Dear friends,
It was nice to have some milder days and sunny weather this week and lots of our elders were enjoying some fresh air and sunshine! Of course we are also gearing up for the weather that is supposed to come this weekend. Although none of us like to see the weather become treacherous, we are always well prepared across the Jewish Home Family. Our staff, from all areas of our system, never miss a beat even when it is hard to get to work. We always have folks who will, on their own, come in early to beat the weather and traffic. We have others who will stay overnight and as long as is necessary. We always talk about our staff really being a family and there is no time that we see it more clearly than when we are faced with a challenge like bad weather. That being said, I am still hoping that the conditions will not be snowy but if they are, please know that we are ready!
At Jewish Home Assisted Living we were excited to start the week with a brand new program. Called RCR, which stands for Resident Concierge Representative, its’a role we’ve created for high school students. They will serve in non-clinical roles to help with transportation, friendly visits, activity assistance and to help elders with tasks in their apartments, like putting their clothes away or other simple things. The positions are designed for three months of weekends and our goal is to both add some extra helping hands and to introduce young people to the world of senior services, hoping to help them choose elder care as a career choice. Our first weekend, with our two students from the Rockland BOCES CNA program, was a great success and the elders were delighted to welcome them. Sunday activities also included a program by Rabbi Korenblit entitled “The Bat Mitzvah of a Real Life Princess.” Monday’s highlight was a hot cocoa social in the first floor living room as well as shop and ride to the Dollar Tree, a favorite destination. On Tuesday our knitters came to knit and shmooze and on Wednesday we had a very successful outing to Kosher Nosh. In the afternoon we had both music discussion and a travelogue to Scotland. Thursday’s Yiddish Club session was, as always, a big hit and our personal shopping service was also busy. WE also had Tai Chi in both Memory Lane and Assisted Living. Friday included our headlines program and a visit from Professor Ian Drake who discussed “How will impeachment affect the 2020 presidential race.”
Sunday morning at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh brought us an exciting new program. Called “Face to Face” we are using technology to help our elders connect with their families. We also enjoyed trivia, Name that Tune and Bingo. The Afternoon of Music featured Yale Hirsch who is not only the creator of the Stock Trader’s Almanac but also a composer. Mr. Hirsch’s family arranged for musicians to perform some of Mr. Hirsch’w works and Mr. Hirsch also played a few song son the piano. It was a wonderful program and enjoyed by both elders and families. On Monday our Kaplen 2 elders took part in adaptive sports while Rubin unit elders had a sing-a-long and the Seiden elders took part in a drum circle. In the afternoon we had a program on Jewish Traditions with Rabbi Feld, musical rehearsal with Marina and a meeting of our Women’s Club. On Tuesday we had a special activity that our elders much enjoy, a visit from Yavneh Academy’s Tech Together students. Sixteen of the 8th graders joined us to read the beginning of the book “Who was Rosa Parks?” to our elders and have a discussion about her. The elders will continue reading the book and discuss it on the student’s next visit. We also had Tai Chi, our monthly birthday party, chair fitness and a sensory sensations program. Wednesday morning had a number of group activities like Plant$Life, Prop it Up and Steady Boxing. We also had a wonderful relaxation and meditation session using chimes which everyone appreciated. Thursday was busy with exercise, Alphabet Soup and a meeting of the Culinary Club. This’s month tasting was a vegetable cholent with a side dish of rice and it was a huge hit! Later in the day we had a Jewish Home University program on “The Solar System.” Friday included LaughActive and a lively commemoration of National Hat Day. We also had a lunch outing to Biddy O’Malley’s that was very popular.
It’s also been a great week at the Gallen Center. On Monday morning, a guided meditation followed our Circle of Friends program and a lively game of Anagrams took place for game fans as well. In the afternoon, our Drama Club members decided to use props for the day’s workshop and stars were born! What a difference a prop or costume makes! We ended the day with an aroma therapy and nail spa which everyone found very relaxing. Tuesday featured boxing and a craft program called “Picture Perfect,” with participants creating picture frames. Wednesday’s highlight was the monthly birthday and dance party with featured Rick Salucci. If you like to dance, the Gallen Center is the place to be! In the afternoon we had two new programs: Vision Boards and Community Choice.. Vision Boards are like an intentional collage of pictures and words to help us manifest our dreams for the year ahead. The creative energy in the room was palpable. The boards were signed and dated upon completion and one of our elders dated her board “The first day of the rest of my life.” The Community Choice program is our way of beginning to incorporate Green House concepts in the Gallen program. This week our elders chose trivia and loved it. On Thursday the Women’s Club met and did a really interesting activity. Each person shared things that nobody else knows about them and it was very lively session. In the afternoon we had a concert followed by a discussion about winter sports. Friday rounded out the week with a visit from the singing group known as “The Harmony Basket” and Rabbi Feld’s reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King and freedom in this country.
All the best,
Carol Silver Elliott
President/CEO
The Jewish Home Family
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Volunteer Opportunity of the Week
Looking for a friendly conversationalist to make once-a-week visits with one of our residents at Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale.
Please contact Stacey Orden, Director of Volunteer Services at sorden@jewishhomefamily.org or 201-518-1175 with questions or to sign up.
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WINTER ROCKLEIGH GIFT SHOP CLEARANCE SALE
The perfect time to stock up on Jewish Home SWAG!
Come to the Gift Shop next Tuesday, January 21st, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Main Street, across from Carl’s Place.
Backpacks - $5, ice scrapers - $1, beverage containers - $2, green fleece jackets - $5, black jackets - $8, caps - $2, while supplies last!
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10 Link Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 | 685 Westwood Ave. River Vale, NJ 07675