St. Ann’s Community SpiritJanuary 2018 FEATURING LOCAL CELEBRITY CHEFS & JUDGES 6-7PM - COCKTAILS 7-10PM - COOKING COMPETITION & DINNER (PREPARED BY 2 VINE RESTAURANT) OurTHE “epic ARBOR LOFTculinary 17 PITKINcompetition” ST. ROCHESTER 14607 VALET PARKING raisedWANT a record IN CLOSER amount TO THE ACTION? A FUN & LIVELY COOKING COMPETITION PREFERREDfor Annie’s SEATING TICKETSAngel AVAILABLE. Fund. CALL 585-697-6516 LIKE THE ONES YOU ENJOY ON TV OR VISIT STANNSCOMMUNITY.COM/FOODFIGHTSee page 12 TO RESERVE YOURS. 2017 HONORARY EVENT CHAIRS – JACKIE and JOE DeMARIA National Awards Recognize Excellence Across St. Ann’s Message from the Community CEO & President St. Ann’s Community has been recognized for achieving the highest levels of quality care and service by two national evaluators. Imagine you’re walking across an alien Our annual participation in the landscape where nothing is familiar. walk is a big part of who we are as Best Nursing Home an organization. To paraphrase this You spot no landmarks; see no St. Ann’s Care Center in Webster year’s guest speaker Jim Gulley, who recognizable faces—even the sounds was named one of the Best was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two you hear are completely foreign. Alone, Nursing Homes in the country by years ago, we’re focused on doing confused and frustrated, you stare at the U.S. News & World Report. The something that is significant in confusing panorama, unsure of what to designation is given only to those changing the future for our next do next. homes that demonstrate consistent generation. performance in national quality For a person diagnosed with Not only is it the right thing to do, measures. Alzheimer’s disease, these feelings of there are unintended consequences chaos and confusion are frighteningly as well. Being part of a team and Excellence in Action commonplace. working together for a cause Four St. Ann’s Community residences That description, from a caregiver contributes to the sense of family were named Excellence in Action website, reflects what many among St. Ann’s employees: Award winners by NRC Health: residents of St. Ann’s face every day. • St. Ann’s Care Center, providing • Departments have friendly long-term skilled nursing care Eight out of ten of our residents competitions to see who can raise on the campus of St. Ann’s have some form of cognitive the most money. Community at Cherry Ridge in impairment, such as Alzheimer’s • Purple ribbons, beads and Webster. or another form of dementia. We bracelets are proudly worn by • Rainier Grove, offering specialized care for them every day, and we see those who make donations to care for people with memory the effects firsthand. That’s why we earn “casual dress” days. impairments such as dementia put our heart into the annual Walk • A pep rally—this year featuring a on the campus of St. Ann’s to End Alzheimer’s. Held in cities steel drum band—is held the day Community at Cherry Ridge. across the country, it’s the world’s before the walk. • St. Ann’s Home, providing long- largest event to raise awareness and term skilled nursing care on funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, • And on walk day, employees and St. Ann’s Irondequoit campus. and research. their families enjoy the good will • St. Ann’s Community at Chapel and camaraderie of this shared Oaks, our independent living experience. (The summer-like community in Irondequoit. weather this year didn’t hurt either.) The Excellence in Action awards recognize communities that achieve The result? An incredible amount of the highest levels of excellence in This year, more than 200 money is raised for the Alzheimer’s resident and employee satisfaction. walkers represented St. Ann’s Association. And our people, who Community—the biggest team know all too well the devastating in the local walk. Under the effects of Alzheimer’s on those leadership of our venerable team who live with it and their families, captain Rola O’Meally, RN, we become a little bit closer. That’s a raised over $26,000, making us worthwhile endeavor. once again the top corporate fundraiser. I couldn’t be prouder. 2 l The Spirit • St. Ann’s Community Michael E. McRae Chapel Oaks Resident Profile: Robert Cook: Fitness Fan Going Strong at 97 Staying fit has never been a problem Growing up in Rochester, Bob for Bob Cook. was a regular at a gym on Clinton Avenue. While still in his teens, From the time he set a national he boxed in six professional fights record in weightlifting at age 16 (by and even sparred with pro boxer deadlifting 565 lbs.), fitness has been Patsy Perroni, who once faced the When I was a kid, people at the center of his life. legendary Joe Louis. “ who were 45 looked and Today, at age 97, he still starts every “I gave him a good workout,” says felt old,” he says. “Today, day with exercise. Bob, “but he told me, ‘Kid, you just people’s lives aren’t just ain’t got it.’ So I figure he did me a “My parents and grandparents died favor.” longer, they’re fuller. We’re in their 70s, so I must be doing continuing to grow. something right!” he says. His dedication to fitness served ” him well in the Army and Air Force of racehorses, which became A resident during World War II, where he something of a specialty of his. of St. Ann’s led physical training programs for Community at the troops. And in his post-war Formerly a resident of Buell Drive Chapel Oaks, career as a recreation department in Irondequoit, Bob has lived at St. Bob has been administrator in New Jersey, he not Ann’s Community at Chapel Oaks a weightlifter, a only oversaw rec programs but taught for over two years. He has nothing boxer, a fencer, fencing and weightlifting. but praise for the staff. and a trainer of others pursuing those sports. As And in a classic example of lifestyle “They are amazing at what they do, a weightlifting trainer, he estimates balance, Bob has pursued art as well and they’re charming,” he says. “Us he has trained some 2,000 athletes, as athletics. He ran a silk screen old people can challenge their sunny including Phil Grippaldi who business for which he did all the disposition, but I’ve never seen competed in the 1968, 1972, and design work, and also dabbled in anyone be anything but pleasant.” 1976 Olympics. sculpture and painting. His living room is adorned with a bronze Although age has slowed him And his penchant for staying active sculpture he did of two boxers titled down—he stopped using weights didn’t end with his youth: “No Place to Hide” (after a Joe in his morning routine five years Louis quote) and several paintings • He fenced until he was 61. ago due to a shoulder injury—Bob maintains an enthusiastic outlook on • He played tennis until he was 78 life. • He got his pilot’s license at 79 and flew gliders until he was 88. “When I was a kid, people who • He lifted weights competitively were 45 looked and felt old,” he until he was 52. says. “Today, people’s lives aren’t just longer, they’re fuller. We’re “At 52, I lost the powerlifting title to continuing to grow. someone I had trained,” he recalls. “I thought it was nice that it came “I’ve been kicking around for 97 full circle and figured it was a good years, and it’s a good life!” time to retire.” St. Ann’s Community • The Spirit l 3 The Leo Center for Caring: Compassionate Care in Supportive Surroundings Providing comfort and compassion is there to meet the physical, at the end of life is one of the most emotional, and spiritual needs of important things anyone can do. patients and families. At the Leo Center for Caring at St. Ann’s Community, it’s at the heart Dr. Kane Presents of what we do. National Webinar on The Leo Center for Caring is a 10- bed inpatient care center serving End-of-Life Care those needing long-term hospice Comfort and convenience and palliative care. It is located for families Honoring patients’ in a quiet wing of the Wegman Large, private rooms provide wishes for end-of-life Transitional Care Center on St. plenty of seating for family care was the topic of Ann’s Portland Avenue campus. members. Lounge areas allow a national webinar The Center offers spacious, families to come together for presented by Dr. Diane private rooms for patients and private conversations and quiet Kane, Chief Medical comfortable surroundings for reflection. Officer for St. Ann’s Community. families to gather, share memories, Families can also take advantage of: and say their goodbyes. • A well-stocked kitchen Dr. Kane spoke to senior-care • Overnight accommodations and professionals across the country food service about the importance of advance- “This journey our family is on care planning and end-of-life was so frightening when we first • Private shower specifically for conversations with patients and arrived, but due to the incredibly their use families. She shared how St. skilled, compassionate support of • Around-the-clock visiting Ann’s Community successfully the staff here it has quickly become privileges implemented MOLST (Medical manageable, even comfortable.” • Meditation room with beautiful Orders for Life Sustaining – Kathy’s Family stained glass wall Treatment) to document—first • Computers with Internet access on paper, now electronically— Expert care with dignity If someone you love is terminally residents’ wishes for end-of-life care and respect ill and their doctor advises long- and ensure that they are consistently The Leo Center provides the term hospice care, please consider followed.