FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

UPDATE regarding Nursing Administration – As you know, we have a talented group of nursing administrators who are responsible for the care provided in our Home. In order to best match their talents and skills with the many responsibilities, the following changes are effective immediately.

• Shelley O'Brien, RN will be the Director, Bennett Pavilion in addition to being the Director, Nursing Services for State of Connecticut licensure and regulatory compliance purposes. She can be reached at 396-1118.
• Maureen Porto, RN will be the Director, Kuriansky Pavilion. She can be reached at 365-6461.
• Marge Nicolia, RN will continue to be the Director, Tandet Pavilion. She can be reached at 396-1113.
• Aggie Mirto, RN will be the Director, Clinical Support Services - and be responsible for Infection Control, Quality Improvement and our ADL Clinical Information System. She can be reached at 396-1129.

I believe that these changes will better serve our community. Naturally, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

THE DOGWOODS® UPDATE

All of us on The Dogwoods® team are very excited by the progress we are making. There are now over 600 couples and singles that have joined the “Friends Program” – which will be the source and order of phone calls when we are able to begin accepting 10% deposits for specific apartments and villas.

Terry Minervini is always available to give presentations to interested groups. If you or someone you know would like to schedule a personal appointment or group presentation, please give her a call. She has spent the last few months visiting community groups, synagogues, civic organizations, retired teachers associations and many others. Her presentation is full of information and we encourage you to hear what it is all about.

We are planning a special informational session for our Jewish Home family members on the following date: Sunday, August 10th. The session will be held in Kuriansky Pavilion in the Adult Day Center from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served and reservations are required as seating is limited. Please join us to learn more. Terry can be reached at 203.261.2030 or tminervini@thedogwoods.org.

CHAI LIGHTS ON-LINE

You can now view the most recent issue of Chai Lights on our website, www.jhe.org. Visit our website today and see current Jewish Home press releases. Would you be interested in receiving Chai Lights through email? If so, please email chailights@jhe.org. We will add your name to the growing list.

SAFETY for our RESIDENTS

The Jewish Home is reinforcing that signing in when entering any of the Pavilions is required. This is one of the Home's policies and for the safety of our residents we are asking that all family members, visitors and vendors sign in / sign out when entering / exiting the Tandet, Bennett or Kuriansky buildings. Badges will be given to all from the receptionists before leaving the Lobby areas and worn while in the facility at all times.

EMAIL US YOUR INFORMATION

The Jewish Home is always trying to find ways to update you and your family members on the happenings around the Home. If you or a family member would like to receive emails from the Home, please forward your address(es) to family@jhe.org. Please be sure to include your name and the resident’s name and unit.

RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

The Residents’ Council, is led by President Florence Sussman. This group meets monthly for residents to discuss issues affecting them in their Home. It gives them the opportunity to convey their concerns in an open forum. Each month there is a different speaker that the Residents’ Council invites to come to their meeting.

KOSHER FOOD POLICY AT THE JEWISH HOME

The Jewish Home is a kosher facility, and all food served to our residents must be kosher. Please refrain from bringing any outside food into a resident dining area. This includes the solarium on each unit, the Main Dining Room, the Bennett Living Rooms, and the Corner Café during operating hours.

If you wish to bring outside food to a resident, please bring it into the resident’s room, the staff dining room, or the tables opposite the Corner Café.

If you wish to celebrate your loved one’s birthday together with the residents, please contact Dining Services at 203.396.1023 or rferrucci@jhe.org to order a birthday cake to be brought up to the unit. There will be a charge for the cake. Thank you for your cooperation.

ELECTION 2008 UPDATE

Residents need to complete three steps in order to cast their Absentee Ballots, either for the upcoming August Democratic Primary for House of Representatives, or the Presidential election this fall. The residents will need: to be registered to vote either at the current address (175 Jefferson Street) or at his/her former address in Connecticut; to complete an application to request an Absentee Ballot, and complete his/her Absentee Ballot under the supervision of the Fairfield Registrar of Voters. She will come to the Home in August for the Democratic primary and in October (tentatively October 16th) for the Presidential election. Staff and volunteers are only able to assist residents registered to vote in Fairfield with these steps.

If you are the Conservator for a resident special conditions may apply regarding voting. Please check with your social worker for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Absentee Balloting process please contact your Social Worker. For more information about the primary or the election, please contact Fairfield’s Registrar of Voters at 203.256.3115.

SPOUSAL SUPPORT GROUP

The Spousal Support Group will meet the second Thursday of the month at 3:15 PM. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14th in the Tandet Recreation Center. Please call Cindy Fitzgerald, LCSW if interested at 203.396.1036.

FAMILY COUNCIL

Family Council will be taking a break for the summer. The next meeting will be on Sunday, September 7th at 12 noon – 1:30 PM in the Adult Day Center (Kuriansky Building) with a brunch. Andrew H. Banoff will be the guest speaker. Please RSVP to Ellen Ashkins at 203.365.6417 or Cindy Fitzgerald at 203.396.1036.

The Family Council of The Jewish Home is a group established many years ago. We meet on Sundays from 12 noon – to 1:30 PM for brunch, courtesy of the “Home”, followed by an informal meeting and introduction of our speaker. The purpose of the Council is to bring family members together to openly discuss, question and proactively advocate for their loved ones. The Home’s staff members follow up when necessary with answers and results. We have an abundant and outstanding choice of professionals in the field of aging, from which to choose, to speak to us. We may also choose from Department Heads and staff who generously give of their free time to address our concerns.

Simply put….communication and education is the Mission of the Family Council. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to make the Council part of your family.

Your Acting President, Elisa Sampson, Mom, Elisa Leon Gonzalez (resident Tandet East)

FAMILY DAY

Please save the date for Family Day! The multi-generational day will take place on Sunday, September 14th. Bring your families and spend the day with your loved ones at the annual picnic celebration. Invitations will follow. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering to help with the day, please contact Dayna Hayden at 203.365.6409 or dhayden@jhe.org. This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Men’s Club.

RESIDENT CANDLELIGHT DINNERS

A Candlelight Dinner will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at 5:00 PM in our Corner Café. These dinners are offered on a monthly basis. Our Candlelight Dinner Program enables families and guests to enjoy a complete dinner with loved ones. These memorable gatherings include a restaurant style environment with fresh cut flowers and live entertainment, all within the comfort and convenience of The Jewish Home.

All dinners begin with your choice of red or white wine, fresh tossed salad greens with choice of dressing, your choice of a beef, chicken or fish main entrée, vegetable, starch, basket of bread, dessert prepared in our own bakery, coffee or tea.

A check made payable to The Jewish Home for $25.00 per family member or guest must be received with the attached form to confirm your reservation. This meal is complementary to residents attending this event with family or guest. Please return your Candlelight Reservation Form and check to: Administrative Assistant, Department of Dining Services, The Jewish Home for the Elderly, 175 Jefferson Street, Fairfield, CT 06825. Future dates are: September 17th, November 12th, December 17th, January 14th, February 18th, March 18th and April 22nd.

If you have any questions or require additional reservation forms, please contact our Department of Dining Services at 203.396.1023.

COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT

VOLUNTEER NEWS

Welcome to our new volunteers and thank you for joining our team of dedicated individuals: Angel Adorno, Angelina Nicole Adorno, Rosalina Adorno, Bernie D’Amato, Alexandra Axiotis, William Bryant, Peter Caligiure, Ajahnae Dixon, Devante Dixon, Cierra Eldridge,Teresa Fennell, David France, Meredith France, Arlene Gordon, Connor Gorkin, Steven Gorkin, Danaisha Jordan, Terri Kastanaras, James Lindsay, Max Maisel, Anna Maj, Talia Muhammad, Joel Paley, Nora Patumanon, Christine Pompa, Marcy Ravitz, Shyesha Rivera, Noelle Patricia Saad, Shevance Stephens, Taneesha Thomas, Rachel Warren, Faith Wollner, and Meghan Zwahten.

Volunteers are needed to help the residents complete the necessary paperwork to vote in the Presidential Election. Time needed is flexible. If you are interested, please contact the Volunteers Office 203.365.6453.

Save the Date: Volunteers will be needed to assist residents who want to vote in the Presidential election. Absentee Balloting, under the supervision of the Fairfield Registrar of Voters, has been scheduled for Thursday, October 16th in the Tandet Lobby, 9:30 AM – Noon. Many residents have expressed interest in voting and they will need your help transporting them from their rooms to the Tandet Lobby. If you are interested in assisting please contact the Volunteers Office 203.365.6453.

The next meeting of the Volunteers Leadership Advisory Council will be Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:30 AM in the Kuriansky Board Room. RSVP to 203.365.6453.

COMMUNITY SERVICES for LONG TERM CARE RESIDENTS

Compassionate Care Companions -- Non-Medical Home Care. Would your loved one like to go out to lunch, go on a shopping trip, attend a ball game, go to the movies or the theatre, come to your home for the holidays, go see the latest exhibit in a museum, or even spend the day at a spa? This is all possible. To find out more about this exciting gift idea, please call Compassionate Care Companions 203.374.CARE (2273).

The Institute on Aging -- Geriatric Services -- Having a loved one in the Home while balancing life in your home can be a time consuming task. The Jewish Home introduces our Geriatric Care Management program to help alleviate the situation and offer you the freedom to enjoy your time with your loved one. Services include: Weekly Check-in with Loved one; Weekly Report to Family; Medical Care Coordination & Monitoring; Caregiver Support & Education; Crisis Intervention. To find out more about how we can help you or a loved one, please call the Institute on Aging 203.396.1240.

Please find the activities scheduled for the month of August for our residents attached.