News
Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards - An Evening to Remember
Lutheran SeniorLife's Seventh Annual Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards Dinner on April 30 at the East Club Lounge, Heinz Field was an overwhelming success. Tom Grealish, Master of Ceremonies and Gala Chairman, welcomed more than 400 friends of Lutheran SeniorLife who attended the celebration of the spirit and vitality of elders in western Pennsylvania. The evening was sparked by tributes to Steve Blass and Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies.
The mood and pace of the evening were wonderful as laughter, excellent food and great camaraderie filled the East Club Lounge. Steve Blass entertained us with his stories of former Pirate teammates, Manny Sanguillen and Roberto Clemente. Wally Amos shared some of his recipes for a successful life through the reading of some children's stories. The Carrot Seed illustrates the importance of faith and conviction in accomplishing one's goals and objectives. And, The Crayon Box That Talked demonstrates love for others and how teamwork leads to success.
The silent auction featured more than 70 items including original works of art created by residents at Passavant Retirement Community's Center for Creative Expression, friends and employees of Lutheran SeniorLife. Unique items that were vied for included: the Pittsburgh Penguins President's Box at the new Consol Energy Center, four Lexus Club Pirates tickets, original works of art, an elegant hors' d'oeuvres party, a Pete Dye Golf Club package and four Steelers Home Game tickets. Matching funds for the silent auction were provided by Thrivent Financial.
Henderson Brothers Inc. and the George H., Lillian S. and Mary S. Campbell Foundation were Signature Co-Sponsors. Gold and Silver sponsors included: Allegheny Construction Group Inc., Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc., the Evans Family, Morrison Senior Dining, NexTier Bank, United States Steel Corporation, BNY Mellon, Burstin Burstin & Frantz, Butler Health System, Daniel R. Delaney and Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC, First English Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Focus Marketing Support Services, Heritage Valley Health System, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, ParenteBeard LLC, PNC Wealth Management, Reed Smith LLP, and Trib Total Media. Lutheran SeniorLife extends its appreciation to everyone who supported the Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards.
The event raised more than $171,000 which will be used toward benevolent care and services at Lutheran SeniorLife.
Message from the President
Our Excellence is Ageless Gala held at Heinz Field was a resounding success as we celebrated the gifts of older adults and highlighted specific examples where excellence is indeed ageless. Our local honoree, Steve Blass, Pirate World Series pitcher and Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos cookies described their careers before over 400 friends and supporters of the programs and services of Lutheran SeniorLife. Our guests were treated to Famous Amos cookies in addition to fellowship and a festive evening with friends.
From our viewpoint, older adults bring wisdom and insight into our lives each day and at Lutheran SeniorLife, we cultivate and advance the principles of Abundant Life so that each person whom we serve can live their life to the fullest. Abundant Life at Lutheran SeniorLife reminds me, in part, of this year's theme for Older American's Month - Age Strong! Age Long! As Americans are living longer, many remain active and engaged in areas that bring interest to each person.
To age strong and age long can be seen from the stories within this issue of AbundantLife like a pajama party at the Commons at Stonebrook Village in Warrendale, or the volunteer appreciation luncheon held with Jack Bogut, an awardee at the 2007 Excellence is Ageless Gala. In all of the stories, our mission together is about our residents and we remain especially grateful for the support of many and for allowing us to tell the uplifting and the heartfelt stories of the people we serve. These stories evoke the ministry that we are and the services that we provide.
Thank you for supporting Lutheran SeniorLife throughout the year and our 2010 Excellence is Ageless Gala. And thank you for embracing aging as a part of the fulfilling process of the life cycle.
LIFE Beaver County Participants Meet Charlie Batch
Three LIFE Beaver County participants were recently invited to Sunnyview Nursing Home in Butler to meet Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch. Richard Birckbichler (left), Ernest Buck (center), and Bob Ealy (right), all huge Steeler fans, brought along Steeler tote bags provided by LIFE for Batch to autograph.
The following article was published in the Cranberry Eagle on April 14, 2010.
By: Paula Grubbs, Eagle Staff Writer
St. John site near construction
It may be done by early winter
MARS - A unique assisted-living facility for those in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer's disease could by completed by early winter.
David Fenoglietto, CEO at Lutheran SeniorLife, said preparations for construction are under way for the 30-resident Alzheimer's Assisted Living Care Center adjacent to St. John Specialty Care Center on Pittsburgh Street.
The center will feature two "neighborhoods" of 15 residents each, with two interior courtyards and lots of hallways to accommodate the need to wander experienced by many Alzheimer's patients.
Patients will also wear GPS locator devices that resemble a watch or a pendant, so personnel will know the location of all patients at all times.
In addition to the residential setting, the facility will include a chapel. "The chapel sets St. John apart from any other Alzheimer's facility," said Fenoglietto.
Another unusual feature is the design. Fenoglietto said Lutheran SeniorLife officials used proposed state assisted living standards instead of existing standards so the facility would have the latest design.
Proposed standards include changes in size and square footage, as well as new care and program standards.
He said contractors have been busy grading and placing sewer lines for the project which was approved by Mars council and Adams supervisors last year. The St. John property, at the intersection of Route 228 and Pittsburgh Street, spans both municipalities.
Building permits are expected to be tendered this month. Fenoglietto said at that time, a new road that includes a small bridge will be built from Pittsburgh Street to the construction site. The road will be beside Gilkey Drive.
Construction of the facility will then begin, and utilities for another addition to the St. John property will be installed. Fenoglietto said Lutheran SeniorLife plans to add a 90,000 square-foot independent living residence that will have 53 units in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom deluxe models.
Fenoglietto said the independent living facility has been put on hold until the senior life market picks up. He said the Alzheimer's building will move forward because it is needs-based, while the independent living facility is choice-driven.
Fenoglietto said six to 10 staff members for the Alzheimer's facility will be hired three to four months before the grand opening.
Water for the new facility will be provided by Mars instead of the Water Authority of Adams Township, which was discussed when municipal approval for the facility was being sought.
Howard Bohnert, Mars maintenance foreman, said the Alzheimer's facility will use 3,750 gallons of water per day. Bohnert said the borough water plant is currently operating at about 70 percent capacity, and the new facility's use represents less than 1 percent of increased usage.
Bohnert said the plant is equipped to handle new development in the small borough, which is nearly at full build-out. He said the few tracts of land available for development are in commercial zones, which do not use as much water as residential developments.
"It's not a problem at all," said Bohnert.
Volunteer Award Winner Named
Vera D. Hasley, a 24-year volunteer at St. John Specialty Care Center, has been chosen as the winner of this year's Sr. Edith Fischer Award.
A review committee made up of Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation board members selected Hasely from a group of nominees who are all shining examples of dedicated volunteers that strengthen Lutheran SeniorLife's mission of Abundant LifeTM for the elders we serve.
"She is just like the U.S. mail," one St. John staff member said. "Come rain, shine, snow, wind or hail every Tuesday Vera reports for duty at St. John from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.! You will find her on almost every unit during the course of the day exercising/Jazzercising, helping to stimulate residents and keep them fit. Residents look forward to their ½ hour sessions as Vera makes them fun!"
When her exercising classes are over, Vera can be found visiting with residents - reading to them, playing their favorite music, bringing them special food or just sitting and talking with them.
Other nominees for this year's award included Joan Fichter, Rev. Ralph Fogal, Pat Morris and Rev. Russell Riethmiller.
Long Distance Love
PRC resident attends son's wedding via the internet
Thanks to modern technology, Tillie Barich, a resident at Passavant Retirement Community was able to attend her son's out-of-town wedding without leaving the Passavant Retirement Community campus.
Due to physical limitations, Barich was not able to be with her son John in Atlanta, GA on his wedding day, so the technology staff brought the wedding to Scholl Auditorium using the internet.
Sharon Whalen, technology associate at Lutheran SeniorLife, made arrangements with the family who were attending the actual wedding to stream the ceremony live using Windows Live Messenger and web cameras. Barich was able to view the entire ceremony on a large pull-down movie screen, and her family in Atlanta could see her as well.
Barich's granddaughter, Jessica Tate, and her great granddaughter, Mylee watched the ceremony with Barich, pointing out various family members as they appeared waving to Barich on the screen.
"It's really great that we were able to do this," Tate said. She brought her grandmother a mother-of-the-groom corsage to pin to her blouse.
Before the groom took his place on the altar, he stopped to wave at his mother through the web camera.
"There's my John!" Barich said, smiling and waving in return.
Barich watched as the bride walked up the aisle to meet her groom, and admired her wedding dress. "Boy, her train is long, isn't it?" Barich said.
When the ceremony was over, the newlyweds walked down the aisle, and stopped to blow kisses into the camera. As guests left their seats, many stopped to wave to Barich also.
Throughout the ceremony, several PRC nurses on staff, who are familiar with Barich, stopped by to see how she was enjoying the wedding, and were amazed at how simple the web camera was to set up. They offered suggestions on how the technology could be used for other residents.
Following the ceremony, Barich and her granddaughters enjoyed a piece of wedding cake and Barich extended her appreciation for helping her attend the wedding she thought she would miss. "Thank you," she said. "I enjoyed it very much."
Jessica and Mylee Tate and their grandmother, Tillie Barich
Successful Spring Brunch Brings Guests to The Commons
Nearly 40 guests along with residents of The Commons at Stonebrook Village enjoyed a sunny spring day and a delicious brunch on Sunday, March 21. Invitations were sent to neighborhood residents within a three-mile radius to introduce them to the possibilities of living an Abundant Life™ in this beautiful senior community in the Town of McCandless of the North Hills of Pittsburgh.
After the brunch, guests took tours of the apartments, including a studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom models. Many commented on their warmth, spaciousness and stunning balcony/patio views of the wooded surroundings.
Lutheran SeniorLife acquired the 31-unit, three-story apartment complex in July 2009, and more new residents have been moving in steadily since the first open house in November. Barbara Reck, marketing coordinator, said that at this time, only two apartments are available.
"We are still giving tours and asking people to get on our waiting list," she said.
Walk to Dine Helps Residents Step Up for a Good Cause
Passavant Retirement Community residents on the Country Gardens neighborhood recently walked to the dining room, not just for a meal, but for a good cause. They kicked off Walk to Dine, a new nursing restorative program that began in March.
Sumer Grundy, activities specialist, explained that they were not walking to something. "They were walking for someone - our troops," she said.
The group will collect items needed by U.S. troops and send them overseas. Leading the group was William Eppinger, Navy Commander of the Medical Supply Core, who recently returned from service in Afghanistan. He is the husband of Bonny Eppinger, a nursing elder care coordinator at PRC.
"This program inspires some of the residents to walk, even if they really don't want to, because they have a new sense of purpose," Sumer said.
The program is being implemented on other nursing neighborhoods at PRC with plans for walking to "places" or for serving other people.
Part of our mission at Lutheran SeniorLife is to help seniors live a full and Abundant Life™ in a setting that promotes wellness and independence. Wellness means more than just "absence of disease." It is an expanded view of health, which includes being active, vital and having a presence of well-being and dignity. Social Wellness encourages contributing to one's environment and community - taking an active part in improving our world.
This new, on-going series will highlight different aspects of wellness and how they are used to help our residents live the most abundant lives possible.
Compassionate Friends Heed Final Call
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for You are with me." -- Psalm 23:4
When we think of abundant living, we visualize active seniors enjoying life and fostering their passions - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. However, what of their final hours? Compassionate Friends, a group of volunteers at Passavant Retirement Community, feels that as a fellow resident is journeying through the dying process, they should do so abundantly with dignity and respect with someone by their side.
"We want to honor everyone, and be sure that no one dies alone," said Pastor Wilfred Goetze, chaplain at Passavant. Pastor Geotze explained that most residents have the luxury of family surrounding them as they near death, but due to various circumstances, family is not always available when the time comes.
Joreen Moehring, a resident at Passavant said she is honored to be a member of Compassionate Friends. "Having gone through it myself, I know the terrific pressure that can be put on a family when a loved one dies," Moehring said. When her husband passed two years ago, Moehring said she had plenty of support from family and Passavant staff. She later sympathized with those residents who weren't so fortunate.
"Because of their own needs, family can't be there all the time," Pastor Goetze said. "We can offer them respite."
"The one dread of the family is that their loved one is left alone. This makes me feel like I'm doing something to help," Moehring said.
When it is not possible for family members to be present, Compassionate Friends volunteers are called to the residents' room, at any time, day or night. By this time, residents are typically non-verbal and very much at peace, Pastor Goetze said. Depending on the residents' preferences, the volunteer may play music, read, pray or just sit quietly until the patient dies.
Although most times the resident is unable to respond to the volunteers verbally, Moehring said she knows they feel her presence, and know that they are not alone. "They sometimes communicate to me with their eyes," she said.
"It is an honor to be there when they go," Pastor Goetze said.
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