Seasons 2016
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www.asburyheights.org 2016 When Serendipity Strikes When Serendipity Strikes erendipity doesn’t occur with called Asbury Place home for nearly was working here. That was truly Sgreat frequency, but when it three years until she passed away in wonderful.” does, a little bit of magic happens. January 2016. Jennifer was also one That was the case when 16-year- of Will’s teachers and knew that he Like most new employees, Will old Will Jozwiak was introduced to would benefit from a skilled worker started out learning the basics and Asbury Place in February 2016. curriculum. She recommended Will to his responsibilities in task execution be the first student to complete the gradually increased. Within a short The team at Asbury Place was program. period of time, he was able to call looking for partnerships with area residents by name, and Jennifer schools when Jennifer Sloan Will is on the autism spectrum worked closely with him around reached out to tell Erica Gevaudan, and worked at Asbury Place two staffing hierarchy – educating him administrator, Asbury Place & Spring mornings a week from February about who is a nurse, who oversees and Laurel Lane, that Mt. Lebanon to May. Asbury Place, who do you go to if High School’s special education you need to report changes. program was looking to develop a “We are so thankful to Jennifer skilled worker curriculum for students Sloan and to the Mt. Lebanon Will’s favorite task was “cooking with special needs. School District for making it work,” breakfast for the residents. They says Will’s mom, Debbie Jozwiak. needed me.” His specialty? Eggs and Jennifer knew Asbury Place well “Will made strides both behaviorally French toast. because her mom, Bonnie Gould, and academically because he The biggest lesson that Will learned was compassion. “When the residents are feeling down, I can care The biggest for them,” he explains. lesson that Will learned was He also learned some coping skills. Remembering a resident outburst compassion. following a game of WiiTM bowling, “When the Will said “Now I know what people residents are feel like when I yell.” feeling down, Working at Asbury Place among I can care for older adults was an easy adjustment them,” he for Will. “He knew right away how explains. to work with older adults even with his own sensory issues and dealing with individuals who have dementia issues,” says Debbie, “because his great grandparents, while they don’t have dementia, are in their 90s.” The biggest change for Will was his academic performance. “Academically, taking Will out of the Will Jozwiak classroom helped to break up the Page 2 Table of Contents: Floral Frenzy Craft Show & Sale ......... 4 Jean L. Taylor Activities Center .......... 4 The Golden Mile ................................ 5 Asbury Geriatricians ........................... 5 The James M. Golding Café .............. 5 Asbury Accolades .............................. 6 New Website ..................................... 6 monotony of the day-to-day school Asbury Place will be continuing its Honoring Employee Service ............... 7 structure and to work harder,” partnership with Mt. Lebanon High Debbie explains. “There is a fine School’s skilled worker curriculum Volunteers Recognized at Annual Luncheon .......................................... 7 balance between the importance in the Fall, and Will’s leadership of structure and his brain racing skills will be put to the test when Around Asbury .................................. 8 to think of something else while he returns and teaches the new • Asbury Residents Embracing Modern Communication trying to deal with the structure students. • Asbury Angels that is in place. Once he started • New Program: Senior FITness coming to Asbury Place, his focus As Debbie says, “Will’s role at Tx5 Designed for Faster Results and participation in the classroom Asbury is a mesh of hope of two Family Day ......................................... 9 improved, and Will has shown more parties with extra challenges responsibility at home.” working together to make each day Ruth E. Mickle Lecture Focuses on Memory ............................................. 9 brighter.” Will’s two sisters, Angelena, 14, and Asbury Out and About ....................... 9 Rebecca, 12, were so inspired by A little serendipity goes a • Meet Me at the Movies • Walk to End Alzheimer’s Will that they began volunteering at long way. St. Clair Hospital and St. Bernard’s 2015 Gifts .......................................11 CCD Office respectively. Volunteer Recognition ......................11 Asbury Aglow ..................................20 Dear Friend of Asbury Heights: As a life plan community, everyone at Asbury Heights School that is benefitting residents and has improved the works diligently to provide the best care and programs academic performance of a young man on the autism possible. spectrum. We also share news of the dedication of the James M. Golding Café and the Jean L. Taylor Activities After decades of developing new projects and programs, Center thanks to the generosity of thoughtful donors. No we recently took a deep breath to analyze our efforts and issue of Seasons would be complete without highlighting how they relate to the changing healthcare industry. The some of the many activities that our staff coordinate changes in the healthcare industry include new guidelines throughout the year for our residents that demonstrate set forth by Medicare. Over the last few months, Medicare our vibrant community. And, you’ll read about a few of the has begun shifting its focus from reimbursement for countless accolades that we receive about the care we fee-for-services to an increased focus on quality. With provide our residents. this new focus, Asbury and other communities must re- evaluate their programs to meet new standards for quality I thank you for your ongoing support as we continue on while also measuring effectiveness. We are also working our mission of providing quality, compassionate care to more closely with individual partners and older adults, and I invite you to visit our new organizations to ensure that our long- website to keep abreast of all that is happening term and short-term residents receive the at Asbury Heights. highest quality care possible. Sincerely, This issue of Seasons showcases collaboration, highlights activities and demonstrates quality of care at Asbury. You’ll read about a partnership between John J. Zanardelli Asbury Place and Mt. Lebanon High President and CEO Page 3 Jean L. Taylor Activities Center The Jean L. Taylor Activities Center was named on September 22, 2015, thanks to a generous contribution from Marta Taylor Riordan in memory of her mother and a former Asbury Heights resident, Jean L. Taylor. Through the 10 years Jean called Asbury home, she was involved in multiple activities including art class, dart ball, Scrabble® and outings to the River City Brass Band. Given all that, Jean’s family felt it was only fitting to name the Activities Center after her! The funds donated will support our dementia training and community outreach programs. Floral Frenzy Donations like these help ensure the mission and vision of Asbury are fulfilled every day! If you’re interested in learning more about current naming Craft Show opportunities, please contact the Foundation at & Sale (412) 571-5106. The common expression, “April showers bring May flowers,” rang true this spring at Asbury, but with an artistic twist. Equipped with glue guns, paint brushes, canvases, stencils, scissors and other craft supplies, independent living residents put their artistic talents to work creating items for the Floral Frenzy Craft Show & Sale. The event took place on May 24 in the Asbury Heights Social Room. The floral-themed event featured a variety of unique pieces created by our residents including greeting cards, paintings, magnets, decorative paper flowers, dahlia wreaths and much more. Proceeds from the sale benefitted Asbury’s benevolent care fund. Page 4 The Golden Mile Residents, employees, volunteers, the top three overall male and female for people of all ages and fitness family members and the community winners received gift cards and the levels. Even those who weren’t able all gathered on September 8 for first-place male and female winners to participate in the race were able the 5th Annual Golden Mile Race of each age division were awarded to enjoy the health benefits of on Asbury’s campus. Participants medals. The event is designed to socializing and soaking up a dose completed the one-mile course, and promote good health and well being of vitamin D! Asbury Geriatricians As our country’s population ages, there is a greater need for geriatricians—medical doctors who are specially trained to meet the unique healthcare needs of older adults. Asbury is fortunate to have three board- certified, fellowship-trained geriatricians on staff. Geriatricians are experts in the The James M. biology of aging including cancer, dementia, depression, falls, frailty, heart disease, incontinence, infections, mobility issues, Golding Café osteoporosis and pain management. On April 22nd, the Asbury Way Café became the James M. Golding Café during a celebratory dedication ceremony. The café honors Asbury also takes part in the University of the generosity of Mr. Golding who is a former chair of the Board of Pittsburgh’s Geriatric Teaching Program, Directors, President’s Medallion recipient and longtime friend and allowing medical students to visit Asbury’s supporter of Asbury Heights. campus and work side-by-side with our geriatricians. The café is a favorite Asbury destination for residents and visitors alike to enjoy a meal, grab a cup of coffee, or to indulge in an ice cream cone or milkshake. Mr. Golding’s generous gift provides support to Asbury’s current needs and is just one of many naming opportunities available to donors. If you’d like to learn more about naming opportunities at Asbury, contact Asbury Foundation at 412-571-5106. Page 5 Asbury Accolades When you are a resident of Asbury Heights or have a family member New who is, you expect care and service that is sensitive and compassionate.