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June 15, 2023
Dear Residents and Families,
With June and the start of summer upon us, it seems timely to discuss some exciting happenings at JGS.
On June 26, we will host the Frankel-Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments fundraiser at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. The event brings the community together for a day of fun, food, and friendship in support of the care of our community’s elders. Last year over $115,000 was raised through sponsorships, donations, and player registrations. It is an important day for our organization and I hope you can join us.
I would like to mention that we are looking into some plumbing and sewage work that will take place in the coming months in our New York household. We are currently in the process of identifying what exactly the job will entail. I’m sure some of you have noticed some rather unpleasant markings on the floor. These markings were necessary to identify piping and electrical conduit throughout the unit. As more details and plans for the project unfold, I will be sure to keep the residents and families of New York in the loop. Additionally, please know that the carpeting will be replaced when the markings are no longer needed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.
In closing, I’m pleased to announce that JGS Campus kicked off its summer BBQs for residents. To date, BBQs have been held at Ruth’s House on May 25 and the A1 and NY households on June 6. In honor of Memorial Day, JNH hosted a meaningful Veterans BBQ for our residents and our guests from the Veteran’s Circle in the Town of Longmeadow. This was a very special day enjoyed by all. For me, it was truly a privilege to be part of it. Our next event will take place on July 14 for our C1 and C2 households. Family members who would like to join their loved ones at the BBQ are welcome to attend!
Sincerely,
Rob Whitten
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June 14, 2023
Whether at home or in a traditional assisted living residence, it’s always difficult for families to determine if a loved one needs additional support. Sometimes the signs are clear-cut, but often, they are merely attributed to “getting older” and being forgetful. It’s important, therefore, to address all safety issues that may result from memory loss since the biggest challenge for families and caregivers is keeping a loved one safe.
“We continually strive to ensure that a safe, clean, and comfortable environment exists for everyone who lives, works, or visits our facilities,” explained Jeffrey Lind, Director of Facilities Engineering at JGS Lifecare. “It is the number one priority for the engineering and maintenance department.”
As June is National Safety Month, it seems timely to explore the safety issues facing many of our seniors and families who may have loved ones with memory loss. The first step, and often the hardest one, is to recognize the signs and symptoms that indicate that something may be wrong.
Common Signs of Memory Loss:
- Wandering
Adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often feel compelled to walk about. They have no real place to go, and they often do not realize what direction they are heading. They just feel the need to move and walk somewhat aimlessly. This behavior is often called “wandering” by clinicians, researchers, and caregivers
- Memory Problems
Often seniors are unable to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago, an acquaintance, events or have difficulty finding words.
- Disorientation
A person with dementia may have difficulty finding their way to a familiar place or feel confused about where they are, or think they are back in some past time of their life.
- Personality and Behavior Changes
Individuals with memory loss may get upset, worried, and angry much more easily than before. Staying engaged with art and music activities helps individuals communicate and express themselves.
Preventative Safety Measures for Memory Support Residents
Assisted living and nursing homes with memory support focus on keeping their residents safe, active, and happy. At JGS Lifecare, the staff are highly trained to make sure residents remain safe at all times. Lind noted that the organization makes use of all local resources, “In addition to on-site training, we have partnered with MassMAP (Massachusetts Mutual Aid Plan,” said Jeff. “This ensures that we have the resources and manpower available to cover any potential issue that might arise at any day/hour.”
Below are areas of concern for memory care residents and some of the preventative steps we take on our campus:
- Falls are a common and serious safety concern in assisted living facilities and nursing homes as they can lead to serious injuries and among elders. As over half the falls take place in one’s apartment or room, it is important to reduce clutter, avoid overcrowding with furniture, and make sure the resident is wearing supportive footwear with no-slip soles.
- Emergency preparedness is an essential aspect of ensuring the safety of residents in assisted living facilities. Staff are trained regularly on procedures and protocols for emergency situations such as severe weather, fire, power outages and more.
- Dementia care safety includes grab bars in bathrooms, rugs tacked down to prevent falls, wide corridors, call buttons and high staff to resident ratio
- Regular safety inspections of the assisted living
- Floors and surfaces kept clutter free
- Door and window alarms
- 24-hour supervision
Seek Professional Guidance
Even after recognizing the signs of memory loss, it is challenging to decide on the best living situation for loved ones. Our professional team can help guide you and offer resources. Call Terry Halliday at 978-854-1825 or email thalliday@legacylifecare.org. Meeting staff members, touring properties and/or talking with other families facing similar situations can be extremely helpful.
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June 16, 2023
Our Life Enrichment Team at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home has been busy cooking up some fundraising fun for our residents! In search of a meaningful way for our residents to spend their Bingo winnings, Cheryl Gumlaw and her staff coordinated a June 7th bake-off with tasty treats to raise funds for our US Troops overseas. Over $600 was raised, which will go towards the purchase of toiletries, snacks, and other essentials.
Residents cheered on our Life Enrichment Team as they baked delicious goodies while reminiscing, singing along to music, and making greeting cards to add to the boxes of supplies being sent overseas. Michael’s Café was brightly decorated and displayed a wide array of delectable desserts. Favorites included: Cheryl’s Famous Peanut Butter Balls, Banana Zucchini and Pumpkin Brads, Homemade Cinnamon Buns, Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Ghirardelli Fudgy Brownies (Sugar free as well!), White Chocolate Dipped Pretzels, Dianne’s famous Chocolate Mint Cupcakes, Lemon Cookies and Butterscotch/Chinese Noodle Crunchies, Tony’s Lemon Bars, Oatmeal Bars, Butterscotch “Dollies,” Holly’s Chocolate/Peanut Butter Reese’s Cupcakes, Banana Bumps, Autumn’s Patriotic M&M Cookies, Lemon Cupcakes and Raspberry Jelly Squares.
The bake-off provides a means for residents to spend their Bingo prize money while raising money for a very good cause! Staff and family members supported the bake sale as well. By overall consensus, the “Help a Hero Fundraiser” was a big hit and plans are underway to repeat the event on a quarterly basis. Everyone left with a smile and a very tasty assortment of treats!
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June 14, 2023
JGS Lifecare will host its popular Frankel-Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments fundraiser on Monday, June 26th at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. This will be the organization’s 42nd annual tournament! In addition to golf, the tournament includes tennis, pickleball, bridge, canasta and mahjong tournaments.
The tournament is named in memory of Michael Frankel, past Chairman of the JGS Board who passed away in 2013 at the young age of 49. It is also named in honor of the Raymond and Herman Kinsler Families, longtime supporters of JGS Lifecare. “The Frankel and Kinsler families have provided extraordinary leadership over the years to JGS Lifecare,” commented Susan Halpern, vice president of development at JGS Lifecare. “This tournament is a tribute to them and helps us continue their extraordinary legacy of caring and good deeds.”
The JGS Lifecare signature tournament brings the community together for a day of fun, food and friendship in support of the care of our community’s elders. Over 200 people participate in one of several tournaments, – including golf, tennis, pickle ball, bridge, canasta and mahjong, to help raise funds to support enhanced programming and services for residents, as well as to support staff scholarships for career and skills advancement. Last year over $115,000 was raised through sponsorships, donations and player registrations. Eldercare organizations like JGS Lifecare have been under severe financial stress due to: insufficient funding through governmental programs that do not cover the costs of care; increased expenses due to necessary infection control protocols and rising costs; and critical staffing shortages. JGS relies on the community’s support to help raise financial resources and bridge the gap, and the Frankel-Kinsler Classic is a central source of the community’s support. This year’s event proceeds will fund the replacement of tired and worn resident furniture at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home, with new and well-constructed nightstands, bureaus, armoires and headboards. These furnishings will feature rounded edges to protect fragile skin and warm, wood-like finishes that feel like home yet are sturdy enough to resist wheelchair dings and scuffs. These enhancements will elevate residents’ comfort and well-being in their own private spaces.
Event Sponsors committed to the tournament include The Haberman, Katz and Webber Families; Harry Grodsky & Co.; Steven and Georgianne Roberts; HUB Retirement & Wealth Management formerly Epstein Financial Services; Liberty Bank; PeoplesBank; The Albert & Judith Goldberg Family Foundation; Alekman DiTusa, LLC; Century Investment Company; CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP; Donna Frankel; Kaste Industrial Machine Sales, Inc.; and Spartan Auto Care Centers.
Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with tee-off at 12:00 Noon. The entry fee if $275 and includes 18 holes of golf, a barbecue lunch, dinner and an ice-cream sundae bar. Golfers will have a chance to win several hole-in-one contests sponsored by Teddy Bear Pools and Tekoa Country Club, as well as win JGS Lifecare raffle prizes. Charity Golf International will be offering golfers the opportunity to win a $5,000 Dream Golf Getaway. The $5,000 trip includes: American Airlines airfare for 2, two nights at The Pebble Beach Lodge, and 3 Rounds of Golf (Pebble Beach Links, Spyglass Hill & Spanish Bay). Spa/Dining Credits may also be substituted for Golf. Awards will be presented to top golfers during the dinner portion of the event.
To register go to www.JGSLifecare.org/frankel-kinsler or contact Susan Halpern at shalpern@jgslifecare.org or 413-567-3949, ext. 3533. We hope to see you there!
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June 14, 2023
Holly Schroeder, Smith College class of 1953, recently attended her 70th college reunion. Along with 14 other classmates, the class celebrated the festivities in style. The weekend’s highpoint was the alumnae parade, where all the graduates were dressed in white and carried special signs with meaningful phrases. It was truly a special day. After all, how many people attend their 70th college reunion?
A government major, Holly was always interested in helping refugees and immigrants. During her junior year, she volunteered in France, digging ditches at the Collège Cévenol to help build the school in the aftermath of WWII. After graduation, Holly embarked upon an impressive career. She worked closely with refugees and immigrants and was employed by the renowned Church World Service for several years.
Holly met her husband Peter on a layover stop for a transatlantic flight from Amsterdam to New York City. He overheard her speaking fluent Dutch and, according to Holly’s daughter Alexandra Risley Schroeder, knew immediately that she was “someone he wanted take out for coffee.” The rest, as they say, is history and the couple married in 1962 after a brief courtship. Holly and Peter had two daughters – Alex and her sister, Susanna.
Following in her mom’s footsteps, Alex attended Smith College, graduating in 1986. While she has attended other Smith College reunions with her mom, including Holly’s 65th at which Holly and Alex were joined by Holly’s granddaughter, Avery, Alex noted that this year felt different. “In the Ivy Day Parade, the oldest alums march through a path of increasingly younger alumnae – there were so many cheers and high fives for mom and her classmates!”
A young 91 years of age, Holly is now a resident at Ruth’s House Assisted Living, where she is adored by staff and residents alike. “We have really enjoyed having Holly as a resident at Ruth’s House Assisted Living.” said Christina Tuohey, Executive Director at the assisted living. “She is always teaching us about different plants in our garden and telling us about all her adventures, which are considerable! She is friendly, outgoing, and very personable. In fact, we love watching her foster new friendships with other residents and staff.”
The reunion proved to be everything Holly and Alex expected —and more. Holly summed up the weekend perfectly. “That was such fun, but how can it be my 70th reunion?”
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