The NET Program: an Innovative Approach to Therapy
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NEWS FROM PHOEBE MINISTRIES Volume 95, Issue 3 The NET Program: An Innovative Approach to Therapy IN THIS ISSUE: A New Spirit of Service The Phoebe Institute on Aging Engineering Students Design Devices for Phoebe Residents with Dementia The EDUCATION Issue Welcome | FALL 2014 Mission Statement: A Message from the President A community of faith, called by God, to serve the needs and to enhance the lives of our Dear friends of Phoebe, elders, their families and the broader community. The Mission of Phoebe Ministries is “A community of faith, called by God, to serve the Scott R. Stevenson, needs and to enhance the lives of our elders, their President & CEO families and the broader community.” In meeting our mission, our hope is that we will honor God Rev. Daniel T. Moser II in all we do. In this issue of The Messenger, we Chair, Phoebe Ministries highlight one component of our commitment Governing Board to serving each of these constituencies through Kimberly Metz, Editor-in-Chief a multitude of diverse educational programs. Contributors to this issue: We are thankful for both the ability to provide Brynn Buskirk, Molly Kranzley these programs and for the great benefits that our Driscoll, Charles Fehr, Ava Haekler, residents, employees and families derive from participating in them. Trina Johnson-Brady, Emilie Joly, I would especially like to highlight the Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA). For more Adam Marles, Kimberly Metz, than a decade, the PIA and its Advisory Board have provided educational forums to Scott R. Stevenson, Maureen the community on aging issues, as well as serving as a regional think tank for “what’s Suppan, Adrienne Wright next” in the industry. Everyone at Phoebe and the older adult community at large Special Contributors: benefits from these significant contributions. Other stories in this issue include: Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D., ✜ Allison Goodin Partnerships with local schools and universities Phoebe-Devitt Homes is the ✜ Educational opportunities for residents official name of the 501(c)(3) ✜ Innovative new programs developed by our staff that are changing not-for-profit corporation doing healthcare delivery business as Phoebe Ministries. Founded in 1903 and incorporated ✜ A new documentary on the history of Phoebe Berks as such in 1984, Phoebe-Devitt ✜ The most successful Upper Bucks Forum on Aging to date Homes is responsible for the supervision of facilities, long- range planning, development “A community of faith, called by God, and fundraising for 14 locations. Together, these affiliates provide to serve the needs and to enhance the long term care, housing and various support services to lives of our elders, their families and thousands of individuals annually. Phoebe Ministries is affiliated the broader community.” with the United Church of Christ and is a member of LeadingAge, We have a number of free educational opportunities for residents and the LeadingAge PA, and the Council community throughout the year. The next is the Fall Phoebe Institute on Aging for Health and Human Services Conference, entitled “Building Friendly Communities: Addressing Alzheimer’s and Ministries of the United Church Related Disorders,” on October 16 at DeSales University. I hope to see you there. of Christ. God bless, The official registration and financial information of Phoebe-Devitt Homes may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania at 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Scott R. Stevenson President & CEO 2 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 Phoebe launched Spirit of Service this past summer. All Phoebe staff members were trained with the expectation that all customers— residents, families, fellow staff members, and vendors—should be treated with excellent care, compassion and consideration. their families, the community and Spirit of Service. Training involved Phoebe Launches each other. communication tips; phone, email, and elevator etiquette; and even role playing The Leadership Development class through different situations employees Customer Service was charged with developing and may encounter with one another, recommending a customer service residents, and families. Philosophy: program, as well as determining standards and expectations, roles Scott Stevenson, President & CEO, says, and responsibilities, and lastly, an “I firmly believe everyone at Phoebe is Spirit of Service implementation plan along with accountable for making Spirit of Service success metrics. a success. We must always remember This past summer, Phoebe Ministries that our workplace at Phoebe is a home “It was an exciting project,” says Karen launched a new endeavor focused for the people we serve.“ on Phoebe’s ongoing effort to set the Carrano-Miller, class member and bar high: Spirit of Service, Phoebe’s Assistant Controller at Phoebe. “We Customer Service Philosophy. spent a year developing the program How are we doing? and a second year developing the Let us know! Developed by one of Phoebe’s training. We want everyone at Phoebe— Leadership Development classes, residents, employees, family members, Visit phoebe.org/ Spirit of Service stems from Phoebe’s vendors—to feel welcome here.” spiritofservice or fill out foundational Faith in Action values a comment card in any and is dedicated to creating a positive Over the last three months, all Phoebe experience for our residents and clients, staff members have been trained in of our facilities! Phoebe’s Spirit of Service is our customer service philosophy, which stems from our foundational Faith in Action values and is dedicated to creating a positive experience for our residents and clients, their families, the community and each other. 3 Happenings | NEWS Bridgeways Residents Create Cards for Those Needing a Lift The Bridgeways Neighborhood at Phoebe Allentown recently initiated a unique creative program that helps the residents make greeting cards and write letters to people in the local community. Bridgeways residents have written to children at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Meals on Wheels recipients, a visiting church group, Phoebe staff members, and veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. Creative writing is one way that Phoebe incorporates Montessori programming for Memory Support and Dementia Care patients. Writing can help an individual with memory care issues to enhance their memory, reinforce motor skills, and feel a Guests enjoyed food and drink at the patio dedication on September 3. sense of accomplishment. Terrace Residents Celebrate New Patio Phoebe recognizes the donors who made it possible. Residents at the Terrace at Phoebe One of the major donors to the Allentown have a new outdoor oasis project was the Phoebe Home to call their own. Auxiliary in Allentown. Auxiliary President Barbara Ann Moyer A new program on the Allentown Campus Phoebe completed construction of a says the group was inspired by the has Bridgeways residents giving back to the community by crafting greeting cards with new 925-square-foot patio alongside idea of leaving a legacy for future the Terrace this August, giving personal messages for people served by local generations of Terrace residents. nonprofit organizations. residents plenty of time to enjoy the “This is something residents will summer and fall months from their enjoy for years to come,” Moyer Pam Kleckner, Memory Support backyard. Residents celebrated their adds. “The Auxiliary knew this Community Life Manager at Phoebe new space—and the donors who was an important project, and we Allentown, says that when the residents made it possible—at a ceremony on wanted to get involved.” are making the cards, they have a great September 3. time and are aware that they are giving The patio area includes a built-in back to others. “Our residents have teared “Our residents needed a dedicated grill, comfortable seating, up when we made cards for the children space to enjoy the outdoors, and lighting for evening events, and veterans,” Kleckner says, “because it meant so much to them.” our donors stepped up to make it elegant stonework, a handicapped- happen,” says President and CEO accessible ramp, ample shade cover, Scott R. Stevenson. and lush greenery. 4 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 Residents were eager to be the first to Phoebe Berks Gets ride the new bus (left), which can seat six residents in wheelchairs at one time. a New Set of Wheels A dedication ceremony took place on Wheelchair-accessible bus provides residents with independence August 5 (above). Residents of Phoebe Berks Village and “What we’re celebrating today is not just of Berks County, reminding them of their Phoebe Berks Health Care Center have a bus, not just a mode of transportation, youth when rides through the country were a new way to get around town. but an opportunity,” Phoebe Berks a regular Sunday afternoon activity. Executive Director Mary Kay After a fundraising campaign The new bus can accommodate six McMahon said in her remarks. “You’ve raised more than $75,000, Phoebe ambulatory passengers and eight given our residents in wheelchairs Berks acquired an ADA-compliant, passengers in wheelchairs. Nancy Dettra, the opportunity to explore the world wheelchair-accessible bus to allow who contributed to the project, said she beyond our campus, the opportunity to residents with restricted mobility a new wanted to enrich the lives of her fellow retain their independence.” way to travel from the Berks campus. residents. “This opens up new vistas for Residents celebrated the new bus with a Residents have already taken the bus on individuals in wheelchairs,” Dettra said. “It donor recognition event and dedication a number of trips to nearby destinations gives their lives deeper meaning.” ceremony on August 5. and on drives through the rolling hills Highest Attendance Ever at and Phoebe Richland staff. Roman joined the event committee when she transitioned Upper Bucks Forum on Aging from Phoebe Allentown to Phoebe Richland two years ago. “It is hard to believe that so The 9th Annual Upper Bucks Forum ✜ Fall prevention and treatment related many forums have passed already,” she says.