Message from Rob Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare

September 15, 2022

Dear Residents and Families,

I have very exciting news to share. Recently, the Department of Public Health was onsite for a week in August to survey our skilled nursing residence and rate our level of care. The end result: we received the best survey results the building has had in many years! With the most recent Nursing Home Compare Star rating going from three to four, this survey should bring us to 5 stars after the next CMS update, which is the highest possible rating. I am so proud of our dedicated staff and wonderful residents who are responsible for us receiving this prestigious designation.

For those of you who observe the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and You Kippur, I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. These special days are a time to rejoice in being with family and friends as well as reflect on the past year.

Although the long days of summer are behind us, I hope everyone is now enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It’s one of my favorite times of year.

Warm regards,

Rob

Rob Witten
President
JGS Lifecare

September Activities

September 16, 2022

Outdoor activities, pet therapy, new recipes and staff celebrations are highlights of our September activities.

Residents and staff at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home have been enjoying the break in the heat and especially being outdoors. Research has shown that outdoor gardens are very therapeutic for the elderly, especially for those with dementia. Planting and nurturing flowers and vegetables calms the mind while boosting the spirit. Gardens stimulate the senses through aromatherapy. Gardening also helps seniors maintain core strength and balance, both of which are key for preventing falls. Thanks to a grant received from the Sephardic Foundation on Aging repairs and improvements are underway in two of our outdoor courtyards at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home, enhancing outdoor programming for our residents. In one courtyard the paved area has been extended 100 square feet to offer a larger area for gatherings and activities. Hedges and trees have been trimmed, new shrubs and perennial flowers have been planted, and new wood raised garden beds and outdoor furniture has been purchased. Our residents are enjoying being outdoors in a safe and secure environment, surrounded by all the benefits of nature.

Stephany White, a member of our therapy department, brought in her adorable black lab, who brought smiles and joy to our residents! Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft ears or felt the gentle rumble of a cat’s purr knows the calming feeling an animal can offer. We are looking forward to more visits from our four-legged friends….we hope our resident cats Thelma and Louise won’t get jealous!

Who has ever heard of a green tomato pie? Well, our resident have, and they loved it! Cheryl Gumlaw and Dianne Cusson of our Life Enrichment Department tried out this new recipe and our residents found it to taste very similar to apple pie. They loved it, and the pies were really beautiful. Thank you Cheryl and Dianne!

At JGS Lifecare we have the best staff!! To show our appreciation for their extraordinary dedication and commitment, we held a two-day employee celebration for all shifts that included a food truck with delicious tacos, a cold beverage bar, and ice cream truck. Staff spun our big “Wheel of Fortune” for the chance to win prizes and everyone was entered in our raffle. Thank you for all that you do each and every day to enhance the lives of our residents!

JGS Lifecare to hold its 2022 Annual Meeting Thursday, September 22, 2022 | Susan Goldsmith to receive Chairman’s Service Award

September 12, 2022

JGS Lifecare, a leading health care system serving seniors and their families, will hold its 2022 Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served at 5:30 PM in Michael’s Café. The Annual Meeting will commence at 6:30 PM in the Hy and Roz Gloth Auditorium. The community is encouraged to participate.

The Annual Meeting will include a special presentation of the Chairman’s Service Award to Susan Goldsmith, a two-term past president of JGS Lifecare. “It is a great personal pleasure to pay tribute to my predecessor and dear friend,” says JGS Board Chair Dr. Stuart Anfang. “Susan provided outstanding leadership during four very tumultuous years. Under her wise guidance we emerged stronger and better positioned to face challenges and embrace new opportunities. I am delighted to recognize Susan for her commitment to JGS Lifecare and the people we serve by presenting her with the 2022 Chairman’s Service Award.”

Adam Berman, chief executive officer of JGS Lifecare, will offer a community update and preview of upcoming plans at JGS Lifecare and Robert Whitten, newly appointed president of JGS Lifecare, will offer his remarks.

Register to attend by contacting Susan Halpern by Friday, September 16th at shalpern@jgslifecare.org or 413-567-3949, ext. 3533 or go to JGSLifecare.org/annualmeeting to be directed to the online registration form.

About JGS Lifecare

JGS Lifecare is a leading health care system serving seniors and their families. JGS Lifecare has a 23-acre campus of care located in Longmeadow, MA. Their family of services include nursing home care (The Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home), rehabilitation services (Sosin Center for Rehabilitation), orthopedic specialty rehabilitation (Northeast Rehab Associates), assisted living (Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence), adult day health care (Wernick Adult Day Health Care), home health and hospice care (Spectrum Home Health & Hospice), palliative care (Francis B. Cohen Palliative Care Program), and independent living (Genesis Lifecare). For more information, call JGS Lifecare at 413-567-6211 or visit JGSLifecare.org

Attention Residents and Families: We Need Your Help!

September 8, 2022

Our Resident Satisfaction Survey is here. This survey is a means for our organization to obtain valuable feedback, enabling us to provide the best quality care. To coordinate the survey, we have partnered with Activated Insights, a nationally recognized research firm.

“The involvement of our families is vital to the care and support of our residents,” stated Melissa Kershaw, MPT, Director of Development for Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “Family feedback allows us to celebrate the things we are doing well and also make adjustments in the areas where we can do better.”

The survey is completely confidential and will take place from September 12 through October 4. At that time, residents and families will receive an email or text invitation from Activated Insights providing you with a special link to the survey. This link will be unique to each individual. The survey can be accessed via a smart phone, computer, or tablet and is compatible with all devices and web browsers. It should take approximately ten minutes to complete the survey.

Our “Survey Champion,” also known as our Executive Directors, will guide residents who need assistance with the survey. They will be available to provide tablets for residents, answer questions, assist with the survey code and offer assistance with reading the questions, if needed.

Results will be shared residents and families a few months after the end of the survey. Kershaw stressed the importance of the survey. “We continuously strive to support and care for our residents in the best possible way. Family feedback is invaluable and will guide us as we strive to ensure that our residents are living their best lives!”

Here is a preview of a sample question:

Northeast Rehab Brings Specialized Patient-Centered Approach to JGS Lifecare Campus

September 8, 2022

On June 1st, 2022, Northeast Rehab Associates, Inc. relocated their Agawam practice to the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation on the JGS Lifecare campus. Rob Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare, is very excited about the new partnership. “Northeast Rehab, owned by Cherie Stack, adds a specialty component for orthopedic rehabilitation to our campus of care,” remarked Rob. “Cherie has always had a top-notch reputation in the industry, and I knew, coupled with our Green House® model of care and our existing rehab team, we would be able to achieve great things. Orthopedics is her true specialty, along with multi-trauma, but she also brings additional cardiac, respiratory as well as pulmonary care to the table.”

Mary-Anne Schelb, Director of Business Development at JGS Lifecare, recently sat down with Cherie to discuss the move. Take a look at why Cheri wanted to join the JGS family and her goals for the future.

Q. What prompted the move to JGS Lifecare?

A. Proper rehabilitation is a key component to living a long and healthful life. When I met with Rob Whitten, I could tell that our vision and mission aligned. At Sosin the patient is always put first. That’s how we operate as well and what really matters.

Q. What brought you to decide on the Sosin Center as the new location for Northeast Rehab Associates?

A. The Sosin Center is a small house model of short-term rehab care, known as the Green House® model. It is the only one in Western Mass. I was searching for an organization that adopted the person-centered care approach that is so important to optimal healing. My team and I have always treated the whole person, not just the symptom of the day. If you really listen to what the patients are saying, understand their goals, and work with their support system – you help them achieve their goals. I knew I could do this at Sosin. They had the foundation in place already, so it was a very smooth transition.

Q. Was there anything in particular that stood out about the Sosin Center and JGS Lifecare?

A. I was impressed that the Center offers all private patient rooms and bathrooms. That is really unique. Built upon the small house model of care, the Sosin Center really feels like a real home. From the central kitchen and open dining room and living room areas, our patients feel like they are living in a beautiful home. It truly is a wonderful place to rehab and prepare to go home. Add a state-of-the-art gym and a staff that is specially trained for great orthopedic outcomes, and it’s a win-win.

Q. What are your goals for the future?

A. I have always worked very closely with the area’s orthopedic surgeons. Working together with the patients and their families, we are able to identify and personalize each patient’s care plan to best regain their highest level of function and achieve their personal goals. For the past 25 years we have been a preferred and respected referral, and we have come to speak the same language. I am very much looking forward to the collaboration with JGS Lifecare.