November 2022 REACH

Residents stay on their toes during Active Aging Week

at PPH means living life to the fullest. National Active Aging Week (October 3-9, 2022) was an entire week dedicated to living out that principle, and had a variety of events hosted by the PPH Wellness Team, led by Maureen Solomon and Kayla Jurimas.

Active Aging Week was first initiated by the International Council on Active Aging in 2003. The purpose of the week-long campaign is to pro vide attention to and wholeheartedly celebrate the positivity of aging. Another goal of the week-long campaign is to promote wellness and to get bodies up and moving. Active Aging Week challenges society’s diminished expectations of aging by showing that adults over 50 years old can live their life to the fullest, regardless of health issues or age concerns. They can live their best lives physically, socially, spiri tually, and emotionally.

Every year, National Active Aging Week is recog nized on the first Monday of October. Here at PPH, we celebrate our vibrant residents every day as residents participate in a variety of activities, includ ing shuffleboard, bocce ball, and our Silver Sneaker Courtyard Classes. What makes National Active Ag-

ing Week different is that it recognizes all residents on campus.

What made the week special at PPH is that our wellness team hosted a variety of wellness events in an effort to promote the active and vibrant lifestyle of the PPH campus. These events included Silver Sneakers workouts, TEDTalks, Chair Yoga, the Fall PPHit Fest, as well as Smoothie Friday. Sip and Toss was also hosted in conjunction with Happy Hour on Tuesday. Residents were provided the opportunity to take part in exercise, healthy discussions, medita tion, outdoor dancing and socializing, and nutritious smoothies to celebrate.

Maureen Solomon, PPH Director of Wellness & Programs, was asked about the purpose of National Active Aging Week at PPH. She stated that PPH Well ness is always promoting an active lifestyle, regard

Family Focus

PPH thanks their employees during the 2022 Fall PPHest

The 2022 Fall PPHest was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 2 p.m. in the ACE Courtyard, surrounded by our beautifully landscaped gardens. This was a staff appreciation event, as The Philadelphia Protestant Home wanted to give recognition to its employees who have worked exceptionally hard during the pandemic. The event included food, music, raffle prizes, and a dunking booth! Staff were treated to pulled BBQ chick en, mac and cheese, cole slaw, corn bread, soft pretzels, soda, water, and even a roasted pig!

It was a great day for staff to gather for a fun day to enjoy the beautiful weather and each others company!

To our staff: thank you for all you do. We couldn't have picked any better staff than you. We appreciate ev erything you do, all day and every day!

Everyone had a phenomenal time celebrating our employees for their hard work and dedication during the past two years.

The PPHest featured a wide variety of food, including a roasted pig, as well as exciting prizes, from flat screen TV’s, to gift cards to everyone’s favorite stores. Many prizes were rewarded! At one point, most of the staff got on the dance floor to showcase their skills. PPH’s Got Talent!

Dunk the DON (Director of Nursing) was a popular attraction of the fest, and many of the staff tried to dunk Shelly, Kyle and Daphne.

Reluctant Pioneers

by PPH resident Maryann C. Volk

We are pioneers living into the 90’s and beyond. We are living in a new land where most have never visited. In our grandparent’s generation, most retired at 65, re ceived a sustainable pension and lived into their early or mid 70’s. Many of our parents lived into their early or mid 80’s. Today? What? We are living to 100 and beyond, and many will live to an age and experience increasing loss and diminishment.

My brother went to find a birthday card for his daughter’s 50th birthday. It seems 50 is no longer a milestone. Even cards for 80 are becoming scarce. We are now fast approaching 90, 100, 105, and beyond. I know a married couple moving to their 75th wedding an niversary!

This is where we are moving as pioneers – to virgin territory with few, if any, examples before us. So what do we have, what do we do, and what can we give? I will begin a list of possibilities and hope you will embellish it with your insights gained in this foreign land.

TIME: The rush is over. Let us give our time to anyone moving through our new world.

PRESENCE: Be there for all who come to assist expressing interest in their lives, their families, and any small insight we might pick up during our limited time together.

ENCOURAGEMENT: Share any compliment about their work or attitude, or any small thing you might no tice. Always express gratitude.

I gained these ideas from living with the Medical Mission Sisters in PPH. WESTWARD TO THE WAGONS!

New residents at PPH

Patricia Ripoll

Patricia Ripoll moved to PPH after recently living in Rhawnhurst. Patricia was born and raised in La Habana, Cuba, and lived in Miami, Florida until she was 18. She would move to Philadelphia in 1965. Patricia worked in the Department of Human Services from 1982 - 2009, and taught at Walden University from 2004 - 2022. Her special hobbies include painting, sewing, writing, and learning new things. We are delighted to welcome Patricia to the PPH Family!

Jean Riccione

Jean Riccione moved to PPH in September 2022 after living in South Philadelphia, PA, however, Jean was born in Italy. She has one child who is deceased. Previously, Jean worked as a dress maker, though she mostly worked on men's wear. Her special hobbies include sewing and watching television! Jean is adjusting to her new home at PPH since her family lives in Italy. Welcome to PPH, Jean, we are lucky to have you on campus and we are happy to call you family!

Facebook: Facebook.com/PhiladelphiaProtestantHome Instagram: @philadelphiaprotestanthome Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-protestant-home Twitter: @pphfamily

For any REACH ideas, please contact Communications Specialist Daniel Ortiz at 215-697-8003 or dortiz@pphfamily.org

Congratulations to the Eberhand and Helen Schea Scholarship Recipients!

Congratulations to the two recipients of the 2022 Eberhard and Helen Schea Endowment Fund for Healthcare Education Scholarship. This year’s Schea Scholars are Natgeene Joachim, Dining Services, and Roji John, Dining Services. Each recipient was awarded a $1,500 scholarship to help defray costs associated with secondary education.

Natgeene Joachim is a first-year student at Indiana University of Penn sylvania (IUP) interested in speech pathology. Roji John is in her junior year at Gwynedd Mercy University with plans to become a social worker.

The Eberhard and Helen Schea Endowment Fund for Healthcare Education was established in 2007 to support continuing health care educa tion programs, which promotes the overall well-being of PPH residents and staff. The fund is named in honor of long-time PPH supporters, donors, and residents, Mr. Eberhard “Ebbie” and Mrs. Helen Schea. Ebbie was the manager of the PPH Board of Pensions and an emeritus member of the PPH Board of Directors, while Helen was a member of the PPH Auxiliary.

The Schea’s children, Fred Schea and his wife, Kathleen, and the late Caroline Schea Lloyd and her husband, Jim, established the endowment to honor their parents’ memory and continue the family tradition of generosity.

Thanks to the generosity of the Schea and Lloyd families, twenty-one employees have been awarded scholarships totaling more than $21,000 since 2016. Prior to 2016, funds supported training programs accessible online for PPH employees. Meeting this essential need enables PPH to uphold our mission to provide the highest possible quality of life to the residents we serve, now and into the future.

Winners are chosen based on financial need, academic merit and a 500-word essay on how the funds will be used to advance their careers in healthcare and senior services. Visit the Fund Development Office to learn more about the Schea Fund or to pick up a scholarship application.

Bake Sale for the Alzheimer’s Walk

On September 29, Team PPH hosted a bake sale in in the Fountain Room in support of the Alzheimer's Walk. In addition to supporting the walk, residents and staff were allowed to pur chase some of their favorite baked goods, such as cookies, donuts, banana bread, and pretzels.

The Bake Sale was led by the PPH Recreation Therapy team, and the baked goods were donated by various PPH staff.

Security staff member recognized as a Guardian Angel

Is there a staff member or a special PPH caregiver that made a difference in your life or the life of your sig nificant other? The PPH Guardian Angel program is a special program in which residents recognize a member of the PPH staff who made a difference in their lives. Naming a Guardian Angel is a meaningful and symbolic way of expressing your gratitude for their hard work and dedication to make life easier. Each Angel will be given public recognition in our communications, including in our Annual report. Additionally, their name will be dis played on bulletin boards around PPH, as well as on our website and social media channels.

The most recent employee recognized as a Guardian Angel is Paris Caldwell from the PPH Safety & Security Department. Paris was also recognized by PPH resident, Hazel Peatman. He was recognized as a PPH Guardian Angel because of his selfless work with assisting Hazel whenever she went grocery shopping. “He not only helps me on and off the bus, but he also helps me with the shopping cart”, says Hazel.

Thank you for everything you do, Paris. Not only are you a Guardian Angel, but you are also family!

Visit the PPH Guardian Angel wall located in the Espalande to learn how Paris helped Hazel whenever she needed to go grocery shopping.

For more information on the Guardian Angel program and how you can

nominate your PPH Guardian An gel, visit pphfamily.org/giving/guardian-angel-giving, or call the Fund Development Department at 215-6978586. For more information about other ways to support PPH, please contact the Fund Development Depart ment at 215-697-8586, email Development@PPHFamily.org, or visit www.PPHFamily.org/giving.

Employee of the Month: Marie Jean Bar

Marie has been with PPH since January 2011 in our Personal Care Department as a CNA. She is one of our CNA supervisors, and also a trainer for our new CNA staff. She is caring and patient with the residents and staff. We are happy to have her as part of the PPH family!

Congratulations Marie!

Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes.”

Volunteer of the Month: Evelyn Washington

Congratulations go out to Evelyn Washington, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for November 2022.

Evelyn lives in Gateway Manor and has been a PPH Volunteer since 2021. She is a very cheerful lady, who does whatever she can to help everyone she meets. Evelyn is a member of our Auxiliary, and is a PPH Librarian. Evelyn also volunteered in PW’s Nurses Station, answering phones and helping in any way needed. Wherever Evelyn volunteers, you can be sure she will do an excellent job with a nice smile and in a very pleasant way.

Thanks Evelyn, you are a blessing to our volunteer program.

Paris Caldwell with PPH resident Hazel Peatman after being named a PPH Guardian Angel

★ COVID-19 protocols for visitors: Guests are now permitted to eat in the Fountain Room and dining areas. Guests are also welcome in our gift shop and the Tabor Mar ket. Independent Living residents and visitors will be encouraged but not required to wear a mask in any Independent Living setting, including hallways, all dining venues, and main entrance lobby. Masks are still required in the Doctor’s Office, Personal Care, and Path ways. 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 informa tion, 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: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 21 at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall. *If subject to COVID-19 restrictions, this will broadcast on channel 57

★ PPH Auxiliary: The Auxiliary’s next meeting will be held in the Social Hall and broadcast on PPH TV channel 7 on Tuesday, November 8 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 initia tives 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.

★ PPH Resident Safety Contest: On Friday, November 18, PPH will be hosting a Resident Safety Contest in the Social Hall at 2:00 p.m. Each building will send 3 represen tatives to play a game of Safety Jeopardy. Let Ted Cannon know who will be playing by Monday, November 7, at ext. 8045.

★ 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.

★ Election Day: Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day. The poll ing location for PPH residents is Cedar Grove Academy Elementary School. Please make sure your voter registration is up to date, and if you are requesting a mail-in or absentee ballot, the deadline is No vember 1. Mail-in ballets must be received by Election Day, Novem ber 8. Please contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8194 for more information.

★ TED Talks: See the November calendar.

★ Veterans’ Meeting: The Novem ber Veterans’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 1, at 10 am in the Social Hall. If you have not provided your photos for the Veter ans video, please bring them with you to the meeting. Please contact Bill Conaway (8194) with any ques tions.

★ Calling all Veterans: It is im portant 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) or Kathy Wers inger (8017).

★ Dining Services: November 9 and 23, The Continental, featur ing 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.

November 2, 16, and 30, Farmers Market will take place in the Foun tain Room from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

★ PPH Family Feud: Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m., we will be hosting a PPH Family Feud, with prizes being awarded to the winning team. Five contestants and one alternate from each building are wanted. Please sign up in the Business Office starting Wednesday, November 2. Come join in the fun and cheer on your building. Contact Kathy Nucero at ext. 8505 if you have any questions.

What Is Youth?

by Lawrence H. Geller

YOUTH... is not a time of life - it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a vigor of emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for love of ease. This often exists in a person of 65+ than in one much younger.

Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people grow old by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

Whatever your age, there is in every being's heart the love of wonder, the sweet amazement of the stars, the child like appetite for what's next, and the joy and the game of life.

In the central place of your heart there is a wireless station; so long as you receive messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage, grandeur and power from the earth, from men and women and from the Infinite, so long are you young.

BUT... when the wires are all down and all the central place of your heart is covered with snows of pessi mism and the ice of cynicism, then are you grown old indeed, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Coming soon: The 2022 PPH Founders' Day

PPH is excited to announce the return of Founders' Day, which will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. What makes this year's Founder's Day special is that it will be held in person! Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we've had to host the event virtually based on the COVID-19 restrictions. Founders' Day honors the vision of a group of German ministers who, in collaboration with members of the community, set forth to accomplish something they all strongly believed in: the care of their senior members and their community.

Please tune in to Channel 4 for more Founders' Day information!

2019 was the last time PPH hosted the annual Founder's Day in person. PPH is excited that after 2 and a half years, Founders' Day is back in-person!

Reflections

Dear PPH Family,

Recently I had a brief but memorable conversation with a resident, in of all places a ladies’ room. After I offered the customary “Hello, how are you today?” I received back a response that offered me reason to reflect upon my own feelings as she min istered to my soul. Her reply was, “I am blessed; blessed to be here in this place that takes care of me, keeps me safe, and allows me to enjoy the friendship of others.” Wow! What a genuine and grateful response that expressed both contentment and thanksgiving.

As I returned to my office, I pondered her response and her inner sense of thanksgiving stayed with me. Upon reflection I realized that I have similar feelings. While I am not a resident, I am part of the PPH family and I do feel blessed to be here, blessed to come into an environment that is safe, free from both physical and emotional stress and harm, and to be part of an organization that allows one to establish relationships that reflect, for the most part, a unity of spirit. Not uniformity but unity. PPH is a diverse family with different ide ologies, faiths, and cultures, but there is much that unites us.

As we are in this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to count all your blessings and to be thankful for all things always. Consider and reflect among your blessings the memories of loved ones and friends, and the times of joy and laughter that created those memories. Remember God’s love and care for you over the years, through the good times and those times of hardship. Forget not the blessings we do find here at PPH, safety, support, and the opportunity to enjoy the differences of others and the oneness of being part of a caring fam ily.

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart this Thanksgiving and Always. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving to All, — Linda C. Lewis, Chaplain >>>Active Aging Week, continued from page 1 less of the time of the year. “Our goal in PPH Wellness & Aquatics is to promote a healthy, active, and vibrant lifestyle all year long!”

The week concluded with our monthly Smoothie Friday, which featured pumpkin as the superfood for the month of October. Not only were residents invited, but so were staff members, and were offered the choice of having protein or no protein in their smoothies. The event saw a large turnout, as every one wanted to have a chance to taste the pumpkin smoothie. The entire week was filled with vibrancy, and PPH is grateful for everyone who participated in the week!

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.