alt_text
alt_text

Message from Rob Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare

May 14, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and May flowers. The month of May also brings many activities to our campus as well as updates to state and federal Skilled Nursing Regulations.

With the end of the Public Health Emergency on May 11, the Department of Public Health has recently issued new guidance for personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees and visitors on our campus. We are currently reviewing these recommendations and will be updating our policies and procedures to reflect the new guidelines. COVID-19 prevalence across Massachusetts is no longer high, therefore facemasks will not be required in the healthcare setting unless otherwise  indicated. However, we will always have masks on hand and available for anyone who would like one.

May also brings two very important celebrations. First, we are celebrating National Nurses Month and Nurses Appreciation Week. We want to recognize and honor our nurses and the incredible job they do caring for our residents. Our celebration includes raffles, food trucks, dessert trucks and a special token of appreciation for this amazing group of people. Please take a moment to thank our nurses who we depend upon so much.

Secondly, we are also celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week, an annual event that celebrates the contributions and hard work of those who provide care in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The week, which runs from Sunday, May 14 to Saturday, May 20, is truly a celebration for all staff and residents. We have the following events planned for this very special week:

Skilled Nursing Care Week: May 14th – 20th

  • Cook-out – Michael’s courtyard; residents and staff
  • Ice cream truck- residents and staff
  • Cold beverage bar- residents and staff
  • Water bottle give-a-way to all staff
  • Facility bingo all week for residents and staff
  • Bake-off-on units for residents
  • Weeklong raffle

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Rob Whitten

alt_text

Honoring our Remarkable Nurses During National Nurses Month

May 12, 2023

JGS Lifecare is excited to be celebrating National Nurses Month with a varied line-up of events and activities, demonstrating our appreciations and gratitude to our nursing staff for their extraordinary commitment to the care of our community’s elders.

Nurse Appreciation Week is underway from May 8th – 12th with planned activities including: special gifts for all nursing staff; a Taco food truck for all 3 shifts; a dessert truck of homemade baked goods including cookies, cupcakes and ice cream floats for all three shifts – provided by Clyde’s Cupcakes; raffle prizes throughout the week for all JGS staff. Friday culminates with Nostalgic Candy Bar Day, offering old fashion and retro candies for residents and staff.

In addition, we are looking forward to celebrating Skilled Nursing Care Week between May 14th-20th. We will celebrate with: a staff cookout in our Michael’s Café Courtyard; an ice-cream truck for residents and staff; a cold beverage bar for residents and staff; a bake off on all households; and another week-long raffle celebration for all staff! We hope that everyone enjoys the festivities!

Reflected Carol Mortensen, executive director of The Leavitt Family Jewish Home, “The role of a nurse at JGS is vital, they not only provide physical care to our residents, they provide emotional support to our residents and their families. They spend an extended amount of time with their residents and develop valuable relationships. Join us in thanking our fantastic nurses! We could not do our important work without them!”

Mary-Anne Schelb, director of business development remarked, “We are grateful for our nursing staff as they oversee the care that each and every one of our residents receives. From small to big matters, they are there for our residents with love and compassion no matter how busy the day gets. Our nursing staff selflessly give of their time, energy and expertise to help optimize our residents’ experience to not only make them feel comfortable, but help them feel safe and secure in their home. Nurses are the core of our JGS family and we could not do what we do without them!”

Christina Tuohey, executive director at Ruth’s House agreed, and added, “Our nurses at Ruth’s House provide the extra care our residents need. They are there to provide a quick medical check or to address any medical emergencies, providing our residents with care, comfort and reassurance. Please know that we are grateful for all that you do and you are appreciated beyond words!”

Be sure to thank our nurses this month! And check out the related article posted on May 8th on our website at https://jgslifecare.org/honoring-our-remarkable-nurses-during-national-nurses-month/

“Nurses dispense comfort, compassion and caring without even a prescription.” Val Saintsbury

alt_text

Honoring Our Remarkable Nurses During National Nurses Month

May 8, 2023

With over 4 million registered nurses in the US, nursing is the largest segment of the nation’s workforce. It is also one of the most rewarding, albeit challenging, professions. The impact nurses make on healthcare is unparalleled. JGS Lifecare employs approximately 90 nurses. They show us, firsthand, how they go above and beyond the call of duty—every single day.

As the American Nurses Association kicks off its annual month-long celebration in May, it seems appropriate to highlight a few members of our nursing staff. Take a look at why they went into nursing and their experiences at JGS Lifecare.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing nurses in our organization. You are the very essence of JGS Lifecare.

 

Ron Anglo
Chief Clinical Officer

“Having moved from the Philippines, I initially became a nurse for practical reasons. Nursing was, and still is, a stable profession. I soon realized that being a nurse is an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life—at one of the most vulnerable stages of their lives. In the end, whatever we do for others, especially those who are not related to us, is what defines one’s existence.” 

“The covid pandemic taught us so many things. It showed how vulnerable our residents are and how many of them are totally dependent on us as health care workers. The pandemic also showed the goodness of our staff and how selfless they were/are. They put their own lives on the line to help care for residents during such difficult times. For that, we will forever be grateful to them.”

 

Karen Petruccelli, MSN, RN 
Vice President of Clinical Services

“After graduating high school, I was uncertain of my career path and decided to explore nursing. Best decision ever! My very first job was with the American Red Cross, working on disaster relief and emergency blood collections. From there, I moved to acute care focusing on maternal child health. I was able to work different shifts to accommodate my growing family. When I was offered a position at a SNF, I took it and never looked back!”

“I quickly learned that the nurse is always the conduit in healthcare. This was never more evident than during the height of the pandemic—in many ways a nurse’s proudest moment. I personally witnessed the heroic and selfless acts of so many of our nurses. Their work was not just traditional nursing such as transporting, cleaning, and cooking. Rather they fielded countless calls from family members, learned how to Zoom on the fly and were united as a team to do the very best for our residents. They were strong; they brave; they were truly remarkable.”

 

Shannon Wesson, RN, WCC 
Director of Nursing

“As a young child, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and their friends and felt a great connection with them. Listening to their stories and hearing about their life experiences made a huge impact upon me. It actually inspired me to become a nurse.”

“Being a nurse leader enables me to use valuable critical thinking and common sense to be able to provide compassionate care to the vulnerable population we serve. I enjoy motivating and encouraging our amazing team of caregivers to provide the most exceptional care possible.”

“During the height of our Covid-19 pandemic, when we worked countless hours and provided incredible care to those who were struggling with the virus, our staff also cared for each other. I witnessed countless acts of kindness, gratitude, and humanity from all levels of caregivers. Volunteering to bring residents to an adjacent window to wave to their loved ones. Volunteering to deliver donated farmers market items to staff members’ homes who were struggling with the virus themselves. Caring for each other during the most strenuous days. These actions are not something that is not taught, rather they are qualities engrained within the souls of our caregivers. That’s what makes our organization so special.”

alt_text

May Happenings at JGS Lifecare

May 11, 2023

As April gave way to May, our residents are enjoying outdoor activities such as making pinecone, peanut butter and birdseed treats, along with stringing cheerios for our birds to enjoy!

The trees have filled in and the flowers are blooming with color. Our campus is such a beautiful sight! Special thank you to Mike Cinq-Mars for his donation of the spring flowers. They really brighten the entryway to the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. Mike has been donating flowers to help beautify our campus for many years. It is one way he continues to show his appreciation for the care his beloved wife Jean received at the Home. Thank you, Mike!

Our Veterans enjoyed their May visit from Veteran friends in the community. These monthly visits are coordinated through the efforts of Cheryl Gumlaw, Director of our Life Enrichment team, and Lena Vellturo, Director of Veteran’s Services for the Town of Longmeadow. These gatherings are highly anticipated by our residents and have fostered many new and special friendships. Thank you, Cheryl and Lena!

It’s always fun when Tom Riccardi of the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehab Facility in Conway comes to visit. Tom brought several magnificent birds to meet our residents. A few enjoyed holding the smaller birds. What a treat for our residents to get so close to these gorgeous creatures.

A generous donation by Naomi Schoenberg’s family was made in honor of Naomi’s 95th birthday, which allowed our Life Enrichment Department to purchase musical instruments for our residents. The donation was made to the Broad Schoenberg Fund, a restricted fund for the purpose of supporting Life Enrichment Activities, including our Caring Friend Program. Each of our nursing households was outfitted with new keyboards, bongo drums, percussion instruments, and xylophones. The Schoenberg family enjoys a great appreciation for the healing power of music, therefore purchasing these musical instruments genuinely resonated with them. Music therapy has many benefits for our residents and is one of their favorite pastimes. As a result, we have scheduled weekly “Jam Sessions.” Residents enjoy sing-a-longs with Lisa Pernice and our staff. Thank you to Naomi’s family for these truly wonderful gifts!

alt_text