Community Connection Newsletter
|
May 2020 |
News & Announcements
|
|
The Longest Day
By: Rachel Dick
|
|
The Longest Day is the day of the year with the most light -- the summer solstice. And it's the day Samaritas Senior Living in Cadillac has committed to fight Alzheimer's disease! We are participating in The Longest Day, a fundraising event to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.
Today, an estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's or other dementias, including more than 5 million Americans. In the United States alone, 16 million friends and family members are providing their care. We must take action now, or these numbers will continue to rise. Here at Samaritas Senior Living in Cadillac, an estimated 80% of our residents between our Long Term Care Unit and Memory Care Unit suffer from some form of dementia. We are honoring our residents as well as all those suffering nationwide. Samaritas will be hosting ‘The Longest Day Virtual 5k’ on June 20, 2020. Anyone can participate from anywhere in the world!
Go online and sign up/donate at the link below;
You can also search events on Facebook for The Longest Day Virtual 5k.
Stand up to the darkness of Alzheimer's and make a donation today and/or sign up to join Samaritas and participate to help the Alzheimer's Association support all those facing the disease.
|
|
Employee of the Month
Great Job Nicole Smith
|
April was a special month for our incredible Admission Coordinator, Nicole Smith. Not only did she celebrate her Birthday, she was also awarded Employee of the Month!
Nicole has been with Samaritas for 4+ years. She is married and has a blended family consisting of 5 daughters and a dog named Baylor. They love to travel and just be out doing things together. Nicole’s favorite thing about working at Samaritas is spending time with the residents and getting to know all the families. Her future plans include moving away from the ‘snowy state’ and into the ‘sunshine state’. Congratulations Nicole, we are blessed to have you!
|
|
|
A Memory from Marshall Wiley
My earliest memory of my mom is of me asking her questions about my new baby sister. I wasn't sure I wanted to share my space.
The best Mother’s Day gift I ever game my mom was a bottle of perfume that my grandma helped me get.
I really liked the way my mom made meatloaf. She made it special with a sauce and used an oatmeal feeler filler instead of bread or crackers. She also was good at making apple pie.
|
I remember once when the three of us were still at home, we gave up our allowance to help a neighbor family in need whose dad had fallen ill was done without being asked. My mom was so proud.
We weren't rich or poor, had both parents and lived as a whole family. Things got slim at times but we never did without, and appreciated what we had. We had lots of love.
|
A Memory from Deanna (DeeDee) Beemer
My earliest memory of my mom is of her living in a white brick house. I remember my mom sitting there trying to fight flies and she told us kids to go back out to play. I was about five.
The best Mother’s Day gift I ever gave my mom was a birthday card with a picture of a basset hound on it that I made. It said, “I know you like this, but this one you don't have to feed and you can still love it.”
I don’t have a special recipe that I remember most from my mom, because my mom made everything special. I loved her homemade cinnamon rolls, every time we asked her what she was doing she said, “A cat for to make kitten britches.”
My mom wasn’t shy about discipline. Oh, she believed in giving it. Her favorite thing to do while driving was asking if we wanted to “pick some flowers” and she would have a willow switch waiting for us when we got back. We used to tell our cousins when they were rowdy, that they better behave, because they didn't want to “pick flowers.”
|
|
Making the Most Out of Sheltering in Place
Thriving at Samaritas with a New Routine
By: Rachel Dick
Although the month of April was a trying time, here at Samaritas we made the most of everyday. With the safety of our residents and staff our first priority, we came up with many different ways to lift everyone’s spirits!
Staff brought the entertainment by hosting a Spirit Week consisting of Super Hero Day, Sports Day, Decade Day, and Mis Match Day. The entire facility had a blast and we will continue to make Spirit Week a tradition.
|
|
The Activities Staff hosted daily activities to keep our residents busy and having fun, all while practicing safe social distancing. One of the residents’ favorites is Doorway Bingo! They look forward to playing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to earn Bingo Bucks which can be used to purchase items in our Bingo Store once a month. Other activities included our Monthly Birthday Celebration, Dance Parties, Trivia, Painting Sun Catchers, Exercise and many more! Residents also got to spend time out on the patios soaking up the beautiful weather.
Staying in communication with your loved ones is essential during the quarantine and we have been using technology to help make that happen. Families have been enjoying regular phone calls, FaceTime chats, Skype calls, as well as Google Duo calls with their loved ones. The joy that this brings to their day is priceless! If you are interested please give us a call or send us a message on Facebook, we would love to connect with you. Also, be sure to get online and check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and pictures of all things Samaritas!
|
|
|
May is Foster Care Awareness Month
This May, during National Foster Care awareness month, you can show your support by sharing any of the social media posts with your friends and family to raise awareness of the issue.
You can also consider purchasing the official #ItTakesAPurpleVillage window sticker, where $5 dollars of every purchase will be donated back to the Samaritas Foster Care program. Visit
this website
for details.
|
|
Join us for one the upcoming events listed below.
|
|
Hospice of Michigan Training
Hosting a FREE Continuing Education Training. All are welcome to attend and will receive a certificate of completion. 1 credit hour CE for nurses and social workers. Visit the
Hospice of Michigan Training website
for details.
Human Trafficking Awareness
May 28, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Contact Margo Jacobsby email at
majacobs@hom.org
or at (231) 429-6987 to request register.
|
|
Family Day Drive Parade
May 20 at 3 p.m.
There will be a drive-by parade for our residents featuring local police and fire departments on nest Wednesday. This is a chance for Samaritas residents to get some fresh air and connect with local leaders at a social-distance. Families and friends are invited to join them.
|
|
See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
|
|
Five Healthy Eating Tips
Even though you may be stuck at home, it's still a good time to focus on your diet and avoid the temptation of just eating snacks.
For older adults, it is even more important to get the proper nutrients each day to help your body function in the best way possible. Here are five easy ways to eat healthier and boost your metabolism.
|
|
1. Drink plenty of liquids.
Drinking liquids such as water or natural juice can be a great way to stay healthy. Water not only keeps your mouth hydrated, but helps you stay full longer. Try to limit beverages with a lot of sugar or sodium.
2. Try some “Super Foods”.
“Super foods” are foods that are low calorie but high in vitamins or fiber. Some you can try incorporating into your diet are kale, broccoli and avocados. These foods help with cognitive function and help to support your immune system.
3. Opt for whole grains.
Whole grains are a great substitution for refined grains. Refined or enriched grains remove many of the nutrients. Eating whole grains like brown rice, whole grain cereals and whole wheat bread will provide nutrients such as fiber, potassium, magnesium.
4. Plenty of Protein.
Try to get as much protein in your diet as possible. Proteins help with your muscle and bone function, as well as supporting a healthy diet. Try incorporating things such as eggs, beans, lean meats such as chicken and nuts.
|
|
5. Moderate Proportions.
Eating in moderate proportions is a great way to eat a balanced and healthy diet. It will also prevent weight gain. Reduce, but don’t eliminate. Eat your favorite foods, but go for smaller portions and eat less than what you usually would.
Eating healthy as a senior can be difficult. These steps will point you in the right direction for a healthy and happy diet.
|
|
|
|
Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
