Jewish Senior Living Newsletter MAY 2015 - VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 Keeping you connected to our communities.
The Story of Michelle Putz, Chief Operating Officer New to our communities; please welcome our COO Becca Loss, Communications Specialist Everyone has a story to tell.
Soon after, Michelle became the NHA at Ridgewood Care Center in Racine. After a brief stint there, she was recruited to be Vice President of Skilled Nursing at Lincoln Lutheran in Racine followed by a promotion to Interim CEO after six months. Eventually, her career path led her to Jewish Home and Care Center as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Michelle Putz’s story began in the rural town of Mishicot, located in northeastern Wisconsin. Upon high school graduation, she started her college career at University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc as an accounting major, as she’s always had an interest in business. As with most stories, there’s a plot twist; or in this case, Michelle Putz, COO several plot twists. Michelle determined Between earning degrees and career that accounting wasn’t her cup of tea and advancement, she met and married her changed her career focus to nursing, earning her CNA husband of 18 years, Darrin. They currently live in (Certified Nursing Assistant) from UW-Manitowoc Muskego, Wisconsin with their four children – Violet and her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from (14), Adam (12), Ava (9), and Aaron (8). UW-Milwaukee. But as we all know, stories are more than “just the After graduation, Michelle started her next chapter facts.” Each story has meaning and significance for the in her professional career as an RN on the cardiac one telling it, and even more so for those influenced or floor at St. Francis Hospital (Milwaukee). She enjoyed affected by it. the relationships that she built with her patients, but as she put it, “I discovered that long-term care was “I’m a nurse at heart,” reveals Michelle. “But business my passion.” Michelle took that passion to Mount is my passion, especially processes and how it all Carmel (Milwaukee), which was the second largest comes together.” This passion is what made her skilled nursing facility until its closure in 2010. transition to NHA a natural fit, as well as what During her 18-year tenure, Michelle held almost made her a success at both Ridgewood and Lincoln every nursing position from CNA to DON (Director Lutheran. Her notable successes include: spearheading of Nursing). However, she still yearned for her other the re-branding of all marketing materials; overseeing passion, business. To that end, she earned an MBA the facility’s focus to increase rehab care; and helping from UW-Milwaukee, and then obtained her NHA (Nursing Home Administrator) license six years later.
see “The Story of Michelle” page 4
In This Issue
The Story of Michelle Putz, Chief Operating Officer Intergenerational Programming Celebrates One Year at JHCC
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Growing Healthy Connections
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2
Upcoming Events
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Intergenerational Programming Celebrates One Year at Jewish Home and Care Center Programming at our communities expands generation to generation. Becca Loss, Communications Specialist
Thanks to a generous grant from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation, the Jewish Home and Care Center, along with its sister communities of Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community, has been able to offer a variety of intergenerational programming since its inception in May 2014. “Prior to the grant we had a few very successful intergenerational programs that mainly took place at the Jewish Home and Care Center,” says Julie Shlensky, Posner Chair for Intergenerational Programming. “Currently, intergenerational programming takes place at all three of our communities as well as our Adult Day Center. We now have more than twenty classes from both Jewish and secular schools, scout groups, and youth performing arts groups enjoying activities with our residents and building relationships with them.” Intergenerational programs provide mutually beneficial and ongoing activities for both the residents and the youth of our community. Anna Chudnow, great-great granddaughter of Sarah Chudnow, and her classmates from the Linda & Fred Wein Center for Gan Ami Early Childhood Education visit their friends at Sarah Chudnow Community once
a month to sing, create art projects, and share a snack. During a recent visit, the group created a cooperative craft and, once completed, the students were able to gift the craft to the residents. Both the children and the residents look forward to seeing their special friends each month. “The Gan Ami Mequon children have wonderful experiences visiting the residents of Sarah Chudnow Community. They look forward to returning to make new connections and visit their friends,” explains Stephanie Rubnitz, assistant director. “Anna was so proud to see the picture on the wall of her great-great grandmother.” At the Jewish Home and Care Center, Pierce Elementary School students practice their reading skills by reading to residents twice a month. Residents have enjoyed this partnership/activity for several years, as it allows them to play an integral role in the students’ learning experience. “Our third graders enjoy our time with the residents. It gives our kids a great opportunity to show sympathy, empathy and exercise patience for others,” said Sharilyn Tucker, a teacher at Pierce Elementary School. “I continue to be impressed with how the seniors and the students see “Intergenerational Programming,” page 5
t Anna Chudnow, a student
at Gan Ami Mequon, poses next to a portrait of Sarah Chudnow, her great-great grandmother. u
Stay Connected 2 | JSL News | May 2015
A student from Pierce Elementary School reads with Teresa, a resident at Jewish Home and Care Center.
Visit our website and donate online at www.jewishseniorliving.org. Questions? Call the Foundation Office at 414.721.9255.
Growing Healthy Connections Gardening provides a variety of health benefits to seniors. Liza Holle, Donor Stewardship Coordinator
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“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” –Audrey Hepburn
Gardening is an excellent form of working out. For seniors, this type of exercise is a moderate-intense aerobic workout. Growing plants takes quite a lot of effort. Bending, lifting, kneeling, squatting, weeding and pruning are just some of the natural motions that take place. These movements engage different muscle groups, promoting joint flexibility and improvement of motor skills.
In observance of Shabbat, the annual July 3rd Fireworks Fest will not be held at the Jewish Home and Care Center and Chai Point this year.
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Spring is right around the corner, the trees are budding green and the temperature is slowly rising. After being cooped up indoors for a while, being outside sounds incredibly blissful. At any age, gardening is one of the best activities to do outdoors. Gardening is stimulation of all the senses and creates connections with nature, with our community, and rewards us with blooming flowers or fresh herbs. The versatility of gardening activities offers benefits to older adults in both physical and mental health.
The risk of isolation and depression increases as we age. Gardening can offer a variety of mental health benefits as well. Research shows that gardening provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment. The boost of self-esteem and the visualization of nurturing a plant from a seed to fruit bearing provide a sense of pride and positivity. Spending time outdoors absorbing sunlight has been shown to improve sleep, mood, and decrease negative emotions. Gardening is so much more than creating a “nice view.” Growing plants is a sensory experience regenerating the body and the mind. Our communities are very fortunate to have a variety of gardens that our residents help plant and nurture. Nita Corré Garden, Monya’s Garden, and the Soref Promenade offer areas for sunshine, opportunity to reminisce on past gardening experiences, and ideal locations to relax and watch plants bloom. And, for indoor see “Connections,” page 4
JSL in the News
Read about our intergenerational programming, as well as programming and events at our communities, in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. May 2015 | JSL News | 3
The Story of Michelle continued from page 1
to institute the LEAN management system and LEAN processes, which emphasize the importance of increasing processes and reducing waste. In all cases, Michelle’s clinical background was an asset, as she sees the transition and progression of health care and issues and how they affect the industry as a whole. Her views on quality improvement stem from her experience at each rung of the long-term care ladder. “In the long-term care industry, you need to ‘walk before you can run,’” says Michelle. “In order to create and institute efficient processes, you need to understand what people do, why they do it and why it’s done that way.” She strives to bring this philosophy to Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living, and Sarah Chudnow Community. “From an operations standpoint, we need to look at systems and processes and then streamline them for greater efficiency and quality improvement,” says Michelle. More importantly, Michelle hopes to share the story of our communities. “We have high-level employees who are engaged and excited, making our residents engaged
and excited. We have a researcher on staff. We’re ahead in technology. We have an aesthetic environment at all three communities. We need to take credit for all the things we do for our residents and within the community.” She sees her role as an ambassador and liaison in writing the next chapter of our organization. “I view myself as a conduit to bring everything together,” says Michelle. “Mike Sattell has been and should continue to remain the face of the organization, serving as our community connection. He tells our story. I oversee the day to day operations.” Michelle looks forward to being a part of the proud heritage and tradition of Jewish Home and Care Center and its sister communities, working with a leadership team that embraces culture and community and exploring what the future holds for our organization –all while continuing to tell our story. “Our older folks are the most vulnerable population. I don’t want them to be forgotten,” says Michelle. “We all have a story to tell, especially our residents and our community. Our job is to tell their story, even if they can’t.” n
Connections continued from page 3
gardening, there is the LGarden, a raised-bed indoor garden maintained by the Adult Day Center members, in bloom all year ‘round. At Sarah Chudnow Community, a vegetable garden provides farm-to-table goodness for the residents who like to choose their own produce. To find out how you can help to maintain our garden activities for residents and visitors, visit our website at http://www.jewishseniorliving.org/get-involved or call the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation at 414-721-9255. n
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Jean, a Chai Point resident, and Elizabeth, activity coordinator, plant flowers on the Soref Promenade.
Jewish Home and Care Center
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Intergenerational Programming continued from page 2
enjoy one another’s company, and how our students often ask when they can return.” Kimberly Rosenau, activity coordinator at Jewish Home and Care Center, adds, “The residents love having the children visit and establishing relationships with them. Intergenerational programming has been one of those things that continue to light their eyes.” Students from each grade level at the Milwaukee Jewish Day School take turns visiting Sarah Chudnow Community, Chai Point, the Adult Day Center, and the Jewish Home and Care Center residents on Fridays to welcome Shabbat at a program called Shabbat Shirah. Students and residents say the blessings over the Shabbat candles, wine, and challah and sing Shabbat songs before participating in an activity decided on by the children. “The students have created programs that involve real interactions, enabling the students and residents to create deep personal, as well as spiritual, connections with each other,” said Mara Kleiman of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Residents also enjoy these programs. “I love it when the children come to visit,” reveals Margaret, an Adult Day Center participant. “They help us stay sharp and stay young.” Intergenerational programming not only succeeds in building appreciation and acceptance between generations, it also teaches both children and adults valuable life lessons. “It provides a great opportunity to show sympathy, empathy and exercise patience for others,” says Tucker. “I would recommend this experience so all individuals involved could gain a valuable lesson; caring for others.”
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Students from Milwaukee Jewish Day School chat with a Chai Point resident during Shabbat Shirah.
From fun, interactive tablet games to BINGO to reading Shabbat and other stories; the possibilities are endless! Teachers and principals interested in learning how they can get their students involved in intergenerational programming are invited to contact Julie Shlensky, Posner Chair for Intergenerational Programming, at jshlensky@jewishseniorliving.org or (414) 721-9253. These programs were made possible by a generous grant from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation. Although our organization has been uniting the wisdom and experience of our older adults with the energy and enthusiasm of our children for many years through the Martin F. Stein Intergenerational Fund, the money received from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation allows our communities to take intergenerational programming to the next level. n
The Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial support to the programs and services of the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community. May 2015 | JSL News | 5
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 3120
1414 North Prospect Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202-3089 Phone: 414-276-2627
Upcoming Events Nu Jazz Duo Mrs. Fun with John Schneider Wednesday, May 13, 6:45 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion
Senior Jamboree Wednesday, May 20, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square
“The History of Prohibition in Milwaukee” presented by Attorney Ellen Kozak Thursday, May 14, 1:30 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion
Ben Merens discusses “The Making of a Candidate” Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square
Skai Academy Band Sunday, May 17, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square
Sports attorney Martin Greenberg presents “The Case vs. The Coach” Wednesday, May 27, 3:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion
SCC Artist Series with Annette Hirsh Sunday, May 17, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, 2nd Floor Art Gallery
Carmen Nickerson, Singer/Songwriter Sunday, May 31, 2:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion Visit www.jewishseniorliving.org for updated activities.