Dodge Park and the Oasis at Dodge Park Community Newsletter … · 2020/8/7 · 4 Dodge Park Rest...

Memoriesare made at Dodge Park & Oasis

Neighborhood Connection is now digital!Email [email protected] to get it delivered to your inboxeach month. Print editions will mail out every other month only.

Dodge Park Rest Home (since 1967) and the Oasis at Dodge Park (Since 2017) has been serving the Worcester area as the most professional, ethical and highest quality care facility for the elderly.

We are committed to listening and responding to the needs of the residents, their family members and our employees. We are committed to going the extra mile when assistance is required by the public, the residents and their family members.

We will remain committed to an entrepreneurial spirit which does not tolerate waste or bureaucracy, but rewards achievement.

– Micha Shalev & Ben Herlinger, Administrators /Owners

Dodge Park and the Oasis at Dodge Park Community Newsletter August 2020

A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

Thank You to the National Guard!

Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545 2 2 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545

Bringing LIFE to Those We Serve

DODGE PARK REST HOME &

OASIS AT DODGE PARKMicha Shalev MHA Executive Director/Owner

[email protected]

Ben Herlinger Adminstrator/Owner

[email protected]

Carrie Lindberg RN, BSN Director Of Nursing

[email protected]

101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606


Phone: 508.853.8180 Fax: 508.853.4545

The Dodge Park Family of Care Services

Dodge Park Rest Home The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park Dodge Park At Home Dusk to Dawn at Dodge Park

The Oasis at Dodge Park

Throughout the last several decades, the average American’s life expectancy has increased significantly. Statistics show that in 2011 there were 5.7 million people 85 or older; by 2040 that number is expected to be 14.1 million.

Advances in medicine and technology, as well as growing awareness of healthy lifestyle practices, mean that Americans not only live longer, but they also live better.

However, as the population ages, needs change and senior living communities are becoming a vital partner in addressing those needs. The decision to relocate to a senior living community is not easy. However, making that choice offers a number of important benefits, including physical, emotional, social and mental stimulation, as well as the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supervised environment. Currently, approximately one million Americans live in some type of senior living facility and an anticipated two million seniors will reside in such communities by 2030.

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, with costs soaring past a quarter of a trillion dollars.

▪ In 2017, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer’s will total an estimated $2 59 billion. ▪ Average per-person Medicare spending for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is more than three times higher than average per-person spending across all other seniors. Medicaid payments are 23 times higher. ▪ Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer’s will cost $1.1 trillion (in 2017 dollars). ▪ Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer’s. In 2050, it will be more than one in every three dollars.

Alzheimer’s kills – and deaths have nearly doubled in the last 14 years. ▪ Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United

States and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. ▪ Deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 89 percent from 2000 to 2014, while deaths from other major diseases (including heart disease, stroke, breast and prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS) decreased. ▪ Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is exceptionally demanding. ▪ In 2016, more than 15 million family members and friends provided 18.2 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s

Dodge Park & Oasis at Dodge ParkMicha Shalev MHA Executive Director/[email protected]

Ben Herlinger Adminstrator/[email protected]

Carrie Lindberg RN, BSN Director of [email protected]

Renee Kublbeck RN, BSN Assistant Director of [email protected]

Meri Toomey RN Assistant Director of [email protected]



Phone: 508.853.8180 Fax: 508.853.4545

The Dodge Park Family of Care ServicesDodge Park Rest Home www.dodgepark.com

The Oasis at Dodge Park www.oasisatdodgepark.com

The Adult Day Club at Dodge ParkDodge Park At HomeDusk to Dawn at Dodge Park

Tips for effective communication with Memory Impaired Loved OnesBy Micha ShalevBoth family and paid caregivers may overlook various barriers to effective communication with impaired older adults and conse-quently misinterpret verbal and behavioral messages.

When someone has Alzheimer’s disease, or any other form of memory impairment, communication can become more difficult. Their understanding of what you are saying and their ability to make you understand their world can be highly variable and each person will react to different stimuli in different ways. This means we have to be sensitive to the way we present ourselves and how we give information when we talk with someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

For the most effective way to talk and communicates with some-one who has Alzheimer’s it is important to remember a few simple rules.

Body language, communication and Alzheimer’sYour facial expression, your body language, the tone of your voice become extra important when talking and communicating to someone with neurological problems. If a person with dementia feels threatened, undermined or confused by your communica-tion with them they may react in a negative way to your inter-ventions.i.e. conversation or information can increase agitation, undermine their confidence, increase their feelings of isolation.

Environmental awareness aids communicationIs the lighting sufficient to aid communication? In conversation we usually look at the face and body of the person talking to us. It helps us to understand content and intent. Make sure you have some light on your face. Be aware about communication in a dark room through the night.

Identify yourself and address the person by nameThis helps someone with Alzheimer’s to orientate.

Does the person with dementia have hearing or sight difficulties?Make allowances for visual and hearing deficits. Look into getting a medical evaluation and aids to assist communication.

Make sure you have the person’s attention

Speak slowly, calmly and distinctly.For effective communication you need to balance distinctive speech without treating the person with dementia as a child, without shouting or becoming angry with them if they do not un-derstand. Shouting also affects the tone of your voice and makes understanding more difficult. Do not get angry even if you find yourself becoming frustrated. We will all have seen people talking too loudly at people with dementia, it’s not nice and it really does not help theirself respect and confidence.

Use simple, direct statements and information• Use words the person can understand.• Do not give more than one instruction at a time.• Do not press for an answer if that worries or confuses them.

• Ask questions that require a “yes” or “no” response if that aids conversation and understanding

If you do not understand the content of their conversationIf you do not understand what they have said you can ask them to repeat it. Sometimes conversing with individuals with Alzheimer’s is not necessarily about understanding; it is about showing care, concern, inclusion and love towards them.

Correcting wrong informationIt is not necessary to constantly correct the validity of the person’s statements if it includes wrong information.

Micha Shalev MHA is the owner of Dodge Park Rest Home at 101 Randolph Road in Worcester. He can be reached at 508-853-8180 or by e-mail at [email protected] or view more information online at www.dodgepark.com.

Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545 3

REVIEWS FROM CARING.COM

My Mother is very well taken care of, the food is great, and the staff is excellent. And currently the management, and staff

have done an extraordinary job keeping Covid19 out of the building and away from the residents. I highly recommend this

facility to your family.

The staff at the Oasis is second to none....they care deeply for the seniors in their care. We are grateful for the precautions they have taken during this pandemic and feel our mother is being protected and getting wonderful care.

Having experienced several nursing homes throughout Massachusetts for both parents, I can say that Oasis is far and away the best. The owners are great and the staff sets them apart from the rest. There are great indoor and outdoor facilities and activities throughout the day. The staff is not only great with the patients, but their families too. They are extra communicative, and help throughout the entire patient lifecycle, with true sincerity for the difficulty of the situation. I couldn’t recommend this place enough.

One of a kind facility. Mom moved to Dodge Park after she was placed at a very expensive “dementia special” unit. What a bad experience. Luckily we found Dodge Park through a co-worker that her mother currently reside at Dodge Park. What a small world. The owners were amazing. Micha (one of the owners ) met with me with a short notice on Sat night and on Sun morning (next morning) we all went to visit mom. We truly found a part-ner for care. I can call both Micha and Ben anytime on their cell phone and they always available.


Dear Ben, Micha and the Staff of the Oasis,

We want to thank you for the outstanding care that our Uncle Tony received at The Oasis. During his stay there we felt he was well taken care of, safe and treated with dignity and respect. The staff treated him and us like we were family. We will miss visiting with our uncle and enjoying great meals, entertainment and other activities along with your wonderful staff. We appreciate everything that was done for him from his first day there until his last breath.

We highly recommend The Oasis at Dodge Park to anyone who has a family member that needs this special care.

Thank you so much for the special tribute of the planting of the “Tree for Israel” in his memory and the beautiful flower arrangement.

Sincerely,

Donna, Steve and Eileen

Thank you... July 19, 2020


Caring during these difficult times...

“Thank you, for doing all that you do, especially during this unprecedented time.” - Paula O.

“Thank you for your loving touch to your guest. You do an awesome job!” - Denise A.

“Thank you too all of you. We pray that this is over soon, and we pray for everyone’s safety. You are all the most amazing people, and are doing a great job.”- Barbara B.

“Our family appreciates how all staff continues to go above and beyond each and every day. At this difficult time I want to thank all employees for everything they do for all the residents and a special thank you to Micha and Ben.” - Linda M.

“I know that my Mom is in the best of care. All of you have always had the best intentions and care for all of your residents. We are incredibly blessed to have such caring, patient people as caregivers of our most precious family mem-bers. May God bless you all.”- Debbie P.


As part of enforcing the importance of social distance, hand hygiene, well care and disinfection protocols, we developed

A Hero’s Pledge where we signed all our staff member on it.

All Dodge Park and Oasis at Dodge Park staff are remarkable group of individuals and we can not thank them enough.


During these unprecedented times we are recognizing

ALL our employees this month!Thank you for your hard work and dedication.


Memory care at Dodge Park Rest Home and Oasis at Dodge Park:

Where everyone knows your name II magine a place where individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia feel right at home. Imagine a place where they can regain a sense of fulfillment. Dodge Park Rest Home and Oasis at Dodge Park on Randolph Road in Worcester are just such a setting. The facilities’ N’efesh to N’efesh Memory Care Program (from the Hebrew for “soul to soul”) strives to help those strug-gling with memory loss at any stage to build and maintain cognitive ability. Based on research from a variety of recent studies, Dodge Park Rest Home and Oasis’s specially designed program is comprised of six pillars of activities in which memory care resi-dents and their families join in. These include Physical Exercise, Stress Reduction, Cognitive Exercise, Specialized Digital Programs, Purposeful Social Activities and Support Groups and Resident Council. Resident-centered care is at the cornerstone of the N’efesh to N’efesh Memory Care Program at Dodge Park and Oasis at Dodge Park. Caregivers, staff and the management team are specially

trained to focus on the strengths of each person and to understand a resi-dent’s preferences, accomplishments and family ties. Each resident’s pref-erences and life story contribute to the individualized care plan and activi-ties they take part in, from dining choices to daily activities and specialized care. Oasis’s Activity Coordinator Amy Bustin says: “One of my favorite activities at Oasis at Dodge Park is our Reminiscing Program. Here the residents and caregivers share their personal stories. We use this time to learn about each other and recall experiences from the past. A simple question of ‘where did you grow up?’ brought up old memories for one resident and we were soon talking about summers at ‘the World’s Fair’ in St. Louis. For residents, re-calling the past is important as their disease can rob them of these moments. Care-

givers in turn have been able to learn about the lives of the residents. Using these tools has seamlessly turned my resi-dents from the people I assist to those who feel like family. I feel blessed to know each of them. “In my experience, music has been one of the most pow-

erful tools we have in the memory-care program. One resident could not recall how many children they had but was able to sing all of the words to ‘God Bless America’ with me. I have used sing-a-longs many times to redirect those that are upset. The familiarity of the music is comforting while sharing the song experience creates a bond between residents and the aides. A quiet room can quickly be filled with ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ or ‘Grand Ol’ Flag.’ The variety of music pro-grams we have each week is engaging—from drum circle to upbeat aerobics to quiet background music early in the morning. Music has become one of the best ways to make connections on a daily basis.” www.oasisatdodgepark.com https://dodgepark.com 877-363-4775 508-853-8180

‘We feel so fortunate that we found the Oasis’ Judy Atkins Bath’s mother Nancy Atkins has been a resident at Oasis at Dodge Park since just after the facility opened in 2017 and is thriving in the environment due in large part to the N’efesh to N’efesh Memory Care Program. “What works best for my mom,” Ms. Bath said, “is the music that’s offered, which brings back memories of entertainers she enjoyed when she was younger: Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Roger Whitaker. We have a little player in her room too. When the music starts, she is in the front row center and singing and very happy and engaged with it. When Bill McCarthy announced ‘this one’s for you, Nancy, and broke into Que Sera Sera (‘Que sera, sera/whatever will be, will be/the future’s not ours to see/Que sera, sera/what will be, will be’), she loved it. It is just wonderful for Oasis’s staff and (Activity Director) Amy Bustin to do this. Amy’s great, dancing and clapping with the residents. We feel so fortunate that we found the Oasis.” `Mom is doing fabulous at the Oasis’ Lisa Swalec’s mother Margaret Leroux—”Judy”—benefits immensely from the affection showered on her by an Oasis staff that is “compassionate and patient,” Ms. Swalec says. “She was at home with twenty four-hour care for two years. Oasis gives her more socialization than she was getting. My father was briefly at Dodge Park before he died. The amaz-ing thing is the music, Saturday nights and Sunday after-noons. The whole facility is memory care and residents are allowed to move about; they are not confined to one wing.”


How to Detect & Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older AdultsEveryone knows that vitamins and nutrition are important for health, and many older adults take a multivitamin.

But did you know that even among older persons who do this, many still end up developing a serious deficiency in one particular vitamin?

It’s Vitamin B12.

If there’s one vitamin that I’d like all older adults and family caregivers to know more about, it would be vitamin B12.

(Second on my list would be vitamin D, but it’s much harder to develop low vitamin D levels if you take a daily supplement, as I explain in this post. Whereas vitamin B12 deficiency does develop in many older adults who are getting their recommended daily allow-ance.)

A deficiency in any vitamin can be catastrophic for health. But vitamin B12 deficiency stands out because a) it’s very common — experts have estimated that up to 20% of older adults may be low in this vitamin — and b) it’s often missed by doctors.

Geriatricians also like to pay attention to vitamin B12 because a deficiency can cause — or usually worsen — cognitive impairment or walking problems.

But if you know the symptoms and risk factors, you can help ensure that you get a vitamin B12 deficiency detected. Treatment is safe and effective, as long as you catch the problem before permanent damage occurs. Here’s what to know.

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency Harms HealthIn the body, vitamin B12 – also known as cobalamin — is especially vital to making red blood cells, and maintaining proper function of nerve cells. When vitamin B12 levels are low, a person can develop health problems related to red blood cells and nerve cells malfunctioning.

The most common problems related to low vitamin B12 levels include:

·Anemia. This means the red blood cell count is low. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the blood, so anemia can cause fatigue or shortness of breath. The break-down of faulty red blood cells can also cause jaundice. (Learn more about anemia here: Anemia in the Older Adult: 10 Common Causes & What to Ask.)

· Neuropathy. This means that nerves in the body are not working well. This can cause a variety of symp-toms, including tingling, numbness, burning, poor balance, and walking difficulties.

· Cognitive impairment. This means that nerve cells in the brain are not working well. This can cause mem-ory problems, irritability, and even dementia.

You may have heard that vitamin B12 deficiency can cause pernicious anemia. But in fact, the term “perni-cious anemia” means a specific vitamin B12 deficiency caused by the loss of a body’s ability to make “intrin-sic factor.” The body needs intrinsic factor to absorb vitamin B12; without it, vitamin B12 levels eventually drop. This often causes anemia, but sometimes symp-toms of nerve and brain problems occur first.

Why Low Vitamin B12 Levels Are Common in Older AdultsTo understand how low vitamin B12 levels happen in aging adults, it’s good to start by learning how the body usually obtains and processes this vitamin.

In nature, vitamin B12 is available to humans only in meat and dairy products. However, in modern times, you can easily get it via a supplement or multivitamin. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Experts have estimated that a Western diet contains 5-7 micrograms of vitamin B12, and a multivitamin often contains 12-25 micrograms.

https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/vitamin-d-healthy-aging-dose-faqs/

https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/cognitive-impairment-causes-and-how-to-evaluate/

https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/anemia-in-aging/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000569.htm

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/


Once you ingest vitamin B12, it is processed by acids and enzymes in the stomach and small intestine. The processed vitamin is then absorbed by the small intes-tine and stored in the body, especially in the liver.

This stash can actually meet the body’s needs for a few years; although vitamin B12 is essential, only a tiny bit is needed every day. So if a healthy person stops taking in vitamin B12, it often takes a few years before the body runs out of it and develops symptoms.

So why does vitamin B12 deficiency particularly affect older adults?

As people get older, their ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases. This is because aging adults often develop problems with the acids and stomach enzymes needed to process the vitamin.

Common risk factors for low vitamin B12 levels in older adults include:

·Low levels of stomach acid. This can be due to weak-ening of the stomach lining, or to medications that reduce stomach acid.

·Medications such as metformin (used for diabetes), which interferes with vitamin B12 absorption.

·Alcoholism, which irritates the stomach and some-times is linked to a poor diet.

·Surgeries to remove parts (or all) of the stomach or small intestine.

·Any problem that causes poor absorption in the stom-ach or small intestine, such as Crohn’s disease.

Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency Is Often Missed in Aging AdultsVitamin B12 deficiency is often missed because the symptoms – fatigue, anemia, neuropathy, memory problems, or walking difficulties – are quite common in older adults, and can easily be caused by something else.

Also, vitamin B12 deficiency tends to come on very slowly, so people often go through a long period of be-ing mildly deficient. During this time, an older person might have barely noticeable symptoms, or the symp-

toms might be attributed to another chronic health condition.

Still, a mild deficiency will almost always get worse over time. And even when an older adult has many other causes for fatigue or problems with mobility, it’s good to fix whatever aggravating factors – such as a vitamin deficiency — can be fixed.

Unlike many problems that affect aging adults, vita-min B12 deficiency is quite treatable. Detection is the key; then make sure the treatment plan has raised the vitamin B12 levels and kept them steady.

Who Should Be Checked for Vitamin B12 DeficiencyAn older person should probably be checked for Vita-min B12 deficiency if he or she is experiencing any of the health problems that can be caused by low levels of this vitamin.

I especially recommend checking vitamin B12 levels if you’re concerned about memory, brain function, neu-ropathy, walking, or anemia.

To make sure you aren’t missing a mild vitamin B12 deficiency, you can also proactively check for low vita-min B12 levels if you or your older relative is suffering from any of the common risk factors associated with this condition.

For instance, you can request a vitamin B12 check if you’re vegetarian, or if you’ve suffered from problems related to the stomach, pancreas, or intestine. It’s also reasonable to check the level if you’ve been on medica-tion to reduce stomach acid for a long time.

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Diagnosed and TreatedThe first step in checking for deficiency is a blood test to check the serum level of vitamin B12.

Because folate deficiency can cause a similar type of anemia (megaloblastic anemia, which means a low red blood cell count with overly-large cells), doctors often test the blood for both folate and vitamin B12. Howev-er, folate deficiency is much less common.

You should know that it’s quite possible to have clin-ically low vitamin B12 levels without having anemia.



If a clinician pooh-poohs a request for a vitamin B12 check because an older person had a recent normal blood count, you can share this research article with him.

Although MedlinePlus says that “Normal values are 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL)”, the clinical reference UptoDate says that a normal serum vitamin B12 level is above 300 pg/mL.

If the vitamin B12 level is borderline, a confirmatory blood test can be ordered. It involves testing for meth-ylmalonic acid, which is higher than normal when people have vitamin B12 deficiency.

In my own practice, especially if an older person has risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency, I consider a vitamin B12 level of 200-400 pg/mL borderline, and I usually order a methylmalonic acid level as a fol-low-up.

If the blood tests confirm a vitamin B12 deficiency, the doctors will prescribe supplements to get the body’s levels back up. The doctor may also recommend ad-ditional tests or investigation to find out just why an older person has developed low vitamin B12.

The typical initial treatment for a significant vitamin B12 deficiency involves intramuscular shots – 1000 micrograms of the vitamin. This bypasses any absorp-tion problems in the stomach or intestine.

High-dose oral vitamin B12 supplements (1000-2000 micrograms per day) have also been shown to raise levels, because high doses can usually compensate for the body’s poor absorption. However, oral treatments probably take longer to work than intramuscular shots. So they’re not ideal for initially correcting a deficiency, although they’re sometimes used to maintain vitamin B12 levels.

I’ve found that most older patients prefer oral sup-plements over regular vitamin B12 injections, which is understandable; shots aren’t fun. However, this requires the older person to consistently take their sup-plement every single day. If you (or your older relative) has difficulty taking medications regularly, scheduled vitamin B12 shots are often the better option.

And the good thing about vitamin B12 treatment is that it’s basically impossible to overdose. Unlike some other vitamins, vitamin B12 doesn’t cause toxicity when levels are high.

So if you’re being treated for vitamin B12 deficiency, you don’t need to worry that the doctors will over-shoot. You just need to make sure a follow-up test has confirmed better vitamin B12 levels, and then you can work with the doctors to find the right maintenance dose to prevent future vitamin B12 deficiency.

Are There Other Benefits To Taking Vitamin B12 Supplements?Since we know vitamin B12 is necessary for proper function of red blood cells and brain cells, you might be wondering if it’s good to take higher doses of vita-min B12 as part of a healthy aging approach.

It certainly won’t hurt, since vitamin B12 doesn’t cause problems at higher blood levels the way some vitamins do.

But once an older person has a good level of vitamin B12 in the body, it’s not clear that additional vitamin B12 will reduce the risk of problems like cancer or de-mentia. To date, much of the research on the benefits of extra vitamin B12 has been inconclusive.

However, research has definitely confirmed that a deficiency in this essential vitamin is harmful to the body and the brain, with worse deficiencies generally causing greater harm.

So to help yourself or a loved one make the most of this vitamin, focus on detecting and treating vitamin B12 deficiency. Remember, this common problem is frequently overlooked.

You can help yourself by asking the doctor to check vitamin B12 if you’ve noticed any related symptoms, or by asking for a proactive check if you have any risk factors.

Older adults often have enough health problems to deal with. Let’s make sure to notice the ones that are easily detectable and treatable.


https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-vitamin-b12-and-folate-deficiency

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/%23h7/


AUGUST OBSERVANCESMonthlyBlack Business Month. Black business owners accountfor about 10% of U.S. businesses and about 30% of allminority-owned businesses. According to the U.S.Census Bureau, that amounts to approximately twomillion companies owned by African Americans.Support these businesses in August and all year round.

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Sponsoredby the American Academy of Ophthalmology, whichencourages parents to take children for an eyeexamination as part of their back-to-school checklist.In addition to immunizations and school orientations,it is highly recommended that children receive an eyeexamination before going back to school.

National Water Quality Month. The average personuses approximately 80 gallons of water or more perday for bathing, cleaning, household waste, anddrinking. Protecting our water resources and educatingourselves about water quality is an important goalof National Water Quality Month.

Psoriasis Awareness Month. An opportunity toeducate and inform sufferers on a range of topics varyingfrom treatment, causes, triggers, and managementof this inflammatory and often irritating disease. Thecause of psoriasis is still unknown, but specialists doknow that it is largely affected by the immune systemand genetics.

WeeklyWorld Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1-7. The WBW2020 campaign will focus on the impact of infantfeeding on the environment/climate change and theimperative to protect, promote, and support breastfeedingfor the health of the planet and its people.

International Assistance Dog Week, Aug. 2-8.Created to recognize all the devoted, hardworkingassistance dogs helping individuals mitigate theirdisability related limitations. Its goals are to recognizeand honor assistance dogs; raise awareness andeducate the public about assistance dogs; honor puppyraisers and trainers; and recognize heroic deedsperformed by assistance dogs in our communities.

SPECIAL DAYS1 Campfire Day - First Saturday in August

1 International Hangover Day - First Saturday in August

1 National Girlfriends Day

1 National Mahjong Day

1 National Mountain Climbing Day

1 National Mustard Day first Saturday

1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

2 Friendship Day - First Sunday in August

2 International Forgiveness Day

2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

2 Sisters Day - First Sunday in August

3 Grab Some Nuts Day

3 National Watermelon Day

4 National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

4 U.S. Coast Guard Day

5 National Underwear Day

5 National Oyster Day

5 Work Like a Dog Day

6 National Fresh Breath Day

6 Wiggle Your Toes Day

7 International Beer Day - First Friday in August

7 National Lighthouse Day

7 Professional Speakers Day

8 National Clown Day - Satuday during International Clown Week

8 Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day

9 Book Lover’s Day

10 Lazy Day

10 National S’mores Day

11-13 Annual Perseid Meteor Shower - peak date varies slightly

11 Presidential Joke Day

11 Son and Daughter Day

12 Middle Child’s Day

13 Left Hander’s Day


WeeklySafe + Sound Week, Aug. 10-16. A nationwide eventheld each August that recognizes the successes ofworkplace safety and health programs and offersinformation and ideas on how to keep America’sworkers safe.

National Aviation Week, Aug. 16-22. Always occur-ring during the week of August 19, the date coincideswith National Aviation Day, which celebrates OrvilleWright of the Wright Brothers, who made the firstflight for 12 seconds and 120 feet at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903.

DailyLughnasadh, Aug. 1. A Gaelic festival marking thebeginning of the harvest season.

Book Lovers Day, Aug. 9. An unofficial holidayobserved to encourage bibliophiles to celebratereading and literature. Put away your smartphone andpick up a book instead.

National Honey Bee Day, Aug. 15. An opportunity tocelebrate honey bees, recognize their contribution toour everyday lives, and take steps to protect thisimportant species for future generations.

World Orangutan Day, Aug. 19. This event is to helpencourage the public to take action in preserving thisamazing species.

National Dog Day, Aug. 26. National Dog Daycelebrates all breeds and serves to help galvanize thepublic to recognize the number of dogs that need to berescued each year.

SPECIAL DAYS14 National Creamsicle Day

14/15 V-J Day

15 Feast of the Assumption

15 National Honey Bee Awareness Day - Third Saturday

15 Relaxation Day

16 National Tell a Joke Day

17 National Thriftshop Day

18 Bad Poetry Day

18 World Daffodil Day

19 Aviation Day

19 National Potato Day

20 National Radio Day

20 World Mosquito Day

21 National Spumoni Day

21 Senior Citizen’s Day

22 Be an Angel Day

22 National Tooth Fairy Day - and/or February 28

23 Ride the Wind Day

24 Vesuvius Day

25 Chinese Valentine’s Day/Daughter’s Day

25 Kiss and Make Up Day

25 National Banana Split Day

26 National Dog Day

26 Women’s Equality Day

27 Global Forgiveness Day

27 Just Because Day

28 Race Your Mouse Day

28 Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Day

29 International Bacon Day - Saturday before Labor Day

29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day

30 Frankenstein Day

30 Toasted Marshmallow Day

31 National Eat Outside Day

31 National Trail Mix Day

AUGUST OBSERVANCES


A very

Happy Birthday to...

Dodge ParkRobert M. .................August 1stVirginia T. ................. August 8thMaureen L. ........... August 22ndSatish S. ................ August 26thNancy S. ................ August 26thSatpal K. .................August 31stWilliam L. ................August 31st

OasisDonald A. ................. August 3rdWilliam M. .............. August 15th

StaffAmy B. ......................August 1stCarrie B. .................. August 3rdAlona A. ................. August 10thGriselda ................. August 12thBridget N. .............. August 19th

Reina B. ................. August 20thAshley J. ............... August 22ndBrianna C. .............. August 24thMarta E. ................. August 25thDavid R. ................. August 29th

Are you caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and need

a break during the day?

The Adult Day Care at Dodge Park offer the right solution for your respite care.

To learn more about our Adult Day Care Program please join us for an afternoon of fun at ourmonthly Day Club open house with your loved one on the 3rd Thursday

of each month between the hours of 1:30pm and 4:00pm.

The next open house will be on August 20, 2020.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get out with your loved one and have an enjoyable afternoon. Theafternoon will consist of group discussions, music, arts, refreshments, and most importantly, laughter.

The monthly open house is FREE and open to the public.It is open to anyone at any stage of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease

process accompanied by friend, family, and loved ones.


Keep your sanity as the crisis drags onThe COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on every-one, and not just physically. Taking care of your men-tal health is important too, especially because no one knows when the crisis will end. The GOV.UK website shares this guidance on staying sane during these un-certain times:

• Stay connected. Maintain your relationships with friends and family. Social distancing guidelines may be looser these days, making things easier, but if you or a loved one is in self-quarantine because of a positive test for the coronavirus, don’t stay isolated. Reach out.

• Talk about your worries. Whether you work with a counselor or just talk to friends, don’t bottle your emo-tions up. Speak up about what’s worrying you. Letting your feelings out is good for your mind and soul.

• Take care of yourself physically. Eat healthy meals and exercise. Take a walk or a bike ride now that communities have started to open up. Work in your garden. Getting outside and staying in good physical shape will help you maintain a healthy mental state.

• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep can be elusive when you’re nervous about life. Stick to a routine that encourages eight or nine hours of sound sleep every night. You’ll get the physical rest you need and the mental break necessary to brain health.

• Manage your media consumption. There’s lots of in-formation out there, often more negative than positive.Don’t obsess over every new report. Limit your intake of news so you don’t start feeling overwhelmed andhelpless. Check the facts to be sure you’re not being exposed to bad information.

• Find things to enjoy. Make a point of pursuing plea-surable activities to take your mind off things. Read a good book, watch a lighthearted movie, finish a jigsaw puzzle, cook a gourmet meal—do anything that lifts your spirits and makes you feel better.

Practice good sun safety as you venture outsideWith stay-at-home orders loosening, people can now take advantage of the warm weather to get outside tothe park or the beach. You still have to be careful, though, especially of the sun’s UV rays that can causesunburn and cancer. Here’s some advice from the CNN website on protecting your skin:

• Keep to the shade. If you go to the beach, bring an umbrella. Stay out of direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Wear protective clothes, wide hats, and sunglasses.

• Use sunscreen. Choose sunscreen that’s water resis-tant, especially if you head to the beach or swimmingpool. It should have an SPF of at least 30. Apply it ev-ery two hours, as well as after swimming or heavysweating. If you use a spray sunscreen, spray it onto your hands and apply it to your skin to minimizelosing too much in the air.

• Remember vitamin D. We get vitamin D, which sup-ports immune health, from sunshine, but sunscreenscan block it. You can take supplements, but foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, eggs, tofu, mushrooms,cheese, and fortified milk and juices.

• Check yourself out. Perform regular skin exams at home if you want to detect skin cancer early, when it’smost treatable. Contact your dermatologist if you find anything suspicious. You may be able to use videofor a consultation, but if a biopsy is necessary, you’ll have to come to the office.

HEALTH WATCH


MONEY MATTERS

Keep common money problems under controlThe coronavirus pandemic has created money problemsfor many of us. The Cosmopolitan website has some advice for overcoming some of the most common ones:

• You’re overwhelmed by credit card debt. See if youcan transfer your credit balance to an account withlow or zero interest. You may also be able to negotiatea payment plan with your credit card issuer. Andconsider placing your credit cards off limits—bysticking them in your freezer, for example. They’llstill be accessible in an emergency, but you won’t betempted to make impulse buys.

• You owe money to a friend. Don’t try to save upevery last penny before repaying your friends.Instead, start paying him or her back a little at a time.Discuss a realistic repayment schedule. In addition,offer help with cleaning or other services to defraysome of the debt.

• A friend owes you money. Suggest alternatives, likepaying for lunch or bringing over a bottle of wine. Ifyour friend is amenable, he or she can slowly pay youback over time.

• Fear of spending money. In uncertain times, youmay feel anxiety about spending any money. This isunderstandable, but you should regain some sense ofcontrol over your spending. It might help to actuallydonate a little money to a cause you support as areminder that you still have some financial power.

• You’re way behind on your bills. This will take somework—you’ll have to call each creditor to discuss thesituation. Start with your biggest or most pressing billand try to work out a realistic schedule for payment.Try to stagger payment dates so everything isn’t dueon the first of the month. Ask if there’s any financialincentive to setting up automatic payments, like adiscount or a one-time credit.

Ease your financial worries with this adviceNo one knows where we’re going to be as we start looking toward fall. Between the COVID-19 outbreak and the surge in racial unrest, life seems so uncertain, and probably your financial situation does too. Ease your anxieties with this advice from the Fatherly website:

• Know where your money is going. This is good advice in good times as well as bad. Keep track of your spending so you can identify purchases that are unnecessary and prioritize the essentials. You don’t have to be ruthlessly practical—include spending on a few things you enjoy—but make sure you’re not wasting your dollars.

• Consider this a trial retirement. If you’re furloughed or out of work, take this time to think about what you’ll need for re-tirement. Even if you’re young, this can be a good opportunity for you to set priorities in your life. Some expenses will go up and others may go down, so you’ll have a better sense of how much you’ll have to save and how your lifestyle may change when you retire for real.

• Reduce your interest rates. If you’ve got a good credit rating, you should be able to refinance some of your outstanding debts—student loans and mortgages, for example. Work with a reputable financial planner to make sure you’re getting a good deal and avoiding unexpected fees.

Quotes“Money is like love; it kills slowly and painfully the one who withholds it, and enlivens the other who turns it on his fellow human.”—Kahlil Gibran


FAMILY MATTERS

Keep kids safe online while sheltering at homeWith many families sheltering in place during thecoronavirus outbreak, kids are spending a lot of timeonline, whether playing games, watching movies, ordoing schoolwork. Even now, as many schools prepareto reopen, they’re probably still glued to their screensfor a lot of the day. How can you keep them safe fromthe sometimes scary world of the internet? TheUNICEF website offers these guidelines:

• Talk with your children. Discuss who they’recommunicating with and how. Emphasize the needfor kind and respectful interactions with otherpeople, and encourage them to come to you if theyexperience any bullying or other inappropriatebehavior. Remind them to keep personal information(where you live, for example) private frompeople they don’t know.

• Use the right tools. Make sure your devices arerunning the latest software and are up to date onantivirus protection (the computer kind). Keepprivacy settings in place, and cover up webcams whenthe device isn’t in use. Parental controls can help toguard younger children from inappropriate website.Be wary of “educational” websites that requirepersonal information and/or a photo to access.

• Spend time online with them. You may be workingfrom home, but try to spend at least part of the day

with your children as they explore the internet. Playgames with them, help them with schoolwork, chatwith their friends and teachers a little. You’ll have abetter idea of what’s going on, and kids will realizeyou’re involved in what they’re up to.

• Encourage good habits. Talk about treating peoplewith kindness and respect even when they’re online.Make sure they’re somewhere you can keep an eye onthem—not behind a closed bedroom door. Theyshould be properly dressed when doing video chats.Get familiar with school polices so you know how toraise issues about cyberbullying or other inappropriatebehavior.

• Let them have fun. You want them to be safe, butyou don’t want to squelch their enthusiasm. Encouragethem to play the games they enjoy and talk totheir friends as long as they’re comfortable. Pointthem toward exercise videos and video games thatcall for physical activity so they’re not just sittingaround all day.

Quotes“It’s all about the quality of life and finding a happybalance between work and friends and family.”—Philip Green

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe,call it a family: Whatever you call it,whoever you are, you need one.”—Jane Howard


SCIENCE LAB

Salt water on Mars?Pockets of salty water—brine—may be able to exist onthe surface of Mars, the Sci-News website reports.Regular water would instantly freeze, boil, or evaporatebecause of Mars’ low temperatures and dry conditions,but brine would have a lower freezing temperature andso would evaporate more slowly.

Salts have been found on the surface of Mars. Astudy using atmospheric models and spacecraftmeasurements looked at specific regions on Marswhere liquid water temperature and accessibility limitsmight allow known terrestrial organisms to replicate.Researchers found that pockets of brine can form forup to six hours over 40% of the Martian surface—from the equator to high latitudes—but only for abouttwo percent of the Martian year. The maximum brinetemperature that might be found is -55 degreesFahrenheit, too low for the formation of organic life.Still, the results represent a reduced risk for the futureexploration of Mars and contributes to the potentialfor habitable conditions for humans, scientists say.

Ancient millipede may be oldest land animalScientists have discovered the world’s oldest land animal, according to the Mashable website. It resembled amillipede, and its scientific name is Kampecaris obanensis—and it lived some 425 million years ago.

Its segmented body was about an inch long. Despite its appearance, scientists don’t consider it a millipedebut a member of an extinct species. It probably lived in a lakeside environment and subsisted on decomposingplants during the Silurian period, when sea levels were much higher. A fossil of the Kampecaris was found nearfossils of the world’s oldest known stemmed plant, the Cooksonia.

Although scientists say this is the world’s oldest land animal, other paleontologists believe that it may bepredated by soil worms, some of which evolved some 25 million years earlier. Life started forming in the Earth’soceans some 540 million years ago, with plants including mosses emerging onto land some 450 million years ago.The development of plants like the Cooksonia helped sup-port the development of land animals. The first landvertebrates—amphibians—appeared around 375 million years ago.

Quotes“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special.”—Stephen Hawking


I will be available to meet with family members to address any concerns or questions regarding dietary needs or special diets for their loved one. I can be reached at Dodge Park Rest Home (508)-853-8180.

16 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545

Health CornerWITH CARA ZECHELLO

DODGE PARK REST HOME REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Beta-Glucans…What are they and what benefits do they provide?

Beta-glucans are carbohydrates, or sugars, found in the cell walls of some plants such as oats and barley. Beta-glucans are one form of fiber called soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is recommended by Registered Dietitians to help improve cholesterol levels. Scientific studies have examined the potential health benefits beta-glucans may have, particularly in the area of cholesterol and heart disease and diabetes.

Beta-glucans are also found in certain bacteria and fungi, including certain mushroom varieties. Researchers have been studying the positive effects of mushrooms on the immune system. As part of this physiology, research is also showing that beta-glucans have anti carcinogenic (cancer-preventing) activity.

Beta-glucans in oats is showing promise to significantly reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Because beta-glucans are a soluble fiber, they help slow down digestion in the intestines. This can be particularly beneficial for those with diabetes, as the slower carbohydrates are digested and broken down into glucose (sugar), the slower these sugars are absorbed, keeping blood sugar levels more stable. As beta-glucans travel through the digestive system they take cholesterol with it, keeping it from building up in the body which otherwise could end up contributing to clogged arteries.

Food labeling guidelines allow certain health claims to be used on food packaging. The effects the soluble fiber, including beta-glucans, has on cholesterol is one such allowance. Cereal advertisements, such as Cheerios commercials are using such health claim allowances to promote their food product.

Oats are an easy and delicious way to include beta-glucans into your diet. As a breakfast cereal, quick snack or even dessert such as a topping to an apple crisp, it’s a very versatile food. Add dried fruits to oatmeal to add even more nutrition. Sprinkle oat cereal on yogurt for a more satisfying and filling snack.

I will be available to meet with family member to address any concern or questions regarding dietary needs or special diet for their loved one. I can be reach at Dodge Park Rest Home number (508-853-8180).


Health CornerWITH CARA ZECHELLO

DODGE PARK REST HOME REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Beta-Glucans…What are they and what benefits do they provide?

Beta-glucans are carbohydrates, or sugars, found in the cell walls of some plants such as oats and barley. Beta-glucans are one form of fiber called soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is recommended by Registered Dietitians to help improve cholesterol levels. Scientific studies have examined the potential health benefits beta-glucans may have, particularly in the area of cholesterol and heart disease and diabetes.

Beta-glucans are also found in certain bacteria and fungi, including certain mushroom varieties. Researchers have been studying the positive effects of mushrooms on the immune system. As part of this physiology, research is also showing that beta-glucans have anti carcinogenic (cancer-preventing) activity.

Beta-glucans in oats is showing promise to significantly reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Because beta-glucans are a soluble fiber, they help slow down digestion in the intestines. This can be particularly beneficial for those with diabetes, as the slower carbohydrates are digested and broken down into glucose (sugar), the slower these sugars are absorbed, keeping blood sugar levels more stable. As beta-glucans travel through the digestive system they take cholesterol with it, keeping it from building up in the body which otherwise could end up contributing to clogged arteries.

Food labeling guidelines allow certain health claims to be used on food packaging. The effects the soluble fiber, including beta-glucans, has on cholesterol is one such allowance. Cereal advertisements, such as Cheerios commercials are using such health claim allowances to promote their food product.

Oats are an easy and delicious way to include beta-glucans into your diet. As a breakfast cereal, quick snack or even dessert such as a topping to an apple crisp, it’s a very versatile food. Add dried fruits to oatmeal to add even more nutrition. Sprinkle oat cereal on yogurt for a more satisfying and filling snack.

I will be available to meet with family member to address any concern or questions regarding dietary needs or special diet for their loved one. I can be reach at Dodge Park Rest Home number (508-853-8180).

Summer Grilling Done HealthySummer is all about being out-

doors and enjoying the nice weather. Cooking out-doors is no exception. Cooking on a grill is a great way to take the heat out of the kitchen and nothing smells quite like food cooking on a grill. Grilling can be a healthy way to cook because grilling meats allows fatty juices to drip away, thereby reducing calories andfat. Removing the skin on chicken before grilling is another great way to cut back on unhealthy saturated fat. My personal favorite foods to grill are vegetables. The grilling method brings out a flavor in a vegetable that you can’t get from a boiled or steamed version. However, there can be some health risks with grilling meats.

The high temperatures from a grill combined with the protein in meats can cause certain chemicals to form. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and het-erocyclic amines (HCAs) are two such chemicals and these have been linked to a higher cancer risk inanimal studies. Researchers haven’t identified a direct link to cancer in humans as of yet but there is much research being done.

There are ways to help reduce this risk. Par-boil or partially microwave foods first to reduce the amount of grilling time. Also, avoid charring your grilled meats. This can significantly reduce PHA production. Add-ing fresh herbs to your grilled meats is also beneficial. Herbs such as rosemary, oregano and thyme are full of beneficial, protective antioxidants and can help reduce HCA production. Another way to reduce grilling risksis to use an acidic marinade. Let your meats marinate for one hour to reduce the number of harmful chem-icals that are produced during grilling. Acids include vinegar and citrus juices such as lemon, lime and orange.

It’s also important to look at the big picture. Does your diet consist of high fat, fried, greasy foods on a regular basis? Do you frequent fast food restaurants more than once a week? Do you consume highly processed meats such as sausages, hot dogs, lunch meats and bacon often? Answering yes to these questions puts you at a higher health risk than choosing lean proteins, vegeta-bles, fruits and whole grains, even if these foodsare grilled.

Another important factor to look at is portion size. A grilled steak can be higher in fat and calories than grilled chicken or fish but limiting that steak portion to just 3 to 4 ounces cuts the fat and calories drastically when compared to an 8-ounce (or higher) portion of-ten seen on a restaurant menu. Be sure to fill your plate with lots of summer fresh vegetables and salads. Visit your local farmstead to get the freshest and highestquality produce. And by doing so, you’re supporting your local businesses and farmers.

So, in summary, marinate your meats in acid, partially cook the meat off the grill first, grill on a lower heat, add fresh herbs, cut your portions and load up your plate with other healthy sides. Follow these tips and you can enjoy all the flavors that summer grillingoffers.


EASY EATS

Brownies August is National Brownies at Brunch Month

Ingredients:• 6 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa• 1/4 Cup Butter• 1 Cup Sugar• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt• 1/3 Cup Flour• 2 Eggs• 1 Cup Toasted Pecans

For this recipe you will need:• 8x8 Baking Pan• Measuring Cups• Measuring Spoons• Spatula• Mixing Spoon• Crisco (Vegetable Fat)• Brownie Chocolate• Mixing Brownie Chocolate

1. In a microwavable dish, melt the 1/4 cup of butter (make sure that the butter is completely melted, other-wise it will not mix in with the other ingredients, and you will have to start over). Then stir this into the 6 Tablespoons of Unsweetened Cocoa.

2. Now, combined with the butter and cocoa--mix in thoroughly:

• I Cup Sugar• 2 Eggs• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract• 1/3 Cup Flour• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt Directions:1. If you would like to add pecans to your batter,do it now.

2. Pre-heat oven to 325F degrees.

3. You will need to flour the baking pan. First, cover the glass dish with Crisco (vegetable fat) or butter. Then, put a few tablespoons of flour or cocoa in the dish, and shake it until the sides and bottom are cov-ered. This will keep the brownies from sticking to thedish.

4. Pour the brownie batter into the dish.

5. After your oven has preheated to 325F, put the brownies into the oven for 35-40 minutes. Poke your brownies with a toothpick. If the tooth pick comes out clean, your brownies are done! Now, take them out ofthe oven and let them cool until slightly warm. You are ready to cut and serve.


ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA ACTIVITIES

Activity Ideas for Working with Alzheimer’s PatientsHousehold ActivitiesHousehold tasks are often something that a person with Alzheimer’s disease can still actively take part in. If you ask the person for help and they see the task as meaningful, they are often willing to lend a hand and feel a sense of self-esteem. Some tasks you might present are:Dusting, raking up leaves, folding linen, clipping coupons, arrange flowers, match nuts and bolts, prepare simple reci-pes, sweep, sort buttons or poker chips.

GardeningGardening is a very therapeutic activity that can keep those with Alzheimer’s disease connected with nature. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress. Try someindoor herb gardens! You can choose any seeds of your choice but some popular ones include:Rosemary, basil, chives, oregano, thyme, parsley, sage, dill or mint.

Directions:1. Fill the pot with soil about three quarters of the way up.2. Moisten the soil lightly with water until moist but not wet.3. Remove the herbs from their containers, loosening the soil at the root base, taking care not to damage the roots.4. Evenly space the herbs in the pot and fill with enough potting soil to cover to the top of the root ball.5. Pat the soil down lightly and water well when finished.

Care: Light: find a spot where your gardens will receive 6-8 hours of light a day. Water: When soil becomes dry, water your gardens but be careful not to overwater, if leaves start to become yellow, this is probably the case. Clip regularly to promote further growth.

ExerciseExercise is still very important for residents with Alzhei-mer’s disease. It is not only good for physical health but studies have shown that exercise can improve cognition aswell. Some ideas for exercise include:Batting a balloon back and forth, dancing to music, group walks or seated exercises such as the following:• marching• turning the body from side to side• raising the heels and toes• bending the arms• bending the legs• clapping under the legs• bicycling the legs• making circles with the arms• raising the opposite arm and leg• practicing moving from sitting to standing.

Sensory StimulationSensory stimulation for Alzheimer’s patients and peo-ple with other forms of dementia has been shown to decrease agitation and restlessness, as well as improve sleep.

Try making your own moisturizing lotion:• 16 ounces baby lotion• 8 ounces coconut oil (solid form, not melted)• 8 ounces vitamin E creamMix together with handheld mixer until it resemblesicing. Store in air tight containers. Give hand massag-es and enjoy the fragrance and smooth texture of the lotion.

Try painting with seasonings and spices:Some spices to try can include: nutmeg, cinnamon,turmeric, cumin, paprika, mustard or anythingyou’d like! Put a small amount of spice in a container. Smell and talk about the spices before adding a small amount of water into each container and mix. Now you are ready to create with your new paints!


Around Dodge Park & Oasis


The Oasis at Dodge Park isLooking for the Best!

•Caregivers 3-11, 11-7 shifts•Housekeeping

•Activity Personnel•LPN for 3pm-11pm shift

All positions are full time or part time. If you have a big heart for the elderly, and want to be part of our great team, please email your resume to

[email protected]


Schedule a no-obligation tour and receive our FREE book

Your Loved Ones Deserve the Best

Worcester’s Premier Senior Residential Care Facility

• Safe, secure, state-of-the-art facility

• Personalized wellness plans with medication management

• 24 hour RN & Medical Director

• Scratch-made meals

• Assistance with dressing, bathing & grooming

• Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

• Beauty salon, spa, library

• Residency rates never go up

• Fully licensed by the State of Massachusetts

• Private rooms available

• Daily activities programs

The Oasis at Dodge Park is more affordable than you think and provides a higher level of care than traditional assisted living.(508) 853-8180 • OasisAtDodgePark.com


Premier Residential Care Facility For Seniors

One of life’s greatest challenges is deciding when a loved one is no longer capable of living independently.

At Dodge Park Rest Home and the Oasis at Dodge Park, we provide seniors two options for senior residential care.

At Dodge Park Rest Home your loved one is cared for in a unique, home-like setting with custom services tailored to maximize

their physical and cognitive well being. • Memory impaired program• Complete medication management• 24 hour RN and Medical Director• Daily therapeutic bath/shower• Activity program 7 days a week

• Special diet accommodations• All inclusive - All included program• Post hospital / Rehab / Surgery care• Your loved one can stay even if your

money runs out!

REST HOME

Caring for our Community

DODGE PARK

YEARSCELEBRATING

101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA • DodgePark.com • 508-853-8180

Schedule a Tour & See Why We’re

#1 On Caring.com in MA 5 YEARS IN A ROW

Schedule a Tour& See Why We’re

#1 on Caring.com in MA


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irector 508-853-8180 X117 Calendar is subject to change based on the needs of our residents.


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odge Park Rest H

ome and D

ay Club

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

usic & Rhythm

10:30 It’s Puzzling 11:00 W

hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Saturday M

atinee M

ovie 4:00 M

usical Mem

ories 7:00 Saturday N

ight Social 9:30 D

aily Chronicle

10:00 Rosary/M

editation 10:30 M

usic & Movem

ent G

roup 2:30 Trivia/W

ord Gam

es 3:00 Short Stories/Poetry 4:00 Sentim

ental Singing 7:00 Sunday N

ight Movie

9:30 Daily C


ith Fitness 10:30 W

hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Finish the Phrase 3:00 Laugh A Little 3:30 R

eading Roundtable

4:00 Sing-A-Long 7:00 C

lassic Com

edy

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ovement to M

usic 10:30 Tuesday Trivia C

hallenge 2:30 Sim

on Says 3:00 Tell M

e Something G

ood 4:00 M

usical Mem

ories 7:00 C

lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 W

ell Being Workout

10:30 Would You R

ather? 11:00 R

emem

ber When

2:30 Group G

ame Show

3:30 Poetry R

eading 4:00 Sentim

ental Singing 7:00 H

ollywood C

lassics

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ove and Groove

10:30 Nam

e “10” Gam

e 11:00 R

eminiscing

2:30 Can You Picture This?

3:30 Com

edy Connection

4:00 Sing with M

e 7:00 Broadw

ay Musicals

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 Fantastic Fitness 10:30 Friday Funnies 11:00 N

ever Have I Ever

2:30 Walking & W

heeling 3:30 C

hicken Soup Stories 4:00 Sing-A-Long 7:00 C

lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

usic & Rhythm


hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Saturday M

atinee M

ovie 4:00 M

usical Mem


ight Social 9:30 D

aily Chronicle

10:00 Rosary/M

editation 10:30 M

usic & Movem

ent G

roup 2:30 Trivia/W

ord Gam



ight Movie

9:30 Daily C


ith Fitness 10:30 W

hite Board Gam


eading Roundtable


lassic Com

edy

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ovement to M


hallenge 2:30 Sim

on Says 3:00 Tell M

e Something G

ood 4:00 M

usical Mem

ories 7:00 C

lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 W

ell Being Workout

10:30 Would You R

ather? 11:00 R

emem

ber When

2:30 Group G

ame Show

3:30 Poetry R

eading 4:00 Sentim


ollywood C

lassics

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ove and Groove

10:30 Nam

e “10” Gam

e 11:00 R

eminiscing


3:30 Com

edy Connection

4:00 Sing with M

e 7:00 Broadw

ay Musicals

9:30 Daily C


ever Have I Ever

2:30 Walking & W

heeling 3:30 C


lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

usic & Rhythm


hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Saturday M

atinee M

ovie 4:00 M

usical Mem


ight Social 9:30 D

aily Chronicle

10:00 Rosary/M

editation 10:30 M

usic & Movem

ent G

roup 2:30 Trivia/W

ord Gam



ight Movie

9:30 Daily C


ith Fitness 10:30 W

hite Board Gam


eading Roundtable


lassic Com

edy

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ovement to M


hallenge 2:30 Sim

on Says 3:00 Tell M

e Something G

ood 4:00 M

usical Mem

ories 7:00 C

lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 W

ell Being Workout

10:30 Would You R

ather? 11:00 R

emem

ber When

2:30 Group G

ame Show

3:30 Poetry R

eading 4:00 Sentim


ollywood C

lassics

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ove and Groove

10:30 Nam

e “10” Gam

e 11:00 R

eminiscing


3:30 Com

edy Connection

4:00 Sing with M

e 7:00 Broadw

ay Musicals

9:30 Daily C


ever Have I Ever

2:30 Walking & W

heeling 3:30 C


lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

usic & Rhythm


hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Saturday M

atinee M

ovie 4:00 M

usical Mem


ight Social 9:30 D

aily Chronicle

10:00 Rosary/M

editation 10:30 M

usic & Movem

ent G

roup 2:30 Trivia/W

ord Gam



ight Movie

9:30 Daily C


ith Fitness 10:30 W

hite Board Gam


eading Roundtable


lassic Com

edy

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ovement to M


hallenge 2:30 Sim

on Says 3:00 Tell M

e Something G

ood 4:00 M

usical Mem

ories 7:00 C

lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 W

ell Being Workout

10:30 Would You R

ather? 11:00 R

emem

ber When

2:30 Group G

ame Show

3:30 Poetry R

eading 4:00 Sentim


ollywood C

lassics

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

ove and Groove

10:30 Nam

e “10” Gam

e 11:00 R

eminiscing


3:30 Com

edy Connection

4:00 Sing with M

e 7:00 Broadw

ay Musicals

9:30 Daily C


ever Have I Ever

2:30 Walking & W

heeling 3:30 C


lassic TV

9:30 Daily C

hronicle 10:00 M

usic & Rhythm


hite Board Gam

es 2:30 Saturday M

atinee M

ovie 4:00 M

usical Mem


ight Social 9:30 D

aily Chronicle

10:00 Rosary/M

editation 10:30 M

usic & Movem

ent G

roup 2:30 Trivia/W

ord Gam



ight Movie

9:30 Daily C


ith Fitness 10:30 W

hite Board Gam


eading Roundtable


lassic Com

edy

Dodge Park R

est Hom

e and Day C

lub 101 Randolph R

oad Worcester, M

A 01606 Erin Lemoine, Activity D

irector 508-853-8180 X117 Calendar is subject to change based on the needs of our residents.


In this guide, you’ll learn:

èThe difference between and Rest Home & Assisted Living èThe difference between a Rest Home & Nursing Home

èThe qualities that define an exceptional Rest Home

èWhy you MUST visit a potential Rest Home

èWhat do look for during a Rest Home Tour èHelpful resources to help you in Massachusetts

Selecting a Rest Home For Your Loved OneA Guide For Family Members in Massachusetts

One of life’s greatest challenges is deciding when a loved one is no longer capable of living independently.

How do you choose the right place for your loved one? How do you know they will be safe, secure and live with dignity?

CLICK TO GET INSTANT ACCESS

GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THE GUIDE FOR FREEA $29 VALUE

https://dodgepark.com/choosing-a-residential-care-community/


By Jolene Ewert, Executive Director, A+ Activities

http://activityideas-ivil.tripod.com/aactivities


R F U D G E R I P P L E P N K M S P

C T M Y M P R Y L H F I A N Y T K Y

H X Y H E I T L C K S C N Z R P R N

O N R A N L N O C T E Q B A R I E E

C M C G T O F T A P D X W T E H T A

O H T F N F M C R R K B V C B C T P

L T M M E C H E E S E C A K E E U O

A C N E T I T C L R L K N M U T B L

T M M J O T I Y R H Q B I Y L A T I

E R X J U R Y Y L C N L L N B L U T

Y H F B O B G T L L H P L R H O N A

R R O C K Y R O A D R E A M L C A N

M D I K Z G O N G G E D R L M O E M

D L T N I M R E P P E P W R B H P X

K C M Y R R E B P S A R T D Y C R W



• Special trained direct care sta� – best in the industry• Luxurious accommodations / Homelike accomodations• Private rooms/Semi private rooms• Safe and secure 24/7• License as DCSU-Dementia Care Special Unit• RN/LPN 24/7 on site as well as DON• Activity program from 7am-11pm

Schedule a Tour and discover �e difference508-853-8180 dodgepark.com oasisatdodgepark.com

Dodge Park Rest Home and the Oasis at Dodge Park are for seniors who need help with their activities of daily living and want luxury, convenience, and peace of mind that a secure setting can provide. We provide services including the Adult Day Care, Respite Care, Home Care, Alzheimer, Dementia and Memory Care and our monthly free Support Group.

Two Communities—One Unique Mission

Peace of mind for your family EXTRAORDINARY ELDERLY CARE

We’re so passionate about cognitive care that we wrote a book on it. We have a copy for you when you visit.

Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545 40 The Oasis at Dodge Park 102 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545 3938 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545

Yes, we can help if your loved one: is diagnosed with dementia requires 2 person assist, or utilized wheelchair is frail and elderly, post rehab, surgery or stroke requires oxygen in the facility as a PRN or ongoing bases requires diabetic management via oral medication or injection requires medications for behavior or sundown syndromes has aggressive behavior to some extent requires a secure facility

SELECTING A REST HOME

FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

A Guide for Family Members

in Massachusetts

Dodge Park & the Oasis at Dodge Park 101 & 102 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 508-853-8180

FREE Caregivers Support Group for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers

The support group meeting is FREE and open to the communi-ty.The groups meet on the second Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month.

A light supper is provided and activity and supervi-sion for memory impaired individuals will be provid-ed for FREE by our Day Club personnel during the meeting.

Participation in a support group can be an empower-ing experience. The group is designed to help mem-bers feel better prepared to cope. Support group mem-bers report feeling less alone, more able to con-front their daily problems and more hopeful about their future.

The meetings take place at Dodge Park Rest Home at 101 Randolph Road, Worcester from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

We hope to see you �ere.

Revolutionary Alzheimer's and Dementia Residential Care Facility for the Elderly

Download our FREE Rest Home Guide for families in MA & a MUST USE checklist for any facility tour.

Download at dodgepark.com

SCHEDULE A TOURAnd see why we’re #1 on Caring.com

in Massachusetts 5 years in a row

A Higher Level of Care than Assisted Living and more affordable than a Nursing Home

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DODGE PARKREST HOME

The Bible presents growing old as a normal, natural part of life in this world. There is honor involved in the aging process, because growing old is normally accompanied by increased wisdom and experience. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31; see also Proverbs 20:29). God wants us to remember that life is short (James 4:14) and that the beauty of youth is soon gone (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 1:24).

Jewish tradition emphasizes that taking care of a parent is a tremendous blessing and mitzvah. As the Talmud in Shabbat 127a says: “These are the fruits a person enjoys in this world, and continues to enjoy them in the World to Come. They are: honoring one’s parents…”

This is particularly true when the elderly have diminished physical and mental capacity, and are confronting their own mortality. But the task of taking care of them need not feel overwhelming.

Among the most disturbing aspects of growing old—especially in cultures that set a high value on rugged individualism— is the increasing frequency of senile dementia as human lifespan increases. It seems eminently unfair that people so afflicted should be robbed of their intellectual, emotional and social vitality while their physical bodies continue to survive. Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly difficult pill to swallow because the cause is unknown and it does not seem to be related to any particularly bad health habits. While progression of Alzheimer’s can be stalled, in part, by continued active involvement in mind-stimulating and physical activity, progression of the disease is nevertheless inexorable.

With Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia on the rise, finding quality care can be a challenge. Recognizing this challenge, The Dodge Park Rest Home and Oasis at Dodge Park developed a new program designed specifically to meet the needs of residents with memory loss. Based on years of experience caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents, Dodge Park and The Oasis at Dodge Park Programs partners with family members and care providers to develop a framework that supports the individual, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of memory impaired residents through Cognitive, Fitness and Wellness design.

While there is currently no cure for most progressive forms of dementia, it doesn’t mean we’re powerless against them. Mounting research is building an understanding that there may be ways to slow the progression and change the pathologies of many common dementias, giving those afflicted with them and their families the possibility of more precious, fulfilling moments together.

101-102 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606Tel: 508-853-8180 • Fax: 508-459-6176

Toll Free: 1-877-363-4775www.DodgePark.com

www.OasisAtDodgePark.com

2. Keeping ActiveMeaningful activities promote a sense of well being, provide enjoyment, maintain functioning levels and support independence. The daily program offers small and large group activities to appeal to each resident’s personal interests.

3. Worthy StaffTaking care of those with memory loss takes a special caregiver. The N’efesh to N’efesh Program staff is specially trained to work with residents to make their lives better by including activities and care that promote self-esteem, laughter, fun and enjoyment of everyday life. Caring for a family member with memory loss can be extremely difficult. In a community that serves residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, the task of caring for a loved one is shared by many dedicated and highly-trained individuals. With the knowledge that a loved one is well taken care of, caregivers can enjoy more fulfilling time together.

N’efesh to N’efesh Community Included Amenities

• Licensed Nurse on-site 24 hours per day• Medical director, nurse practitioner and a geriatric psychiatrist weekly visit• Trained Resident Assistant staff on-site 24 hour per day• DON and ADON oversight and on-call support 24/7• Daily ADL assistant as needed• Registered Dietitian and social workers weekly visit• Three nutritious meals a day, plus snacks• Residential setting with secure access• Personalized Social Care Plan designed and regularly reviewed by interdisciplinary team in conference with resident and family members• Daily Personalized Activities Program from 6am to 11pm • Spiritual Enrichment Program• Religious services• Regular gatherings for family members of residents• Spacious, secure indoor and outdoor courtyard with walking path and patio• Daily housekeeping and laundry service• Beautiful, spacious rooms• All utilities including gas, electricity, water, sewer, and trash• Emergency call system• Satellite TV service and installation• Basic telephone service (local access)• Zen Spa

The N’efesh to N’efesh TM

Memory Care Program

N’fesh to N’fesh – from the Hebrew for

“soul to soul,” is Dodge Park and Oasis at Dodge Park

specially designed program to help individuals during all stages of dementia, helping to build and maintain cognitive ability. Based on research and

recent studies, the program is comprised of six pillars of activities in which memory

care residents and guests will participate.

For more information please click here

https://www.oasisatdodgepark.com/care-options/memory-care/


101 and 102 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606Tel: 508-853-8180 Fax: 508-853-4515

DodgePark.com • OasisAtDodgepark.com

Dodge Park and the Oasis at Dodge Park Community Newsletter … · 2020/8/7 · 4 Dodge Park Rest...

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Transcript of Dodge Park and the Oasis at Dodge Park Community Newsletter … · 2020/8/7 · 4 Dodge Park Rest...