And to All a Good Night

As noted in our previous post, we were expecting Santa to visit Maristhill earlier this month, which has been filled with activities, guests and more...

And true-to-form, Santa didn't didn't disappoint.

Residents and staff both enjoyed his visit, and as expected a fine time was had by all. Now we're looking forward to Wednesday's New Year's Eve party!

Naughty or Nice?

Everyone we know has been "nice" this year, and we're happy to tell you that Santa will be visiting Maristhill tomorrow (December 18th)!

Of course St. Nick's presence is just one of many events at Maristhill leading-up to Christmas Day...

Accordionist Eddie Marando will perform on the 21st, then our residents will attend geography lessons on the 22nd, and the Honky-Tonk Piano Man will entertain our community on Tuesday December  23rd.

A Christmas Eve sing-a-long will surely be a fun time on the 24th, and then it will be time to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.

It seems there's always something happening at Maristhill!

Maristhill Christmas Party December 13th!

Marishtill residents and families have planned this year's Christmas party for Saturday December 13th from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.

The event will be held in the facility's activities room on the ground-floor, and marks the beginning of a most festive week at Maristhill. 

On Sunday December 14 the Hope International Church Choir will entertain residents and their guests; then on the 15th residents will conduct a Christmas arts and crafts activity, followed on the 16th by a Kiwanis Club Holiday Sing-a-long. 

A Christmas Concert is scheduled for Thursday the 17th and Santa will visit Maristhill on Friday December 18th.

It seems something is always happening at Maristhill, which is truly an engaged community.  

Maristhill Receives Gift from Waltham's "Yoloanda's Glitz Gala!"

Maristhill was among several recipients and participating organizations at a recent charity event.

"Yolanda’s Glitz Gala" celebrated a fashion icon and Waltham legend’s milestone birthday in the stylish and philanthropic manner she requested – by raising about $100,000 for four local organizations.

When organizers approached Yolanda Cellucci with the idea for an event for her 80th birthday this year, she decided that proceeds would go to Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the Waltham Boys & Girls Club, the Reagle Music Theatre, and the Waltham Rotary Club. 

Since the organizations are splitting the profits evenly, each one will receive close to $25,000.

And one of the biggest highlights was a complete surprise – Maristhill administrator Carolyn Fenn announced from the stage that an addition to the center will be named after Cellucci’s mother, Mary DiDuca, who lived there for nine years after she developed Alzheimer’s.

“I almost started to cry,” Cellucci said...“That was probably the most touching moment of the evening.”

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Intergenerational Programming is Fun!

Our residents frequently spend time with local students, which is fulfilling and enjoyable for all parties!

Whether carving pumpkins or playing bingo, the students have fun and the residents share an opportunity to engage with the local community.

Over the past month all of us at Maristhill enjoyed a fabulous concert presented by the Brandeis Chamber Music Club, carved pumpkins, and also spent some creative time working on various arts and crafts with younger students from St. Jude's school.

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Maristhill Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Maristhill joined with the American Cancer Society in October to participate in “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” with events and fundraising throughout the month. 

As an organization dominated by women (residents and staff!), many of us have been touched by this dreadful disease.  We started the month by dressing ourselves, our lobby, our trees and our signs “pretty in pink!" 

A bake-sale with the pink theme was a big success – never have I seen so many pink confections in one place!! 

On October 5^th, the “Maristhill Pink Warriors,” led by Lori Savlon, our Human Resource Director, walked in the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Boston event, raising $5,000 towards the cause on a beautiful fall day along the Charles River. 

The month ended with a local “Making Strides” Luncheon held each year by the Orifice Family – this event typically raises between $18-20,000 per year in the fight against this disease.  Truly, it was an amazing month of teamwork and camaraderie. 

Thank you for all your hard work, energy, and good humor above all!

An Engaged Community

It seems like there is always something happening at Maristhill!

Or at the very least, our engaged community of residents, patients, team members and community members are involved in a wide range of activities every week.  For example, some of the things happening in October at Maristhill include:

• Exercise classes
• Monthly luncheon
• Pet therapy
• Singer Kerry Maher
• Saturday yoga
• Pumpkin carving w/St. Jude's students
• Halloween Party!

Wide Range of Items & Activities Planned for Maristhill's Fall Marketplace

As noted in our previous post, this year's fall marketplace will take place on September 26 & 27. You'll find a wide range of items and "goodies," including jewelry, kitchenware, furniture, and more!

 

There will also be a bake sale table, a raffle ticket table, a table of handmade greeting cards created by our residents, and a table where the Marist Sisters sell little toys and things to raise money for the convent next door.

Here are a few pictures from the 2013 marketplace - hope you'll be able to join us this year!

Annual Fall Marketplace September 26 & 27 - Join Us!

Maristhill's 7th Annual Fall Marketplace on Friday has been scheduled for September 26th from 1:00-6:00pm, and on Saturday, September 27th from 9:00am-12:00pm.

As in previous years, the Marketplace fundraiser will take place on the last Friday and Saturday of the month, with the raffle drawing set to begin at 12:30pm on Saturday the 27th.

A wide-range of collectibles will be offered at the sale, as well as jewelry, small furniture, holiday items, kitchenware, and baked goods. This year's raffle will have a 1st prize of $1000, a 2nd prize of $500, and more than 25 additional prizes donated by the generous Waltham business community.

"Everyone looks forward to the Marketplace," said Bill Driscoll, Activities Director. "Residents, families and friends enjoy the community spirit and camaraderie that this annual fundraiser generates, and all proceeds go to the Resident Council fund, which sponsors special events, programs and outings throughout the year for all our residents."

Have it your Way - Breakfast at Maristhill

As part of our effort to engage residents and provide a little something "extra," Maristhill has initiated an on-unit breakfast program that has been an instant hit!

The objective is to simply provide residents with a wider range of personal choices, and to prepare their breakfast of choice in a fashion similar to "tableside cooking" at various restaurants.

Everyone that is involved, including our kitchen staff, enjoys the interaction and fun!

Ultimately, residents can enjoy watching the cooking process as well as a freshly-cooked breakfast of their choice, giving them an added sense of well-being.

Saturday Morning Yoga at Maristhill

As noted in an earlier post, exercise programs at Maristhill have been extremely well received by our Residents.

So, in addition to our regular programming, we've added a "Saturday Morning Yoga" session to our calendar - and it has quickly become one of our favorites!

As you may know, when carefully done and managed by a qualified instructor, yoga can help elders improve their balance, strength and overall sense of well-being. In addition, an Illinois study showed that yoga can often help elders improve a range of cognitive tasks, including information recall, mental flexibility and multi-tasking. 

Maristhill Receives Another Deficiency-free Survey from Department of Public Health

I am happy to report that Maristhill recently received a Deficiency-Free survey from the Department of Public Health during their annual visit.

The surveyors interviewed residents, families, and staff, reviewed numerous medical records, observed medication and treatment administration, and toured the facility. With our help they were able to access the information they needed and they were very complimentary about our quality of care.

This means a lot to us, as there are so many regulations and requirements that govern our work. I congratulate and thank our staff for this accomplishment – we couldn’t do it without teamwork!

Sincerely, Carolyn Fenn, Administrator

Residents Speak Out About Weekday Exercise!

Marishtill's weekday exercise group is for residents of our long-term care units, and is the result of a safety grant from Covenant Health Systems. The program has been very popular and also very effective.

 

“It tires me," says Sr. Marie Therese Douillard (pictured at right). "But I think that’s because it’s working!”

 

Other residents agree... "“It gets me going,” Helen Kupris, pictured at left, said. 

 

While some residents speak positively abut the social interaction and explain they simply enjoy the camaraderie among participants, others say the activity makes them feel more alert.

 

The weights sessions began at the start of the year. For additional information please visit our website, www.maristhill.org.

An Engaged Elder Community

An important component of our mission at Maristhill is to provide health care that fosters each individual's physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual well-being.

Our community of residents, patients and staff is highly-engaged, living and working together in an up-beat, familial environment, that encompasses over one-hundred activities most months!

These vary significantly, and include exercise classes, music and art therapy, patio visits, crafts, entertainment, pet visits and more... thus providing options that are of interest to our diverse community.

A number of our events are also open to the community-at-large, such as our annual fall Marketplace; and we look forward to the possibility of seeing you at Maristhill. 

Promoting Healthy Habits

We are once again engaged in a little friendly fitness competition among staff members here at Maristhil... a figurative “Walk Across Massachusetts!”

 

Our objective is to promote and encourage healthy habits and lifestyles throughout the facility.  Several team members will be walking multiple times each day and some are closing in on the finish line! 

 

We hope the healthy routine continues long after the competition is over!

Music Therapy Very Popular Among Elders



Music is very popular at Maristhill

Music has a powerful impact on everyone, but can release a tripwire of powerful memories to the elderly, says Dana Larsen, a senior living writer.

“This is why music therapy is one of the most effective treatments for the elderly,” she explains.

We agree, and we consistently conduct musical events here at Maristhill, ranging from concerts, shows by professional entertainers, sing-alongs, and other performances.

Here are just a few improvements noted by elders and their families, and listed by MusicWorks, a Delaware music therapy organization:

• Better awareness and concentration
• Enhances interest levels and social interaction
• Improves memory and recall
• Happier outlook on life and higher self-esteem
• Increases mobility and coordination
• Diminishes pain and improves recovery time
• Reduces tension and promotes relaxation

Are You A Caregiver?

Recent statistics indicate almost one-quarter of American households provide care to relatives or friends age 50 or older.

If you are a caregiver it's important to take care of yourself as well as your loved-one. You might begin by taking stock of the people, services and information that can help with your situation. The earlier you find support, the better.

We understand the challenges of caring for a loved one at home, and offer respite care so at-home caregivers can have an opportunity to deal with their own medical issues or simply take a much needed break.

Please ask our Admission Department about this service.

Dogs Make People Happy!

Pet visits have consistently been a popular activity with our residents at Maristhill.

As one expert put it, "Dogs make people happy!"

But the "pets" we encounter during these visits include a wide range of cuddly critters that go well beyond just dogs...

Further, and most important, studies have shown that regular visits with pets can have positive physical, emotional, and mental benefits for the elderly, especially those living in nursing or long-term care facilities.

Physical benefits include lowering blood pressure, lowering heart rate, and reducing overall stress.

Emotional benefits include reducing anxiety and depression, and decreasing loneliness through regular social interaction with the pets.

Rehabilitation Fundamentals

People often ask about how often they will be seen by a rehabilitation specialist once they are admitted at Maristhill.

Our rehabilitation team conducts a full evaluation the day after the patient is admitted. Treatment begins the following day and continues according to the physician’s orders. 

The frequency of visits is dictated by the physician’s order, but often an order calls for a session each of physical therapy and occupational therapy six days per week. A typical session lasts 45-50 minutes. The frequency and duration of rehab services is usually based on what patients can tolerate.

Sustainability in Healthcare: Thinking "Green"

Sustainability has become an important component of running and managing a healthcare facility, and Maristhill has been consistent in our commitment to sustainability and to adhering to a wide range of "green" protocols.

In addition to our membership in Practice Green Health, Maristhill has also created a Green Team, which meets quarterly to review and reaffirm compliance with the latest environmental best practices, and which also conducts staff training programs on green-related initiatives. 

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