Senior Citizen Day Celebrated at JGS Lifecare with Blueberry Buckle Bake
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – While apple pie may be the symbol of American pride, blueberry buckle took center stage at JGS Lifecare on August 21st, when residents, staff, volunteers and family members gathered to celebrate National Senior Citizen Day by making and then enjoying this delicious dessert. Blueberry Buckle is allegedly called “buckle” because while it bakes the batter rises, but the berries and crumb topping weigh it down. This causes the surface of the cake to buckle…hence the name. National Senior Citizen Day was created as a day to support, honor and show appreciation to our seniors and to recognize their achievements.
The celebration started in the morning with residents gathering in the activities room at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home to prepare and bake the blueberry buckle. The recipe was taken from the cookbook “Recipes to Remember – Janie and Friends Cook for You” written by Janie Booth, a past resident of the Home who was a beloved member of the staff of the Springfield Jewish Community Center for many years and a much sought after local caterer. Residents, staff and family members enjoyed reminiscing about Janie who touched so many lives with her warmth and loving-kindness.
Enjoying the blueberry baking activity were David and Muriel Cohen, longtime resident at JGS Lifecare. David and Muriel became residents of Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence in 2009 and moved to the Leavitt Family Jewish Home this past January. David is now 101 and Muriel is 97 years old. They still remain active, enjoying the many life enrichment activities at the Home. David especially enjoyed mixing the blueberry buckle batter. “I love blueberries. I can remember enjoying picking them in Livingston Manor, NY in the Catskills Mountains,” stated David.
In the afternoon residents and family members gathered in the Gloth Family Auditorium to enjoy the sweet dessert. Resident Helen Eisenman was joined by her great-great nieces Johannah and Madeline Dickson and their grandmother Jill O’Donnell. They so enjoyed the sweet treat piled high with whipped cream. David and Muriel were tired so they enjoyed their blueberry buckle in the privacy of their own room.
“At JGS Lifecare we celebrate our senior citizens each and every day, by providing them with the highest level of care and comfort,” remarked Cheryl Gumlaw, Director of Life Enrichment at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. “Senior Citizen’s Day is an opportunity for some special programming to make them feel appreciated and loved, and our blueberry buckle bake did just that….who doesn’t like blueberries!”
About JGS Lifecare
JGS Lifecare is a leading health care system serving seniors and their families. JGS Lifecare services include nursing home care (The Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home), rehabilitation services (Sosin Center for Rehabilitation), home health and hospice care (Spectrum Home Health & Hospice), assisted living (Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence), adult day health care (Wernick Adult Day Health Care), independent living (Genesis Lifecare) and palliative care (Francis B. Cohen Palliative Care Program. For more information, call JGS Lifecare at 413-567-6211 or visit jgslifecare.org.
