Message from Rob Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare

October 9, 2024

Dear Residents and Families,

As we prepare for the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year.  We will be celebrating the fall harvest festival of Sukkot and Simchat Torah next. Both holidays are joyous, filled with decorations, songs and traditional foods.

The JGS Annual Meeting, which took place on Tuesday evening, October 8th, was a great success and very well attended. We were fortunate to have Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, as our featured speaker. Mr. Berman is a nationally recognized innovator in the Green House Model of Care. His heartfelt remarks were relevant to all of us.

This year, the Chair’s Service Award will be presented to Richard Halpern, a dedicated member of the JGS Lifecare Board of Directors. Richard has had a significant impact on our success in raising community philanthropic support to make ongoing campus renovations and expansions possible. He has also enhanced our programs and services. I am delighted to recognize Richard for his commitment to JGS Lifecare and the people we serve.

Warm regards,

Rob

Jeanne McGrath Celebrates her 100th Birthday at JNH!

October 11, 2024

We held a festive birthday celebration for resident Jeanne McGrath. Jeanne turned 100 on September 3! It was a special day for all of us and Jeanne loved every minute. Take a look at the photos and the letter she wrote to Cheryl Gumlaw, our Director of Life Enrichment.

Dear Cheryl,  

Thank you and your staff for planning a wonderful birthday party in celebration of my 100th birthday. The auditorium was decorated beautifully and the crown and sash certainly made me feel special. 

The friends at my table raved about the event including the singer and her selection of music, the participation and enthusiasm of the staff, and the delicious cake. It was also so nice that you arranged for Senator Jake Oliveira to present me with a citation.

Please pass on my thanks to Rob and Carol, I think it is so thoughtful and generous that you plan these parties to honor residents who reach their 100th year milestone.

It is certainly a credit to the nursing home when the care provided allows a resident to attend a party in their honor and enjoy their 100th year —and beyond!

Love,

Jeanne

Summer and Fall Fun at JGS Lifecare!

October 11, 2024

The end of summer at JGS Lifecare was filled with activities that kept our residents smiling and engaged, despite the soaring temperatures in the high 80s and 90s. Our Life Enrichment team made sure there was plenty of fun to go around, both indoors and out. And the fall weather has been beautiful!

Here’s an overview of highlights from the last few months:

Corn Shucking and Baking Cookies

Our annual corn shucking activity was a hit! There’s something so satisfying about peeling off the husk to reveal those golden kernels Since it was shucked by our residents, we think it even tasted sweeter! Homemade cookies were also in demand. Baking cookies from scratch brought back so many wonderful memories for everyone. The sweet aroma of freshly made cookies in the oven was simply irresistible!

Ladies Group Enjoys Healthy Refreshments

It’s great to see our Ladies Group continue to thrive, enjoying healthy fruits, vegetables and great conversation. There’s always a lot of shared joy and laughter.

Monthly Veteran’s Gatherings Continue

The camaraderie of our monthly Veteran’s gathering is heartwarming. Our residents cherish these moments to deepen friendships and share new stories each month.

Annual Hawaiian Night Luau a Festive Celebration

The Hawaiian Luau BBQ, an annual event, transported us to a Hawaiian oasis. Residents donned festive attire, enjoyed Hawaiian-themed decorations and foods. For music, everyone sang along to the lively tunes of Irving Lewis. A great time was had by all!

Rosh Hashanah Brings Families Together to Celebrate the New Year

Our Rosh Hashanah dinner was a beautiful celebration of the New Year. Families came together to celebrate and look forward to the year ahead.

STCC Students Learn and Give Back

Nursing students from Springfield Technical Community College paid us a visit. The group joined together with our residents to make a variety of artistic craft projects. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to gain hands-on experience, and for our residents to make new friends and express their creativity.

As fall unfolds, we eagerly anticipate the thanksgiving season and look forward to creating new and enriching experiences for our residents!

Richard Halpern Receives the 2024 Chair’s Service Award at JGS Lifecare’s Annual Meeting

October 11, 2024

JGS Lifecare celebrated its 2024 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The event brought together a community of supporters to acknowledge recent accomplishments, discuss future plans, and honor the contributions of longtime board member Richard Halpern.

“We were thrilled to gather with our community to share our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for our residents and recognize the extraordinary service of Richard Halpern,” said Robert Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare. “Richard has had a significant impact on our success in raising community philanthropic support to make ongoing campus renovations and expansions possible. He has also enhanced our programs and services. I am delighted he is getting recognition for his commitment to JGS Lifecare and the people we serve.”

Highlights of the meeting included speeches from Dr. Stuart Anfang, Chairman of the JGS Lifecare board; Robert Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare; and Adam Berman, CEO of JGS Lifecare. Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, the managerial partner of JGS Lifecare, offered reflections on the current state of the eldercare industry. Special presentations were made by Senator Jake Oliveira and Representative Brian Ashe, who extended congratulations to Richard Halpern on behalf of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives.

Barry Berman emphasized the success of the Green House® Model in improving the quality of life for seniors, announcing plans to incorporate these principles into upcoming renovations at the 5-star quality rated Leavitt Family Jewish Home. “The renovations at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home will adhere to the Green House® principles that have proven so effective at the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation,” stated Berman. “This will earn the Home the distinction of becoming a Legacy Green House title reserved for facilities that have successfully implemented this innovative model of care. We are excited to gain community support to ensure JGS Lifecare continues to be the crown jewel of eldercare in western Massachusetts.”

The meeting culminated with the presentation of the Chair’s Service Award to Richard Halpern. “It is a great pleasure to pay tribute to Richard,” said JGS Board Chair Dr. Stuart Anfang. “Richard has held numerous leadership positions over his more than 40 years of service. His unwavering dedication to the elderly and to advancing the mission of JGS Lifecare is truly inspiring.”

In his acceptance speech, Halpern acknowledged the many leaders who have inspired him throughout his tenure, particularly Julian Leavitt, who recruited him to the board in 1976. “Julian was a visionary leader and a wonderful mentor. When Julian talked, people listened. It’s been rewarding to see his children continue his legacy of compassion and commitment, which is why the Home proudly bears the Leavitt Family name,” Halpern remarked.

Looking ahead, Halpern expressed his excitement about co-chairing the upcoming Transforming Lifecare Campaign with former board chair Susan Goldsmith. “This campaign will transform our living environment for residents, introducing a residential model that offers the highest standards of comfort and dignity,” said Halpern. ”This transformation is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a true home for our residents — a place where they feel safe, loved and valued.”

We Need Your Help!

September 11, 2024

It’s time for our annual Resident Satisfaction Survey and we are hoping all of our residents and families will participate this year. The survey is a means for our organization to obtain valuable feedback, which in turn helps us provide the highest quality of care. Once again, we have partnered with Activated Insights to implement the survey.

“Feedback from our families is vital to the care and support of our residents,” stated Melissa Kershaw, MPT, Director of Development for JGS Lifecare. “Your input 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 October 17 through October 31. At that time, residents and families will receive an email or text invitationfrom 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 Executive Directors, now known as “Survey Champions,” will guide residents who need assistance in taking the survey. They will be available to provide tablets, answer questions, assist with the survey code and offer assistance with reading the questions, if needed.

Kershaw stressed the importance of the survey. “We continuously strive to support and care for our residents in the best ways possible. Comments from both our residents and family are a tremendous help. We truly appreciate the feedback and will listen to every word!”