Let's Bowl!

“Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's rock-'n-roll.
Hey, come on, let's get this show on the road.
Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's rock-'n-roll.
'Cause the stakes are high, and the winner takes all!”

Do you remember that song from Grease 2-Score Tonight!  Well I do and it’s a great song!  The movie was okay, nothing compared to the original Grease, but Michelle Pfeiffer tried her best and I will give her credit….oh my point, yes.  Let’s Bowl!  St. Joseph Manor is hosting its first ever Bowl-A-Thon, on Sunday, November 13^th at the Westgate Lanes in Brockton.  Now, I can’t promise that Michelle Pfeiffer and her Pink Ladies will be there, but there will be bowling and lots of it.

There will be candle pin and ten pin and a brunch for you to munch.  It is a great family fun event and also a great way to raise much needed funds for St. Joseph Manor residents and Mater Dei Adult Day Health Program clients. 

So grab your bowling shoes (and if you don’t have any, don’t worry, they are included with your donation) and bowling balls (those are also included) and come down to support a great cause.

I hope to see you there!

Until next time,

Miss Manor

PS-if you don’t believe me how much fun bowling can be, click here and see how the Pink Ladies and T-Birds do it!

Brockton nursing home hosts community end-of-summer bash - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise

Brockton nursing home hosts community end-of-summer bash - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise

Check out our great event coming up on Saturday, September 17th!

Your friend,
Miss Manor

St. Joseph Manor is GREEN!

Miss Manor is back!  Yes, you read correctly!  And I’m here to talk about my favorite subject….St. Joseph Manor!  Also, to talk about all of the wonderful things that the Manor does to go GREEN and stay that way.  Year after year, St. Joseph Manor continues its commitment to its GREEN Initiative efforts for the benefit of its 118 residents, 60 adult day health clients and to the community at large.

Here at the Manor, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and we are continually monitoring our progress to improve our performance so we can stay right on track, in addition to its dedication to keeping the health of our residents, staff and community through various recycling and pollution reduction programs. Here are some of the things that Manor has done to keep its commitment:

¨       St. Joseph Manor has a 15% recycling rate

¨       Eliminated all bleaches from dietary and housekeeping departments

¨       Replaced 10% of lighting with Energy efficient lighting

¨       Replaced all traditional mops with micro fiber mops that use less chemicals and water

¨       Use of an integrated pest management system

¨       And other energy reducing and recycling programs

The Manor also participates in and is an official Cell Phones for Soldiers collection center.  Cell Phones for Soldiers is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization that was started by two Norwell Massachusetts teenagers to help buy pre-paid calling cards to send to our service people serving over seas. Moreover, the Manor participates in Key for Hope, its mission is to fund and directly support local programs that help to improve the lives of the less fortunate. Our foundation makes direct contributions by raising money through key drives and the recycling of the keys raised. The money acquired through this process, purchases food that go directly to local food pantries.

In honor of all these great GREENways, the Manor was award a “Partner for Change Award with Distinction” from Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations.

I am extremely proud of all the work the Manor has done with its GREENInitiative efforts; maybe we should change our tagline to read:  We are a lean, mean, GREENrecycling machine….well, okay, maybe not.

Until next time,

Miss Manor

National Volunteer Week!

It totally cracks me up that there is a celebration day/week/month for everything, and I mean everything…from shampoo week to cartoon appreciation week, there is something for everyone to celebrate and enjoy.  But next week St. Joseph Manor will be celebrating National Volunteer Week 2011, April 10^th-16th, Celebrating People in Action. 

This week we will honor those who dedicate themselves to taking action and bettering our home.  It’s also about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities-to put themselves at the center of social change.

St. Joseph Manor is lucky to have a special group of volunteers, who donate their time and talents to improving the quality of life of those we serve.  Our volunteers are very special people.  They read to our residents, play cards, bake, attend luncheons and outings and provide day-to-day companionship. The Manor is extremely honored that our volunteers have chosen to donate their time and energy to our residents.  Our activity program, which runs 7 days a week and our Pastoral Care Department, would not be as successful without the help and assistance of our dedicated volunteers.

During the month of April, you may wish to celebrate Be Kind to Spiders Week or even celebrate Straw Hat month, but please, please be sure to celebrate National Volunteer Week…because without our volunteers, our home would not be as vibrant and full of life as it is.

I am off to prepare my celebration for my personal favorite, National Eight Track Tape Day on April 11th (in case any of you dedicated readers want to celebrate with me)!

Until next time (which might be during National Salsa Month),
Miss Manor

Shirley Williams, Volunteer (L) and St. Joseph Manor resident, Marion Brooks (R) enjoy a few laughs at an activity held at the Manor.

Go Team!

Give me a “S”…

Give me a “T…

Give me a “J”…

…okay so you get the idea!  I am cheering for St. Joseph Manor.  But why?  Is it because of the compassionate care?  Is it because of the short-term and rehabilitation services provided?  Is it because of the fabulous food they serve (well maybe a little)?  No, not for any of these reasons am I cheering St. Joseph Manor today.  I am cheering about the wonderful things the Manor does because they are the right thing to do, not because we get paid to do them.

Did you know that since 1997, St. Joseph Manor has a wonderful Social Accountability Program?  This report tracks all of the things the Manor does because they are the right thing to do, and the list is amazing.  Over the years, the Manor has given back thousands and thousands of dollars in non-billed services to those financially in need, education along with others.  Below is some of what they have done.

·        Collecting food donations from local stores and distributing them to needy organizations within our community such as the Caffrey Towers, Campello High Rise, Crosby Gardens and the Dorn Davies Senior Center.

·        Collaborating with a variety of schools, to provide on-the-job training and instruction.

·        Offering a Caregiver Support Group at our Mater Dei Adult Day Health Program. The group meets once a month and addresses a variety of topics and issues of concern to care-givers. This group is open to the community.

·        Providing a full breakfast to our adult day health clients which is not required by regulations.

·        Offering other benefits to our community such as: free Notary services, furniture, clothing and equipment donations to needy organizations.

This is why I am cheering on St. Joseph Manor today!  So help me cheer on St. Joseph Manor and its continued focus and commitment to education, quality health care, and responding to the needs of our community. 

PS-The Manor is holding a food drive during Lent.  Please bring in non-perishable food items to the drop off boxes at either entrance to our home and they will be donated to a local food pantry for those in need.

Go, St. Joseph Manor, Go!!!

Until next time,

Miss Manor

Eden

I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine’s Day! Here at the Manor we definitely did! We hosted a Valentine’s Tea with our residents, their families and staff. We enjoyed sweet treats from sugar cookies to cheesecakes, and a party wouldn’t be complete without live entertainment! As Prince would say, we partied like it was 1999.

So enough about valentines and parties, I’d like to talk about our home. Did you know that St. Joseph Manor is one of only 4 Eden Alternative homes in our great Commonwealth? No. Well we are. But first, I should probably explain the Eden Alternative. The core concept of The Eden Alternative is strikingly simple: where elders live must be habitats for human beings, not sterile medical institutions. The Eden Alternative is dedicated to eliminating the plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom that make life intolerable in most of today’s long-term care facilities. 

Here at St. Joseph Manor we work at this culture change everyday with our Consistent Caregiver Program to our Gentle Awakenings (residents wake up when they want, instead of on a schedule) and our Dining At Home program (where residents enjoy an individualized morning routine by having the ability to wake when they want and then have the breakfast of their choice).

  

The 10 Principles of the Eden Alternative are:

1. The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our Elders.
2. An Elder-centered community commits to creating a Human Habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.
3. Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.
4. An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.
5. An Elder-centered community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom.
6. Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.
7. Medical treatment should be the servant of genuine human caring, never its master.
8. An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them.
9. Creating an Elder-centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.
10. Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.

From March 22^nd-24^th, 2011, Manor associates from Nurses to Social Workers, Therapists to C.N.A.’s are encouraged to attend the 3 days of inspirational training.  During this training, Manor associates will be touched and transformed by the energy and passion of the Eden trainers.  Throughout the training, the principles and practices of the Eden Alternative will be revealed and explored.

As we work towards this very important culture change by providing live entertainment, pet therapy, cultivating our own organic garden, day trips and so much more we hope you will think of us when you or your loved one need either short or long term care. We will work towards making you and yours feel welcomed, well-known and where life is worth living. 

If you'd like to learn more about the Eden Alternative, you can visit their webiste by clicking here!

  

Until next time,
Miss Manor

Top Ten Reasons...

Hello Everyone! Miss Manor is back and I hope you are enjoying all of the snow we are getting-I can’t remember the last winter when we had so many storms.

Anyway, I was thinking about David Letterman. His late night talk show is hilarious. My favorite part of his show is his Top Ten lists-have you seen them? They are absolutely hysterical! So I thought….why not come up with a top ten list of my own? So here it is….my Top Ten Reasons to Choose St. Joseph Manor….


10. St. Joseph Manor is filled with wonderful and caring staff just waiting to meet you! We are a community of care and a place that works towards making our residents feel welcomed, well-known and where life is worth living!

9. The vast majority of resident rooms are private! Your family member or loved one can enjoy their own space and privacy-the remainder of our rooms is semi-private. No triple or quad rooms in our home! Some rooms even have patios or balconies.

8. Increased socialization. Your loved one will enjoy activities 7 days a week, which leads to a happier lifestyle and a higher quality of life. Some of our activities include: Pet Therapy, Day Trips, Live Entertainment and more!

7. Friends and family approved! The Division of Health Care Quality’s 2009 survey reported that 98% responded that they would recommend St. Joseph Manor to a friend!

6. We are not just traditional long-term care anymore. We provided short-term rehabilitation and respite services. Our short-term rehabilitation/skilled care services include: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pain Management, Wound care, Intravenous Therapy and Hospice Care.

5. High rehabilitation success rate! In 2010, 55% of our residents were discharged back home!

4. We have our own Adult Day Health Center. Our Mater Dei Adult Day Health Center is conveniently located across the street. Our center provides support and relief to caregivers who have 24-hour responsibility of a loved one.

3. We are only 1 of 4 Eden Alternative homes in Massachusetts. Here at the Manor, we strive each and every day to enrich the lives of one another and to uplift the spirit of the home where we live and work by eliminating loneliness, helplessness and boredom.

2. Exceptional spiritual care. We understand the importance of spiritual values and beliefs of all faith traditions. We minister to the spiritual and religious needs of our residents, their families and associates.

1. Knowledgeable and committed staff! Our staff will be able to walk you through the entire process of deciding what is best for your loved one. In an industry where turnover is epidemic, 31% of all employees at St. Joseph Manor have 5 or more years of service and the average length of service among the senior leaders is 15 years!


Well, I hope you enjoyed my top ten! I know I am not quite as funny (or famous or rich for that matter) as Dave Letterman, but I think you get my point. St. Joseph Manor is the answer to all your top ten questions! Please do hesitate to stop by or give us a call!


Until next time,
Miss Manor

Football and Healthcare!

So here’s the big question, are you ready? It is really, really important….Who do you think will win the big game this Sunday the Pats or the Jets? I know my answer, but do you know yours? Well, life can be like a football game when one steps back and looks at the big quarter (get it…the big picture…HA)!

You watch your favorite game to see what plays will be made. The decision to punt the ball or just go for it! Well the same is with choices in healthcare. You watch your loved one and need to decide, do I keep them at home or do I go for it and find the right long-term care home to take care of your loved one when you no longer can.

Again, making the decision for the well being of a family member is just like a game of football…don’t believe me, well here’s an example:

You are the quarterback of your team. It is your call to decide what play to make next. You meet with your team in the neutral zone and form a huddle to figure out what play to make. You need to keep your head in the game because you don’t want a turnover to mess things up. When it comes time to make a go for it, you are nervous because you don’t want to throw an interception, or even have a teammate fumble. If you don’t pay attention to details, you fear you could get sacked. In the end, you need to call the right play in order to score a touchdown to win the game.

Translation: You are the head of your family. You need to decide what is best for your loved one. You meet with your family and gather to decide what your options are. You need to make sure to ask the right questions about services and programs available, because you want to make the right choice about care. When it is time to make a final decision, you are afraid. Afraid you will make the wrong choice and fail your family. After paying close attention to your family, friends and what programs and services are best, you make the call to go with St. Joseph Manor and everyone is extremely satisfied!

St. Joseph Manor is like no other. We are a team, that will assist you and your family tackle all the difficult questions and problems. We provide high quality, compassionate care for people of all beliefs and traditions (even Jets fans). So what are you waiting for, huddle up, bust out the nickel defense and call St. Joseph Manor TODAY!

Until next time, your favorite commentator,
Miss Manor

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