Rodney Peter Wilson Visits Green Hill

Rodney Pete Wilson, former Cincinnati Bengals football player, visited Green Hill on Wednesday, January 11th. He provided a program titled “Football Show For Seniors”. “He spoke about his childhood & football career, and then he engaged the residents to participate and speak about their involvement in sports, etc. The residents had a great time, and said that Rodney was a very charismatic speaker!” said Activities Director Maggie Frank.

Jerome Markowitz

Jay Hague

Maureen O'Hara

Activities Assistant Melvyn Novick

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January Tips for Seniors

Most of us don’t drink enough fluids everyday. Fluid is important to good health as it makes up 60% of our body weight. Water aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals, flushes our body of toxins and waste, and ensures proper organ function.

In elders, the balance between the need for water and the thirst for water changes, just as the desire for food lessens. The less water an elder drinks, the less thirsty they become, and the more at risk they are of serious dehydration leading to other physical and mental complications.

Senior citizens are at particular risk for dehydration because their kidney function has diminished to some degree. (www.health.gmnews.com)

Lack of water causes dehydration which can cause death in the most severe cases. For the average elder, lack of sufficient water based fluids can in the short term cause drowsiness, dry mouth, confusion, and increased chronic pain. Over time, the lack of water can cause lack of muscle tone, slow down metabolism, increase toxicity in the vital organs, arthritis, hypertension, constipation, the list goes on.

Mayo Clinic Staff report that in order to maintain good health one should drink 64 ounces of fluids per day, and excrete 6.3 cups of light or colorless fluid a day. These standards apply to elders especially. (mayoclinic.com)

Elders should make sure that most of their fluid intake is in water, tap or bottled, at any temperature. Be sure to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and sodas, which actually leach water from your system, and cause a negative effect on your fluid totals.

The easiest way for elders to make sure they are drinking enough water is to fill a 32oz water bottle twice a day, and keep it at hand to sip regularly. If your diet is heavy in fruits and vegetable you can get up to 20% of your fluids from these sources as they are 90% water themselves. One good tip is to freeze fresh fruit and vegetable juices in ice trays on a stick. You can pop them out and suck them all day for a fun and delicious fluid filled treat, or drop them in your glass of water for a flavor filled addition to your drink, and at the same time increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.

For elders and their loved ones alike, we are all not drinking enough fluids. Remember 64 oz over 24 hours for maximum good health.

A Message from Toni Lynn Davis, Executive Director

Pets Make Elders Healthier and Happier

By Toni Lynn Davis, Executive Director Green Hill Inc.

Green Hill is thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest resident, Poppy, a five month old Chihuahua who joins our growing pet family. Pets have been included in Green Hill programming since 1992 after finding that having animals at Green Hill resulted in happier residents. The relationship between our pets and elders eases loneliness and feelings of isolation, and helps to make Green Hill more like home.

As noted by the American Animal Hospital Association, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in May 1999, showed that independently living seniors that have pets tend to have better physical health and mental wellbeing than those that don’t. The study also showed that pets help seniors cope better with stressful situations. A 1997 study concluded that blood pressure rates were lower in seniors with pets.

If pets can support the good health of seniors living independently we believe pets also benefit our residents at Green Hill. Thus, living throughout the facility is a menagerie of birds and fish, cats, two cute furry rabbits Peter and Dumpling, and our puppy Poppy who visits residents on every floor, and in each Green House Home.

The Journal of American Geriatrics Society study also showed that people with pets were better able to remain emotionally stable during crises than those without. Pets can also work as a buffer against social and emotional isolation, which is especially effective for elders with light to moderate dementia, and the early to mid stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Feeding, and petting pets is soothing for the elders – touching and being touched is so important to lowering stress and blood pressure, and reduces the feelings of depression. Pets, especially dogs, make seniors feel safe, and create a sense of family.

According to a study in the International Journal of Aging and Human Development, many elderly Americans think having a pet is more important than moving to a convenient place to live where pets aren’t allowed. At Green Hill we encourage elders who come to live with us to bring their pets with them. Patients who are with us for rehabilitation services, or shorter stays, may bring their pets to visit with proof of inoculation.

Choosing the right pet for elders is very important. Some people have allergies to cats or long haired animals that must be considered before introducing an animal into an elder community. If an elder is mobile and can care for a dog or cat, choose one with short hair or a breed that is a hypoallergenic. Look for a breed that is friendly, not high strung, doesn’t jump up on people, and doesn’t bark too much. Behavior training for a dog is helpful for living with elders. Rabbits are friendly and responsive animals, soothing to the touch, and other caged living animals are fun to watch and care for. Check with a veterinarian for advice on choosing the best pet for your elder.

The studies show that elders who have pets in their lives are happier and healthier. At Green Hill our pets enhance the quality of our elder’s lives, and that’s our goal every day with all that we do.

Activities Asst Samantha Uzzell Florence Rosenber Kringle

Activities Supervisor Karen Gyetvay Shirlie Decostanza Kringle

Barbara Morris and Jean Ellowitch with Poppy

Earl Walker Poppy

Elsie Zenneck

Esther Knee Leist Dumpling

Jopsephine Cela shares a smile with Poppy

Julien Kaplan Poppy

Liz stein Poppy

Muriel Rosenberg and Poppy

Onetta Wherry and Family

Robert Sohn Zee Dumpling

See Dumpling Blanche Diamontavich

Shirlie Deconstanza and Poppy

Shirlie Decostanza Peekaboo

Vincent Carlesimo Poppy

Yetta and Ruth visit with Poppy

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Happy New Year! Bringing in the New Year at Green House #121.

Shirlie DeCostanza

Shirlie DeCostanza

Zosia Porey

Evelyn Locicero

Liz Stein

Marie Rachel

Shirlie DeCostanza

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Gingerbread House Makes News

Green Hill Inc News Launched!

Download the Green Hill Newsletter today or call 973-731-2300 to have your copy mailed to you directly.
May/June 2011 Green Hill Inc News
September/October 2011 Green Hill Inc News
November/December 11 Newsletter

December Tips for Seniors

As we enter middle age often we find that we can become forgetful. We can’t find our keys, or perhaps enter a room for a specific reason then forget why we did. We immediately worry that we might be facing early stage Alzheimer’s or some other dramatic disease. More often, stress, multi-tasking, or lack of sleep is the cause of our mind lapses. It can also be a result of a vitamin deficiency.

Memory lapses and forgetfulness seem more prevalent in our elders. Recent studies show that a vitamin B12 deficiency may be the cause of mild cognitive disorders affecting memory.

‘B12 deficiency may include muscle weakness, fatigue, shakiness, unsteady gait, incontinence, low blood pressure, depression and other mood disorders, and cognitive problems like poor memory… In one study, among women with a poor dietary intake of B12, supplements of the vitamin significantly slowed the rate of cognitive decline.’

It Could Be Old Age, or It Could Be Low B12 By JANE E. BRODY Published: November 28, 2011 NY Times

A recent study from Christine C. Tangney, PhD, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and colleagues, published September 27 in Neurology, seems to confirm that low levels of vitamin B12 is a risk factor for brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. Many reports state that while a lack of B12 in the diet is not the cause alone of cognitive impairment or dementia, adding B12 to ones diet may help alleviate some symptoms.

‘According to the conclusions of a new scientific study, it would appear that low concentrations of vitamin B12 in the human brain may be directly responsible for a decrease in memory efficiency, as well as other types of cognitive declines. As such, the vitamin may be related to the onset of dementia….. Studies show a B vitamin cocktail may stave off cognitive decline.’

November 08, 2010|By Elena Conis, Special to the Los Angeles Times

Adding B12 rich foods to the diet like, shellfish, fish eggs, fish, liver, beef, lamb, turkey, dairy products and whole eggs can help increase levels of the vitamin in the system. Elder’s bodies are less able to absorb B12 in the blood streams so supplements in the form of pills, patches or injections may be warranted.

‘For seniors, low vitamin B12 status and high serum folate was the worst combination,” says Morris. “Specifically, anemia and cognitive impairment were observed nearly five times as often for people with this combination than among people with normal vitamin B12 and normal folate.” Vitamin B12 deficiency, which affects many seniors due to age-related decreases in absorption, can impact the production of DNA needed for new cells, as well as neurological function.’
Published on February 11, 2007 http://www.news-medical.net

The recipe for Bouillabaisse (fish stew) below will boost ones spirits and vitamin B12 levels on a cold winter’s night. The tomato based broth served over whole grain rice, with some dark greens like Kale, or spinach will increase your intake of folic acid as well which is the perfect complement to B12 absorption. While it is tempting to open a cold bottle of white wine with this dish, alcohol consumption is shown to lower ones levels of B12 and folic acid.

In a stock pot heat 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauté 1 cup onion, chopped, 1/2 cup celery, chopped, 1 cup leeks
Add Salt and pepper to taste, 4 tablespoons butter, when melted
Stir in 2 tblsp flour, for thickening
Add 3 cloves garlic, chopped, 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs thyme, 1 cup of fish or clam stock, 1 cup white wine, Pinch of Saffron
Stir until thickened
Add, 3 cups chopped canned or boxed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons parsley, fresh parsley finely chopped, Salt and pepper again to taste
Add 2-4 pds total pounds assorted fish including, small cubed fresh while fish like cod, swordfish, whiting, tilapia, fresh octopus rings, lobster tails quartered, cleaned and deveined shrimp, muscles and clams.
Cover and let simmer until shellfish opens and lobster is cooked through. Serve and enjoy your B12 feast.

A Message from Toni Lynn Davis, Executive Director

Happy Holidays!

By Toni Lynn Davis, Executive Director Green Hill Inc.

At the end of the calendar year I am busy with annual staff evaluations, end of year reports for the community, and solidifying approaches and programs for the coming year. Each year at this time I am reminded how privileged I am to work with a staff that have worked closely together for many years making Green Hill Inc., the first choice elder community that it has become.

Often when a prospective elder’s family members visit Green Hill they anxiously ask questions about the continuity of the care for their elder. Specifically, loved ones want to know if their elder will be cared for by a series of strangers, or will have the opportunity to build relationships and be cared for by familiar faces.

I have spent the entirety of my personal and professional life as a part of elder care. First as the young daughter of a senior nursing care community director at Green Hill Inc Then, I volunteered at Green Hill as a youth, served as the Chief Financial Officer after receiving my undergraduate degree, and eventually earned a masters and appointment as the Executive Director of Green Hill. Forty plus years living and working around elders has afforded me the opportunity to build many valuable relationships with elders that have sustained us both in immeasurable ways.

The discussion of staff longevity’s affect on the health and well being of elders in nursing homes is an issue that has recently undergone some study by medical care research organizations. While I have not yet found a broad based statistical analysis that shows a distinct correlation between staff longevity and quality of elder health care, I have personally experienced the positive effects of staff retention on the emotional and physical health of residents at Green Hill.

In the Nicholas Castle study of 2007, as noted on the South Carolina Nursing Home Law web site, Castle found that ‘turnover of administrative leadership lead to increased pressure ulcers, resident catheters and psychoactive drugs use, and twice the number of staff turnover.’ He also found that when an administrator leaves so does staff, ‘RN turnover rises to 76%, LPN’s 78% and certified nursing assistants 107%.’

What I do know is that staff turnover is very costly and time consuming for administrators, and incredibly disruptive to a senior communities services, quality of programs, and the general wellbeing of its elders.

At Green Hill we have created a stable environment for employees and elders alike based on eliminating the top down format for administration and replacing it with a vertical stake holder style of management. I encourage teamwork, meet often with staff in open floor, circle sessions, to process issues and challenges, and provide opportunities for growth and advancement to those who desire it.

We have created a familial style environment for our elders and our staff that facilitates a sense of well being throughout the Green Hill community. The implementation of The Green House® Homes program has further enabled staff to engage in these practices, revitalizing their commitment and energy to our elders and to each other.

The continuity provided by staff to our elders encourages relationship building, verbal engagement, increased participation in activities, and the family style dining in the Green House homes has shown to increase elder’s appetite and caloric consumption.

Green Hill administrative staff has an average of 18 years tenure. Nursing direct care staff has an average of over 14 years at Green Hill. Other support staff average over 12 years in length. My five longest serving staff members have 30+ years of service to Green Hill, Inc. I am proud to say that our staff is above the national average for longevity, providing our residents with an unparalleled continuity of care.

With a focus on retention of staff at Green Hill we are able to provide our elders with care providers who have intimate knowledge of their needs, and desires, better relationships with the elder’s family members, and a stable and safe environment, which provides a happier and more comfortable experience. The Green Hill focus on staff retention also provides for a more positive and fulfilling workplace for our employees which perpetuates a sustainable continuity of care for elders for years to come.

Happy Holidays!

Executive Assistant Barbara Heins and Executive Director Toni Lynn Davis

Marketing Director Stephanie Roselle, Assistant Marketing Director Rosanne Kinney

Dan Sales, Finance Department

Finance Director Karen Jung

Assistant Executive Director Judy Wittler

Aide Felicia Sodeke, Residents, Josephina Cela, Nina Platt, Mina Berson

Aide Christina Pedrzuela and Resident Kathryn Dowling

LPN Ethel Williams, RN Wellness Nurse Maria Sugaura

Food Service Director, Marcia Bailey, Carol Green Dietary

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2011 Annual Appeal Underway

The 2011 Green Hill Annual Appeal is underway. Consider a donation to Green Hill Inc., as part of your end of year giving. Green Hill is a 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to the health and wellbeing of seniors since 1866.

Green Hill is a leader in elder living and care through its educational programs, community outreach, health and wellness programs for residents, and the first in New Jersey to offer the Green House® home concept of nursing care.

As of 2011 Green Hill has built four Green House homes for forty elders with plans for two more homes in the near future. The Green House® homes, as featured in the recent NY Times article, A Nursing Home Shrinks Until It Feels Like a Home by Laurie Tarkan, have been recognized by industry and political leaders nation-wide as an innovative solution to fiscally efficient nursing care with the highest quality of life and physical well being output of any elder living model.

Tax exempt options for giving include naming of a Green House home or room, Legacy Giving options, monthly giving programs, yearly and singular appeal contributions.

Call or email Toni Lynn Davis for more information, 973-731-2300 x240, tlynn@green-hill.com. All major credit cards accepted. Visit www.green-hill.com to donate on line.

See your financial consultant for more information on the benefits of 501(c) 3 giving to Green Hill Inc.

Our Lady of the Lake Pumpkin Paintings

3rd & 4th graders from Our Lady of the Lake in Verona, NJ joined residents at the annual pumpkin painting event held on on Friday, October 21st.

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