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Menorah Park Center for Senior Living
UPublish story by Sherry Gavanditti
POSTED: 02:35 p.m. EDT, Aug 19, 2008
The Menorah Park Campus has proven its diligence in providing a warm home and community beginning with the moment of inquiry about any campus home, and throughout each resident’s life on campus. The Advocate of Not-For-Profit Services for Older Ohioans (AOPHA) has recognized Menorah Park for its efforts with a 2008 Excellence in Service Award focused on Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place.The Award is a direct reflection of the many programs and services offered here to help residents feel at home. “This honor is awarded to an organization displaying outstanding initiative, motivation and leadership in provision of quality services,” stated AOPHA Professional Recognition Action Council Chair, Phil Braisted, in a congratulatory letter.
Campus staff members have great sensitivity to the challenges many face when moving from their home. Realizing how difficult these changes are, we are diligent in helping all new residents maintain a happy life. Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place, both licensed assisted living residences, along with the independent living and skilled nursing residences, employ several methods within the Welcome Neighbor Programs, tailored to the desires and cultures of each community on Campus. Fostering community and ensuring the new home feels like “home, sweet home” is ongoing. Opportunities to engage in the programs continue long after move-in day.
Of particular note is the strong involvement of the residents, who strive to make new-comers feel comfortable in their new community. At Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place, the community is supported by a variety of volunteer committees, which contribute to the healthy lifestyle of the tenants. For example, at Wiggins Place, the Hospitality Committee is responsible for welcoming new tenants to the campus family. The group of tenants has developed a “buddy system” where new community members are paired with committee members. The buddy calls and visits the new tenants to make sure they are getting into the swing of things at Wiggins Place.
Committee Chair and Tenant Bess Witner explains the importance of the group: “Even if you were raised in Cleveland, this is still a change. It’s important for people to feel like this is their home. These people, our community, are our extended family.”
Bess said when an unusual situation occurs, people have a person beyond staff to call and check in with. “The staff members are very caring and they do an excellent job. I’m happy to be an extension of the kindness and share in assisting new tenants. It’s a good feeling just to know you’re never alone,” she added. “I am very happy to be there (on the Menorah Park Campus), and I want to spread the knowledge. There’s a certain inner satisfaction helping people with the little things. It feels like you’re needed,” said Bess.
Well after move-in, the committee members offer continued friendship and guidance. Bess gave the example of hearing from tenants who wanted to play bridge. Their schedules were very different and it was a challenge, but Bess found a way to connect them and to their delight, they now play bridge together on a regular basis.
In addition to having a similar “buddy system” at Stone Gardens, staff integrates welcoming into the activities. The Welcome Circle occurs each month providing social opportunities for long-time residents and new arrivals. They discuss background, interests, and the geography of life. The program provides an additional forum to discuss and assist with adjustment challenges.
Out of the Welcome Neighbor concept sprung a suggestion from the residents at Stone Gardens. They wanted to ensure everyone’s names would be easily “on the tip of the tongue.” In addition to staff, interested residents wear nametags with large-print first names for easy greetings and to foster community.
“It is truly a community here,” echoed Welcome Circle participants at a recent meeting where new friendships formed and old friends were reunited.
ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY
Menorah Park Center for Senior Living has been selected as the recipient for the prestigious 2008 AOPHA Public Service Award in recognition of our campus community’s outstanding advocacy and grassroots programs.
While the award traditionally has gone to a public official, Menorah Park was chosen “to recognize the continual effort on the federal and state level to positively impact aging services policy,” stated Richard Lamden, AOPHA Chair, in a letter of congratulations. “Grassroots advocacy has been the top priority of AOPHA for numerous years and your organization exemplifies the dedication necessary to share our story with elected officials and the public to garner positive results for those you serve.”
Board members, staff, residents and program participants have worked together to ensure voices are heard on critical issues related to programs and services for aging adults. The campus community engages in letter writing campaigns to legislators, coordinates groups to visit key public officials in Washington D.C. and Columbus, invites members to visit our campus, and actively pursues additional opportunities to provide a voice for those who are too frail to communicate themselves, but who are in need of the support that government services such as Medicare and Medicaid provide.
The Menorah Park Campus has proven its diligence in providing a warm home and community beginning with the moment of inquiry about any campus home, and throughout each resident’s life on campus. The Advocate of Not-For-Profit Services for Older Ohioans (AOPHA) has recognized Menorah Park for its efforts with a 2008 Excellence in Service Award focused on Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place.
The Award is a direct reflection of the many programs and services offered here to help residents feel at home. “This honor is awarded to an organization displaying outstanding initiative, motivation and leadership in provision of quality services,” stated AOPHA Professional Recognition Action Council Chair, Phil Braisted, in a congratulatory letter.
Campus staff members have great sensitivity to the challenges many face when moving from their home. Realizing how difficult these changes are, we are diligent in helping all new residents maintain a happy life. Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place, both licensed assisted living residences, along with the independent living and skilled nursing residences, employ several methods within the Welcome Neighbor Programs, tailored to the desires and cultures of each community on Campus. Fostering community and ensuring the new home feels like “home, sweet home” is ongoing. Opportunities to engage in the programs continue long after move-in day.
Of particular note is the strong involvement of the residents, who strive to make new-comers feel comfortable in their new community. At Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place, the community is supported by a variety of volunteer committees, which contribute to the healthy lifestyle of the tenants. For example, at Wiggins Place, the Hospitality Committee is responsible for welcoming new tenants to the campus family. The group of tenants has developed a “buddy system” where new community members are paired with committee members. The buddy calls and visits the new tenants to make sure they are getting into the swing of things at Wiggins Place.
Committee Chair and Tenant Bess Witner explains the importance of the group: “Even if you were raised in Cleveland, this is still a change. It’s important for people to feel like this is their home. These people, our community, are our extended family.”
Bess said when an unusual situation occurs, people have a person beyond staff to call and check in with. “The staff members are very caring and they do an excellent job. I’m happy to be an extension of the kindness and share in assisting new tenants. It’s a good feeling just to know you’re never alone,” she added. “I am very happy to be there (on the Menorah Park Campus), and I want to spread the knowledge. There’s a certain inner satisfaction helping people with the little things. It feels like you’re needed,” said Bess.
Well after move-in, the committee members offer continued friendship and guidance. Bess gave the example of hearing from tenants who wanted to play bridge. Their schedules were very different and it was a challenge, but Bess found a way to connect them and to their delight, they now play bridge together on a regular basis.
In addition to having a similar “buddy system” at Stone Gardens, staff integrates welcoming into the activities. The Welcome Circle occurs each month providing social opportunities for long-time residents and new arrivals. They discuss background, interests, and the geography of life. The program provides an additional forum to discuss and assist with adjustment challenges.
Out of the Welcome Neighbor concept sprung a suggestion from the residents at Stone Gardens. They wanted to ensure everyone’s names would be easily “on the tip of the tongue.” In addition to staff, interested residents wear nametags with large-print first names for easy greetings and to foster community.
“It is truly a community here,” echoed Welcome Circle participants at a recent meeting where new friendships formed and old friends were reunited.
ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY
Menorah Park Center for Senior Living has been selected as the recipient for the prestigious 2008 AOPHA Public Service Award in recognition of our campus community’s outstanding advocacy and grassroots programs.
While the award traditionally has gone to a public official, Menorah Park was chosen “to recognize the continual effort on the federal and state level to positively impact aging services policy,” stated Richard Lamden, AOPHA Chair, in a letter of congratulations. “Grassroots advocacy has been the top priority of AOPHA for numerous years and your organization exemplifies the dedication necessary to share our story with elected officials and the public to garner positive results for those you serve.”
Board members, staff, residents and program participants have worked together to ensure voices are heard on critical issues related to programs and services for aging adults. The campus community engages in letter writing campaigns to legislators, coordinates groups to visit key public officials in Washington D.C. and Columbus, invites members to visit our campus, and actively pursues additional opportunities to provide a voice for those who are too frail to communicate themselves, but who are in need of the support that government services such as Medicare and Medicaid provide.
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