the ScooPPH - Winter 2021

From family connections to holiday wishes, see what’s happening at PPH this season!

PPHFamily.org 6401 Martins Mill Road Philadelphia, PA 19111

In This Issue FALL | WINTER 2021 All in the Family

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 From the Desk of Our CEO  Shannon Asks  Home Sweet Home with Harry & Pat Morrissy  PPHealthy: Tips From Maureen

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FALL • WINTER 2021

All in the Family PPH’s tagline is “We’re Family.” When you walk through the doors you immediately feel that sense of warmth. In fact, the main entrance has the words:

“May all who enter here as guests, leave as friends.”

You often see residents gathered together enjoying a meal, learning a new skill — like bocce — or simply enjoying each other’s company as they relax in one of the community’s many common spaces.

What is unique about PPH is the many residents (and staff) who are family! We have several pairs of siblings that live at PPH. We also have several staff members who have parents or an in-law as a resident.

Our newest video, Connections, highlights the many relationships at PPH. Our Vice President of Human Resources, Daphne Floyd, has worked at PPH for 28 years. Her mother, Isabel, moved to PPH just over two years ago after spending several years as a volunteer.

Daphne enjoys having her mother so close every day.

She often stops by her mother’s apartment for lunch or sees her as she’s walking through the community.

Isabel adds, “It’s fun to be near her, she’s my baby girl!”

You can see our many connections at PPHFamily.org or our YouTube channel.

PPH is also home to many second-generation residents.

PPH’s Resident Association President and head of the Auxiliary, Patricia Coyne, often visited PPH when her mother resided here. When it was time that she considered a move, Patricia knew where she wanted to live! PPH’s long history has enabled the community to see multiple generations throughout the years.

The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org

In addition to our many relatives, we also have several residents who once were staff! From human resources to dining to security and clinical staff, PPH has many residents who were dedicated employees.

Not many people can say they live where they worked! The former employees, and now residents, often comment that they feel they are “coming back home” when they move in. Since they already know the community so well, their transition into community life is an easy one!

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FROM THE DESK

of the CEO

A

s 2021 draws to a close, one word comes to mind: “thankful.” I am thankful to my dedicated staff who tirelessly work to ensure our residents are safe, comfortable, and thriving. I am thankful to our residents, who continue to inspire me every day as they volunteer in and outside of PPH, share their knowledge and wisdom with each other and staff, and have helped to keep PPH safe throughout the pandemic.

Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, PPH has had a busy and productive year!

We’re proud of the addition of campus-wide Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting in our residential hallways, refurbished and redecorated common spaces, a new bocce court, additional raised garden beds for resident gardens, and a complete renovation of one of our personal care neighborhoods. These are just some of the many enhancements to our campus.

PPH continues to replace and update important aspects of our infrastructure, such as our elevators, exterior maintenance on our buildings, continued renovations of our independent living apartments and personal care rooms, new furniture for our common spaces, and a refresh of our beauty salon.

HOME SWEET HOME WITH...

H

Harry & Pat Morrissy

arry and Pat have lived at PPH for just over a year. Although they downsized to their current apartment, they were able to bring their hobbies and passions with them.

Pat, a master quilter, utilizes the second bedroom as her workspace to create phenomenal tapestries.

Harry enjoys glass arts and utilizes the community’s art studio to create a variety of glass art works. He is happy to have a space in the PPH Art Studio to work on his projects.

Harry and Pat are active, enjoying the many amenities and common spaces around campus like the lounges, art studio, bocce court, and fitness center. They also enjoy traveling and and appreciate the ease of closing their apartment door and not worrying about maintenance while they are gone!

I hope that you are enjoying the holiday season and wish you a happy and healthy new year!

John Dubyk President & CEO

Harry and Pat in the PPH Art Studio

Shannon Asks When is the right time to consider a move to a senior living community?

The short answer? About five years before you “think” you are ready. In reality, many people wait several years too long to move from a home that ends up becoming more of a burden then a place of refuge. There are many reasons why. People often become overwhelmed with the thought of downsizing (“What will I do with all the ‘stuff’?”). Emotional attachments to a lifelong home can also become obstacles when considering a move.

The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org

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The good news? There are many companies that can help a potential resident organize, downsize, and move.

As one resident said to me, “The moment my treasured belongings were moved to PPH, the place where I lived for 40 years became less of a home and more of a house.

As my belongings were moved to my new apartment, that is when it For more information about this topic, became my home.” visit PPHFamily.org/Videos.

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PPHealthy with Maureen Solomon, PPH Wellness Center Director

Mindful Breathing to Help You De-Stress

M Maureen Solomon

Try these two breath exercises the next time you need to unwind.

ost of us live in a permanent state of “on,” by necessity if not by choice. The demands of work, relationships, and debt, plus the pressure to perform, produce, and perfect ourselves have never been higher.

Exercise #1:

I t can be challenging to find points of stillness, to unwind, and to find peace, especially while coping with the demands of the holidays!

• Rest the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth.

Belly Breathing • Place both hands on your belly, just below your bottom ribs.

• Take a slow, deep inhalation through your nose.

Unwinding is central to self care in many wellness traditions, including meditation, mindfulness, breath work, and soothing touch.

• Draw your breath all the way into your belly, past your chest. Notice your diaphragm moving downward and feel your belly and rib cage expand.

It’s imperative to calm our nervous systems on a regular basis, or we risk wearing ourselves down.

• When you can take in no more air, exhale slowly through your nose until your lungs are empty — you’ll feel your belly falling under your hands.

You don’t need to escape to an exotic spa or Zen retreat center, though; simply make it a daily priority to carve out moments to relax, restore, and “be.”

Just as night follows day, stillness follows activity — they are two halves of one whole.

Focused breathing is a surefire way to calm your mind and relax your body, though most of us take it for granted. Breathing is a bodily function that is both voluntary and involuntary, but this action takes on new power and meaning when you use it intentionally.

• Repeat for 10 cycles.

Exercise #2:

The 4-7-8 Breath The next time you’re swept away by anger, fear, anxiety, extreme sadness, or other strong emotions, try using the 4–7–8 breath to activate your built-in calming system.

• Place the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth at the gum line.

• Purse your lips as if you’re going to blow out a candle, then exhale completely through your mouth, making a whooshing or sighing sound.

• Close your mouth and inhale through your nose for four counts, hold the breath for seven counts, and exhale through the mouth for eight counts.

• Repeat for 10 rounds.

The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org

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