Jewish Senior Living Newsletter | Oct 2016

Jewish Senior Living Newsletter OCT/NOV 2016 - VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 Keeping you connected to our communities.

Therapy Success: Meet Barbara Bold “BB” Therapy helps BB beat The Monster Liz Brach, Donor Stewardship Cooridinator

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he named it The Monster. “It was like being in a cage,” said eighty-year-old Barbara Bold, or BB as she prefers to be called, referring to the cervical-thoracic brace she wore for three months after surgery. “It was incredibly binding, uncomfortable and restrictive, and I had to wear it all the time except when I laid down.” BB will never forget June 1, 2016 because it was the day she was finally brace-free; a goal achieved through strength of will, and alongside the fantastic team of people on the Jewish Home and Care Center’s rehab floor.

recommended that she go to the emergency room. She was hospitalized, and during that hospitalization, they did a biopsy of the tumor. At this point, the doctors thought she had angiosarcoma, or cancer of the blood vessels. Her shooting pain was caused by the tumor pressing on her spinal cord. When the oncologist saw her in the hospital, he told her that she had about two years to live.

In January 2016, BB moved into Chai Point and started five weeks of palliative radiation in hopes of shrinking the tumor, but the radiation proved to be BB’s story starts in September ineffective, and after two falls 2015 when she woke up one day in twelve hours, she looked with horrible, shooting pain in at surgery as the best option her upper back, shoulder, and to avoid paralysis. BB had chest area. Her first couple of surgery on March 1, 2016 and BB and Lisa Gorelick doctor’s appointments involved the doctor who performed the a computerized tomography surgery, Dr. Max Lee, told her (CT) scan and an x-ray that showed inconclusive family and friends that he had “believed from what results. Frustrated, she managed to make an he saw, that he gotten it all.” She spent two weeks appointment with a Milwaukee-area pain specialist recovering in the hospital, and then moved on to the who recommended an MRI. BB went in for the MRI, rehab floor at the Jewish Home and Care Center on and then she received a call from the doctor who March 16. The good news is that after sending the said, “I see something in the corner of your thoracic whole tumor to Mayo Clinic, the tumor was said to be spine on the MRI.” In the meantime, due to her non-cancerous. horrendous pain, Lisa Gorelick (BB’s longtime friend of nearly thirty years and experienced nurse advocate) see “Therapy Success” page 3

In This Issue

Therapy Success: Meet Barbara Bold “BB”

1

Research and Grant Committees

4 5

Meet Mariah Ruhland: Chai Point Senior Living Director

2

A Place to Pray for the High Holidays

Meet Mariah Ruhland: Chai Point Senior Living Director Experience will color new director’s initiatives Becca Loss, Communications Specialist

When you walk into the room, there’s a desk practically devoid of paper, files nestled in their place, and relaxing music playing softly in the background. You might think you’ve entered a spa waiting room, but, in fact, you’ve entered the office of Chai Point Senior Living Director Mariah Ruhland.

CNA at age 16 and worked her way up in the ranks of long-term care and assisted living. “Since I’ve worked in a variety of positions, I have a good perspective and working knowledge of each department as well as the role of a CNA,” said Mariah. “I’ve also walked the journey as a family member, as my grandmother has early-onset dementia.”

Once you settle in and talk with Mariah, the office atmosphere make sense. She Family is what drew her to work for brings a large and diverse background our organization. She sought out this Mariah Ruhland of operations and marketing experience position, versus a multi-site regional Chai Point Senior Living – including long-term care, CBRF, and role, to “stop traveling and focus on Director assisted living – to Chai Point. In her past family,” which includes three children roles Mariah has streamlined operations, improved (Kaia, 15; Leo, 11; and Zoe, 6) as well as a border efficiency, and supplied tools and resources to collie. Mariah explains further, “I made a conscious staff to be successful in their positions, as well as decision to join this company as it aligns with my coordination of multi-state and regional campaigns. personal values. It’s something that’s hard to find in Additionally, she improved the business side of the corporate world.” operations and how those operations are organized within her various roles.

A self-described “outdoorsy person,” when not at her desk, you’ll likely find Mariah riding her hot Mariah hopes to bring her successes to Chai Point. pink Harley or spending time in the outdoors, “With 20-plus years of being in the industry, I either boating, biking, snowmobiling or hiking. “I have experience in operations and marketing, and love walking along the lakefront during lunch,” says how they relate to and complement each other,” Mariah. “It helps me relax and keeps me connected.” she explains. She also provides strong regulatory knowledge as she has created quality assurance (QA) After a lunchtime walk, it’s back to the world programs and chaired QA committees. Her goals of CBRF, business processes and whatever the include streamlining operations and providing better afternoon throws her way. Luckily there’s the calming tools and resources for staff across all departments, atmosphere of her sanctuary to carry her through while staying true to the heart of Chai Point. “I don’t the day. want to forget about what processes and ground work were put into place by Debbie, but I want to Mariah can be reached at 414.277.8804, ext. 804, or contribute to the business aspect of the organization.” mruhland@jewishseniorliving.org. n Her foray into the world of long-term care started in high school in Monona Grove, Wisconsin. Mariah was part of the first pilot CNA program in the state that trained students to be CNAs. She started as a

Stay Connected 2 | JSL News | Oct/Nov 2016

Visit our website and donate online at www.jewishseniorliving.org.

Questions? Call the JHCC Foundation Office at 414.721.9255.

BB’s rehabilitation was all-encompassing, involving Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy as well as Speech Therapy to work on swallowing, speaking and memory mentation. It was during her recovery that BB wore the cervical-thoracic brace (The Monster) day in and day out. “My goal was to be at Lisa Gorelick’s daughter’s wedding brace-free on June 19,” said BB. “And because of the therapy team and the nurses at the Jewish Home and Care Center, I was at the wedding clapping for Ariel and her husband, Jeff Stein.” On May 10, BB moved back to Chai Point to begin outpatient therapy.

“The therapy team saved my life,” she said. “It was fantastic; I could not have done it without them. They were truly amazing and everyone worked so well as a team.” BB also credits her nurse advocate, Lisa Gorelick, saying “I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Lisa’s expertise and her friendship.”

Annual Dinner 2016 Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation

Honoring

PAST,

our

continued from page 1

Researchıng

FUTURE

for our

Therapy Success

Sunday, October 30, 2016 5:15 p.m. Reception n 6 pm Dinner Please celebrate with us and learn about the accomplishments and vision of our research initiative as our organization turns 110 years young!

Call Liz Brach, 414.721.9255 for information or to RSVP by Oct. 21.

Free underground parking is available.

1414 N. Prospect Ave. jhccmilwaukee.org

Since recovering from the surgery, BB described herself as living “a completely different life.” The removal of the tumor has allowed her to be active and able to walk with ease without dependence on a cane or walker. She has immersed herself into Chai Point’s warm and active community, playing Mah Jongg on Mondays, going to concerts, and dining with friends.

She will soon begin volunteering at the Jewish Home and Care Center. BB also credits her wonderful family as a main source of support through her whole ordeal.

Our Therapy Department’s Take on BB Occupational Therapist, Emily Longwell-Grice said, “BB was such a pleasure to work with. Her story is so inspiring, and she made remarkable progress during our time together. When she first started her therapy, she needed total assistance and now she’s entirely independent and unstoppable. I miss working with her!”

For more information about the therapy department call 414.277.8846. n

JSL in the News

To find out about upcoming events and programs at Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living, and Sarah Chudnow Community, visit: www. jewishseniorliving.org/news Oct/Nov 2016 | JSL News | 3

Research and Grant Committees What do they do?

Jonathan Mann, Director of Development The Jewish Home and Care Center (JHCC) Foundation financially supports the operations of the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point and the Sarah Chudnow Community.

recommendations for final approval by the Foundation board of directors.

The JHCC Foundation has several committees that advise Michael Sattell, CEO and President of the JHCC Foundation and its Board of Directors in matters involving our mission; to provide our Jewish Community with those services that enable our seniors or infirm to be part of a quality Jewish environment with comfort, meaning, independence and dignity.

Research Committee Recently a new committee, the Research Committee, was formed to help guide our Research Program and its director, Dr. Christine Kovach.

The JHCC Foundation is committed to advancing knowledge regarding best practices in longterm care and aging well. To this end, the JHCC maintains a research office that coordinates research activities at the Jewish Home and Care Center. The purpose of the Research Committee is to foster the development of research projects at the JHCC that advance knowledge regarding best practices in longterm care and aging well. The Research Committee identifies gaps in scientific knowledge regarding long-term care or older adults’ health and wellbeing and determines the feasibility and priority for such projects at JHCC. The committee will also review requests for research and compliance of projects with federal requirements.

The committee meets four times a year and reports directly to the chairperson of the Foundation.

The committee makes recommendations to the chairperson of the Foundation for review and approval. The chairperson presents the

Social Media 4| JSL News |Oct/Nov 2016

jhccfoundation

Grant Committee The JHCC Grant Committee plays an integral part in our mission to improve the daily lives of our residents. The Grant Committee was formed in 2015 in an effort to make the Foundation granting process transparent and meets four times per year. The Committee members have the express authority to do the following, to the extent permitted by applicable law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws: • Review grant proposals as submitted.

• Make recommendation for Foundation fund selection • Make recommendations for funding to the Foundation board of directors.

• Post-review of program evaluation reports • Annually review, through self-evaluation, the committee’s performance in fulfilling these responsibilities and goals.

The Grant Committee, in evaluating a grant request, determines that primary consideration should be given to grant requests for innovative projects and programs that meet some or all of the following criteria: • Has a positive impact on the delivery of care at our facilities; • Has potential for long-term sustainability beyond the grant period; • With Foundation funding, would help position us for additional funding from individuals, corporations, foundations and other external sources; • ls consistent with our mission, and strategic and operational priorities. see “Committees” page 5

@JSLiving

Jewish Home and Care Center

JHCC Foundation

Committees continued from page 4

In January, the committee met to review grants for fiscal year 2016-2017. At the meeting, after review and discussion of each grant proposal, the committee granted 21 grants for a total of $65,100.

The grants were for various activities and programming, dietary, nursing, social services, religious and pastoral care needs; all have a direct impact on the quality of life for residents and helps to fulfill our mission.

To learn more about the Research and Grant Committees, as well as other ways to be involved, call 414.721.9260. n

CaLLINg aLL YouNg aCTreSSeS aNd aCTorS ageS 7-12 YearS oLd (We are also looking for interested high school students to be production assistants helping with scenery and assisting the director.)

Be part of a “theater” performance on December 18, with residents of the Sarah Chudnow Community and Chai Point directed by Nancy Weiss-McQuide.

No auditions required! Just a desire to be part of a fun activity with kids and seniors from around Milwaukee. Participation can also be considered as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project.

Rehearsals will be at Sarah Chudnow Community every Sunday, from November 13 to December 11 (EXCEPT November 27-Thanksgiving weekend) from 3:30-4:30 pm. dress rehearsal: Sunday, december 18, 1 pm Curtain Time at 3 pm, Sarah Chudnow Community To sign up or for more information, call or email Julie Shlensky, Posner Chair for Intergenerational Programming, 414-721-9253, jshlensky@jewishseniorliving.org.

A Jewish Catholic Dialogue Series In 2010 Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote “On Heaven and Earth,” chronicling their interfaith discussions on various topics.

These two Argentinian clergy shared frank observations. At the time, Cardinal Bergoglio had no idea that he would soon become Pope Francis, which makes his insights so important.

Rabbi Steven Adams, Director of Pastoral Care at the Jewish Home and Care Center and Jim Heisler, Activity Therapist at Chai Point, a practicing Catholic and a former Catholic priest for 27 years, will present views from the book in a 12-part series.

Mondays at 2:45 pm In the Chai Point Lobby October 31 How we experience dialogue: An introduction to Nostra Aetate and the Catholic-Jewish dialogue November 14 G-d, Atheists and dealing with Evil November 28 The Holocaust December 12 Religions December 26 Fundamentalism 2017 dates list at |www.jewishseniorliving.org.

Free parking is available under the Jewish Home and Care Center at 1414 N. Prospect Ave.

Please drive past the Health Center to the Apartments.

10995 N. Market St., Mequon, WI 53092 262-478-1500 info@sarahchudnow.org SarahChudnow.org Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @jsliving

1400 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee 414-289-9600 • www.chaipoint.org

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.

Oct/Nov 2016 | 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