By Toni Lynn Davis, Executive Director Green Hill Inc.

Toni Lynn Davis
Executive Director

While forgetfulness in middle age and early elder-hood is a normal experience, many times it is just a circumstance of stress, exhaustion, or a lack of the nutrients and exercise that your body needs to keep your mind alert.

While currently there is no way to prevent a disease such as Alzheimer’s from manifesting if one is genetically predisposed, there are many ways to ensure that your brain remains agile and cognizant for as long as possible. Maintaining brain health should be a goal for all of us as we age with confidence.

Foods rich in antioxidants such as dark skinned fruits and vegetables, eggplant, red peppers, beets, broccoli, spinach, green leafy lettuces, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and my favorite antioxidant, dark chocolate, are all great brain food.

Omega three fatty acids found in avocados, nuts, olives and olive, canola and peanut oils are great for the brain. As are coldwater fish like tuna, mackerel, trout, anchovies, herring and salmon.

Supplements like vitamins B-12, E, E and folate may also help maintain a healthy brain. Be sure to check with your physician before you take any nutritional supplement.

Check out this month’s Tips From Toni for a mouth watering brain rich dessert for the whole family to enjoy.

Exercise is instrumental in maintaining good heart health, which increases blood circulation, and feeds the brain with the blood and oxygen it needs to stay healthy, encouraging the growth of new brain cells.

Other thought provoking exercises include, card games, puzzles, and cross word puzzles. I know a 96 year old man who each day makes hundreds of words out of a single word, as a game he enjoys that keeps his brain sharp and his verbal skills current.

Great foods, fun games, interesting activities with friends and refreshing exercise are enjoyable ways to keep your brain healthy, and your life full of adventure and enjoyment.

For more information on brain health and aging download

Dr. Sladowski was an avid supporter of Green Hill, its staff, family, elders and friends. She visited Green Hill often, spending time with elders and staff. So enamored was she of the quality of care at Green Hill that she stayed with us for her rehabilitative care. Dr. Sladowski was instrumental in the process of bringing the Green House Homes to Green Hill, and provided active leadership and support to her colleagues on the board of trustees as a trusted member for five years.

“Dr. Sladowski always had a kind word, a humorous story, and a pat on the back for the staff at Green Hill,” said CEO and President Toni Lynn Davis. “She was the first to volunteer and was such an active contributor to all of our programs. We will miss her enthusiasm, her spirit, and her friendship.”

Dr. Sladowski was born in Bayonne, N.J., lived in West Orange, N.J., North Caldwell, N.J., and Montville, N.J., and settled in Boonton six months ago. She was an Obstetrician/Gynecologist who practiced in Verona, N.J., and Livingston, N.J.

She was a Eucharistic minister for St. Barnabas Church in Bayville, N.J., a communicant of Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell, and mother of Thomas and John Bamber pictured at right.

“Catherine Sladowski’s keen insight and wit will be greatly missed by the Board of Trustees,” said Chairman of the Green Hill board of trustees, Dr. Paul O’Connor. “Her work on the Quality Assurance committee gave her a real understanding of Green Hill and greatly contributed to our overall quality and efficiency.”

We share with you just a few of the hundreds of glowing tributes to the woman, doctor, community member, and friend Dr. Sladowski was to so many.

As published on line:

Not only was Dr. Sladowski a wonderful doctor, but she was a treasure of a human being.

She delivered my children and has been a great doctor and friend for over 26 years. I will miss her and her great sense of humor

Cathy delivered my youngest daughter, holding her up to Heaven my dear doctor dedicated her to God. We’ve shared laughter, tears hugs and support over these past 35 years.

Cathie was very intelligent and capable, without a doubt. But she was also one of those people who brought happiness wherever she went.

This fabulous dessert is nutritionally ‘brain healthy’ with all of the berries and dark chocolate flakes. Socially heart healthy, as it serves four people so you should have some friends over to share it. Physically heart healthy, if you go to a ‘pick your own’ farm and pick your own berries or, build up a little arm muscle tone while you froth the milk and grate the chocolate. I know once you eat it you will get a little aerobic exercise from dancing around the kitchen with joy.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
All fruit should be well rinsed with cold water prior to use.

1 cup strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced or quartered
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup of red raspberries
1 cup of blackberries

1 1/2 cups of low fat milk or whole milk

1 – 2 oz dark semi sweet chocolate
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbls honey
1/4 tsp cinnamon
4 Mint leaves

Equipment:
Large bowl
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Electric or hand frother or coffee press

Instructions:
1. Combine fruit in a bowl and mix.
2. Combine milk, honey, cinnamon and vanilla in a tall container, or pour into a coffee press.
3. Froth milk until thick like whipped cream using a coffee press or with an electric froth making wand.
4. Grate chocolate into flakes.
5. Layer ingredients, berries, cream, then chocolate into dessert dishes or cups.

Serve immediately and enjoy a low calorie, brain healthy treat that will have your taste buds and feet dancing.

5th graders from Ridgewood Elementary made crafts with the residents and shared stories and laughter. They colored Easter eggs, and the kids also played piano and sang.

“The elders had a great time during the visits, and enjoy spending time with children throughout the year,” said Activities Director Maggie Frank. “Our intergenerational programs not only bring joy to our elders but break down the barriers and stereotypes that can arise between children and seniors.”

Nolan Barrett, Max Haberman, Connor Preblick, Daniel Nathanson, & Resident Tess Langeveld in front

Brooke Scanlon, Carrie Liddy, Lily Barnett, Cece Keppel, Halinka Prussak, & Residents- Minna Berson and Nina Platt in front

Kaya Bond, Resident Josephine Cela, Lizzy Komorowski, & Resident Rita Cappo

Kaya Bond, Resident Cela Bryan & Sarah Kwakkelaar

Meghan Kennedy, Will Singer, Lillie Kortrey & Resident Jane Alworth

James Merriman, Resident Marilyn O’Connell, Simon Hanan & Connor Crowell

Jeremy Mitchell, Brandon Lutz, Resident Evangelina Garrido, Tim VanBloem & Alexander Rovalino

Zoe Filiaci, resident Eleanor Dormant, Jordan Caloo, Omar Wallace

Jordan Caloo, Omar Wallace, Zoe Filiaci & resident Katie Papell

Sophie Gillaim, Sabrina Charles, resident Rita Cappo, resident Nina Platt, Morgan Gittens & Olivia Shaw (standing), Katrine Weissman, Lizzie Wiede, Mici Wilkerson

Beau Torralva, Elizabeth Niemeyer, Drew Ege, Neven Kohli

resident Murray Span, Michelle Akyol, Joshua Roselin, Henry Arthur, Kevin Matthew, resident Jean Leith

“As part of our human health care mission, our HR staff is looking for volunteer opportunities to spend time with those individuals that can benefit from additional care,” explained Michele Crocco.

“At Green Hill, creating opportunities for our elders to be a part of the greater community is important to their quality of life,” said Executive Director, Toni Lynn Davis. “Our activities team lead by Maggie Frank, provide our elders with trips and social events for elders at every stage of life. For elders in the Green House Homes bringing special activities to them within their home is a great addition to their daily experience,” Davis explained.

“This was the second visit by Eisai Pharmaceuticals and elders were delighted to have them back and celebrate Easter,” said Ms Frank. “I’d like to give a special thanks to Michele and all of the wonderful staff of Eisai HR group for creating such a wonderful afternoon for our elders in the Green House Homes.”

Bertha Brownstein & Ruth Kenyon- both elders living in Green House 117- enjoy a fun afternoon together!

Evangelina Garrido & facility Dove “Jackie” enjoy a visit together

Helen Stransky & “Jackie”

Many of our elders are significantly home bound during the winter and it can cause some feelings of isolation and depression. Using spring cleaning as a way to release those feelings is as important as sweeping up the dust bunnies under the sofa. It is also important for elders to proceed with spring cleaning carefully by asking for help for the bigger jobs, and by reducing the chemicals that they use in their cleaning products.

To make handy low chemical cleaning products you can use items around the house. Mix a mild dishwashing liquid (2 tblsp) diluted in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, with a fresh sponge or hand towel, for any surface around the house.

1 part Vinegar to 1 part water, is the best at shining up aluminum surfaces, and with a piece of newspaper does an excellent job on window panes.

Distilled white vinegar and lemon juice are excellent for cleaning, deodorizing, and mild bleaching for bathrooms and kitchens. Make a paste of baking soda and dish washing liquid for tubs and showers.
For easier spring cleaning, fill a bucket with basics that need to be toted from room to room: spray bottles with homemade cleaner, rubber gloves; lint-free white cloths; medium-bristled scrub brush, toothbrush and sponge.

While you are spring cleaning your home do a little emotional spring cleaning as well. When you open the windows to air out your room, take a deep breath of the fresh air and let go of the stress that binds you.

Wipe away any grudges you have towards people while you clean your window panes and forgive those that have hurt you. While you tidy away the clutter that has amassed over the winter, clear the clutter of those feelings from your heart.

Wash away guilt that you might feel while you scrub and rinse down your tub and shower and imagine the guilt running right down the drain. Identify why you feel guilty and forgive yourself while you take one active step to overcome the cause. Then step outside and enjoy the sunshine with the knowledge that the house is cleaner and your heart is lighter.

Together the children and elders made flower lei necklaces and baked muffins. The Children’s Institute visits were coordinated by teacher Joanne Cioro whose mother Peggy Drake is a resident of the White Hill Green House® Home.

5th graders from Ridgewood Ave. School in Glen Ridge, NJ, visited Green Hill on Tuesday, March 27th. Elders will enjoy 5 visits from Ridgeview school this spring: March 27th, April 3rd, April 10th, April 17th, and May 15th. During each visit the children and elders will participate in activities including, balloon volleyball, craft projects, baking and decorating.

“The residents had a great time during the visits, and enjoy spending time with children throughout the year,” said Activities Director Maggie Frank. “Our intergenerational programs not only bring joy to our elders but break down the barriers and stereotypes that can arise between children and seniors.”

Students from the Children’s Institute read books and hang out with elders in the White Hill House.

Belle Silverman

Onetta Wherry

Nancy Virgilio

Onetta Wherry and activities assistant Manny McDonald

Lola Rothkopf

Ridgewood Avenue School students play their favorite board games with elders at Green Hill.

Joe Getzoff, Jessica Muney, Katie Bagin, Claire Atkerson, Eleanor Alix, Sophie Marsden, Evy Garrido

Alex Chang, Daniel Schnack, Marilyn O'Connell, Edna Drudy, Collin Miller

Lili Pugliese, Giuliana Cipriano, Lily Kinley, Minna Berson, Nina Platt, Murray Span

Cadmus Cai, Tess Langeveld, Daryush Dehnavi, Chris Dunkin

Chris Dunkin, Daniel Schnack, Juliann Umann, Marshall Hendrian, Ian Buchanan, Kenny Mar, John Bobby, Kenny Mar

The award is given annually to a member of the New Jersey Chapter of ACHCA in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the field and presented during the Annual Meeting held on April 4th.
Ms Davis has a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, a BS in Accounting and Business Administration and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in the State of New Jersey. She has initiated the first Green House® Homes in New Jersey, with four of six homes now open on the twenty acre Green Hill campus in West Orange, New Jersey.

Ms Davis’ passion for elders, financial acumen, and commitment has brought the innovative opportunity of the Green House Homes to Green Hill, and to the State of New Jersey. Toni’s vision for nursing care of elders in the 21st century is a place of light, love, and compassion, where the quality of life, desires and needs of the whole elder are the focused outcome which is supported by comprehensive health care plan.

Founded in 1962, ACHCA is a non-profit professional membership association which provides superior educational programming, professional certification, and career development opportunities for its members.
Guided by the vision that dynamic leadership forges long term health care services that are desired, meaningful, successful, and efficient, ACHCA identifies, recognizes, and supports long term care leaders, advocating for their mission and promoting excellence in their profession

Toni Lynn Davis
Executive Director

It is contradicting that as medical science invests in medicines and procedures to keep us living longer, and insurers and safety nets like Medicare and Medicaid provide benefits to affect this outcome, these same programs are reducing their investments and funding for long term health care communities, and assistance that seniors need.

“Faulty assumptions about both aging and interest rates have led a growing number of insurers to stop selling what is known as long-term care insurance. This product helps people cover the often staggering cost of nursing homes, home-health aides and assisted living care,” Mr. Beeson explains in his article.

Coupled with what is happening to long-term care reimbursement (Medicaid and Medicare), and Social Security, which is going to be greatly challenged when the majority of the boomers hit retirement age, and we are facing a crisis in America.

Long term care communities have been living with budget proposals that continuously threaten additional reductions. With Medicaid poised to become a managed care product, we in the senior health care industry, have many more questions of how the program will be facilitated than have had answers. Medicare reimbursements have decreased long-term care revenues by 11%, and now we see the one remaining hope for consumers dissolving, long-term care insurance.

“The three companies, (Prudential, Unum Group and Met Life), comprise about 30% of New Jersey’s $301.6 million long-term care market, according to the latest data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners”, the Ledger article states.

With our nation aging rapidly, and New Jersey’s population one of the leaders in the trend, we are looking at a crisis situation in our State. If senior living communities do not get any relief many more senior residences in our State will be forced to close.

Thanks to the miracle of modern science, people are living longer and longer. In some cases the body outlasts the mind and in some the mind outlasts the body. In either case quality long-term care is needed. With the elderly population due to increase to levels that may exceed the younger population left to care for them, how are we going to pay for care for our elders?

Volunteers are assigned a buddy at a nearby nursing home or assisted living facility. They are expected to visit their buddies at least once each week and spend half an hour together.

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