Director Phil Golden with Resident Volunteer Reba Babst

The Springwell Chapel was a buzz with residents, visitors and staff. A buffet was set with a display of  tiny and tempting desserts, that even a discriminating gourmet would want to sample.  The beverage bar offered hot and cold drinks, wine and beer. What was the reason for this festive display? It was to honor the many volunteers who give tirelessly of their time and talent.  The Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Activity Department, honored individuals from business and non-profit organizations; residents and family members; young and old; religious and lay people. The youngest volunteer was 17 years old and the oldest was 93 years old proving no matter the age, everyone has a special gift to share.   The event started with a slideshow of past activities and a short video clip about volunteerism. This was followed  by a message from Phil Golden, Executive Director. He expressed his thanks to all the volunteers and offered his views on how the volunteers are “…the spirit of our community.”

This was followed by announcing each volunteer and his/her contributions, and the presentation of the awards by Phil and Ella Nolley, Activity Assistant. Some of the activities these individuals perform include: visiting residents with their pets, planning and offering  worship services and Bible Study, singing and playing music, operating the Resident Store, making room visits to residents who can’t get out, working in the community gardens and library, assisting with entertainment, and hosting new and perspective residents.

Activities Assistant Ella Nolley with Resident Volunteer Lousonia Jefferson

A number of Springwell’s residents were recipients of the awards. A list of those honorees follows: Reba Babst, Nell Crawford, Nancy Daily, Lousonia Jefferson, Bob Kirssin, Nancy Martin, John McCusker, Milton Norwood, Molly Peacock, Frank Simmonds and Herman Stump.   As the night drew to a close, you could recognize the many volunteers congregating in the Main Hall for refreshments.  They were the ones with broad smiles and easy laughter. One volunteer commented that is was very nice for her work to be acknowledged, but she didn’t do it for that reason.  Her ‘pay back’ was seeing the smiles on the residents’ faces……I guess that says it all!

I think a lot about this community and how all of its various pieces come together.  In some sense, it’s like how the many parts of our bodies function together for our common good.

The buildings are like the bones of the community – life happens inside of them so it’s important to make sure that structure is sound.  Our staff is the heart of the community or maybe its central nervous system – going out and touching everyone here by delivering a variety of services – with friendliness, competence & compassion.   Our residents are the community’s lifeblood – without whom there is NO community, no way or no reason for it to exist.   And our volunteers are a huge part of what comprises the spirit of our community – offering their time and talents in a wide variety of ways – not as a job or for a paycheck but purely for the betterment of those who live here.

Last Wednesday, we honored 39 volunteers (including 11 current residents) who have shared their vibrant spirits with the Springwell community over the past year.  Activities Director Kathy Ullrich coordinated this wonderful event and is leading the growth of our volunteer programs.  I am so happy to see the spirit and structure of volunteerism growing at Springwell and am truly appreciative of all that our volunteers do.  Thank you all!

Our Memory unit is designed for those with dementia to help them enjoy life to the fullest, while maintaining their safety at all times with a caring and devoted staff.  If someone in your family is exhibiting these symptoms, you should share your concerns with a healthcare professional. Awareness of these warning signs is not a substitute for a structured screening or consultation with a primary care provider.

Trouble with new memories

Relying on memory helpers

Trouble finding words

Struggling to complete familiar actions

Confusion about time, place or people

Misplacing familiar objects

Onset of new depression or irritability

Making bad decisions

Personality changes

Loss of interest in important responsibilities

Seeing or hearing things

Expressing false beliefs

For more information you can visit the Alzheimers Foundation website by clicking here: http://www.alzfdn.org/index.htm

When:  March 14th at 6pm

We invite ALL RESIDENTS of Mt. Washington & the surrounding area to the Complimentary Service Presentation (Light refreshments will be served). U.S. Service Benefits is an organization that helps veterans, and their widows apply for benefits that can INCREASE THEIR INCOME. Your presenter, June Oppman, is a financial services professional and president and founder of Transition Advisor Group. June will discuss these benefits that are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP by calling (410)664-4006 by Tuesday, March 13.

I’m sure we’ve all felt that way sometimes.  Most of us prefer being in the know about our world, or at least our little corner of it.  Here at Springwell, there is always something going on and we use a variety of ways to help keep you informed.  One of the best – because it’s a forum where you can hear directly from our managers and ask about anything on your mind – is the monthly Fireside Chat.  It’s held the first Monday of each month at 1:15 in our Faith & Fellowship Chapel.  Our next gathering is coming up soon on March 5^th and I hope to see everyone there!

Of course, if you’re unable to make it for Fireside Chats, be sure to pick up the terrific Springwell Spirit newsletter every week.  Check out the articles and daily calendars – which are also posted in the elevators and at the Concierge desk.  For monthly calendars and special events you can also reference the 1^st floor bulletin boards in either the Main Building or Overlook.  All of these resources will help to keep you in the know.  You can even reference our web site.  But better still, grab a cup of coffee with a fellow resident and chat about what’s going on or come up with some new suggestions together.

We look forward with you to keeping Springwell a happening place!

While these exciting changes are the most visible ones at Springwell, we have been continuing to “build” our community in other ways since your last visit.  For instance:

1.  Our resident population has grown to over 100.  While we are still a warm, friendly community where we know every person, there are more opportunities to connect with others socially – whether one-on-one or through a vibrant menu of activities.

2.  We’ve opened a huge, handicap-accessible veranda that will provide the perfect venue for watching springtime blossom across our beautiful, 15-acre campus.

3.  Our Partners in Care program has expanded to include Dermatology, Podiatry, Mental Health, Audiology and others, to complement our longstanding relationships with GBMC Senior Services physicians and Genesis Rehabilitation therapists.

Many benefits that attracted you to Springwell in the first place though – like no large buy-in fee, reasonable monthly rates, a maintenance free lifestyle and our gracious, well-located campus – have not changed.  So, we wanted you to be the first to know about this timely opportunity to become part of our community. Please call Linda or Nina here at Springwell to find out more. Or, you can email them (Linda@springwellseniorliving.com or ninah@springwellseniorliving.com) if you prefer.  Thank you for your continued interest and we hope to see you again real soon!

As a customer of Springwell, I hope you know that we take our team’s mission just as seriously as the Ravens do.  While we may not each do Ray Lewis’ pre-game dance when we arrive for work, we are passionate about our mission as a community:

Springwell’s Mission

“To establish and continuously elevate our reputation as a safe, warm & vibrant place for our residents to live, with consistently outstanding care & hospitality services and highly engaged staff members”.

It is our pleasure and privilege to strive for that consistently high quality resident experience 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.  Sometimes, like the Ravens last weekend, we fall a little short.   But we try to learn from our mistakes, pick ourselves up and get back into action.  Our “Super Bowl” is that when we excel at what we do, we can make a real difference in our customers’ lives.  With great teamwork, I am optimistic that 2012 can be a championship year at Springwell!

What is the difference between Independent Living and Assisted Living?

Independent living is a level of care that is below assisted living. Independent living communities are considered to be any form housing that is targeted to seniors over the age of 55. Independent living can include apartments as well as single family homes or townhouses. Typically there are activities planned for the members of the community as well as minimal assistance with yard work or other maintenance issues. Residents maintain as much independence as possible and are still able to perform all of the activities of daily living.

At Springwell we serve both Assisted Living and Independent Living as well as Memory Care that specializes in residents with dementia and Altzheimers.  We encourage to to schedule a tour so you can see for yourself the level of care we provide our residents and the lifestyle they maintain when they are here.  Give us a call at 410-664-4006