Families Friends
A Newsletter for St. John's Skilled Services November 2018
stjohnsliving.org
“Here I am with people; I am not alone.”
Thriving at St. John’s Green House Homes “I like having my hands dirty,” says Carol Laniak, a resident at St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield. “I would rather get the cows in at night than bake,” Carol jokes as she describes life growing up on a farm. A native of Avon, New York, Carol eventually moved to Rush after meeting her husband David on a blind date. Carol worked as a nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital before becoming a stay at home mom with two boys. David obtained a successful job at Rochester Gas and Electric, working for 37 years and eventually becoming the Chief Operating Officer. In 1997, Carol’s husband passed away suddenly at the age of 62. For nearly two decades she lived alone, moving into a townhouse with assistance from her companion Lisa Kraft who helped with light housework. Despite the help of family and friends, Carol suffered a devastating fall in her kitchen last spring, breaking her hip. “It just about sent me over the edge,” states Carol. She was admitted to the hospital before being transferred to St. John’s Home for rehabilitation. After a few months in rehab Carol’s son Mark found the St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield and
Go to stjohnsliving.org/story/carol-laniaksstory/ to read the entire feature. helped move Carol into her new home in July. “It was really difficult at first,” recalls Carol. “Everyone wants to go back home, but the truth is, sometimes you can’t go home.” As Carol adjusted to her new life in her new home, she realized how much her social life began to change from when she was living alone. “Here I am with people; I am not alone,” Carol explains. “We do a lot more here than I would have done at home.” Mark can also attest to Carol’s overall health and well-being since moving. “Before she came here she was living alone and not interacting with people,” states Mark. “If you have in-home care they can drive you places and everything else, but you miss those social interactions, which in my opinion is going to keep you younger longer.” Now at 81 years old, Carol is thriving at St. John’s Green House Homes. She enjoys getting up early and starting her day with a good laugh. “It’s so unusual to have a person that isn’t nice, and usually they don’t stay too long if they aren’t nice,” jokes Carol. “I just love it here.”
Families Friends
Outings and Events Check out all the fall fun we had at St. John’s Home these past few months. Follow us on social media and visit our photo galleries at http://bit. ly/2R6tH1c to keep up with our busy residents!
Dear friends, family, residents, and staff, Over the course of this next year, I will be contributing some thoughts and observations to our blog. One thing that really interested me about coming to St. John’s was the companywide commitment to the brand characteristics. As we enter the holiday season, I will focus on the brand characteristic of being respectful. We often hear that American society does not have enough respect for our elders and it can be hard to argue that point. The profound intersection of lived experiences and individual personalities are all too often rendered invisible in a culture that values the newest thing coming now. I am so grateful to work at an organization like St. John’s, where the elders who reside here have a chance to be known. The caregivers here, be they shahbazim providing care, social workers interviewing about preferences, or nurses giving treatments, have the opportunity to learn about who they are serving. There is a respect not just for who they were earlier in their lives, but a respect for who they are today. That respect can look like someone stepping back to give a resident the space to do her own hair, even if it could be done faster by a caregiver. Respect can be honoring a choice around meal time, even if the choice might not be what is perceived as a healthy option to a community physician. Respect is about seeing each resident as their own person who deserves to spend each day as an autonomous adult. A place where respect does not just exist but shines with glory is exemplified each November at St. John’s. A special Veteran’s Day celebration is held as our residents come together with staff who have also served in the armed forces to celebrate their accomplishments, be recognized for their contributions, and thanked for the service they gave. Together, they represent some of the best of our country. Nate Sweeney, Vice President of Skilled Services
Fashion Show
Veteran’s Day
Trick-or-Treating
Fall Harvest Oktoberfest Subscribe to the St. John’s YouTube channel and view dozens of videos of the great people who live and work here.
Furry Friends Pay Annual Visit To Residents
Every summer for the past several years, Mom and her ducklings pay a visit to the St. John’s courtyard for a short period of time. Alongside residents and family members, the ducklings enjoyed courtyard concerts and happy hour gettogethers. We hope to see them again next summer!
Previous Rehab Patient ‘Pays It Forward’
Richard Stutzman was recently a rehab patient at St. John’s Home. After falling from a ladder and suffering multiple fractures and broken bones, Stutzman was admitted to the hospital before being transferred to St. John’s for rehabilitation. Every day for more than a month, Richard worked with physical, occupational, and speech therapists to regain strength before making a full recovery. Richard returned recently to say ‘thank you’ to the staff members who helped him through his rehab journey. “I needed to come back because everyone was so nice and good to me,” Richard states. As he entered the rehabilitation unit, staff members and residents were not sure who he was at first. Richard decided to dress as a clown and hand out candy as a means of paying it forward. “It’s nice to come back and see everyone.”
Monica Amador first starting volunteering at St. John’s Home three years ago, usually helping out with transporting residents to and from their beauty shop visits. Over the years, Monica has volunteered in just about every facet of daily life at St. John’s. From friendly visits to participating in special events, Monica continues to help out wherever she is needed. “What drives me is seeing them smile and helping them to know they are loved,” Monica states. “Listening to their stories about when they were young benefits me as a person and I try to apply what they say to my own life.” At 25 years old, Monica became a minister and continues to actively preach within the local Rochester community. In her free time, Monica enjoys spending time with family and friends and going out to eat. For Monica’s full story, visit stjohnsliving.org/blog. Interested in volunteering? Contact Sandy Ferguson, volunteer services coordinator, at 585-760-1293.
stjohnsliving.org/volunteer
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Small light. Big difference.
Sunday, December 2 6:30 p.m. Skalny Courtyard
Each year, St. John’s Foundation brings family and friends together for a night of reflection to honor loved ones. By making a donation of $5 to illuminate a light at St. John’s, you will provide special amenities for our residents. In 2017, nearly $6,000 was raised to help provide elders with holiday gifts, new clothes, sneakers, visits to the beauty shop, and so much more. To make a contribution, visit stjohnsliving.org/donate or call 585-760-1291.
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Also follow us on: Editor Keaghlan Morrissey kmorrissey@stjohnsliving.org
Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Lesinski jlesinski@stjohnsliving.org
Marketing Communications Manager Tom Harner tharner@stjohnsliving.org
President and CEO Charlie Runyon
Vice President of Skilled Services Nate Sweeney
Notice to Residents and Responsible Parties Upon admission, a photo and video consent and authorization form was signed by the resident or a responsible party. If at any time you wish to withdraw consent and authority, contact your neighborhood social worker. If you had chosen to opt-out of the St. John’s Directory, this will automatically withdraw your consent for photos and videos of the resident.