Heddington Herald
Newsletter for the Residents, Families, Volunteers and Staff at Heddington Oaks
July-August 2015
Heddington Oaks is Our
Home Away From Home
Some residents call Heddington
Oaks home for several years. For
many others, it’s a short stay for
rehab therapy and then a safe return
to their own home. For staff, the
hours and care given inside these
walls make it feel like a second home.
We strive to create a “home
away from home” environment for
everyone at Heddington Oaks. This
month, we celebrate that feeling of
home. On Friday, July 17th, both
staff and residents are encouraged
to be comfy like home by wearing
their pajamas all day. July 17 is
Pajama Day at Heddington Oaks!
“If I can’t be at my house,
this is a nice place to be.”
~former rehab resident
There will be a contest amongst
employees for the funniest pajamas.
Cast your vote in the activities room.
The winner will receive pampering
from AlignLife - a complimentary
massage!
For residents and family members, we’re making a backyard
summer classic. Join us for Smores
at 1:30pm in the main activity
room.
If you feel like Heddington
Oaks is your “home away from
home”, stop by the activities room
on July 17 and pick up a button
and/or car magnet.
Residents Adopt A Platoon
The residents at
Heddington Oaks
recently adopted a U.S.
platoon serving in Afghanistan.
Each month, they’ll support this
group of overseas soldiers by delivering a care package of useful items. If
you would like to donate any items
or help cover shipping costs, please
contact Kathy Haggard at 309-6363600. For more information about
the national program, visit www.
AdoptaPlatoon.org.
2223 W. Heading Avenue, West Peoria, IL 61604 | (309) 636-3600
DID YOU KNOW? Heddington
Oaks has a Veterans Group that
meets once a month (3rd Monday).
Currently, there are 24 vets at
Heddington Oaks, with 20 of
them serving inWorld War II.
HeddingtonOaks.com
Back-to-School Bash!
The PIZZA PATROL is back in
action! The Activities staff are
serving up homemade pizzas
with salad and homemade
buttermilk ranch dressing. Each
month, they treat a different
wing of residents.
July 23 - B200
August 20 - D100
Back-to-School Open House
Thursday, August 13 from 3:00-5:00 pm
It seems like the summer just
began, but schooltime will return
in no time Heddington Oaks
invites area children to stop by and
visit with our residents before they
head back to school. On Thursday,
August13, Heddington Oaks is
hosting a “Back-to-School Bash”.
Students may stop by anytime from
3:00-5:00 pm that day to pick up
a special gift to help stock their
school supplies. Starting at 3:15
pm, there is special entertainment
for the kids and residents - a Magic
Show! It will make you wonder and
laugh all at the same time! While
the kids are enjoying the magic
show, facility tours are available for
adults who would like to see our
home. Mark your calendars!
The Wellmobile Returns!
Alzheimer’s & Dementia
Family Support Group
Next Meetings:
July 15 and August 19
Does your loved one suffer from
a form of dementia? Join our
family support group that meets
the third Wednesday of each
month, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Led by our social services and
dementia unit staff, each month
is a group discussion focused
on a different topic of concern.
Light refreshments are provided.
Thursday, July 16 • 8-10:00 am • Heddington Oaks
Heddington Oaks welcomes
the UnityPoint Health-Methodist
Wellmobile on Thursday, July 16
from 8-10 a.m. This health service
is open to the general public inside
Heddington Oaks’ main activity
room. No appointment is needed.
Interested residents, family members,
employees, and neighbors are encouraged to take advantage of the FREE
professional screenings of blood
pressure, cholesterol/blood glucose
and spirometry. (Note: An 8-12 hour
fast is required before the cholesterol/
blood glucose screening.) It is recommended that participants drink 16
oz. of water before arriving. Coffee,
iced tea and diet soda are okay, but no
added sweetners or creamers.
The Wellmobile is an education
program designed to promote
healthier living in our community.
It brings free or low-cost screenings
throughout Central Illinois. Caring
and trained staff members
provide education on
healthy living, early
detection of disease, disease
prevention and more.
www.Wellmobile.com
Caring for Seniors with Respect and Compassion
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT
July
6
9
11
13
16
16
16
17
18
19
20
25
26
27
29
30
31
Rosalie Bathe
Johnnie Cole
Joann Spencer
Imogene Radley
Darleen Bartelson
Mary Merriman
Harry Herath
Cecilia Glazeski
Barbara Ayers
Susan Blender
Bertha Hammerton
Gertrude Moore
Shirley Harper
Altha Williams
Jack Kidd
Elmira Bonner
Merle Stomberg
August
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
10
12
14
14
15
19
22
24
24
25
28
31
Mildred Sommer
Donna Salrin
Opal Feagin
Anna Menken
Sandra Benson
Elizabeth Kapraun
Penny Siebenthal
Glenita Reliford
Madeline Peplow
Gloria Smith
Louise Kettle
Jesus Valadez
Shirley Foster
Theodore Thierry
Patsy Russell
Berthena Hayes
Arlene Reeves
Catherine Cunningham
Rose Crusen
Bertha Fields
We celebrate residents’ birthdays
with a monthly party, serving cake,
ice cream, and a special gift from
Entre Nous. On each resident’s actual birthday, the kitchen delivers
an individual cake to their room
along with a card.
Barb
Ayers
Every resident has a special story
and unique life road that brings
them to Heddington Oaks. Meet
Barb Ayers...
Barb originates from the Galesburg area, but moved in with her
grandparents in Peoria during her
younger years. She graduated from
Peoria High School.
Barb worked for the telephone
company as a long distance operator. She also did office work for an
insurance company before finding
her spot as a sales driver for Glatz
Brothers, a local food broker. She’s
proud to have been the first female
sales driver on the street, putting in
over 300 miles each week.
Barb was married to her husband Robert for 38 years. Together,
they had three children: Pam,
Cindy and Robert.
An active participant at Heddington Oaks, Barb’s favorite
activities are Bingo and the exercise
programs.
She also thinks the food is pretty
good at Heddington Oaks. Her
favorite meal is the BBQ Ribs. “But
they’ve come a long way in making
salads too. They’re really excellent,”
says Barb.
Her hobby now is mostly
reading novels. She also likes to
sew. Before coming to Heddington
Oaks, Barb did a lot of gardening
and canning. In fact, her garden
was so big that she used to sell
produce to the local grocery stores.
Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
Summer is a time of fun and relaxation for most people, but the
heat and sun can be dangerous if
the proper precautions aren’t taken.
Here are some great tips to ensure a
fun, safe summer.
• Stay Hydrated. Seniors are more
susceptible to dehydration than
younger people because they lose
their ability to conserve water as
they age. Drink water often.
• Wear Comfy Clothing. Stock
your summer wardrobe with
light-colored and loose-fitting
clothes to feel cooler and more
comfortable. Carry a sweather for
air-conditioned buildings.
• Protect Your
Eyes & Skin.
When outside,
use sunscreen
if shade is not
available. Sunglasses protect
your eyes from
harmful UV
rays and preserve your vision. Hats
protect sensitive skin on your head,
especially in thin-hair areas.
• Exercise Smart. Consider getting
outdoor exercise earlier in the
morning or later in the evening
when the sun is not at its peak.
HeddingtonOaks.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?
A monthy calendar of resident
activities is available online at
www.HeddingtonOaks.com/Activities
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Tony Adkins
Maintenance Engineer
Independence Day, commonly
known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the U.S. commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
declaring independence from Great
Britain.
IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
A Fourth of July Parade runs through
West Peoria, starting at 10:00 am on
July 4. The parade concludes with a
flag raising ceremony at the corner of
Sterling and Heading Ave. The Senior
Summer band will perform a collection of patriotic songs and parade
awards will be presented. Further
parade information can be found
on the West Peoria Lions website at
www.wplions.org.
While taking care of our
residents is top concern, we also
have staff dedicated to the health
of our building that we call home.
Our maintenance staff is a team
of two and this month, we caught
up with Tony Adkins.
Tony joined Peoria County in
September of 2007 at Bel-Wood
Nursing Home. His duties include
preventative maintance, painting,
drywall repair, fixing drains and
tiles, as well as fulfilling resident
requests in rooms.
Contrary
to
common
thought, the newer building of
Heddington Oaks is not necessarily easier to maintain than
the old Bel-Wood. “There’s a big
difference between sheetrock
and drywall,” says Tony. “We
now spend more time repairing
knicks and holes in the drywall.”
The newer building also has more
floors, making the roof higher a
bit tricker to service.
Tony grew up in the Bavview
area and graduated from Metamora High School. Relating to
the area of maintenance, he is
primarily self-taught.
“After almost eight years here,
I can do just about anything
now,” says Tony. “But I’d still
like to eventually get my HVAC
(Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) certification.”
His employment at our
nursing home has been extra
special - as this is where Tony met
his wife Ashley, who is a CNA
at Heddington Oaks. Together
they have a two-year old daughter
Mya.
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Our May
and June Angels
www.FB.com/HeddingtonOaks
Gilbert Auld
William Brandt
Edith Hamilton
Leola Henderson
John Hrvatin
Richard Hillig
James Hostetter
Virginia Isonhart
Caring for Seniors with Respect and Compassion
George Sales
Dois Siebel
Ronald Specken