Crab Feast at Avondell
Brightview Senior Living is Great Place to Work Certified, AGAIN! This is our second year achieving this amazing milestone.
This accomplishment is only a reality because of each and every associate who goes above and beyond day in and day out for their colleagues and residents. Today, we're celebrating the difference our associates make every day in the lives of our residents!
https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7012830
GREATPLACETOWORK.COM
Working at Brightview Senior Living
Today is the first day of fall! Ring in the season of pumpkin spice with a few easy to make, but delicious to eat recipes from our Dining Team!
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/healthy-fall-meals
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Healthy Fall Meals
Last week we saw a little green...it was half-way to St. Patrick's Day. 10 loaves of soda bread were baked, Irish coffee and heavy whipped cream were served while River Dance played on the TV. Charles Zahm took care of the entertainment in the evening and he didn't disappoint.
Over the weekend true Irish games (with minor adjustments) made it onto the courtyard for staff and residents to enjoy.
Residents sanded and painted their previously poured cement vases pink which will be displayed during the month of October.
The woodshop also saw quite a bit of activity as did the beauty salon. And Wacky Wednesday was a success due to a resident's watermelon martini recipe!
This week our craft will be
Preakness hats on Wednesday and Fall cards on Saturday. Oh and lets not forget we have a crab feast on Thursday! Stay tuned for lots of pictures.
Life is in full swing at Avondell.
Raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.
A Patriotic Quilt made by Avondell residents during the onset of COVID-19.
Residents at Avondell wouldn’t let a virus stop their love for sewing and quilting. In fact, it was COVID that inspired them to sew numerous face masks. Don’t take the word “numerous” lightly, 400 masks were produced by Avondell residents! Once the production of Facemasks came to a standstill due to demand being fulfilled. The question arose: “What is the next project?”
It was quickly determined that a quilt was the answer. A sign-up sheet for participation and specific tasks was sent around and many enthusiastic responses confirmed that a patriotic quilt was the right choice.
I am sure you are wondering how residents could create a quilt while remaining in their apartments.
Residents who signed up to trace and cut stars were issued fabric, markers, and templates. Staff was made aware of the project and picked up the items left on the ledges by residents’ doors once their task was complete. The pieces were then transported to the next person on the list by placing it on their ledge. Every transfer had a note of whom its next recipient was for further assembly. Associates from every Avondell department were involved in the delivery and pick up of items.
Meanwhile, our sewers received sewing machines, needles, thread, and bobbins to prepare for the big job of sewing everything together and on point (as many quilters know is so important).
It was such a fun time to witness residents enjoying this community project and having staff as their mail system. It felt like we were smuggling items and all took great pleasure in the project.
The quilt turned out beyond anyone’s expectation, a dedicated group of ladies: Jean Boyer, Wanda Drnec, Leona Krebs, Mary McGraw, Lorraine Puls, Joann Rice, Bernice Spicer, Sandra Tracy, Pat Fick, Marge Traband, Pat Turner, and Toni Peterson put a lot of work into it and it shows, thank you, ladies!
It was decided that the quilt would be raffled off to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, a worthy cause that Avondell continues to support even during COVID.
You are invited to purchase a raffle ticket for $10 apiece or three for $25.
Tickets can be purchased at the front desk or ask for Ingrid Riseley. Checks are to be made out to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Deadline for purchasing tickets Friday, December 18.
We'll announce the winner on Monday, December 21
When an older family member starts displaying signs of forgetfulness, it can be worrisome for caregivers and adult children. On the blog, we take a look at some signs and symptoms to help you distinguish between normal forgetfulness and dementia.
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/differences-between-normal-forgetfulness-and-dementia?utm_campaign=Q32020Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ForgetfulnessBlog
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
What are the Differences Between Normal Forgetfulness and Dementia?
Don't let fear keep you from having important conversations about your or a loved one's health. We've put together a list to help tackle challenging health topics with patience and compassion together.
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/tips-to-help-families-talk-about-challenging-health-topics?utm_campaign=Q32020Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Tough%20Health%20Convos
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Tips to Help Families Talk about Challenging Health Topics
Don't they just look lovely?
Celebrating Preakness Oct 3, 2020
It was another busy week at Avondell. Taylor Marie set up shop in our courtyard and the weather was picture perfect.
In preparation for our Trunk & Treat, October 29, we are decorating multiple masks to wear and keep us safe.
To top it off we celebrated international coffee day in our cafe with a variety of coffees & pastries and ofcourse live accordian music.
Fall is definitely on our minds, two pumpkins made it into our community. I am sure there will be more pumpkins by the end of this month, decorated or not, it will be a joyful sight reminding us of childhood, family and friends.
Dear Friends,
Regretfully we have to cancel Trunk or Treat due to the Tropical Storm Zeta. The weather forecast predicts rain for the next two days.
Trunk or Treat at Avondell might be compromised by the Tropical Storm Zeta. We will post an update by 12 noon Wednesday, October 28.
The progression of memory loss and dementia is difficult for seniors and their families. One way to ease the pain is by working together to preserve memories and positive associations. We've collected some ideas for how to save those moments.
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/5-tips-to-help-a-loved-one-preserve-memories-while-living-with-dementia?utm_campaign=Q3%2020%20Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=WSV%20Preserve%20memories
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
5 Tips to Help a Loved One Preserve Memories While Living with Dementia
THU, OCT 29
Trunk or Treat
Decluttering a house or room can be overwhelming when you've accumulated so much over the years. Here are a few simple tips to make the process as painless as possible. https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/a-guide-to-decluttering?utm_campaign=Q32020Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Decluttering
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
A Guide to Decluttering
💵 "How much does it cost?" is often the first question we hear from families.
📢 We hear you and we're here to help!
⏳ Save yourself some time, this blog lays out everything you need to know.
💡 Did you know Senior Living often saves you money by reducing home upkeep expenses?
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/paying-for-senior-care?utm_campaign=Q32020Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Paying%20for%20Care
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Paying for Senior Care
Keep your eyes open, no matter your age! Maintaining eye health has a wide range of benefits. We've pulled together a list of tips to keep your eyes healthy and clear!
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/eye-health-for-seniors?utm_campaign=Q120%21Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Eye%20Health
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Eye Health for Seniors
The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived at Brightview Warren in New Jersey!
The first of our vaccine clinics started today and will stretch into February! Clinic dates will vary for each Brightview community. Brightview has partnered with Walgreens to distribute vaccines to residents, associates, and new residents. (Warren's unofficial mascot Tucker was on hand to help any way he could!)
In the spirit of the Holiday Season, a family member took a few snapshots of Holiday Cheer. Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures.
Christmas cheer is everywhere. Homemade ornaments by residents and their families decorated a 15-foot tree near our front entrance. A tree-lighting ceremony with Gluhwein, Santa Claus, and his Elf, accompanied by festive music from Smooth Groove, made it a joyful afternoon.
A surprise visit from family was made by serenading a lovely couple celebrating a birthday.
On Christmas Eve, a colorful Gingerbread village was engineered and all agreed that in the future, we require more time to build.
As we are looking forward to our New Year's Pancake & Mimosas breakfast, we have been busy preparing to enter Jan. 1st with a bang. Many hands helped make crackers to pop on Jan. 1st. We look forward to making 2021 a great year.
Holidays might be a little different for all of us this year, so now--more than ever--we need to make sure our loved ones are doing okay. We've put together a checklist for you when seeing your senior loved ones (safely) this holiday season.
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/assessing-care-needs-this-holiday-season?utm_campaign=Q42020%20Content&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_content=PAssessXmas
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Assessing Care Needs this Holiday Season
'Tis the season to celebrate and be merry. Lots of pictures for you to look through and know that Avondell is in the Holiday spirit.
Did you know that people in strong relationships are able to stay mentally sharper for longer in life than those who aren't? Check out the blog where we dive into the connection between health and social connections!
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/vibrant-relationships-are-key-to-living-longer-and-staying-sharp?utm_campaign=FB2021&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Relationsharp
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Vibrant Relationships are Key to Living Longer and Staying Sharp
In honor of Valentine's Day, residents share their wedding pictures. Love and Sweet Memories fill our Lobby Table.
Tax season seems like it sneaks up every year, but it's still inevitable. Here's a guide to some tax benefits that relate to senior living expenses. Make sure you get back every penny possible!
https://www.brightviewseniorliving.com/brightview-insights/senior-living-tax-benefits-guide?utm_campaign=FB2021&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=TaxBlog
BRIGHTVIEWSENIORLIVING.COM
Senior Living Tax Benefits Guide
Our vaccine clinics continue to roll out among our communities, protecting associates and residents alike. Brightview Towson's Executive Director Karl Douglas says it best, getting the vaccine is the best thing we can do for humanity and each other! #StopTheSpread
Last week Monday was super exciting for staff and residents at Avondell. The COVID vaccine arrived!
We encountered many superheroes with capes waving in the air and a syringe ready to eliminate COVID-19.
Tuesday night, we were treated to polka music, and quite a bit of dancing took place.
On Wednesday, Creative Minds came together and designed Teacup Gardens. Don't they look lovely?
With everything going on Irene was still able to crochet a beautiful blanket for a newborn. The variety of talents at Brightview communities never cease to amaze us.
Smooth Groove provided great entertainment on Thursday and mentioned that they have various bands, more to come on that for sure.
We celebrated January birthdays with a delicious lunch on Friday, and to top off a great week, there was puppy love for everyone!
Our COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across our organization. Our residents and associates at Brightview Avondell felt like super heroes after getting their shots on Monday! Everyone was really showing off how to be #BrightviewStrong!
https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-senior-vaccines-20210125-ssubdhhw7vdijncqtsadnmwcsa-story.html?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=AvondellClinic
BALTIMORESUN.COM
Brightview senior living centers in Bel Air host first COVID-19 vaccination clinics for residents, staff
