very personable, friendly and valued member of the JGS Maintenance Department. Since arriving, 3 ½ years ago, he has taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility and has learned a great deal. “It has been a lot of on the job training in many new areas ” he says, “like in… View Article

June 5, 2020

• Maria Osorio, Housekeeper at The Leavitt Family Jewish

  Maria came to the US in 1994 from Puerto Rico.  ”I didn’t understand any English” she shared. She took classes in English at STCC and continues to focus on improving her facility with the language.  Maria has three children: a daughter aged 26, as son 25, and a younger daughter who is 10.  She also… View Article

June 2, 2020

• Resuming Outdoor Family Visitation

  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) have recently released guidance on how to safely begin family visitation with our residents. We are in the process of developing a plan on how best to implement brief, supervised visits outside our residences, while keeping the strict protocols for infection… View Article

• JGS Lifecare Utilizes Best Practice Deep Cleaning Techniques

  What do the Boston Red Sox, and other professional teams have in common with JGS Lifecare? Their deep cleaning procedures! Professional sports teams, along with hospitals, medical centers, airlines, country clubs, mass transit and government agencies are using the same new deep cleaning technique as JGS Lifecare. “Preventing the spread of COVID-19 hinges on good… View Article

June 1, 2020

• Letters of Love – Beautiful Expressions of Compassion and Care

  LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Like all families, Leigh McGrale Vengco and her three daughters, Lily, Grace and Teia were home socially distancing and trying to adjust to the new reality forced upon them by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leigh is a clinical social worker who has worked in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care units. Hearing about… View Article

May 28, 2020

• May 28, 2020 – Family Letter

  Dear Residents and Families, Two months since we first began our fight with this terrible virus, we strongly believe we have weathered through the worst and can begin to look towards the future. As Massachusetts begins its phased approach to safely reopen the state, we too have moved away from crisis-mode and have started to… View Article

May 8, 2020

• May 8, 2020 – Family Letter

  Dear Residents and Families, We write to you today with a new sense of optimism. Data for Massachusetts is starting to show improvement in our broader communities due to everyone’s hard work to stay home and socially distance. We too are seeing signs that our continuing efforts to stop the spread of the virus in… View Article

May 4, 2020

• Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare, Supporting JGS Staff during Unprecedented Times

  LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare, has witnessed a great deal of suffering, stress and loss in the past six weeks, unleashed by the COVID-19 virus. She has been especially concerned with the stress she has seen shouldered by JGS Lifecare staff, who on a daily… View Article

April 30, 2020

• April 30, 2020 – Family Letter

  Dear Residents and Families, More than a month into the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has continued to work through adversity to meet the commitment of care we make to you and your loved ones. We, along with the rest of the world, are also getting a better grasp of this crisis. While the impact to… View Article

April 29, 2020

• Community Sponsors Meals of Gratitude for Staff at JGS Lifecare Supporting Healthcare Workers and Local Restaurants

  LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Over the last few weeks, in a generous show of support, several local organizations and restaurants have initiated fundraising efforts to sponsor Meals of Gratitude for the staff at JGS Lifecare. This outpour of community support has a double benefit, supporting our caregivers while also supporting our local restaurants that are struggling… View Article

April 27, 2020

• To the Heroes of CJL & JGS

April 20, 2020

• April 20, 2020 – Family Letter

  Dear Residents and Families, As Massachusetts experiences what experts believe to be the peak for new COVID-19 cases, senior care living organizations have become the focus of attention given the highly vulnerable population we serve. We share in the immense grief felt across our industry and broader communities as we have also experienced the loss… View Article

April 16, 2020

• A Unique Anniversary Celebration Under Unusual Circumstances

  20 decorated cars drove by Ruth’s House on Wednesday, April 15th to help this couple celebrate their 75th anniversary without breaking social distancing requirements. It was a wonderful display of people coming together to support one another in a challenging time! Below is a thank you note written by the daughter of the couple. The… View Article

April 10, 2020

• April 10, 2020 – Family Letter

  To Our Families, We write to you now possibly during the most difficult time in our lives. Never in the 108-year history of JGS Lifecare have we faced a situation like this one. Despite all our best efforts and preparation, the COVID-19 pandemic facing the world has found its way within the walls of the… View Article

April 2, 2020

• April 2, 2020 – Response to Press

  From the office of Adam Berman, President of JGS Lifecare: JGS Lifecare is committed to doing everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our residents and staff. We strictly maintain and follow effective infection control procedures as mandated by state and federal regulations and have made many additional changes including instituting a… View Article

March 31, 2020

• Free Groceries Feed the Spirit of JGS Staff A Display of Gratitude and Support

  LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Thanks to a very generous donation from the Perlman family, owners of Ocean State Job Lots, the staff at JGS LIfecare were treated to free groceries, in an expression of gratitude for their commitment to the care of our frail elders, especially in these unprecedented times. Over the course of the past… View Article

March 26, 2020

• COVID-19 Response FAQs

  At JGS Lifecare, the safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our number one priority. Please know that we are carefully monitoring all aspects related to COVID-19 and have implemented the recommendations and guidelines given to us by state and federal health experts. This page is intended to provide additional information to residents,… View Article

March 20, 2020

• JGS Lifecare on the Offensive to Protect our Residents from COVID-19

  Dear Friends: The COVID-19 pandemic has faced us with unprecedented and unpredictable challenges, requiring constant monitoring, vigilance and new policy implementation.  Our staff is working diligently, in collaboration with our affiliated organizations in Chelsea and Peabody, to meet these challenges as they unfold. The safety and well-being of the residents and clients entrusted to our care is our… View Article

• Event Cancellations Due to COVID-19

  In compliance with the various prohibitions on large gatherings, and to discourage visitations to our campus, we have cancelled the following community events: Bubbies Passover Catering Passover Seders at JNH and Ruth’s House – Wednesday, April 8th Easter Services at JNH and Ruth’s House – Sunday, April 12th JGS Winner’s Circle Passover Dinner – Monday,… View Article

• COVID-19 Social and Spiritual Resources

  Articles. Self-Care and Play, Podcasts, Meditation, Applications, Prayers and Spiritual Practices

March 19, 2020

• Elder Care in The Face of Covid-19 by Michelle Woodbrey of 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors

  It was two years ago this summer that my mom and dad moved into an independent living community. My dad had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s ten years earlier, and while he was (and is) still doing relatively well, they were eager to make the change while they could both still enjoy the advantages and features of… View Article

March 18, 2020

• Wernick Adult Day Health Care Temporarily Closing on March 20

  In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, we are temporarily closing Wernick Adult Day Health Care as of March 20, 2020. Please know we will work closely with families on transition plans. Our focus right now is preventing the spread of this virus and keeping our participants safe.

• Family Letter

  To Our Dear Residents and Families, Especially during this difficult time, the health and safety of our residents remain our top priority. We want to assure you that JGS Lifecare is monitoring all aspects related to COVID-19 extremely closely. With guidance from state and federal health experts, we are following their recommendations as well as… View Article

March 13, 2020

• JGS No Visitor Protocol

  To our Residents, Families, and Community: In an effort to further protect our residents, who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID‐19, our facility will be implementing a strict NO VISITOR protocol effective at 7PM, Thursday, March 12. We find this policy necessary to prevent an individual possibly infected with COVID‐19, without symptoms, from… View Article

March 9, 2020

• Statement about Coronavirus

  To our Residents and Family Members: In light of recent developments regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) in the United States, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the strategies we will be implementing to keep our residents, staff, and visitors safe. We have implemented protocols to address this… View Article

Community Appreciation

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