Orchard Estate Magazine

OE Orchard Estate Magazine W O O D B U R Y

EasyLiving You deserve it

5| Staying Social 6| Meet Our Founding Member 8| Demystifying Dementia Care 9| Which Senior Care Option Is Right For You 10| Get To Know Us Assisted Living Licensure Pending

ORCHARD ESTATE | AA

“

I couldn’t have been more pleased by your patience, kindness, concern, respect and support you gave her, my dad and the rest of my family.

”

AA | ORCHARD ESTATE

W E L C O M E T O O R C H A R D E S TAT E

Keeping Seniors Connected To What Matters

O

ver the last couple of years, Long Island has become a place I’ve come to know and love even more. I grew up in Fairfield, Conn., and listened to a Long Island based radio station growing up.

As Benchmark began to look at growing outside of New England and turned toward New York, I found Long Island to have many of the tight-knit communities and smalltown values I cherish from my own childhood and the time spent raising my family in New England.

As a lifelong baseball fan, I also connect with the devotion that Long Islanders have to the Mets. Many older people on Long Island will soon enter their next inning in life. I am excited that we at Orchard Estate have the opportunity to help them hit a home run by keeping them connected to the people, places and things that matter most in their lives.

I started Benchmark 22 years ago with a vision to make senior living more about creating a neighborhood and residential “home away from home”. Today, we are transforming the aging experience by moving beyond the categories of assisted living and memory care to offer “concierge living” and a unique Mind & Memory approach.

The Benchmark Experience starts with how our associates strive to get to know each resident and learn what’s important to them. Only then can they succeed in connecting residents to the things that give their lives joy, wellness, meaning and purpose.

Our typical resident chooses us because they still have so much more they wish to do and experience in their lifetime. We know that, out of fear, so many choose to remain in their homes, but the result is that they become isolated and their health can be compromised. At Benchmark, we believe that human connection has the power to transform lives and that everyone can stay meaningfully connected to who and what matters most to them.

Our communities are designed

with that belief at the core. And it is validated again and again in the countless stories I hear of those reticent to move at first but who soon after have a new bounce in their step, living an engaged and inspired life.

Long Islanders have embraced us wholeheartedly, and Benchmark is honored to be a trusted resource for Woodbury area families. We are privileged to be the first assisted living community in Woodbury, and I’m proud that Orchard Estate will be our second on Long Island. Our associates are ready to answer questions about life in our community and the array of services that we provide to maximize our residents’ comfort and enjoyment. Please stop in and say hello.

—Tom Grape, Founder, Chairman & CEO

ORCHARD ESTATE | 1

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A Community Without Walls

I

t is with great pleasure that I share the heartwarming story of our founding resident, who will soon call Orchard Estate home. I am also proud to introduce our associates, who are Called to Care and eager to connect their passion and experience of working with seniors by bringing their experience and skills to Orchard Estate. Over the last year, we’ve assembled a talented team of associates hailing from all over Long Island who are eager to get to know each and every one of our residents and help keep them connected to what matters most in their lives. Inside you will find their personal stories, their history and their interests that are at the heart of Orchard Estate.

Our gourmet dining is being led by Rob Aliotta who has a long career as a chef in high-end hotels. He has an exciting program planned, which will leverage our own on-site grown produce and other local ingredients. Lee Ann Mangiaracina hails from Huntington and will use her high energy to ensure all of our residents connect to their passions and continue to learn and grow at every stage of their lives. Josh Karim is bringing his passion and expertise in caring for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia from one of our sister communities in Connecticut.

We’ve also developed meaningful relationships with many groups in the communities we serve, from senior centers to the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center, and we are also proud to support many community groups

and non-profits on Long Island.

We were excited to be part of several fundraisers, including Stamp Out Hunger, and to help provide meals for Long Islanders in need.

We like to think of ourselves as a community without walls because our doors are always open as we strive to be an integral part of the community. We look forward to collaborating with even more of you when we open this summer.

Meeting people where they are and connecting them to what’s meaningful and possible at every stage of their lives is what we are passionate about. We are excited to welcome an enthusiastic group of residents this summer as we become Woodbury’s first assisted living and memory care community. We look forward to connecting with you!

—Doug Cormack, Executive Director 2 | ORCHARD ESTATE

“

We are thrilled with the response we’ve received and are very much looking forward to helping our residents discover what’s meaningful and possible at every stage of their lives.

”

—Doug Cormack

ORCHARD E S TAT E

OF WOODBURY Connecting the Past with the Present

“

Thank you so much for the care and love you gave my mom. Words can’t express how thankful I am.

”

Many longtime Woodbury residents already know that our location started as land that was once used for farming.

But what most people don’t know about is the tie this community has to the Roosevelt family.

When Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the late president’s eldest son, started his own family, his mother, Edith, gifted him some of the acreage in the orchard near the family home of Sagamore Hill. Teddy Jr. built a beautiful home on the orchard to raise his family, and it’s where they created many memories and experienced all of life’s ups and downs.

The home was called Old Orchard.

We chose to name our beautiful new community Orchard Estate of Woodbury after this place that was so near and dear to this famous historical family. Just as Teddy Jr. had done, we are taking a beautiful piece of land that was once farmland and have created a home where families can gather to experience joy, hope, love and care while connecting to what matters to them.

4 | ORCHARD ESTATE

AGING IN PLACE

Staying

Social Orchard Estate Residents Stay Connected

W

ith older adults becoming less social and more likely to live alone as they age, it’s no wonder that feelings of loneliness peak between one’s mid-50s and late 80s. As seniors feel less connected, they can develop a sense of social isolation, a condition in which one lacks meaningful relationships or engagement with others.

Social isolation can be detrimental to one’s health and well-being. A 2015 study found that loneliness and isolation may increase the risk of early death, while research from the American Psychological Association suggests that loneliness can be as damaging to one’s health as obesity. Despite a proliferation of online tools that encourage connectivity, researchers believe that isolation is a growing problem for older Americans.

Just as a well-balanced diet and exercise are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle,

so too is staying connected as you age. In fact, researchers note that social engagement is among the most important to helping seniors remain connected and healthy.

Something as simple as joining a book club or visiting family can truly enhance longevity and overall happiness.

With countless opportunities available to form connections, senior living communities like Orchard Estate are at the forefront of preventing social isolation. Research suggests that communities like these can improve quality of life by creating a socially rich environment that encourages participation and family involvement.

Upon move-in, seniors are greeted with a full calendar of clubs, trips to new and interesting locations, and volunteer opportunities that allow them to engage with the local community and one another. For example, Benchmark and its residents recently took part in

the American Heart Association’s “Little Hats, Big Hearts” initiative to raise awareness for congenital heart defects.

Residents and associates at many of their 58 communities knitted over 700 red hats for newborns, showing support for affected families.

Benchmark communities like Orchard Estate also offer a number of wellness programs, services and amenities designed to promote a robust, social lifestyle. Residents have full access to the fitness center, activities room, walking paths and a variety of programs offered daily. There are also numerous spaces for socialization, such as the bistro and dining room.

No matter how seniors choose to engage, associates get to know each resident and encourage participation to ensure they are taking full advantage of Orchard Estate’s engaging programs. Family members are always welcome to join in on the fun!

Jeanne Sirot wasn’t always Jeanne Sirot. She was Jean that’s J-e-a-n - until her middle school Spanish teacher threatened to call her “John” unless she added the “ne.” “That’s how my name stuck,” she explains. “That’s how I am now. Jeanne.”

6 | ORCHARD ESTATE

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

New Beginnings Orchard Estate Founding Resident Jeanne Sirot

B

orn and raised in Brooklyn, Jeanne vividly remembers crossing the street with her mother every day to play with a 5-year-old girl like herself. Her Russian parents passed through Ellis Island in the 1920s, where visitors can still find a plaque commemorating their arrival.

Brooklyn is also where Jeanne met her husband, Larry, in what she bashfully calls a “pickup.” While strolling down Pitkin Avenue one day, Jeanne and her friends encountered a group of boys, including Larry. The girls invited them up to a friend’s apartment, and, for Jeanne, the rest was history. “I went home and told my mother that I met the boy I was going to marry,” she says.

She was 13 and he was 18, or at least that’s what she thought. When Jeanne graduated from middle school, Larry revealed that he, too, had just graduated.

He was just five months older than her, not five years, as he had originally told her. “You know, he was very mature for the time,” she laughs. “I believed him.”

Larry didn’t live nearby, so they frequently rendezvoused at a library between their two homes. Their first official date was at the Roxy Cinema in New York. When Jeanne turned 16, Larry bought her a small compact for a dollar, which she still has. Their courtship continued until Larry enlisted in the army and was sent overseas during World War II. Almost every week, Jeanne and Larry exchanged handwritten letters, which she collected for safekeeping. He wasn’t much of a writer, Jeanne says, but every now and then he’d surprise her. “If I get

home, I’m going to get you a diamond as big as an egg,” she recalls, grinning.

Pen and paper helped ease the pain of separation until Larry finally returned home. He was wounded in the thigh and medically discharged, which Jeanne learned via letter. “Get the meatballs and spaghetti ready,” he quipped, requesting his favorite, homecooked meal upon his arrival.

They married at the Deluxe Palace in Brooklyn, and soon thereafter had two sons, Alan and Craig. Life remained steady for the couple, but Larry always

‘‘

While walking down Pitkin Avenue one day, Jeanne and

her friends encountered a group of boys, one of whom was Larry. Later, she told her mother that she met the boy she was going to marry.

Recently, the Orchard Estate welcoming staff sent her and Larry flowers on their 74th wedding anniversary.

’’

kept Jeanne on her toes. After 11 years in Brooklyn, Larry bought an ice cream factory in Roslyn. Then a car wash business, a cleaning store and, finally, a motel.

The motel was Jeanne’s favorite - no inventory to count! And because Larry had a business partner, they had time to travel. They covered every corner of Europe, from London to Prague. They stayed at the top hotel in Monte Carlo and admired the Roman ruins. Jeanne even overcame her fear of open water by committing to a two-week cruise.

When she wasn’t traveling, Jeanne could be found at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) near her home in Plainview or with her best friend, Phyllis. Jeanne served as JCC treasurer for more than 10 years, and she made longtime friends that she often went on trips with.

Phyllis, who lived two doors down from Jeanne and Larry, moved in with her three daughters about five years after them. “When I saw those three girls, I went crazy because I have boys and they’re nothing like little girls,” Jeanne says. “So I attached myself to her right away.”

Sixty-two years later, Jeanne and Phyllis’ friendship has weathered many storms. When Phyllis’ husband passed away at 60, Jeanne helped raise her children. And when Jeanne and her husband both suffered serious injuries, forcing them to move out of their Plainview home, Phyllis called every day and visited often.

Orchard Estate, located just minutes from Phyllis and her family, became the perfect fit for Jeanne’s next chapter.

“They’re wonderful, and that’s why I don’t want to move out of Plainview,” Jeanne says. “I want to be close to her.”

A self-proclaimed “clothes horse,” Jeanne is looking forward to the extra closet space in their new two-bedroom apartment. She’s also excited to meet the welcoming staff, who sent her and Larry flowers on their 74th wedding anniversary.

That’s right, 74th. Her secret? “People laugh when I say this, but respect and don’t be a nag,” she laughs. “That is the worst thing, being a nag.”

CAREGIVERS CORNER

Demystifying Dementia Care What To Know And How We’re Here To Help

I

f a loved one was recently diagnosed with dementia, you likely have several questions about care. Who should provide it? What kind of care is needed? Or simply, what does this all mean? While the most common symptoms of dementia are memory loss, fuzzy thinking and an inability to control one’s emotions, it affects each person differently, depending on the areas of the brain affected. Treating specific symptoms while planning for future changes as the condition progresses is critical for long-term care. If you are looking after someone with dementia, here are some important points to consider as you approach your role.

Proper nutrition can be key to reducing symptoms of dementia and preventing weight loss, a common occurrence as one’s condition advances. Those with dementia may forget to eat, have difficulty using utensils or be overwhelmed with a wide range of food options. They might also have a decreased sense of smell or taste, causing loss of appetite. In this case, focus on serving nutritionally balanced meals that appeal to all the senses, including strong scents, vibrantly colored tableware and interesting flavors.

A socially rich environment is also vital for combatting some symptoms your loved one might be experiencing.

As we age, we tend to become less social, although factors such as one’s personality, hobbies and interests help determine how social one is. Senior

centers and adult health care programs offer opportunities for socialization that will ensure he or she still makes meaningful connections. Here, seniors can find classes that align with their hobbies or allow them to learn new skills, like swimming or painting.

Volunteering for a cause one is passionate about can also have tremendous benefits. For example, if one enjoys being around children, he or she might volunteer at a local library, even if just for a few hours a week.

One of the biggest challenges a caregiver can face is finding daily activities that bring purpose to a senior’s life. The best place to start is by reconnecting with interests and hobbies your loved one always enjoyed. For example, if he or she loved baking, you can work together on a favorite recipe. Not only

will this activity bring about positive feelings, but it also may trigger longterm memories. What’s more, continuing activities that one enjoys can help your loved one remain engaged in what they love to do.

Caring for a loved one can strengthen relationships and bring lots of joy, but it can also be tough work. That’s why it’s so important to look after yourself and ask for help when you need it. Having someone prepare a meal or stop by for a visit can provide extra support. As your loved one’s condition progresses, it’s okay to consider a more secure environment to accommodate his or her needs.

When searching for an assisted living or memory care community, be sure to ask questions about programming activities.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Connecting to the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center There aren’t many places in the Woodbury area that have more community spirit or are more focused on keeping people connected to what matters than the Mid-Island YJCC (MIYJCC).

Over the last 63 years, families have grown up with one another here sharing deeply held values centered on Jewish identity, family and fellowship.

With our mutual interests in keeping ev-

8 | ORCHARD ESTATE

eryone connected to the people, places and things they value, it was important to us at Orchard Estate that we support their good work in the community. As such, we are proud to be a sponsor of MIYJCC. We look forward to working with the MIYJCC for many years to come and collaborating to bring joy, wellness, meaning and purpose to the lives of those in our community!

SENIOR CARE

Making the Right Move Senior Living That Meets Your Unique Needs

W

ith so many senior care options available today, it can be hard to determine which one is the best for you and your family. Some options focus on quality of life after retirement while others offer round-the-clock, specialized care. Here’s what to consider in your search for a senior living community based on level of support.

Independent living communities provide a relaxing environment for seniors who want a socially active lifestyle without the hassle of home ownership. Residents have access to a wide range of amenities and services so they can focus on what matters most like making connections, engaging in meaningful activities and enjoying their golden years.

Seniors who need a little more help with daily activities, such as grooming, bathing and taking medication, might consider an assisted living community.

These settings encourage independence while offering residents greater support along with long-term care. Meals, housekeeping, laundry and transportation are often included in addition to personalized care plans. Residents can participate in social activities, events and other enrichment experiences but with the added bonus of assistance if and when needed. An enhanced assisted living license allows a community to

provide a wide range of care, which means greater support for you and your family. While these communities provide 24/7 attention, they differ from nursing homes, which provide a higher level of care for seniors with more complex medical needs.

If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia, memory care can meet their unique needs. Often delivered in an assisted living setting, memory care programs provide structured environments designed to bring residents comfort and safety as well as expertly crafted activities to keep them active and engaged.

For example, a memory care community might offer sensory dining experiences and tranquil living spaces to stimulate the mind. Caregivers receive specialized training to work with residents’ abilities and are committed to improving their overall quality of life.

Respite care is a great option for older adults in search of a short-term stay at any senior living community. Seniors receive the same care, services and amenities as long-term residents while their caregivers take time to refresh or go on vacation. No matter which provider you choose, remember to check for licensing, which indicates the level of care that a senior living community can offer.

WHISPER WOODS

OF SMITHTOWN Our Sister Community If you’ve ever spent any time in Smithtown or know someone who lives there, you may have heard about our sister community, Whisper Woods of Smithtown.

Last summer, Whisper Woods made history when it became Benchmark’s first community in New York. The community opened in August to much fanfare and has quickly become a big part of the community there.

The caring, attentive staff is among the best on Long Island.

They’ve been able to keep families connected to one another while staying focused on what’s important and providing peaceof-mind. As older sisters often are, Whisper Woods has been a great, supportive role model.

A year later, we are thrilled to follow in their footsteps and to become Benchmark’s second community on Long Island.

GET TO KNOW US

SAY HELLO TO ...

Lee Ann Mangiaracina

Programming Director There’s nothing Lee Ann Mangiaracina wouldn’t do for her residents, including dressing up as the Mona Lisa for an art history lecture. Raised 15 minutes north of Orchard Estate, her Long Island roots inspired a career in recreational therapy that she “wouldn’t trade for anything.” Here, Orchard Estate’s programming director talks connection, community and costumes.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Cold Spring Harbor, a little town on the North Shore. It’s about five minutes from Huntington, which is where I now live with my husband.

What’s your favorite thing about your community?

It’s a large town, but you still feel that you know everybody. I personally had experiences where something happened and the community rallies around you. We had a death in the family many years ago, my grandmother. People I’d seen in passing or had never met showed up at our door.

That’s a very hard thing to forget, and it’s something that taught me a great deal about service and community. How do you leave a town that did that for you?

Did that experience inspire your career in senior care?

My grandmother was everything to me. She stayed at home with us until the end, and I always wondered what would’ve happened if she hadn’t stayed at home? When I was 16,

10 | ORCHARD ESTATE

we had a project where you could volunteer. I wanted to go to a nursing home to see where she would go. I was only there for about 45 minutes on my first day. My mother picked me up and could tell that something was different. She said, “What’s with you?” And I said, “I don’t want to be an actress anymore.”

What activities have you planned in the past that you felt really brought out the best in residents?

My ways are a little unorthodox at times, and they’ve always worked. Once we were going to have a big art history event and were worried that not a lot of residents would show up. We needed a big turnout, so I got a Mona Lisa costume, wore it into the dining room where every resident took their picture with me. I often dress up. I’m always a giant leprechaun for St. Patrick’s Day.

Why did you to decide to join Orchard Estate?

To be able to sit down with residents at a new community and ask, “What are your interests and dreams, and how do I make them happen for you?” I’ve

never had the opportunity to do that before, and I think it’s so empowering to the residents. That’s what made me jump at the opportunity.

What do you think will be the most challenging part of your job?

The most rewarding?

The challenge for me is knowing where to begin while we wait for residents to move in. Much of our programming is designed around the needs, wants and interests of our residents. It takes some time to get to know what makes each resident tick and adjust to what’s going to engage them the most. When I see residents active, engaged and happy, that’s the reward.

Have you developed a philosophy for approaching programming over the years?

It’s about compassion, patience and respect. Residents have to know that not only do you have their best interests at heart but, when you say something, you also mean it. It comes down to the relationship I have with each and every resident and us trusting one another.

T H E D E TA I L S

Orchard Estate of Woodbury

Great Design, Beautiful Amenities, Endless Possibilities

S

et on 3.8 prime acres located at 900 Woodbury Road near the intersection of Route 135 and the Long Island Expressway, Orchard Estate of Woodbury is an environmentally friendly, 2-story community featuring modern, contemporary design. It comprises 89 assisted living and memory care apartments in a variety of unique floor plans ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, all with spacious bathrooms. Assisted living apartments also come with kitchenettes.

The community’s many common areas will include a wellness center, family room with full kitchen and dining room and landscaped walking paths. All day dining featuring gourmet meals, a bistro and second floor balcony for the perfect happy hour round out our culinary program.

The community will have an enhanced assisted living license enabling it to provide a wide range of individualized care. Help with daily

living activities, such as managing medication, bathing or dressing, will be available. A comprehensive activities and wellness program will promote purpose-filled interactions and positive engagement and keep residents connected to what’s meaningful

and possible at every stage of their lives. For those with various stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia, secure memory care will use research-based programming to facilitate physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual wellness.

GET TO KNOW US

From the Heart

Chef Rob Aliotta talks about eating with your eyes and cooking with your heart.

I

f you ask Rob Aliotta about the best meal he’s ever had, he’ll tell you about his mom’s beef barley soup. Whenever she made it, he would eat two or three bowls, and no other beef barley soup he tasted could compare. When she passed away, he tried to replicate the dish but couldn’t quite match it. It didn’t have that “mom touch.” “Food is so much from the heart,” he explains.

Heart is what guided Rob to become a chef and now dining services director at Orchard Estate. After working different jobs in his 20s, he decided to follow his love of cooking straight to culinary school. “I’ve always had a passion for cooking and food,” he says. “When it came to what I was going to do with my life, I decided to do what I love doing.”

He enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan while also working at a group home for autistic adults. After graduating, he returned to Long Island to cook for a few local restaurants before landing at the Sheraton Hotels, where he took on banquets. Within five years, Rob went from line cook to executive chef, often preparing dishes for more than 1,000 guests in one evening.

He was banquet chef at the Marriott Hotels when an opening at Orchard Estate caught his eye. “It seemed like a good place that I would enjoy working at and feel good about going to, rather

12 12 | ORCHARD | ORCHARD ESTATE ESTATE

than just going to another hotel,” he says. “I get to do what I love with the added satisfaction of working with seniors.”

As dining services director, Rob will hit the ground running by meeting with residents and learning about their personalities, likes and dislikes. He expects the cuisine to be eclectic to capture residents’ attention, especially those in memory care.

“They say you eat with your eyes,

so I make a plate where there’s always some color, some texture,” he says.

“It’s feeling something inside of you when you look at it. Even though they might not remember exactly what they’ve just eaten, they remember that they enjoyed it and they’re satisfied.”

Rob acknowledges that cooking for seniors will be a new experience for him, and it’s a welcome one. “If you don’t challenge yourself, you get bored and complacent.”

Congratulations Lauren Sklarin on Winning Long Island Power Woman Award A New Yorker most of her life and a SUNY New Paltz grad, our Director of Community Relations, Lauren Sklarin, has spent her entire life advocating for and helping those who are most vulnerable. Teaching presentation skills and soccer to kids for over a decade, serving on and raising funds for two Smithtown PTAs, helping hundreds of families through the aging process and ensuring they receive the best quality care, frequently educating the public about

dementia and caring for both of her grandmothers are just some of the things Lauren has joyfully accomplished.

She is truly an inspiration to all of us at Orchard Estate, so we were thrilled when she recently received the Long Island Power Woman award from Long Island Press. These awards recognize successful Long Island business, community, cultural, political, civic and religious female leaders.

The annual celebratory award event, which was

held on May 8, gathers Long Island’s high-powered businesswomen to celebrate their achievements and create powerful allies in the workplace and community.

Congratulations, Lauren, on your many accomplishments, you truly are a community leader, and we couldn’t be more proud to have you represent us!

O R C H A R D E S TAT E O F W O O D B U R Y

At Orchard Estate of Woodbury you’ll find a number of amenities and services delivered using the power of human connection.

•A ll day restaurant-style, gourmet dining • Bistro • Private dining room for family functions • Fitness & wellness center • Full activities program • Library and computer center • Beauty salon • Individualized care (i.e. medication management, bathing, dressing) • Housekeeping

GET TO KNOW US

When offered the opportunity to join Orchard Estate, Josh Karim packed his bags and left his hometown in Connecticut for the first time. Josh found his passion for memory care with Benchmark four years ago, and the possibility of making a greater impact was waiting in Woodbury.

“My great-grandmother had Alzheimer’s,” Josh says. “When I got to Benchmark, it kind of rekindled my love for the field.”

As harbor care director, Josh is responsible for Orchard Estate’s memory care neighborhood, which cares for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Nearly every detail, down to color choice and lighting, is designed with their unique needs in mind.

According to Josh, the emphasis is on creating sensory experiences, utilizing such things as aromatherapy and music therapy to engage residents and bring comfort. “It allows us to make our residents comfortable and feel at home.”

Asked what he’s most looking forward to as he takes on his new role, Josh says it’s all about bringing joy to residents and their families every day. “That’s why I do this kind of work,” he says.

“It’s what I feel is my purpose in this life.”