| MOUNTAIN BREEZE | ||
| Mountainview
Nursing Home 340 Cedar Springs Road Spartanburg, SC 29302 Table Of Contents |
Wilson K. Dillard Administrator August, 2003 |
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Monthly News From: |
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The large bulletin board to the right of the rear entrance to the business office is used to post staff anniversaries and birthdays each month. It’s interesting to observe how many of us respond to seeing our names on this particular public display. It seems that if we are listed on the anniversary side we react with a since of pride and accomplishment and well we should. If we appear on the birthday side, we tend to view it with a degree of dread and sadness thinking another year older. Even though both recognitions mark the passing of another year. I suppose we all long for the acknowledgement of accomplishment that anniversaries bring. We just do not want to age during the process, unfortunately this is not the case.
Well this month I made my annual visit to the birthday side as I recorded my fifty-fifth birthday on August the fourth. I must say it passed with little fanfare here at the facility. I did receive the customary gifts from my friends here in the office and my bouquet of balloons from the activities department. I thought back five years to my fiftieth birthday when upon opening my office door, I found fifty black balloons, several withered flowers and a large banner stating that I was indeed "Over the Hill". What a way to begin the day!!
That was 1998 and we were just beginning out Eden journey. Five years ago as I left my office on that birthday morning to tour the facility I would not have encountered any children playing with our animals; I would have walked into a plain, dull dining room, not one now alive with beautiful murals. Our outdoor patios were barren, not thriving with flowers and fresh vegetables. I could go on, but those of you who have been with us know and recognize the profound difference in our facility and our staff.
One of my singer songwriters heroes is Bob Dylan. I have followed his music since I was in high school. He began his career by writing very moving and compelling songs of protest using just his guitar and harmonica and had considerable success with a very devoted following. Soon he began to change, writing more up-tempo rock tunes with a much brighter view of life and moreover, playing with a full band. Many of his fans were outraged and felt betrayed. He attempted to explain this radical change in his music in a song called "My Back Pages". In the refrain in the song, Dylan says "I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.
As I reflect upon the last five years here at Mountainview, we were older then and we are much younger now. The culture has changed that much and I am so blessed to have been a part of it. My invitation to you is to visit often and become part of Eden and grow younger with us!
Wilson K. Dillard, Administrator
Do you like to make decisions? "It depends on the decision," you may say. One can make a partial list of decisions: whether one goes on a vacation, which school to attend, a place of worship that best suits, what to wear, what to eat, when to get up, whether to take a nap, when to retire for the evening, when to retire from a job, whether to have children, to attend a social event, where to work, your circle of friends, whether to garden, have a pet, any hobbies, any volunteer work, where to live. These are only a few of the decisions that a person makes over the course of a day or life. But, my, how important these decisions are in regard to the quality of life that one lives.
You may like to make decisions or shift as many decisions as possible to someone else. However, when the decision directly impacts you, the ability to be a part of that decision is of utmost importance to you! We saved a shirt and pair of pants that our oldest son wore when he was a preschooler. It was one of his favorites. I remember when he was first making choices. He got up one morning and got out this "famous" shirt and pair of pants. The pants were red plaid. The shirt happened to be orange. What was I to do? I, now, had a choice to make. Do I honor his choice or do I overrule it? He was going to be traveling with me and around folk whose opinion I valued. Well, I decided that his ability and right to choose was the primary issue. We headed out and stopped at the home of one of the elders in our community. We went into the house and as she was talking to Jason she said, "my, we dressed our self this morning and what a fine job we did!" How relieved I was that she (and others) realized that I did not pick out those clothes. So, we have kept those clothes through the years and what a good reminder they are. Choices! Decisions! Respect! It is impossible to manage greatness into being but it is possible to enable greatness and a great quality of life to emerge in the day-to-day decisions and living of life.
The aim of Eden is to enable people to have a great life each day, through personal decision making. Mountainview is fortunate to have a healthy Resident Council and elders who, along with their families, continue to make decisions for themselves and their community. Even though I’m sure I have seen a few red plaid pants and orange shirts lately. They look as good as ever.
Keith Taylor
So you say it’s really true, that August, the last month of summer is really here? Time really does fly when you are busy and having fun. These past couple of months have been filled with fun activities ie, ice cream socials, cookouts, movies, popcorn, etc. The best is still to come on August 29th we will be having a luau complete with muumuus, leis and the limbo pole.
The trip to see the Panthers at their training camp was enjoyed by all. It is hard to know who had the most fun the staff or the residents. Ask Bonnie and Sue, they were running around getting their pictures made with the guys. Coach Fox said he sure did appreciate our group coming out every year and thanked us for our support. Go Panthers!
The rain has really been good for the garden and our Elders have enjoyed a variety of vegetables. Many thanks to Johnny Quinn for listening to suggestions of recipes and preparing them for our Elders.
Don’t forget the Eden Celebration that will be here on September 13th, we will be looking forward to seeing all of our Elders, family members and friends from our community.
We extend our sympathy to Ms. Clemmie Franklin and Mr. Charles Petty’s families on their recent passing. We had grown to love them like a member of our own families and we will miss them very much.
God Bless all,
Until Next Time,
Gloria Crocker, Activities
The residents and staff of Eastside Village would like to send our condolences to the families and friends of Charles Petty who recently passed away. We will miss Mr. Petty he was an essential part of our home.
We would like to welcome Ms. Elizabeth Byrd to our neighborhood. She was in our Medical Day Care and decided to come and stay with us on a full time basis. Please stop by and welcome her to our home.
We are looking forward to starting a new project in our neighborhood. Please keep your eyes and ears open in the days to come.
We are enjoying some fresh vegetables from our garden. They sure taste good. The weather has really warmed up so now we are trying to stay cool. We are having activities with refreshments that are refreshing on these hot days. Hope everyone is having a safe summer and staying cool. Till next month!!
The Village Crier
Staff and Residents of Northern Estates
We are all well and happy to be together on Westside Gardens. We would like to welcome Tru Lawter and our cockatiel "Pumpkin" to our neighborhood. Tru loves Pumpkin who used to reside in the nursing office until he took up with her so we moved him in with her. Both are adjusting well and seem to be happy. Welcome back to Margot Newell who has moved back with us.
We send our condolences to the family of Mary Boyter who passed away recently. She will be missed by all.
We had a great time at our "Banana Split Party" held on July 29th. Thanks to the nurses for supplying the ice cream and the trimmings. We are really looking forward to the Luau Luncheon on the 29th of this month. We are getting our grass skirts and muumuu’s ready.
Till next time…………..
The staff and residents
Westside Gardens
The clients and staff of Medical Day Care, welcome Ms. Edna Alverson to day care. Ms. Alverson is Pat Miller’s grandmother. Pat is a CNA in Medical Day Care. Welcome back to Annie Dutton, who had knee surgery at SRMC, and Julian Huckaby who has returned after a brief stay at St. Luke’s Respite program.
Everyone is still enjoying fresh vegetables from our garden. We have planted some late squash and okrs and we are looking forward to watching them grow.
Chris Lawing, son of James and Emma Lawing left for Parris Island on July 20th. Chris joined the Marines.
August Birthday Edna Alverson August 25th
Emma Lawing, MDCD
THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER
"Why in the world do you walk sideways like that? Said a Mother Crab to her son. "You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out."
"Show me how to walk, mother dear," answered the little Crab obediently. "I want to learn."
So the old Crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out she tripped and fell on her nose.
Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.
AESOP’S FABLES
QUOTE
IT IS UNWISE TO TREAT OLD FRIENDS BADLY FOR THE SAKE OF NEW ONES.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Great leaders hold the people they lead in their hearts. The building you work in will someday crumble into dust. The good you do for others will remain in this world long past that day. Do you have the courage to rise consistently above the mundane: to reach for that which endures?
PRINCIPLE EIGHT
The relationships between people in Edenizing organizations are governed by just two rules.
1). As management does unto staff, so shall staff do unto Elders.
2). All decisions belong with the Elders or as close to the Elders as possible.
Like all easy to understand rules, they are difficult to place into practice. The second revolution of the Eden Alternative transforms the social environment. The physical surroundings in which residents live can be inspected and examined by any interested observer, but their social environment is different. Almost exclusively, it is created from the nature and frequency of contacts with the people who care for them. Erasing the traditional management system has greater potential for improving the quality of their lives than simply enforcing prescribed rights.
When you expand the decision-making authority of caregivers, you truly "empower" the residents in their charge. Residents will never have more autonomy or self-respect than that which nursing home managers grant their employees. Over the past couple of years we have striven to but this principle into action. We have set up our neighborhoods and have moved most of the decision making to the residents and front line staff that live and work in that neighborhood. They have been receptive of much of this concept but sometimes are very reluctant to make some decisions that they feel are out of their realm or that they just don’t want to make. These are referred back to our steering committee and one or more will talk with them and guide them in making the decision. The front line staff become more confident in their decision making skills on a daily basis. We continue to incorporate in- services on team building, leadership, values/vision and community into our education components of Eden.
Mountainview’s mission has always been comprised of meeting not only the medical needs but also the personal, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of our residents. Mountainview also serves as a resource and support for families and the community. Each staff person is given the opportunity for support and guidance as they experience personal growth. We believe that decision making should begin with the resident and that each resident should be put before the task at hand. We believe that quality care and personal relationships can only be achieved through a well-trained, respected and empowered staff. Only through these established relationships can residents overcome their feelings of fear, disconnection and isolation.
As an already established Eden Alternative facility, Mountainview Nursing Home has been able to provide all aspects of care while maintaining dignity and respect of our elders and allowing them to leave one home and enter into another. From the animals that greet you at the door to the children singing in the hallways, Mountainview continues to provide a home away from home for all who may enter its doors.
Sue Kemp, Eden Associate
Shannon Jefferies, RN – PRN
Savator Tinsley, CNA
There is a flurry of activity around our home these days. We are in the process of starting some new projects in the neighborhoods and in the office areas and possibly a new project on the grounds. Please read your newsletter and we will keep you updated on start dates and progress. We have a fund raiser going on now which will offset some of the cost of these projects. Staff is selling "Itza" lotions and shower gels. There are different fragrances and make excellent gifts. The sample bottles are in the nursing office so feel free to try them out and any staff member will take your order. All items must be paid for at time of order. Thanking you in advance for your support.
AUGUST 29TH, LUAU LUNCH ALONG WITH GRASS SKIRTS, MUU MUUS AND LIMBO POLE
SEPTEMBER 13TH, THE EDEN CELEBRATION FROM 1:00 – 4:00 PM
GROUNDS OF MOUNTAINVIEW
OCTOBER 4TH, ALZHEIMER’S MEMORY WALK
PLEASE CONTACT JUSTINE CHENETTE OR SUE KEMP TO JOIN MOUNTAINVIEW’S TEAM
These events will take place here at our home so please mark your calendars.
Distinguished Service for August
Alice Williams, 11 years
Leroy Manigan, 10 years
Mary Fernandez, 10 years
Thelma Thompson, 8 years
Linda Riddle, 6 years
Ralph Wessinger, 4 years
Mary Hannon, 3 years
Chuck Towery, 3 years
Sandra Campbell, 2 years
Monica McCall, 2 years
Missy McDaniel, 2 years
01 Chuck Towery
04 Wilson Dillard
06 Randy Booker
06 Linda Landrum
11 Shannon Phelps
16 Missy McDaniel
16 Elaine Meadows
18 Raymond Wilkes
20 Courtney Cohen
23 Jerry Patty
25 Sue Kemp
26 Gwen Gosnell
26 Crystal Jeter
29 Carolyn Hatcher
01 Mary Greene
01 Carol Brown
01 Ansel Blackwell
05 Lucille Thomason
06 Libby Armstrong
09 Bessie Putnam
11 Eloise Montgomery
16 Otis Therrell
16 Margaret Martin
17 Evelyn Daniel
23 Cathy Henson
23 Cathy Henson
26 Louise Johnson
27 Mae Smith
27 Frank Perricone
Plan of care meetings are held on each Tuesday to review each resident's progress and / or care. We encourage family members to attend if possible. Please call Evelyn Pitts, MDS Coordinator to schedule appointments for these meetings at 582-4175.
AUGUST 5
Harold Redfern
Rosa Simmons
Fairy Bishop
Lula Baker
Mae Willie Thompson
Elizabeth McCoy
Willis Hackett
Ida Moore
AUGUST 12
Margaret Martin
Jesse Burnside
Carrie Harris
Carrie Mitchell
Fred Nesbitt
Essie Herndon
Carol Brown
Wayne White
AUGUST 19
Fannie Wallace
Marie Williams
Mary Ruth Fowler
Etta Powers
Trannie Landrum
Viola Griffin
Betty Butler
Airleen Dial
Kathleen Bush
Edith Trail
AUGUST 26
Louise Linder
Mary Boyter
Bobby Noblitt
Francena Smith
Altha Hughes
Clyde Wilson
Thomas Keenan
Geneva Pack
Florence Tomlin
Mae Amos