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June 20, 2022
Dear Residents and Families,
On Memorial Day we paid tribute to those who fought so valiantly for our country. It is a day of remembrance and reflection. As we care for many residents who are veterans, I want to thank them all for their loyalty, dedication, and bravery. Our country is stronger because of them.
I also want to share some exciting news. Our organization has received the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification. This certification was bestowed upon us by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. I am extremely proud of how our employees support our residents and families, as well as one another, each and every day.
I wish you and yours a great start to summer and a Happy Independence Day.
Warmly,
Adam
Adam Berman
CEO
JGS Lifecare
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June 14, 2022
We are excited to announce that JGS Lifecare has received the prestigious Great Place to Work® designation. The certification process involved surveying employees on more than 60 elements and was bestowed upon the organization by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures.
Employees were surveyed about such topics as community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and the feeling their work environment is safe. Rankings are based on employees’ experiences, no matter who they are or what they do. Other organizations that have received this prestigious designation include American Express, Hilton, Target, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Whole Foods Market.
“I am so proud that our employees feel our organization is a great place to work,” said Adam Berman, CEO of JGS Lifecare. “They are what make this organization so special and it’s gratifying to know they really enjoy the work environment. Our employees support our residents and families in so many important ways. Clearly this designation is a testament to the culture they have helped build.”
“Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that JGS Lifecare is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”
The JGS Lifecare residences and agencies include The Leavitt Family Jewish Home, the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence, Wernick Adult Day Health Care, Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care, and Genesis Lifecare.
Berman noted the original goal of the survey was to receive candid feedback from employees. “It was a pleasant surprise to be honored with this certification,” stated Berman. He emphasized that the employee responses are a valuable tool for the continued growth of the organization. “I have personally read each and every comment and will take to heart all suggestions and recommendations.” Added Berman, “We have created a supportive, caring, and productive culture, which translates to the high-quality care we provide to our residents. But there is work to do to further improve. Such improvement will always be our first priority.”
JGS Lifecare received this certification along with Legacy Lifecare, the network of not-for-profit organizations of which it is a founding affiliate and member. Other affiliates include Chelsea Jewish Lifecare of Chelsea and Peabody, Deutsches Altenheim of West Roxbury, and Elizabeth Seton Residence and Marillac Residence of Wellesley.
We applaud all our employees who make our organization so very special!
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June 15, 2022
A great time was had by all at our Annual Veteran’s BBQ held on June 2nd. Our resident Veterans enjoyed visiting with Veterans from the community, sharing stories and a wonderful meal. Lena Velturro, Director of Veteran’s Affairs for the Town of Longmeadow, helped organize the event. Rob Whitten served up the delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.
On June 6th our residents gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavout. Services were followed by a holiday social gathering on Michael’s Patio, where strawberry shortcake was served and enjoyed by all.
On June 7th residents from our A1 and NY neighborhoods enjoyed a BBQ on Michael’s patio. Rob Whitten demonstrated his amazing grilling talents again, serving up hamburgers, hotdogs and more. A BBQ for our C1 and C2 residents is planned for July.
Herb planting, bag toss and bingo continue to be favorite pastimes for our residents!
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June 10, 2022
In 1996, the National Safety Council established June as National Safety Month in the United States. The goal is to focus on ways to keep the environment safe and free from danger. To that end, our organization has prepared emergency plans as well as trained staff in a number of scenarios. Frequent updates are essential as rules and regulations change continuously.
Marc Richard, Director of Facilities Engineering at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and JGS Lifecare, explained the importance of safety in our residences. “It is imperative that all our centers maintain their safety standards,” commented Richard. “We have multiple regulatory inspections surveys during the year such as OSHA, CMS, DPH, LSC, Joint Commission and VA, as well as inspections from the local police department, fire department and Board of Health, among others that check for our compliance with all regulatory codes.
Our organization has partnered with the TELS P.M. program, which is a computerized task and preventative maintenance inspection program that tracks the centers compliance with safety measures. The TELS program generates weekly reports showing tasks that are upcoming, completed and/or need attention. It also features a work order system that generates work orders tickets immediately directly to the department and prioritizes them by need.
Additionally, each of our centers also have an Emergency Preparedness Plan, which is reviewed annually. The plans are center based, with policies and training procedures that cover all possible needs during a disaster or emergency. Every year each center performs two disaster drills, one that is community based and involves local emergency services, and one that is considered a tabletop drill, which is based on a situation of vulnerability in which the center may experience like a blizzard or a hurricane.
Precautions are also taken in terms of personal safety. “It’s a known fact that seniors are most at risk for falls,” stated Richard. “In fact, falls are the most common incident as people age. As a result, we make sure that areas are marked for wet floors, handrails are used properly and the corridors are always clean and clear. These precautions can prevent many falls.”
Marc noted that the safety procedures at CJL Lifecare and JGS Lifecare are constantly being monitored and reviewed. “Through frequent surveys, inspections, equipment checks and safety committee meetings to monitor quality improvements, we feel confident our environment and residences meet the most stringent safety requirements,” stated Richard. He added, “Our number one priority is to keep the environment of our residents and staff safe.”
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June 7, 2022
Ellen Rosemond, MSW, LCSW
Medical Social Worker at Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care
Born and raised in Longmeadow, MA, Ellen Rosemond’s impressive career spans 27 years, with 12 of the years working at JGS Lifecare. For Ellen, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience, made even more so when she was asked in 2015 to join the Spectrum Hospice Team. As she stated, “I love the varied aspects of this role. Getting to hear the true-life stories of the patients and families about their lives is amazing!”
After attending Trinity College in Washington, DC to get her BA in History, Ellen went on to receive a MSW from Springfield College. Notably, her first internship for was with Greater Springfield Senior Services in the Protective Services Department. Here she was introduced to working with an elderly population who displayed complex medical and psychosocial needs.
When Ellen joined JGS Lifecare in 2010 as a social worker, she worked on the A1 and C2 units. In her current role as Medical Social Worker at Spectrum, she wears several hats. While her main position is to function as the social worker and bereavement coordinator for the hospice team, she also coordinates hospice volunteers. “My work is truly gratifying,” stated Ellen. “I enjoy helping individuals adjust to multiple life and health changes, set goals, and provide a support system so they can voice their fears and wishes.”
Ellen credits her satisfaction with her job, in large part, to her talented team. “They are caring, compassionate and so good at what they do,” remarked Ellen. “I feel fortunate, every single day, that we get to work with each other. Our team processes the losses we experience and problem solve challenging cases together.” Added Ellen, “I am inspired by the entire staff at JGS Lifecare throughout our whole campus. I have always felt that no one department is any more important than another, and that everyone’s ideas and contributions matter. In fact, It is our staff that make us so exceptional! I’ve seen so many examples of staff members going ‘above and beyond” to provide comfort for a resident. Clearly, this degree of compassion sets our organization apart from others.”
On a personal note, Ellen resides in the Forest Park section of Springfield with her husband Michael and their four children: Maggie (22), Tommy (20), Sean (18) and Mary (12). In her spare time, Ellen enjoys hiking, playing tennis and reading as well as attending her children’s many sporting games and activities. It is a busy, full life and joyful life, and Ellen wouldn’t have it any other way!
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June 1, 2022
One of the most effective ways to find out how our residents feel about our services and residences is to simply ask them! We did just that, and the feedback from our both Resident Satisfaction Survey and Family Care Plan Meetings are helpful, relevant, and honest. Take a look at what our residents are saying this month:
Short-Term Rehabilitation
“I was hungry when I got here, since I had missed lunch. The chef came and asked what I’d like to eat. He brought me beautiful bowl of cut fruit! He was so kind!
“Food has been excellent so far — warm and tasty”.
“Everyone has been very attentive.”
“The staff are so nice and very professional.”
“People are quick to respond and take such good care of me.”
“The therapists have been fantastic so far. They explained the exercises and listened to my concerns. They observed and respected my limitations. In fact, they helped me do tasks I didn’t think I was ready to do yet.”
“Rehab is very good for me. The staff makes me work hard. I like that!”
Long-Term Rehabilitation
“Team members were thorough, thoughtful and receptive to my questions.”
“Great job by all involved. We really appreciate your efforts!”
“I appreciate the work everyone does to give my mom the care she needs and allows her to have a quality of life. Having activities and socialization is important to her and her family.”
“Thank you so much for giving me peace of mind when it comes to my mom’s care. All of you are so helpful and kind!”
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