October 2015 Newsletter

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October 2015
Inside this issue:
Halloween Happenings
2
Resident B-days
3
Staff Anniversaries
3
One Song World 4
Stock, and
Annual Christmas
Craft Fair
Children's Trick
or Retreat, and
Relay for Life
5
Portrait Package
Raffle, and Happy Hands
6
Chaplains Corner 7
The Cab Ride I’ll 8
Never Forget
9
Be Generous, and 10
Alzheimer's Hero
Overcoming Neg- 11
ative Emotions
Fall Harvest Raffle
$1.00 - 1 ticket
$5.00 - 6 tickets
$10.00 - 15 Tickets
Drawing:
October 26, 2015
Proceeds Benefit:
American Cancer Society - Relay for Life of Lake Winnipesaukee
Team Carroll County Crusaders
Page 2
Halloween Happenings:
Trick or Treating
Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Bring the kids dressed in costume for some
safe trick or treating. Start in the Mount Washington Valley Room and then make a stop in each
household common area (8 total). Cookies and punched will be served in the Mount Washington Valley Room.
Children’s Trick or Retreat
 Immediately following the Trick or Treat with the residents, you are all invited to participate
in our day long Festival that will be happening, One Song World Stock’s “Rocktoberfest.”
 Michelle McLean, owner of Kelly’s Kreations in Wolfeboro will work with the children to
make special Halloween themed crafts, as well as decorate some flash cards in Halloween
theme that will be used in the filming of the “One-Song” music video.
 The children are encouraged to participate in the music video. They will have fun being part
of the whole process of creating the props, along with being in the video if they choose.
 Barbara Hughes, who is co-directing this event, will have forms to fill out if they wish to be
in the music video filming. The video matches the song, “One-Song” with the theme that
“We are One Song.”
 Please let me know if you’d like to participate in other activities throughout the day, especially the crafts part so Michelle and Barbara have an idea of how many crafts supplies to buy.
 There will be live music, workshop, games and all kinds of great activities throughout the
day so there will be a calendar of activities available soon.
 Barbara Hughes can be reached at: 928-202-1447 or [email protected] if you have
questions about what happens after Trick or Treating.
Resident Halloween Party:
Friday, October 30th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Start in the MWV room with some games and treats.
This is Costume Day, so all staff and residents are encouraged to dress in costumes. We are
planning a big Halloween surprise that day for those that are brave enough to go on an adventure.
Donations Needed! We are in need of individually wrapped candy or treats to be handed out
during the trick or treating. Donations can be left in the front office. We are also in need of
some decorations and such for our surprise event. Please contact Aleks Smith in Recreation for
more information.
For more information on any of our
Halloween Happenings, contact Susan
LeClair at 297-4422 or
[email protected]
October 2015
Page 3
Happy October Birthday To:
10/10
Mary Craigue
10/11
Jane Quimby
10/22
Carra Moore
Happy October Anniversary To:
1 Year:
5 Years:
15 Years:
Mason Laurent
William Judge
Carol Guilbault
8 Years:
16 Years:
2 Years:
Jennifer Dockham
Meaghan Jedrey
Elizabeth Ahlin
Linda Stutzman
Lori Tetreault
18 Years:
3 Years:
9 Years:
Jennifer Mason
Jodie Buffum
Cassandra OBlenes
19 Years:
10 Years:
4 Years:
Diane Farnsworth
Cynthia Gavett
Alvah Gomes
14 Years:
Monica Ingham
Debra Zwearcan
Julie Cole
Nicole Gentile
Susan LeClair
Page 4
Mountain View News
Dear Residents, Friends, and Family:
My name is Barbara Hughes and my father, Don Hughes, is a resident at Mountain View in the
Mt. Whittier area. My father has wanted to give gifts to staff as his way of saying how much
he appreciates all the amazing care and kindness for a very difficult job. Given the nature of
the healthcare industry laws, it took a while to figure out how to do this and be inclusive of all;
the solution was a celebration and raffle system where community businesses, family and
friends could donate to, as one general raffle and auction.
I am happy to invite you to our first annual event at Mountain View, on Saturday October 24 th
from 10:00 am – 7:30pm. The event is called One Song World Stock- A “Rocktoberfest Kick
off,” and “Community Unity” celebration, recognizing all the staff, caregivers and volunteers
who give some much of themselves. This is the day to give back and celebrate all their love,
kindness and hard work. And it’s also a wonderful day to have entertainment, games, educational talks and workshops, and T.L.C healing sessions; something creative, fun and relaxing to
bring all generations together as one.
I am personally in awe of the amazing work I have seen, and such genuine caring in the difficult situations we all face, and so I am inspired to put this event together.
It is my wish that you will all participate by attending, donating prizes, both cash and otherwise and/or kind words you’d like us to share. It would be fun to have a story of two of your
family member that we or the Mountain View staff may not know, but would be interesting to
know.
I can be reached at the following contact information below, and I look forward to seeing you
all there. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, and if you didn’t receive a calendar of events for the day.
With gratitude,
Barbara Hughes
[email protected]
928-202-1447
Mark Your Calendars for the Annual Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 21st, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crafts and White Elephant Sale! Hot lunch is available.
Vendor Space for Rent: - $20, Call now to reserve a space!
Tables available on a limited basis
Contact Susan LeClair at 297-4422 or [email protected]
October 2015
Page 5
Children’s Trick or Retreat
Dear Parents:
Immediately following the Trick or Treat with the residents, you are all invited to participate in
our day long Festival that will be happening, One Song World Stock’s “Rocktoberfest.”
Michelle McLean, owner of Kelly’s Kreations in Wolfeboro will work with the children to
make special Halloween themed crafts, as well as decorate some flash cards in Halloween
theme that will be used in the filming of the “One-Song” music video.
The children are encouraged to participate in the music video. They will have fun being part of
the whole process of creating the props, along with being in the video if they choose.
Barbara Hughes, who is co-directing this event day with me will have forms to fill out if they
wish to be in the music video filming. The video matches the song, “One-Song” with the
theme that “We are One Song.”
Please let me know if you’d like to participate in other activities throughout the day, especially the crafts part so Michelle and Barbara have an
idea of how many crafts supplies to buy.
There will be live music, workshop, games and all kinds of great activities
throughout the day so there will be a calendar of activities available soon.
Barbara Hughes can be reached at: 928-202-1447 or [email protected] if you have questions about what happens after Trick
or Treating.
Relay For Life of Lake Winnipesaukee
The Lake Winnipesaukee Relay Committee is gearing up for the 2016 season! Relay for Life is
an annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. All monies raised by our Lake Winnipesaukee event stay in New Hampshire to assist cancer patients and their caregivers. We are always looking for new teams or new members for the Carroll County Crusaders team. Registration is now open and registration fee is once again waved.
Cancer Survivors are encouraged to attend and enjoy a free brunch, t-shirt and door prizes.
This year’s event will again be an all-day event vs. previous years when it went through the
night. Festivities start at 10 a.m. and will wrap up by 11 p.m. at The Nick in Wolfeboro on June
25, 2016. Anyone is welcome to join us for the whole day or just to visit and make a few laps.
If you would like more information you can speak with Lisa Howard in Social Services or email her at [email protected]. You can also visit the website to register for our team, or
create a team of your own at www.relayforlife.org. Use zip code 03894 to find the Lake Winnipesaukee event.
Page 6
Mountain View News
Portrait Package Raffle
Get a Hair Style and Photo Session ($110 Value)
Photo Session provided by:
Flutter My Shutter LLP Photography
Hair Style provided by:
All About The Do
Tickets:
1 - $1.00; 6 - $5.00; 15 - $10.00
Drawing:
October 15, 2015
Proceeds Benefit:
Relay for Life of Lake Winnipesaukee
Happy Hands Program at MVC!
For the last several months, once a week, trained volunteers have been enjoying time with residents while shaping fingernails, applying polish (if desired) and doing hand massages. It’s a
social time as well as tending to nail care... but there is nothing quite like holding the hands of
a new friend. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Susan LeClair!
October 2015
Page 7
Chaplains Corner
I am happy to have been invited to share a few encouraging words with you this month. I
want to take this opportunity to share a story I find myself remembering each year at the start
of the fall season.
This true story took place toward the end of my junior year of high school. All semester I
had struggled with a particular class and unless God performed a miracle it looked like I would
fail. I have to admit that I wasn’t failing because the class was too hard but because I spent too
much of my time goofing off and not studying.
I kept all this to myself hoping that I could pull off a passing grade in the nick of time. I
even lied to my mom when she asked me how school was going. Each time I’d simply say I
was doing fine in all my classes. Finally, when I couldn’t take the guilt any longer I broke
down and told my mom everything. I shed a lot of tears as I confessed to her. While I don’t remember a word she said I could tell I had hurt her and violated her trust.
A couple days later my mom handed me a beautifully wrapped gift. At first I didn’t know
why she was giving me a gift. It wasn’t my birthday, and there certainly wasn’t anything I’d
done recently that should be celebrated! I had no idea what could be inside.
I tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside was a ceramic figurine of a boy holding a report card. The writing on the report card was illegible—but from the single teardrop on the
boy’s face it was obvious he had failed.
Normally I’m not one for cute little figurines but that one meant—and still means—the
world to me. In fact, I’ve kept it to this day. I’ve kept it because it reminds me of the day my
mother showed me unconditional love and grace. She had every right to be angry with me. Instead, she had compassion on me and gave me the gift of forgiveness. In giving me that little
figurine my mom was letting me know she understood how I was feeling and that her love for
me hadn’t changed.
Thirty-five years have passed since I was in high school. But, I still remember that day like
it was yesterday. My mom set an example I’ve tried to follow ever since. People—especially
our children and grandchildren—need our love, acceptance, grace and forgiveness. Without realizing it, my mom left a legacy that’s transformed my life.
And, without realizing it, my mom taught me a priceless lesson about God’s love for us.
The Bible assures us that we, as flawed human beings, deserved God’s wrath. However, in Jesus, God has showered us with grace and forgiveness. And that brings a tear of joy to my eyes!
Blessings,
Dan Mitchum
Lead Pastor at the First Congregational Church of Ossipee
Page 8
Mountain View News
The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget
by Kent Nerburn
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a
pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under
these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive
away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only
means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This
passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the
door and knocked.
"Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice.
I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A
small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with
a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered
with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In
the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept
thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother
treated."
"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and
then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."
I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had
once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her
husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd
ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
October 2015
Page 9
The Cab Ride Continued...
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab
as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must
have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers."
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was
the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of
that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was
impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware – beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
Protect Our Residents,
Protect Your Family,
Protect Yourself!
An annual flu shot is the best way to
prevent influenza and avoid spreading it
to others, including residents, co-workers
and loved ones.
Page 10
Mountain View News
Be Generous!
Generosity at work is important. It makes you feel good and well liked, and can help create a
more supportive, caring environment.
But, more than that, says leadership expert, Jodi Glickman, of Cornell University, “elegantly
simple, yet extremely powerful, generosity can make your career.”
Generous work behaviors. Here are some ways to show your generosity at work:




Pass any important information promptly to co-workers and supervisors.
Communicate clearly, so that they don’t have to guess or come back for clarification.
Share credit for achievements and responsibility for mistakes or failure.
Be available to help, support, encourage, and give advice or feedback.
Key to effective teamwork. Look carefully and you’ll find that the above behaviors are simply
ways to express generosity. They are key to being a good team member and, in turn, a successful caregiver.
Glickman says: while not always easy to master, generosity is “a powerful approach to
working with your colleagues and your team – one that will help you earn your way to the
top.”
Alzheimer’s Hero
By Valerie Stephenson
You entered my world extending your hand,
Reaching for the “me” that I had lost.
You helped me remember who I am
With kind and gentle reminders
Of the memories composing my life.
You took the time to know me
Beyond the intricacies of my diseaseYou helped me find my way, each day,
Easing my fears,
Helping me feel that I still belong.
You overlooked my daily confusion,
Understanding the rage, giving me comfort.
You walked along with me, not for me,
Helping me face the day
With a sense of dignity and a semblance of
pride.
My memory fades,
But I know when someone cares.
And I know when I look into your eyes
That you are my hero.
For you are faithful, you are strong,
And you respect the best of who I am.
And I know that your belief and steadfastness
Have allowed me to rediscover
The strength and courage
Of the hero that lies within me.
October 2015
Page 11
Overcoming Negative Emotions
Negative emotions are disruptive, in any profession and environment. And that is, in itself, a
good reason for avoiding them. But it’s not the only one. If you are angry or feel down, your
mind is distracted by negative thoughts, all the time. And this can make it difficult to focus on being an effective caregiver. You are also more likely to make mistakes that can harm
residents or coworkers. And, since being in a bad mood takes a lot of mental energy, your risk
of burnout increases.
Taking Control. The problem is that you can’t avoid feeling angry, upset or sad at times. It’s
part of life. But, the good news is that you can prevent or control these emotions, thereby
stopping them from affecting your caregiving.
Nurse educator Julie Fuimano-Donley, explains how, in American Nurse Today:




Every time you experience negative feelings, make it a point to keep them in check. For,
in doing so, you choose to be your best.
Stop dwelling on what you can’t change or control. You’ll immediately experience a huge
sense of relief. And there will be fewer reasons for getting angry or upset.
Make the most of what you have. For example, assume you are left with only a few minutes
to complete a task that normally takes longer. Losing your temper won’t help, whereas focusing on using your time wisely can make all the difference.
Have realistic expectations. The truth is, things don’t always go as planned. If you accept
this, it’ll be easier not to give in to negative emotions in difficult situations. And you’ll be better able to build happy work relationships that last.
“Every time you experience negative feelings, make it a point to keep them in check.”
Why Should You Clean Your Hands?
All health care workers involved in resident care need to perform hand hygiene to protect residents and yourself against harmful germs carried on your hands. Hands are the most common
vehicle to transmit health care associated pathogens. According to the CDC, you should ALWAYS clean your hands: BEFORE TOUCHING A RESIDENT, BEFORE ANY PROCEDURES, AFTER BODY FLUID EXPOSURE,
AFTER TOUCHING A RESIDENT AND, AFTER TOUCHING
RESIDENT SURROUNDINGS. This includes after contact with a
resident’s intact skin as well. A recent study of 131 healthcare workers showed: after touching the resident and or environment, 75% of
ungloved hands were contaminated with VRE. After touching only
the environment, 21% were contaminated. So, WASH, WASH,
WASH YOUR HANDS!!
Mountain View
Community
93 Water Village Road
Ossipee, NH 03864