January 2023 REACH

The importance of Life Enrichment & Recreation Therapy

Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy are essential services PPH provides to residents daily. There are a variety of social activities for all residents at PPH to enjoy such as shuffleboard, bocce ball, and much more. All of these activities couldn't be possible if it weren't for the staff. Most people do not realize there are distinct differences between Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy.

Marleen Texidor, Activity Coordinator, has been working at PPH for two and a half years, and has enjoyed every moment. Marleen, along with Activity Coordinator, Toni Granieri, work with Personal Care residents for their life enrichment activities. “I like that I am able to provide the residents with activities so they can feel a sense of engagement once they come to a community like this one.” Whenever her team comes up with ideas for activities for residents, Marleen makes it a priority to assess the resident, what their interests are, and whether there are important holidays coming up so they can fit them in their calendar, in an effort to provide the highest quality of enrichment for residents. While they work as a team to plan events, they also work with resi-

“At the end of the day, I do what I do because of the residents!”

–Ginny Maciocha, PPH Director of Recreation Therapy

dents to learn what interests them. One way they are able to do this is through resident council meetings. Marleen and her team take that time to ask if there is something they would like to see on the calendar. Sometimes residents will pull them aside to give them their ideas.

Although Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy share the same goal of providing a high level of activities for residents, there is one major difference between the two departments. Recreation therapists sit for the NCTRC (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification) exam. Both departments have the same goals and objectives in >>>continued on page 7, Life Enrichment

Director of Recreation Therapy, Ginny Maciocha, and Independent and PC Life Enrichment Director, Kathy Nucero

Family Focus

PPH Recognizes Longest-Tenured Employees

PPH would like to give recognition to two of our longest-tenured employees, Bill Conaway and Lisa Burke, who both have been working at PPH for over 40 years.

Bill Conaway, Director of Community Relations, has worked at PPH for over 42 years, starting in August 1980. Before his role as the Director of Community Relations, Bill was originally hired as a part-time landscaper, which included maintenance work. This was during the days when PPH had its own landscaping department. Bill then became a Maintenance Coordinator, which is a role similar to Support Services Coordinator, Donna Donaghy. After that, Bill became the Director of Environmental Services, where he oversaw housekeeping and laundry services. He was also the Director of Safety and Security for a period of time. PPH then developed a program known as Bridge to Care, a program that Bill was excited about. It was a community outreach program which offered services in the community.

Bill originally grew up around Tabor Road and Levick Street, and was very familiar with PPH growing up, since the campus is nearby. Bill stated that PPH “was in my backyard.” In fact, the father of one of Bill's good friends worked in Pastoral Services as an Administrator. He always played in the fields near PPH when the campus was smaller. Bill originally applied for a job in dining services, and was accepted for the job. When Bill told his parents, his father told him that once he started working, he would work for the rest of his life. Bill declined the job, and reapplied to PPH the following year for a maintenance job.

Right behind Bill Conaway for the longest-tenured PPH employee is Assistant Director of Dining (Morrison Living) Lisa Burke, who has worked at PPH for 41 years, starting her tenure in July 1981. Lisa's career started in the dining services department, where she held a variety of roles, including Dietary Aid, Prep Cook, Breakfast Cook, Head Cook, and Congregate Feeding Program Head Cook. Her management roles included Production Manager, Assistant Director, Operations Manager of PPH Group, and Director of Dining Services.

As the Assistant Director of Dining, she enjoys serving and interacting with residents, as well as having the ability to make a positive impact on their lives. “Through my interactions with our residents, I have learned the fascinating lives many of them have lived,” says Lisa.

She heard about PPH when she was 16 years old, and wanted to learn how to drive. One of Lisa's friends was a cook supervisor there, and she asked her if there were any openings at PPH. “I soon interviewed with the Dining Services Director, and the rest is history,” says Lisa.

Bill and Lisa, thank you for all you do for PPH. We are extremely grateful that you two have stayed here for over 40 years. Keep up the terrific work!

Bill Conaway, Director of Community Relations

Lisa Burke, Assistant Director of Dining

Bill delivering a speech in remembrance of Pearl Harbor

Lisa delivering a pie during PPH's Pie Sale

PPH Puppies

by PPH resident Maryann C. Volk

Yes, we have puppies. 20 of them! You may visit with these excited fur balls on the first Thursday of each month. The puppies, each with a handler, come bounding in to the center of the Social Hall. They are beyond excited to see each other, expressing themselves by jumping, rolling, wrestling and barking. After a while, the dogs are called to form a circle to begin training. These exercises include circling to the right and left, acting as bookends while the others take turns walking in a figure eight twice, and answer to commands to sit, lie, and approach.

Some of these puppies get tired and just flop on the floor, not to be disturbed again. Finally, they are permitted to greet us as we sit in our semi-circle. The secret is to approach each resident without jumping or licking. There is a huge problem, however: we residents want to pick them up and cuddle them. Not permitted!

The beauty of this activity is that these little darlings are being trained to act as Seeing Eye Dogs for the blind. Visiting PPH is one of their first encounters on the road. They will also be taken on buses, trains and airplanes, as well as moving training buses among crowds, in traffic and acquire experience in other forms of gatherings. After approximately six months of this regimen, this class will graduate to a higher level and live at a training school. Yes, they leave PPH. No, that is not the end of the program for residents. We begin again with brand new group of recently weaned darlings who will experience the same program. Do you love feisty, fluffy puppies? Join us on the first Thursday of each month in the Social Hall, at 7:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing you there!

New residents at PPH

Larry & Jane Jones

Larry & Jane Jones moved to PPH after recently living in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Larry originally grew up in Wapakoneta, Ohio, while Jane grew up in Ontario, Canada. Larry worked as a school administrator, while Jane worked as an elementary school teacher. They love to travel, and Larry and Jane taught school in Africa and Southeast Asia. We are delighted to welcome Larry and Jane to the PPH Family!

*Oliver Upshar, Esq.

Oliver Upshar, Esq. moved to PPH in September 2022 after living in Elkins Park and Willow Grove. Oliver has one child and one grandchild. Previously, Oliver worked in the Department of Justice, as well as other areas of law. He moved to PPH after hearing from several people that it was a great place to live. Oliver, we are glad you chose PPH as your new residence. Welcome to the family!

*Correction from December 2022 issue

Collection of the Month

Byers’ Collection Carolers Edition

The December display featured a special set of Byers' Choice Christmas figures, owned by Lawndale resident, Virginia Murphy!

Remembering Pearl Harbor

On

December 7, PPH staff and residents honored the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks with a flagpole raising at the Gateway Manor flagpole. The flag raising was conducted by Gateway resident and veteran Ed Feeley, and PPH Safety & Security Supervisor, Jorge Rodriquez.

The Flag Raising commemorated and honored everyone whose lives were lost in the attacks, as well as honoring our fellow veterans for keeping our country safe.

Operation: Christmas Child

During the month of December, PPH participated in the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, with many unwrapped toys being generously donated by staff and residents.

Pictured from left to right:  Greg Strup from Toys for Tots, Kathy Wersinger, John Dubyk, Bill Conaway, Shannon Grieb and Don Campanile from Toys for Tots.

Employee of the Month:  John Moscowitz

John started with our Security Department here at PPH since May 2022. He is one of the hardest workers in the department. John provides quality service to our residents and goes that extra mile! We are happy to have him as part of the PPH family!

Congratulations John!

Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes.”

Volunteer of the Month:  Deborah Kogan

Congratulations go out to Deborah (Debbie) Kogan of Gateway, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for January 2023.

Debbie has been a PPH Volunteer since 2021. During this time, she has done a wonderful job working in our library. She is a very pleasant lady who is happy to keep busy, and always happy to help anyone in need.

Thanks Debbie, you are an asset to our volunteer program.

★ COVID-19 protocols for visitors:

Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases around campus, our mask mandate will be temporarily reinstated for ALL residents and visitors throughout our PPH campus. The mask mandate is a minor inconvenience, but we must mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and we must act now. We appreciate your cooperation. Masks are still required in the Doctor’s Office, Personal Care, and Pathways. Please advise your guests to refrain from visiting if they feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.

★ Food Collection: The PPH Food Drive — a 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project — will continue indefinitely as long as PPH’s neighbors are in need of food. Food will be collected the last week of the month, and then will be delivered the first day of the following month. There will be two collection sites: the vending machine area, located near the Wellness Center and in front of the Security office. For more information, call Tom Sexton at 8368.

★ Trips:  Fees for trips are now added to each resident’s monthly bill (NO CASH). If you’d like to cancel, you must call the Business Office (8010) to have the trip fee removed.

★ Independent Living Residents Association:

*Please note there is NO meeting in January.

★ PPH Auxiliary: The Auxiliary's next meeting will be held in the Social Hall and broadcast on PPH TV channel 7 on Tuesday, January 10 at 11:30 a.m.

Membership in the PPH Auxiliary is open to PPH residents, staff, and community supporters (only $5 per year). Dating back to its origins as the PPH Ladies Aid Society in 1889, the Auxiliary continues its initiatives to support the heart of PPH's fundraising mission, Benevolent Care, as well as supporting staff/ resident gratitude activities. Contact Auxiliary President Patricia Coyne at cameo1200@gmail. com or 8403 to become a member or for more information.

★ TED Talks: See the January calendar.

★ Veterans’ Meeting: The January Veterans’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 3, at 10 am in the Social Hall. If you have not provided your photos for the Veterans video, please bring them with you to the meeting. Please contact Bill Conaway (8194) with any questions.

★ Calling all Veterans: It is important to PPH that we identify all veterans living in our community. We want to make sure you are receiving the meeting notices, ceremonial invitations, and other veteran specific information. If you are new to the community and/or you have not completed the May 2021 veteran survey, please contact Bill Conaway (8194).

★ WBCB Radio: WBCB 1490 AM is live at PPH every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., located in either the Fountain Room or the Courtyard, weather permitting. Please stop by and listen to the broadcast in-person with a variety of baked goods and coffee.

★ Dining Services: January 4 and 18, The Continental, featuring fresh pastries, bagels, yogurts, juices, fruit, and coffee, will be available for purchase and will take place in the Fountain Room from 9:30 a.m. –10:30 a.m.

January 11 and 25, Farmers Market will take place in the Fountain Room from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The Origins of the Expression “It’ll Cost You an Arm and a Leg”

by Lawrence H. Geller

In George Washington's day, there were no cameras, one's image was either sculpted or painted.

Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs they had.

Painting a persons arms and legs would cost a buyer more, hence the expression, “Okay, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.”

Did you know that?

>>>Life Enrichment, continued from page 1

providing meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in activities, which greatly impact their quality of life. Recreation Therapy uses goals as a way to decrease isolation and depression, and always documents participation by writing progress notes. Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy are different, as Life Enrichment deals with activities, while Recreation Therapy works to improve their residents' social and cognitive abilities.

Ginny Maciocha, the Director of Recreation Therapy, has been working at PPH for over 20 years, first starting with dining services. Ginny went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree at Temple University in Health Studies, with a concentration in Recreation Therapy. Ginny did her internship at Elkins Crest Health and Rehabilitation Center, and was then hired full-time there. Ginny worked there for two years, and when a position became available at PPH, she came back in January of 2002.

Recreation Therapy always accommodates for resident needs, especially since their abilities are varied. If the resident loves trivia and word games, the department always fits their needs specific to their interests. No matter what, the team adapts. Another exciting addition are the Amazon Echo Dots, which will play music that residents request.

What Ginny enjoys about her role today is being there for the residents, regardless of their needs or abilities. Ginny enjoys working with her staff and residents as she has developed a close relationship with everyone over the time she has been with PPH.

“At the end of the day, I do what I do because of the residents!”, says Ginny.

Pathways residents painting snowmen

Independent Living residents playing Bocce Ball

Personal Care residents at their Christmas in July party

Reflections

“New Year's Resolutions – Yes or No?

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I sure have, some stick and others don’t. However, the New Year is a great opportunity to reset, have a fresh start, and a clean slate. So, let’s take advantage of this opportunity to do just that! Take some time to reflect on this past year and consider how 2023 could be a reset button for you, a chance to learn from the past and focus on your purpose or intentions for this next year.

The last years I’ve found something that works for me and maybe you’re familiar with it too. Instead of a resolution, I’ve chosen a word or phrase to focus on for the New Year. As we begin 2023, I encourage you to take some time to think about a word or phrase that reflects your purpose or choose a character trait to strive toward, a word that will direct your approach to life for 2023. My word for 2023 is “growth”.

My new granddaughter just turned one and wow has she grown in so many ways this last year. I’ve loved watching her develop into such an energetic and happy little girl! The growth I desire for 2023 has to do with my heart and how it overflows into my thoughts and actions.

As challenges come in life, I want to be reminded to look at them as opportunities for growth. What can I learn from this tough situation, not only about myself, but what can I learn about others, about God? Can I choose “growth” during times of loss and grief and be mindful of the positive mark it leaves on who I am, growing more empathetic to others and recognizing that good can grow out of sorrow?

Growth reminds me to keep asking God to help change me, be open to the growth and heart changes He desires for me. To keep trying new opportunities, stretch myself to learn from others, push myself to view life from another’s perspective, get to know new people, step outside of my comfort zone, choose to help someone I don’t know, talking less and listening more, taking time to laugh more. Growth can take place anywhere in any situation if I have the eyes to see it and awareness of how it continues to shape me.

What about you? Is there a word that comes to mind that you’d like to focus on for this new year, 2023? If so, I’d love to hear it! Please share it with me and a few other friends, and express why you chose your word or phrase for 2023. Perhaps even post your word on your door for others to read and be inspired or stick it to your mirror as a reminder to yourself. You may be surprised at how often your word pops into your mind and helps you refocus.

I’m grateful for each of you and the impact you have on me to keep growing. Have a blessed and joy-filled New Year!

—Anne Eichner, Pastoral Care Assistant

THE PPH MISSION

Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.