A Message From Michelle 
Sometimes one can find inspiration from a beautiful sunrise, a song heard on a Sunday morning, or the vision of a flag flying over a national Veteran's cemetery.....or, it can come from the words of an 11-year-old girl.  We recently lost a resident who had become, like so many do, a part of the fabric of our Pickering quilt.  She filled a room with her music and her personality and her family became our family.  In describing her, I am describing a lifetime of residents and families who have passed through our lives.  It is joyful; it is heartbreaking.  When we lose one of our residents, not only are we losing that person who we've loved and cared for, but we lose the whole family as well....and we grieve.
 
In keeping with this sense of family, I'm sharing with you the words of a handwritten letter that accompanied a tray of homemade cookies.  Both letter and cookies were created by the 11-year old grand-daughter of our resident who had recently passed.  It reads:
 
Dear Pickering Manor,
                I made these baked goods for you as a thank you for your love and care to my grandmom.  Every day when I walked in, you all would just smile and that would make me feel so good inside.  I felt very, very happy for my grandmom each day when I left, knowing that she was with the very best people she could be with.  Even when my grandmom could no longer move in bed and could only whisper words, one of you would come in and say "hello", and she would try her hardest to smile.  Thank you for touching her life in such a special way.  You were so kind and compassionate towards her.  I can truly see the Holy Spirit working through you as you change lives forever.  Your job is so special for ways that are infinite.
                                                                                Thank You For All That
                                                                                You Did To Touch My
                                                                                Grandmother's Life
 
                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                Gabriella
 
And so, it' clear why this simple message, complete with a large red heart drawn below her name became the impetus for "November". 
 
May you all understand how important caring for your moms, dads, grandparents and neighbors means to all of us.  May you celebrate this holiday as we will surrounded by family and giving thanks for the blessings that have been provided.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!!


Michelle Knobloch
Executive Director
Pickering Manor Fall Gala at Michener Art Museum

Pickering Manor's Signature Fundraising Event- The Fall Gala, was held November 4th at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown.  The exciting night featured a live artist, Washington Crossing's Perry Milou, painting on site for our guests.  Jagged Blue Band kept everyone dancing until the last song while attendees browsed the museum and bid on exclusive auction items.  Many thanks to all of our sponsors and attendees who made the event a huge success!





November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month
To spread awareness about Alzheimer's disease, dementia and related disorders that affect so many of our residents and their families, we will feature articles, helpful resources and personal stories in our newsletter.  Pickering Manor also hosts a Support Group for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m.  Please call Meri Barboni, Director of Social Services for more information at 215-968-3878.

  Remember me...?  

"Mom- do you know who I am?  It is Robyn, your daughter.  Remember me?"  ........Nothing.  Not a muscle moved in mom's face.  Just a stare; a cold, fixed vacant look.   A tear fell down her rosy cheek, her head hung over her shoulders and silence tore the room apart.  "She doesn't know who I am" - said Robyn in anguish.  Why should I come?  

She pulled a white board out of her big bag and wrote with a black marker: "I am Robyn, your daughter".  Again, nothing.  The screeching of the marker got stronger as did her frustration. "Nick's mom".  A glimpse of hope.  A spark in the eyes.  Mom nodded and grinned. 

With her smile, she said: "Don't ask me to remember, don't try to make me understand, let me rest and know you are here, kiss my cheek and hold my hand, remember that I need you now that the best of me is gone, stand by me, kiss my cheek and hold my hand.  I can 'read' the love that words cannot express.  I know you are safe and I know I will be okay if you are by my side.  Show me pictures, sing a song.  I might forget your name, but know how important it is to me that you remember me.  Come when you can.  Walk with me and tell me that you love me and that I understand."  

Robyn's mom is one of 5.4 million Americans living with this disease.  She is 1 in 8 older Americans living with Alzheimer's.  November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month.  More than 40 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to increase drastically in the coming years. By 2050 it will affect 150 million people. If we hope to be 85 years old or older, the chances of getting Alzheimer's will be 1 in 2.  

Dr. Alois Alzheimers discovered this disease in 1906 but the most awareness and findings have been made since 1990's. $1 of $5 Medicare dollars is spent on Alzheimer's.  Last year, dementia cost the nation $236 billion dollars. 

Every 66 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  

Alzheimer's is a disease and we can cure it.  Let us begin with increasing awareness, supporting each other and fighting for the cure. Share your beautiful, painful journey in caring for someone with Alzheimer's.  Come to our Dementia Support Group and heal with others.
 
              By: Meri Barboni MS CDP CADDCT
                     Director of Social Services


December Auxiliary Meeting to Feature NorthVoice Choir 
The December Auxiliary Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 at 1:30 PM in Pickering Manor's Atrium. The program will be NorthVoice the Concert Choir from Council Rock North, presenting their Holiday Program under the direction of Jared Williams.



 
Halloween at Pickering Manor   
Residents enjoyed a spooky time dressing up and getting a visit from trick-or-treaters!



Pickering Manor Sponsors Newtown Grant Halloween Party 
Pickering Manor was proud to sponsor Newtown Grant's Halloween Party last month!


 
The 5th Annual Mercedes Benz Car Raffle is Back On!    
Ticket sales for the Pickering Manor 5th Annual Mercedes-Benz Car Raffle are on sale now! Enter here for your chance to win a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATICĀ® or $25,000 CASH!  Drawing is Friday, April 20th 2018!




Pickering Manor Hosts Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group  
Meetings will be held once per month on the first Tuesday from 10am-12 noon in the Living room.  Open to all caregivers. Call Meri Barboni at 215-968-3878 for more information.

 
Holiday Shopping with Amazon Smile
Amazon will donate a percentage of each sale to Pickering Manor.  Just go to  smile.amazon.com , and choose "Community Welfare Council of Newtown."  



About Pickering Manor
Located in Newtown, PA, Pickering Manor is a non-profit senior-living facility offering 10 semi-detached cottages, 24 apartments, 22 private personal care rooms and 47 licensed skilled nursing beds. Pickering was founded in 1963 and is the only community-owned and operated senior residence in Pennsylvania. For more information about Pickering Manor visit: