Farmington Times. Our mission is to create and sustain comfortable, caring environments for those who depend on us. Administrative Staff:

Transcription

1 1530 Poplar Dr. Medford, OR PLACE STAMP HERE Farmington Times Medford Farmington Square Newsletter March 2016 Administrative Staff: Darren Penquite Executive Director Missy Kirkland Community Relations Director Christina Gonzalez & Diana Rushing Resident Care Coordinator Stanley West Business Office Manager Carla Kostal Registered Nurse Margaret Tepovac Dietary Director Kim Williams Maintenance Director Samantha Hamilton Activities Director Our mission is to create and sustain comfortable, caring environments for those who depend on us. I Visit the Village... P2 Meet Our New ED.....P3 March Fun Facts.....P3 Activities Calendar...P4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: March Highlights......P6 Did you know?......p6 Boost Your Mental Health.....P7 Mission & Team.. P8 8

2 I Visit the Village I doubt I will ever be comfortable calling it the nut house, the funny farm, or the looney bin. In deference to the fine, intelligent, interesting people the residents once were, it must remain Monterey Village Special Care Center, or, perhaps for short, The Village. I am cheery and businesslike as I enter the attractive, almost too nice building. If the bright warm Marya is in the office, we greet as I pass. She tells me if Ed is having a good or a bad day. I am glad she knows. I press the coded buttons to open the door into the residence 1472 as of now. Light walls, light wood, a cheerful spare newness. Ornaments like pictures, dolls, plants, the Christmas tree, are firmly attached to the wall or out of reach. I often see Ed s big picture book of Germany clutched in the arms of a stranger. Eventually it will make its way back to its own room. At the dining tables to the right, a couple of late risers are finishing breakfast. At the left, chairs circle a video of a breezy elderly woman leading the residents in sit-down exercises. One or two doze, then wake up and wave an arm or a leg to the music. Old-timey songs may be heard from a group in back. If I don t find Ed among them, I look in his room. By his door is a framed photograph of him in his twenties healthy, muscular, gorgeous. If he s not in there, an attendant will tell me in whose room and in whose chair he happens to be asleep. Again, I am glad she (or he) knows. Today I find him with the singers. I take the opportunity to check on his clothes. He s wearing that nice sweater that isn t his. It has no name tag, but in any case it keeps his old bones warm. Clothing is an ongoing hassle. Residents scramble anything that isn t nailed down. Most appear to be appropriately dressed, but Warren is wearing what is obviously a pajama top, and Jean wears unmatched shoes. Without one attendant for each resident (an impossibility), the clothing will never all come out right; but everyone is comfortable and clean. Getting a patient out of one garment and into another sometimes takes more energy than it is worth. Now Ed is singing Jingle Bells with the group. He stamps his heel loudly to the rhythm and continues to do so after the music stops; nobody seems to mind. Sitting beside him, I put my arm around him and kiss him, but if I want to kiss him on 2 the mouth, I have to turn his head towards me. Today he just tolerates my presence. He probably knows me, but I can t be sure. I make the mistake of putting my purse down beside my chair and forgetting it while I sing along. Suddenly I see that Peggy Ann who is standing, arms crossed as if she were running things, has my purse over her shoulder. I ll have trouble getting it back. I never see her take it. I must learn to hang on to it or leave it home. I greet Marlene, erstwhile professor of psychology. She seems to recognize me. She s gone downhill visibly since her pal, Ray, died. They used to do simple jig-saw puzzles together every day. I greet Roger, who, in the tone and manner of the business man he once was, tells me something totally incomprehensible, then trails off as even he knows the sentence isn't getting anywhere. Carol in pretty pink tells me they let her come in to visit and then wouldn t let her out; and that family is so ashamed of her being here that they never visit. She is in tears until a few minutes later daughter and granddaughter come to take her out to lunch. She turns to smiles, but tomorrow she will tell me again how they never come. I am glad Ed doesn t even know when he s been relocated. I gag at saying that I ve put him away. Attendants, unbelievably patient, put a warm arm around a resident; others lead activities; still others cook, make beds, or combat urine on floors and clothes. Residents don t really talk to each other, but seem to be aware that they are not alone. Peggy Ann, when she does not have my purse on her shoulder, has a man on her arm. Any man. If Ed seriously objects to my leaving without him, I use the infallible out : I m just going to the bathroom. In childhood where he is now, we learn that you do not detain a person who has to go to the bathroom! If George, the formerly famous baseball player is clamoring to go out the coded door with me (to visit his Mama and Papa, who actually died some forty years ago) I slip off to the kitchen where I ll be let out by another coded door. Over the past several years, sorrow, loss, panic, guilt and rage all have pretty well worn themselves out. As I leave today, I take a long deep breath; I smile at the winter sun and the snow-dusted mountains; I feel only gratitude and no guilt at all. This article was written by Joan Hertzherg in December of Her husband, Ed was a long time resident of Farmington Square, known then as Monterey Village. How beautifully she is able to express the emotions each of us feel as we walk through the many stages of Dementia and Alzheimer s with our loved ones and walk through the doors to their lives here at Farmington Square. Article or Feature Title Boost Your Mental Health Leaving the winter months can feel a little bit like Keep Physically Active Another way to stimulate the brain is to increase the blood flow to a new bud springing from the dark, cold ground and opening up towards the sun. However, for your brain with physical exercise. Even something as simple as sixty minutes of dancing some, that revitalized feeling never comes and instead, depression and anxiety sets in. each week can help reduce the symptoms of People experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety are not alone. More than 6.5 mil- Socialize Loneliness and isolation can make de- depression. lion Americans aged 65 or older is affected by depression according to the National Alliance of Participating in events, having coffee with a pression symptoms even more pronounced. Mental Illness. There is not a single cause to depression or other mental health issues, nor a sure are all ways to stimulate the brain and mini- friend and talking to loved ones on the phone -fire way to prevent it. However, there are ways mize the symptoms of depression. to improve your chances of preventing the development of depression symptoms and other Eat a healthy diet Consuming lots of vegetables and good fats (such as fatty fish, nuts and olives) has many benefits, including the minimiz- mental illnesses. Keep Mentally Active Playing board games, enjoying a daily crossword or participating in a ing the risks of cognitive decline! trivia activities are all ways to exercise your Take advantage of the spring bounty of fresh vegetables, the longer hours of sunlight and the mind. Stimulating your brain by learning new skills, playing games that challenge your mind many fun activities going on in our community and increasing your social interaction may aid and prioritize your mental health this March. in keeping yourself mentally sharp. 7

3 March Highlights You re Invited! March Fun Facts Every 10:30 am: SupNational Peanut Month port group in Cottage D Open to the public National Craft Month Tuesday, March 3:00 pm: MarMental Health Month ya Kain support group in Cottage D Wednesday, March 10:30am: 2nd Week is National Bubble Week Bob Isom on Piano March 4th Employee Appreciation Day Meet Our New ED! Wednesday, March 2:30pm: Special Performance by Jeff Ramsey Thursday, March 2:00pm: Tracy on Guitar March 26: Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Farmington Square Did you know?? We welcome families and friends to join us for all activities held here at Farmington Square! Join us for an entertaining day! March 10th National Popcorn Lover s Day Farmington Square Medford is excited to introduce Darren Penquite, our new Executive Director. Darren comes to Farmington Square with many years of leadership in the hospitality and senior care industries. Darren and his wife, Emily, moved to the Rogue Valley with their three young children in late January. However, Darren is not new to our area as he got his start in Radio and Television Broadcasting here locally in After building his broadcasting career for 15 years, Darren moved on to Holland America Cruise Line where he was a Cruise Director for three years. Darren comes to Farmington Square from a previous Memory Care Community in Santa Barbara, California where he has four years of experience. Darren is eager to not only get to know the residents here at Farmington Square, but also their families. Take a moment when you come to visit and stop by his office in Cottage A to introduce yourself and become acquainted. March 12th Plant a Flower Day March 14th National Potato Chip Day March 17th Saint Patrick s Day March 20th International Earth Day March 22nd National Goof Off Day March 25th Waffle Day March 27th Easter Sunday Valentine s Day Luncheon Photos 6 3

4 Famous March Birthdays March s birthstone is the Aquamarine and ranges in color from pale to deep blue. The rich color of the stone has long been a symbol of youth, health, and hope. Aquamarine is thought to embody eternal life and have a soothing influence on married couples, making it a good anniversary gift. Those born in March are generous, devoted, enthusiastic, and adaptable. Lou Costello March 6 Liza Minnelli March 12 Ozzie Nelson March 20 Fred Rogers March 20 Fannie Farmer March 23 Walt Frazier March 29 Vincent van Gogh March 30 Shirley Jones March

5 Famous March Birthdays March s birthstone is the Aquamarine and ranges in color from pale to deep blue. The rich color of the stone has long been a symbol of youth, health, and hope. Aquamarine is thought to embody eternal life and have a soothing influence on married couples, making it a good anniversary gift. Those born in March are generous, devoted, enthusiastic, and adaptable. Lou Costello March 6 Liza Minnelli March 12 Ozzie Nelson March 20 Fred Rogers March 20 Fannie Farmer March 23 Walt Frazier March 29 Vincent van Gogh March 30 Shirley Jones March