Sholom Generations of Care - September 2023

Read inside how supporters like you help Sholom residents live life fully.

GENERATIONS OF CARE

DEAR FRIENDS,

Sholom’s multigenerational impact across our community—amidst changing reimbursement rates from the State of Minnesota and continued workforce pressures— is inspiring. Those entrusted to us, along with their families, are living life fully in our continuum of care communities thanks to the kindness of supporters like you.

From launching an entirely new annual giving strategy and special event called “Family Fun Day” to sharing stories of impact across new modalities, 2022-23/5783 was a time of growth. The 2023 legislative session saw some wins, including temporary nursing home reimbursement rate increases which have allowed Sholom to hire more staff and accept patients being discharged from hospitals. Such rate increases relieve pressures on emergency admissions and elective surgeries. Workforce incentive funds equate directly to Sholom’s ability to retain staff and provide compassionate care to those who have so dearly cared for us.

While refreshing to see lawmakers work alongside one another to prioritize senior care, the majority of these enhancements were one-time allocations; your contributions to and advocacy on behalf of Sholom matter more than ever before.

As Sholom welcomes the High Holiday season, we thank you for being our partner in advancing quality care and life for residents and their families in our community. We wish you and your loved ones a very sweet new year.

L’Shana Tovah, Barbara Klick, RN, MBA David Nirenstein Lisa Furman

Sholom CEO Sholom Board President Sholom Foundation Board President

PET THERAPY PROMOTES FURR-ENDSHIPS

Pet therapy is one of Sholom’s most popular programs. Originating more than 15 years ago around the time the Sholom Johnson Hospice Agency opened in 2008, the program has brought precious puppies, feathered friends, and fluffy felines to brighten the days of countless residents.

“For those who enjoy visits with pets, we find visits with the animals can uplift their days and bring joy, even during the 11th hour when they are actively dying,” explained Rhonda DeBough, CVA, Hospice volunteer coordinator.

For residents on both of Sholom’s campuses, pet therapy can provide a door opener for in-depth conversations with volunteers who bring their pets, allowing residents to quickly build rapport and create new friendships.

Interaction with friendly animals is also known to reduce pain, blood pressure, and stress, and can have the added benefit of bringing back fond memories of good times with former pets.

Popeye, an African grey parrot, lives in the Ackerberg Family Campus lobby. He is full of personality, loves to whistle, and can say, “I love you!” and “Come on baby!”

“In Hospice, we find that pets can also provide the family a needed break from stressful situations. And after a patient dies, the animal might attend the funeral, providing mourners pet therapy while paying respects to the person who has passed.”

“It’s true that pet therapy isn’t for everyone,” Rhonda said. “We are sensitive to the fact that some people do not wish to interact with animals, and we honor that. But for those who enjoy it, pet therapy brings many ancillary benefits.”

Volunteers who bring their animals say that this gives them a meaningful activity to do with their pets. It allows them to give back to their community in a way that is

mutually beneficial. Having animals visiting the workplace gives Sholom staff a boost as well. “It’s a welcome outlet for many of our staff who are working hard in an intense job,” Rhonda shared.

GC the Greeter Parrot

GC, an African grey parrot, just celebrated his 38th birthday in style at the Shaller Family Campus. He started his life as the pet of a nun who lived at Shirley Chapman Sholom Home East, and upon the death of his owner, GC was bequeathed to Sholom. He has found a happy home in the light-filled Shaller lobby where he greets visitors, residents, and staff alike.

GC’s staff handler, Kristin Holloway, who also serves as Home Care/Hospice program coordinator, has been taking care of GC for over four years. Over that time she has noticed GC’s trust in Sholom’s care teams and residents has grown and deepened. He seems to know what everyone is saying and answers “yes/no” questions with head tilts or head-bobbing.

“It’s helpful for our residents to have a friendly bird to talk to, and it’s frankly therapeutic for me, too,” Kristin said. “There’s an energy exchange between us that is helpful to us both.”

At meal time, residents will care for and watch over GC. Some will tell passersby

that, “he’s napping” or warn, “don’t get too close.”

“Relationships with animals like GC really allow a person to open up their hearts to love,” Kristin explained. “It brings people together.”

Even ponies visit Sholom campuses from time to time.

Kristin Holloway sharing a moment with GC in the Paster Family lobby on the Shaller Campus.

FAMILY FUN DAY

FAMILY FUN DAY

The community came together on the Ackerberg Family Campus for Sholom’s first Family Fun Day on June 25, 2023. This event is the next evolution of Sholom’s successful past fundraisers (known as Food for Your Soul and the Sholom Ball). More than 300 attendees enjoyed an afternoon of outdoor activities for all ages, food trucks, and entertainment. We honored the Baratz and Saxon families for their unwavering support of our mission. Family Fun Day co-chairs Steven Gottlieb and Steven Schachtman, along with many committee members, volunteers, and staff, put on an energizing and memorable event.

Polly and Mike Saxon with their family. Amy and Stan Baratz with their son, Justin. The Ancier family with their grandchildren and the matzah houses they made.

Children jumped in the bouncy house, created arts & crafts, and ate ice cream.

Occupational therapy staff member Cassandra with resident Liz.

Knollwood Place Apartments residents Estie and Jim smiling in the sunshine.

ACTIVE AND ENGAGED

A resident stays cool at a late summer barbecue on the Shaller Family campus. A handler from The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota visits Knollwood Place Apartments with some feathered friends.

Suzanne shows off her heartshaped picture frame.

Virginia celebrates a birthday with fellow residents at Roitenberg Assisted Living.

Lorrie catches a few fish on an outing to a local lake.

Michael and Evie are king and queen for the day on Purim.

VOLUNTEERS BRING

SMILES, COMFORT, AND COMPANIONSHIP

If you ask weekly volunteers at Sholom what keeps them coming back, you will invariably hear, “It’s the people.” Volunteering in any capacity brings a chance to get to know interesting people with fascinating stories to tell.

Leo Levin, a lacrosse playing senior at Eden Prairie High School, greatly enjoys helping with Thursday Happy Hours at Knollwood Place Apartments. He places chairs, sets out silverware, and serves food and drinks at this weekly social hour that draws a big crowd. A teen who grew up speaking Russian with his extended family, Leo finds his interactions with Russian-speaking residents very special.

Sharing Powerful Stories

“One Russian-speaking woman had a particularly interesting story,” he explained. “She was a Holocaust survivor. This really resonated with me because my greatgrandmother went through the same thing. It was a powerful conversation.”

Leo was surprised at how easy it was to strike up conversations around the table. “I didn’t expect to have such flowing conversations with people 60 years older than me, but it was so easy,” Leo said. “Everyone’s always happy to talk with me and they have big smiles.”

Easing Technology Troubles

Tom Sather also looks forward to his weekly visits to Sholom. A retired computer technology professional from South Minneapolis, he connected with Sholom through Leo Levin speaks with residents at an August Happy Hour at Knollwood Place Apartments.

a relative who works there. He visits Knollwood Place weekly to help the residents with tech support.

“Using cell phones, computers, and tablets can be confusing and demanding, especially if you’re new to it,” Tom explained. He helps residents with tech basics like logins, passwords, and finding the right button to click to start a Facetime with their grandkids.

Tom approaches this position with an abundance of patience and excellent customer service skills. His favorite part is helping people. “I like the sense of having helped somebody, however little,” he said. “It’s also a chance to keep my skills up. And, being recently retired and looking down the road, it’s a window, a look into the future.”

Sholom Needs More Volunteers

Kenyatta Mooers, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, helps run activities and programs, including the Happy Hours. He also oversees gatherings for Jeopardy!, bingo, movies, concerts, karaoke, barbecues, and more.

“These activities fill the residents’ days,” Kenyatta explained. “They love coming to socialize, hear great music, and just enjoy themselves.” Volunteers make it possible to expand events and activities with an added benefit of an infusion of outside energy and camaraderie.

“It’s great to have volunteers, and for sure we could use more,” Kenyatta said. “All are welcome!”

Tom Sather shares a joke with resident Stephen during a computer help session.

Monthly and other recurring giving is an easy way for supporters like you to make contributions to Sholom.

$36 per month supports social, recreational, and community outing experiences

$54 per month provides more than two weeks of nursing assistance

$108 per month offers 48 weeks of training to our care teams

❝As soon as I came through the door, I knew I was going to be alright; I knew I was going to be taken care of.

❝We feel blessed to have found such a wonderful place for my mother to live out the final days of her very long life.

– Family of Vivian

The Sholom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Unless otherwise specified by the donor, gifts are not restricted to a specific program.

– Former staff member and current Johnson Hospice patient

L’SHANA TOVAH

HAPPY NEW YEAR 5784

We are grateful for your support of Sholom this season and always. Sholom wishes a healthy, sweet new year to all.

Pictured above: Lois and her daughter.

Pictured on front cover: Lois and her granddaughter.