The Palm Garden Post
OCTOBER 2017
October 2017
Palm Garden “Secret Santa Shop” Christmas time will be here before we know it! While this is a season of joy and gladness for many, it can be a difficult time for residents in a long-term care setting. There are many traditions and activities they are no longer able to do. One of the things we hear so often is, “I can’t buy anything for my loved one because I don’t have any money and even if I did I can’t get out to go shopping.” At Palm Garden Sun City, this year will be different! To promote independence and generate a sense of self-worth and well-being we will be having a “Secret Santa’s Store”. Our residents will be getting *money for attending certain group activities they attend, horse racing, bingo, and black jack. In December, they will be able to purchase gifts for their loved ones. This will provide them with the ability to continue enjoying one of their favorite activities of Christmas. If you would like to donate a gift of money or item to the Palm Garden Sun City Secret Santa Shop, please see one of the life enrichment team members.
Introducing Linda Metheny We are very excited to welcome Linda Metheny to our management team. Linda comes to us with over 33 years of culinary experience. She has already implemented some positive changes to enhance the dining experience. Linda attended Auburn University for her Dietary Manager Certificate. She has been working in the health care industry for over 33 years. She has also done catering for wedding receptions, graduations, and other special occasions. Linda lives in Bradenton with her husband of 33 years. She has 2 adult children and one granddaughter. She loves to be outside and enjoys camping, swimming and outdoor sports. As a hobby, Linda enjoys all types of crafting some of her favorites are making wall hangings, gift baskets, wood working, and holiday wreaths.
The Palm Garden Post
October Employee of the Month
Palm Garden Sun City Center * 3850 Upper Creek Drive * (813) 633- 6127*
Sabu Mathew 3-11 C.N.A.
Independence is important
Management Team Executive Director
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE HAPPY HOUR EVERY FRIDAY AT 3:30 IN THE LIFE ENRICHMET ROOM? We would love to have some of our short-term guests join us. We have live entertainment, Hors d’oeuvres, and beverage of your choice.
George Hanley Clinical Services Director
Cathy Bloom Clinical Services Assistant Clinical Services Coordinator West
Natalie Dusek Clinical Services Coordinator East
Robin Rich Quality Service Director
Donna Ottmer Rehab Director
Lisa Housel Social Services
Michelle Verstrate Cindy Holmers Life Enrichment Director
Karen Birbeck Director of Culinary Services
Early Risers Coffee Club Do you enjoy a good cup of fresh hot coffee? Our therapy department has fresh hot coffee and specialty coffees available for you our early risers. If you like to get up early and would like to have your therapy before breakfast, let your therapist know. They will arange for you to get up early and start your therapy…. after a cup of coffee!
Linda Metheny Environmental Services
Albert Holton Maintenance Director
Jim O Connor Business Office Manager
Kourtney Thurber
Did you know a loss of independence for residents living in a long-term care facility can trigger a number of emotions including, anger, fear, guilt, and depression? Studies have shown the lack of independence have both physical and emotional impacts on the elderly. The importance of being independent is twofold for seniors. Independence is sometimes the only thing seniors may feel they can control as certain aspects of their lives change with age. Additionally, maintaining independence promotes a sense of achievement for that of many seniors generates a great sense of self-worth and well-being. The main goal of the Palm Garden Life Enrichment Department is to improve the quality of life for our residents. Our residents may not be in a position to do everything on their own. So many times, family members, friends, and even caregivers do things for our residents that they can do for themselves. My biggest pet peeve is when someone wheels a resident to an activity but, they are able to wheel themselves. I can’t tell you how many times I have said to the life enrichment assistance,” if a resident can wheel themselves DO NOT wheel them to or from a group activity. Although we mean well, a resident wheeling themselves helps them maintain some independence, promotes a sense of achievement, and generates a great sense of self-worth and well-being. The next time you go to help a resident, asks yourself, “can they do this for themselves?” If the answer is “yes” (as hard as this may be) for their well-being, back away and let them be independent.
Please help promote independence and help our residents enjoy the holidays! (See “Secret Santa Shop” article on back page)
October 2017
Palm Garden “Secret Santa Shop” Christmas time will be here before we know it! While this is a season of joy and gladness for many, it can be a difficult time for residents in a long-term care setting. There are many traditions and activities they are no longer able to do. One of the things we hear so often is, “I can’t buy anything for my loved one because I don’t have any money and even if I did I can’t get out to go shopping.” At Palm Garden Sun City, this year will be different! To promote independence and generate a sense of self-worth and well-being we will be having a “Secret Santa’s Store”. Our residents will be getting *money for attending certain group activities they attend, horse racing, bingo, and black jack. In December, they will be able to purchase gifts for their loved ones. This will provide them with the ability to continue enjoying one of their favorite activities of Christmas. If you would like to donate a gift of money or item to the Palm Garden Sun City Secret Santa Shop, please see one of the life enrichment team members.
Introducing Linda Metheny We are very excited to welcome Linda Metheny to our management team. Linda comes to us with over 33 years of culinary experience. She has already implemented some positive changes to enhance the dining experience. Linda attended Auburn University for her Dietary Manager Certificate. She has been working in the health care industry for over 33 years. She has also done catering for wedding receptions, graduations, and other special occasions. Linda lives in Bradenton with her husband of 33 years. She has 2 adult children and one granddaughter. She loves to be outside and enjoys camping, swimming and outdoor sports. As a hobby, Linda enjoys all types of crafting some of her favorites are making wall hangings, gift baskets, wood working, and holiday wreaths.
The Palm Garden Post
October Employee of the Month
Palm Garden Sun City Center * 3850 Upper Creek Drive * (813) 633- 6127*
Sabu Mathew 3-11 C.N.A.
Independence is important
Management Team Executive Director
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE HAPPY HOUR EVERY FRIDAY AT 3:30 IN THE LIFE ENRICHMET ROOM? We would love to have some of our short-term guests join us. We have live entertainment, Hors d’oeuvres, and beverage of your choice.
George Hanley Clinical Services Director
Cathy Bloom Clinical Services Assistant Clinical Services Coordinator West
Natalie Dusek Clinical Services Coordinator East
Robin Rich Quality Service Director
Donna Ottmer Rehab Director
Lisa Housel Social Services
Michelle Verstrate Cindy Holmers Life Enrichment Director
Karen Birbeck Director of Culinary Services
Early Risers Coffee Club Do you enjoy a good cup of fresh hot coffee? Our therapy department has fresh hot coffee and specialty coffees available for you our early risers. If you like to get up early and would like to have your therapy before breakfast, let your therapist know. They will arange for you to get up early and start your therapy…. after a cup of coffee!
Linda Metheny Environmental Services
Albert Holton Maintenance Director
Jim O Connor Business Office Manager
Kourtney Thurber
Did you know a loss of independence for residents living in a long-term care facility can trigger a number of emotions including, anger, fear, guilt, and depression? Studies have shown the lack of independence have both physical and emotional impacts on the elderly. The importance of being independent is twofold for seniors. Independence is sometimes the only thing seniors may feel they can control as certain aspects of their lives change with age. Additionally, maintaining independence promotes a sense of achievement for that of many seniors generates a great sense of self-worth and well-being. The main goal of the Palm Garden Life Enrichment Department is to improve the quality of life for our residents. Our residents may not be in a position to do everything on their own. So many times, family members, friends, and even caregivers do things for our residents that they can do for themselves. My biggest pet peeve is when someone wheels a resident to an activity but, they are able to wheel themselves. I can’t tell you how many times I have said to the life enrichment assistance,” if a resident can wheel themselves DO NOT wheel them to or from a group activity. Although we mean well, a resident wheeling themselves helps them maintain some independence, promotes a sense of achievement, and generates a great sense of self-worth and well-being. The next time you go to help a resident, asks yourself, “can they do this for themselves?” If the answer is “yes” (as hard as this may be) for their well-being, back away and let them be independent.
Please help promote independence and help our residents enjoy the holidays! (See “Secret Santa Shop” article on back page)
