4573 State Route 40, Argyle, NY 12809
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 2016
A note from the Administrator
Cinco de Mayo Party
Thurs. May 5th @ 2:30pm
Ladies’ Slide Show &
Luncheons
Fri. May 6th @ 11am
& Fri. June 3rd @ 11am
Nat’l Nursing Home Wk.
Wondering what the screens are that are hanging in the
hallways? They are kiosks that are allowing our Certified
Nurse Aides (CNA’s) to enter real time information into our data collection
system. The software that our company has adopted in all of our 32 homes is
called Point Click Care (PCC). We are moving away from paper charts and into
the world of electronic medical records (EMR). Our CNA’s will be documenting
on activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing and grooming. This
It’ a Small World
May 8th -14th
information will then be readily accessible for our LPN’s and RN’s to devise a plan
of care that is appropriate and specific for each resident.
Mothers’ Day
Ice Cream Social
Sun. May 8th 2:45 pm
Battenkill Clowns
Fri. May 13th & 27th @ 11:15
Monthly Birthday Parties
w/ Country Bluebillies
Our nurses are also moving full steam ahead with EMR’s. We have for some
time now been documenting medications and treatments in our computer system,
but we will now be doing assessments and nursing notes. Not be left out, our
doctors are ordering and discontinuing medications and the rest of our care team
is getting fully integrated into PCC as well.
Thurs. May 19th @ 2:30
Thurs. June 16th @ 2:30
Hartford Comm. Band
Sun. June 12th @ 6:30pm
The world as we know it is changing and soon paper charts will be as obsolete as
rotary telephones. EMR’s will increase the productivity of our staff, as well as
improve the quality of care and safety of your family member/friend. Please stop
Gary Van Sl-yke:
by and see me if you have any questions!
Storyteller/One Man Band
Fri. May 6th & Fri. June 3rd
Sincerely,
Healing Harp w/ Bonnie
Wed. May 25th &
Wed. June 22nd
Brooke Daley
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May 2016
New Company-Wide Program: ‘Employee of the Month’
Meet Alice, Matt & Mary
Congratulations to Alice Porter, a physical therapy aide who has worked with
PVI/Washington Center since September of 2002. She is also a Certified
Nurse Aide who on occasions helps out the care teams.
Alice always has a smile on her face and is quick to assist her coworkers and
residents. Her positive attitude is infectious in the gym and has, no doubt, led
to many rehab successes.
Many thanks Alice!
And congratulations to Matt Wilkinson of the Dietary Department. Matt is a
high schooler and although officially a Dietary Aide, has become the Dietary
Team Leader.
His supervisor, Deb Mackey, describes him as a self-starter, who has the
ability to direct others and mentor new staff. He is willing to take on challenges
and shows great pride in his accomplishments. He never complains, has a
positive ‘can-do’ attitude and is highly motivated.
Meet Mary Sandorini, C.N.A. on Midtown, who has worked here since June
2015. Our Director of Nursing, Kylle Baker, had wonderful things to say about
Mary. “Mary is very kind, empathetic and resident-oriented. She never
complains and goes above and beyond in a big way. She is an extremely hard
worker and we are very fortunate to have her on our team.” Thank you, Mary.
Recognizing our Many Volunteers!
National Volunteer Week: April 10-17th
On Thursday, April 14th, Vinnie & Susan hosted a Volunteer Recognition
dinner party in the Sunshine Cafe for a number of our many volunteers. It
was catered by Panera Bread and supplemented by delicious chocolate
cake from our Dietary Team. Our regular volunteers, young & old, include:
Carol Campbell, master resident houseplant caretaker; Alexis Howes,
a sophomore at Argyle High School, here 3 afternoons/week; Linda Thomas & her dog, Oliver, dedicated Country Meadows’
bowling helpers; Helen Robinson, Bingo caller twice/week here for 9 years; Mickey McFarren, lay reverend here for 19 years,
Dorothy Page, garden assistant, Deb Steidle, Christmas wrapper extraordinaire & youth volunteer recruiter, Kathy Flanagan,
recently assisting with our Music-n-Memory program, and Deb Price, who recently began offering a bi-monthly Rosary Service.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL & our apologies if we forgot to name someone!
.
May 2016
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Celebrating Twenty Years of Service:
Val Dennis, LPN at our Adult Daycare Program
Val started at Pleasant Valley Infirmary (P.V.I.) originally as a C.N.A.,
working primarily on Midtown. She later studied nursing at BOCES and in
the past six years has worked at our Adult Daycare. Her coworkers
describe her amazing ability to stay calm and focused in the midst of any
possible “hurricane” which might be storming around her. She says she
greatly enjoys being with the registrants and their families. In her free time
Val raises “Silkie” chickens and has only recently adopted a farm-girl
lifestyle! Fun facts: Val greatly enjoys shopping & is an avid sun-bather.
*************
HOT CROSS BUN SOCIAL &
VISITS WITH OUR LOCAL
EASTER BUNNY
Our ladies enjoyed decorating straw
bonnets during Holy Week. On Good
Friday the Activities Team hosted a ‘Hot
Cross Bun Social’ with a surprise visit
from the Easter Bunny: Guess who?
Michele from our Activities team, who is
one of the newer faces on the team,
having started full-time here in early
January. Thank you Michele.
CELEBRATNG NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK:
“It’s a Small World with a Big Heart” May 9-13th
Our Dietary & Activities Departments have teamed up for a fun week “traveling” around the world in five days!
We will be “visiting” France, Italy, Germany, China & ‘Hometown USA’ tasting and dancing our way through
many unique cultural activities. Everyone is welcome to get dressed up (prizes for best costumes) and join us
for our special themed lunches and socials and other ‘happenings’. Details are in the works and will follow
soon on our printed May calendar as well as on Facebook as an event! Special highlights will be a visit from
the N.Y. State Troopers for an ice cream social on Thursday May 12th.
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May 2016
Men’s Club hosted by Vinnie Mark & sponsored by Angelina’s Pizzeria
Our bi-weekly Men’s Club, hosted by Vinnie Mark, has met for dinner regularly since last November.
Typically, 15-20 guys gather for jokes and good food. Recently, the fellows took our bus and went to lunch
at Angelina’s Pizzeria of Queensbury meeting up with the owner, Jeff (a triplet, by the way!)
Angelina’s has unofficially sponsored
many of the club’s Monday night
dinners, as well as several of our lunch
fundraisers in our lobby.
So, please, if you are in Queensbury,
stop in and support Angelina’s! They
are located at 216 Quaker Road. Or
visit his brother’s pizzeria (165
Broadway Pizza) in Fort Edward.
Thank you, Jeff, for your great
generosity!
Four Alarm Chili Cook-off to support the Greenwich & Middle Falls Fire Departments
Wed. March 30th: Our Dietary Director, Deb Mackey, takes a double challenge!
e
May 2016
5
LADIES’ MONTHLY FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Friends & family always welcome!
Green Luncheon in March:
Celebrating Irish-American Heritage & St. Patrick’s Day
& Yellow Daffodil Luncheon in April:
Celebrating All Things Spring
Join us in May for ‘Cinco de Madre’
A Creative Fusion of Cinco de Mayo & Mothers’ Day
Friday, May 6th Mexican Fiesta Lunch served at Noon
11am Virgin Margaritas &
Slide show by Kate Dudding, professional storyteller
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May 2016
A note from Kenny
I’ve been a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for many years, and National Nursing
Home week has always been special to me. This year the official celebration is during the
second week of May, but at Centers facilities throughout the northeast, it’s a month long
festival. National Nursing Home Week is so special because it recognizes the important
contributions of every single person on the team. Where would any of us be without each other? And more
to the point, what would the lives of our residents be like without the help and support they enjoy from
everyone. Just look around any facility and you’ll see what I mean. The buildings are cared for inside and
out. Things we take for granted like heat and hot water and a manicured lawn in the summer time are all
managed by the facility maintenance staff. Even helping out with small chores, like hanging a picture or
helping take in a delivery of supplies, plays a part in turning our facilities into people’s homes. The laundry
is done, the linens are changed, hearty meals are prepared and served, floors are kept clean, holidays are
celebrated with parties and decorations, and our visitors are greeted warmly when they walk through the
front door. And I know I speak for every Administrator when I point out the critical contribution of all those
who toil behind the scenes on our administrative teams, keeping mountains of paperwork moving so that
the rest of us have what we need to deliver such exemplary service. There’s no question that at Centers
Health Care we have some of the finest RNs, CNAs, LPNs, social workers and therapists in the industry,
but it takes everyone together to make an ordinary skilled nursing facility into a home worthy of the Centers
Health Care name. To everyone on our team, in every department, in every facility, this month is all about
you – we salute you and we thank you.
Kenny Rozenberg, CEO
Awakened at CentersTM
Our last newsletter included an article by our CEO, Kenny
Rozenberg, about National Alzheimer’s month. In every
one of our Centers facilities are at least a few residents
who are living with this disease, and in some there is a
sizable group. This month we are proud to announce that
we are making our Awakened at Centers program
available to all of our facilities. The Awakened program is
something that was designed to help members of the Centers Health Care family meet the special needs and
challenges of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. After piloting the program in the
Holliswood Center with great success, and incorporating best practices uncovered in some of our other
facilities, we now have a proven curriculum that will set the bar for the way this population is cared for. The
Awakened program provides structure, engagement and stimulation through carefully coordinated cognitive
and physical activities. This is a clinical program under the direction of our recreation department and
developed with the assistance of Dr. David Trachtenberg, Professor of Psychiatry at NYU Medical Center.
Already, family members of residents who are enrolled in the program have overwhelmingly applauded it. In
fact, some families have chosen Centers Health Care for their loved one specifically based on our Awakened
program. If you’re interested about learning more, ask the administrator or recreation director if the Awakened
program will be coming to your facility in the future.
May 2016
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Recognizing the Best of the Best
We all know that May is not just about spring flowers
and Mother’s Day. It’s also about National Nursing
Home Month where we celebrate the contributions of
everyone who helps to keep our facilities running
smoothly and our residents happy and well cared for.
But why limit that celebration of excellence to once
week a year? We have great staffers doing great
jobs all year long. So to recognize that, we’ve
launched the Centers Health Care Employee of the
month program. Every facility now has a framed
poster that will highlight their Employee of the Month.
Honorees can come from any department and
already we’ve seen people selected from
Housekeeping, Maintenance, Dietary, Nursing,
Therapy and more. Honorees receive a certificate
and personal photograph as well as seeing their
photo placed on display for a full year along with the
other Employees of the Month. If you weren’t
chosen, keep trying! In time we hope to see
everyone take their place among the honorees.
For our Moms and Dads
Of all the holidays we celebrate, only two are devoted to everyday people who share one thing in common –
they are our Mothers and Fathers. Everyday people doing extraordinary things. They solve problems they
have never encountered and make it sound like it’s all part of a day’s work. They put food on the table, a roof
over our heads, and clothes on our backs. They see that we’re educated, that we know right from wrong, that
we believe in something greater than ourselves, that we grow up with a love of country and a pride in our
accomplishments. And they do it all with no practice, no lessons, and often with no coaching. They bring their
first child home and just start doing it, being a Mom or a Dad. Everyday people? Hardly. More like everyday
heroes. And here at Centers we have the honor of calling thousands of these heroes - Moms and Dad – our
residents. So from all of us to Moms and Dads everywhere, thanks, and have a great day!
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May 2016
Did You Know?
Lucille D. was a professional organist. She is a big
fan of the TV show, ‘Dancing with the Stars’.
Richard “Dick” P. was a Shoreline Boat Captain
as well as a NYS Trooper. Dick enjoyed playing
violin as a child.
Barbara E. is an accomplished seamstress and
once sewed Inaugural ball gowns bound for
Washington D.C. Balls!
Louis H. was a T.V. repairman who owned his own
T.V. repair shop, besides being a firefighter.
HAPPY MAY
BIRTHDAYS!
2nd Jerry C.
4th Robert “Bob” P.
8th Rita S. (CM)
10th Jean R.
11th Cheryl G.
17th Ann Mon. (CM)
23rd Ann Mur.
Lillian T. grew up as one of twelve children on the
prairie in Montana. She has always loved taking
care of children.
28th Irene M. (CM)
Thomas “Tom” A. –as a young man studied
sculpting on a full scholarship to France! For many
years he taught animal anatomy and sculpting at
BOCES. Additionally, Tom was a visiting art
teacher in the local public school system.
4th Terry L.
MaryAnne McC. was a devoted caretaker/nanny
for children in Cambridge, NY.
Denise C. ran her own home-based nursery school
for many years called ‘Tick Tock Nursery Care’. On
the side she conducted marketing research.
& HAPPY
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
5th Mary Ann C.
6th Pauline “P.J.”
15th Alfred “Al” D. (CM)
& Charles H. (CM)
22nd Raymond “Ray” S.
23rd Nancy R.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
SAVE THE DATE!
We will be participating in the Argyle Village 4th of July
Parade this year which falls on a Monday. We will be
pulling a flatbed trailer “float” & “all hands are needed on
deck!” All parade particsipants will gather at 10am in
order to be ready for the 11am parade start.
Come help decorate our float on the patio, Friday July
1st or help the morning of the 4th to “adorn” our residents.
Or simply come march with us in the parade-or help
carry our banner. Speak to Beth Gillis or Susan Dent by
June 30th to sign-up.
28th William “Bill” W.
28th Beatrice H. (CM)
4573 State Route 40, Argyle, NY 12809
www.washingtonrehabcenter.net