July/August

2008

 NEWS LETTER

 

 

A bi-monthly newsletter for the friends and family of Christian Care Retirement Community

                                                                 

                Annual Volunteer Banquet

     On June 10th, we honored our volunteers at our annual Volunteer Banquet, which was again held in the Fellowship Room at Christian Care.  Kim Maller, the Volunteer Coordinator, opened the evening by welcoming the volunteers and their guests.  A delicious buffet dinner, prepared by our Dining Services department, was served and enjoyed by all.  Several department supervisors made sure each volunteer and guest had enough coffee and plenty of food to satisfy their needs for the evening.

     After enjoying a wonderful meal we were blessed to be entertained by The Woodsmen, a group who sang a variety of inspirational songs.  At the close of their performance the volunteers gave them a warm round of applause as a symbol of their appreciation.  To round off the evening each volunteer and their guest received a ceramic Latte style coffee mug to emphasize Christian Care's appreciation for their services throughout the year.

     Christian Care would again like to THANK each volunteer for helping our residents feel the warmth of your hearts as you share your love and time with them and our staff.

     Apart from the volunteers, I would like to share my greatest appreciation to each Department Supervisor who helped make this year's Annual Volunteer Banquet a special evening for everyone.  I would also like to express a sincere Thank You to Lolly Harter and her Dining Services staff, to Leon Gerber our Executive Director, and to each Board Member for giving me the opportunity and the liberty to host such a special party for each one of our prize volunteers.

-Kim Maller, Volunteer Coordinator

 

 

Nursing Notes

     Over the past month we had the opportunity to celebrate national Nurses and Nursing Assistant weeks.  I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize them for all the hard work that they do to make the lives of the residents living in our facility better.

     We have dedicated staff in healthcare consisting mostly of CNA's (certified nuring assistants), LPN's (licensed practical nurses) and RN's (registered nurses) providing the direct resident care.  They take their talents and gifts of caring and compassion and combine them with the education foundation that is required to obtain their licensure to perform the task that the residents need assistance with.  The CNA's are the front line staff doing most of the personal care for the residents.  This includes the assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, walking, and toileting.  The LPN's and RN's in the facility work in the same role administering medications, performing nursing assessments, developing care plans, completing necessary documentation for federal and state regulations, and overseeing the care of the residents.

     These two teams of nursing assistants and nurses are essentially the backbone of the facility.  Without them there would be no nursing facilities to care for residents or patients.  Other departments and staff are vital to the care of the residents as well, but the direct care giver is an essential part to provide the care and assistance that is needed.

    The Nursing staff has a tremendous opportunity every day they come to work to make the lives of the residents that they are caring for better.  By showing consideration, compassion, and an interest in how they perform their job, they can make a positive difference in the lives of the resident every day.  I know the greatest satisfaction for many healthcare providers is to be able to provide the best quality of life possible for the patient or resident in the current circumstance they find themselves in.  Going home at the end of the shift knowing that you have made a positive difference in life/lives of those you cared for bring the satisfaction and rewards of a career with the opportunity to serve others.

     We want to thank all of the direct caregivers and other staff at CCRC that make "the difference" in the day to day lives of the residents.  Keep up the good work and care that you provide!

     Jude 1:22 encourages "have compassion, making a difference"

                        - Kristy Tucker, Director of Nursing

 

Dining Services

     What a beautiful spring we had this year.  Now we are headed into a summer filled with a lot of food events.

     We will be having our annual Independence Day picnic at lunchtime on Friday, July 4th with all of the favorite cookout foods.

     July and August events will include fresh fruit on the patio and homemade ice cream.

     July 30th is National Cheesecake Day and August 28th is National Cherry Turnover Day.  There are several more "special" days planned.  Notices for dates and times will be posted closer to these events.

     The Cookbook is now available for $7.00 plus tax.  You may purchase the book at the front desk or in the gift shop.

     Thank-you to everyone who contributed recipes.  The printed recipe is a correction on page 39 in the cookbook.

-Lolly Harter, Food Service Director

 

 

Food for Thought - Whoever loves and understands a garden will find contentment.

 

Cream Coffee Cake

    1 pkg. Yeast               1/2 stick margarine

    1/4 c. warm water       4 tbsp. sugar

    1/2 tsp. sugar             3/4 c. milk (lukewarm)

    1 egg                        1 tsp. salt

    3 1/2 c. flour

     Mix together then knead.  Place in greased large bowl to double in size for 2 hours.  Punch down and let set 1 more hour.  Divide dough into fourths and press into pans (9" cake pans).

     Filling:

      1/2 stick butter:  the add

         8 tbsp. flour              1 1/2 c. half & half

         1 1/2 c. white sugar    2 tbsp. brown sugar

         1/2 tsp. salt

          Cook until thick and cool to lukewarm.

     Spread lukewarm filling over dough evenly.  Bake 18-20 minutes @ 360 degrees.  Sprinkle with cinnamon after baking.

-Submitted by:  Ellen Geisel

 

Activity Department

     Summer is here and the weather is beautiful!  June has been a busy month with lots of visitors.  A big "thank you" to all of the Bible School students and teachers who came to sing, play bingo or make cookies and cards for our residents.  "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord..."  Psalm 127:3

     The canopy construction project is coming to a close.  We've enjoyed watching the progress from the garden, which seems to be more colorful each day.  With that completion we should be able to resume Friday afternoon golf cart rides.  The weather has been great for our monthly dine-outs and weekly van rides.  It never ceases to amaze me how fast the crops grow from week to week.

     We are again planning to have our family picnic lunch in the pavilion.  It will be sometime in late July.  We will be sending an invitation to families as soon as we have the details.  Please let us know if you will be able to attend.  Lolly does such a great job with this.

     The pavilion is also the perfect place to cool off with ice cream.  Our next Ice Cream Social is planned for Thursday, August 21st at 2:00 in the afternoon.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.

     Those "lazy days of summer" bring with it green beans to snip, peas to pod, and corn to husk.  We have several residents who love every minute of it.  Hope you all do too.  Have a blessed summer season.

-Karen Isch, Activities Director

 

Residential News

How to Help to Older Driver

(from educational materials from the DOT)

 

     As experienced drivers grow older, changes in their vision, attention and physical abilities may cause them to drive less safely than they used to.

     Sometimes these changes happen so slowly that the drivers are not even aware that their driving safety is at risk.

     If you have questions about a loved one's driving safety, here's what you can do to help him or her stay safe and mobile.

     Is your loved one a safe driver?

          If you have the chance, go for a ride with your loved one.  Look for the following warning signs in his or her driving:

           1.   Forgets to buckle up

           2.   Does not obey stop signs or traffic lights

           3.   Fails to yield right of way

           4.   Drives too slowly or too quickly

           5.   Often gets lost

           6.   Stops at green lights or at the wrong time

           7.   Doesn't notice other cars, people or bikes on the road

           8.   Doesn't stay in his or her lane

           9.   Is honked at or passed often

         10.   Reacts slowly to driving situations

         11.   Makes poor driving decisions

         12.   Recent or near fender benders

         13.   Tickets for moving violations

         14.   Comments from passengers about close calls, near misses, or the driver not seeing other vehicles

         15.   Recent increase in insurance premium

     Riding with or following this person every once in awhile is one way to keep track of his or her driving.  Another way is to talk to this person's spouse or friends.

 

 

New Canopy Constructed

     We want to thank everyone for your patience during the construction of the Canopy to the Healthcare entrance on the west side of our main campus.  It will greatly benefit the residents as they come and go on van rides, outings or appointments in inclement weather.  We strive to give our residents the best care possible and a facility that will meet their needs as they call Christian Care home.