GP072011

Bubby’s Looking Down and SmilingBy-Randie Dale Duretz

Where residents live with tradition, caring and love

Dedicated to Your Care…We provide the highest quality of life in a caring, supportive environment where seniors are given the dignity and respect they deserve.

Enriching And Worry FreeNestled in a quiet, tree lined neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Glendale Uptown Home is a warm and caring community where a helping hand from compassionate staff allows residents to safety enjoy greater independence. Residents take comfort in a community where familiar traditions and holidays are celebrated. A variety of social, recreational and cultural activities are offered and friends and family are welcomed. The exceptional staff at Glendale Uptown Home are so friendly and attentive, that it is like having extended family care for loved ones.

Editor: Randie Dale Duretz • Assistant Editor: Rosemary Maurer • Associates Our Residents July 2011

Fabulous DiningOur executive chef prepares traditional favorites, as well as creative cuisine. Residents choose from an extensive menu that changes daily. Three meals a day are served restaurant style by professional wait staff in our beautiful, spacious dining room. Special nutritional diets are supervised by an award winning dietary team.

Exceptional Standard Of CareWith oversight provided by a dedicated Medical Director, our services are delivered by a team of highly qualified individuals. Our Therapy Team includes Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists. The Recreation Team always has something up their sleeve to keep your loved ones busy, room visits, small and large groups. We also provide on site physicians, RN’S, LPN’S, Nursing Assistants, Discharge Planners/Case Managers, Social Workers and Dieticians.

Our Mission

My involvement with Pet Therapy began in 1985. My father & Aunt made the big decision to place my Bubby in a nursing home. Bubby was alert, but disoriented with respect to people, place and time and in need of 24/7 care. She was hard of hearing, had lost a great deal of weight, needed a wheelchair and had to totally depend on someone escorting her to and from any place that she needed to go.

Bubby became the new resident, of a Northeast Nursing Home. Family members visited her daily, but they had a hard time dealing with the new situation. Bubby was now living in a nursing home: sharing a room

with another resident, needing total care after all these years of independence and often not recognizing her loving family.

She had talked in the past and now in the present, about her mixed breed dog, Blackie, the dog that lived with her and my Zada. This dog had also helped to man their South Philadelphia butcher shop. She spoke about what a good dog he had been and how they rewarded him with leftover meat from the shop.

This was where my three collies came in. The dogs were: Mazel, Bagels and Kasha. At that time my three lovable, furry, four-legged “kids” weren’t certified for Pet Therapy. I did however receive

Main Phone Number215-722-2300AdministrationCharles Steg - Adm. - 3011Rahel Andemicael-Adm. Assist. - 3100Rosemary Maurer-Adm. Secretary - 3012AdmissionsNadine Vaughn - 3040Beth Hermely - 3555Business OfficeFalisha King - 3103Central SupplyMarie Sutch - 3016Food ServicePamela Davie - 3030Housekeeping/LaundryElaine Taylor - 3091Human Resources/PayrollVanessa Jones - 3017MaintenanceJames Coach - 3090Medical RecordsCarolyn McCullough - 3070Nursing AdministrationEricka Robinson, DON - 3013Sharon Allen-ADON - 3019Leeanna John, Staff Educato - 3101Recreation/VolunteersRandie Duretz - 3044Social ServicesJamilla Allen-Director-2nd fl. - 3042Anna Tsybushnik-3rd fl. - 3054Tonya Wooten-4th fl. - 3560Fax MachinesAdministration - (215) 722-1419Admission - (215) 722-4246Business Office - (215) 728-7213

Directory

permission from the administrator to bring the three collies into the facility to visit with my Bubby.

So it began! One night after putting in a full eight or nine hours with the residents of the nursing facility I was working at I had an idea. I went home, groomed the three collies and ran them around in the back yard. Then off we went-accompanied by a bag, packed with doggie treats, a brush, plastic pick-up bags, container of water and a bowl. Let’s not forget the lump in my stomach, from not knowing what to expect.

We arrived at the nursing home at 6:15 p.m. Residents just finished their dinner and were sitting in the hallways and dayroom. We received a four-star, A-OK treatment; everyone-residents as well as staff members stopped us in the hallway. All that could be heard were the “wows,” “ahs,” “here comes three Lassie dogs,” “I love dogs,” I had a dog,” and “can I see them?” “Sure,” I said. “My name is Randie, these are my three best friends and they can be yours also.” The interaction between people in this home was just fantastic. I felt something very special going on and thought that possibly there could be even more to this.

After 15 minutes, I finally made it over to Bubby’s room. I looked in and saw her sitting in her wheelchair-a frail, gray haired little lady, just looking out her window. We walked into her room and her eyes brightened up. She had a smile on her face and raised her voice, “Lady, bring please bring them over to me,” she said. Bubby told me that she had Blackie and that she loved him and all dogs. I knew that she had no idea who I was at that time, but I had to put that sorrow behind me and just remember the good, fond memories. Now I have her enjoy these happy moments with my dogs.

Bubby asked me the dogs’ names and repeated them after me. Bubby seemed to be in seventh heaven, enjoying the interaction between the dogs. She continued to reminisce about Blackie

and enjoyed petting and hugging the dogs, as well as receiving their kisses and their paws. She was very happy with the visit, but still did not know who I was throughout it. I tried not to let it bother me and just let her enjoy the dogs’ visit.

Later that night, I opened up a dog magazine and there was an article about Pet Therapy: Do you have a friendly, obedience trained dog? Do you enjoy bringing smiles and joy into other people’s lives? Ok, this was for my three Lassie collie dogs and myself to do. After seeing Bubby with the dogs, the residents that were sitting in the hallways up to her room, others were in need of visits and I was ready to venture out to do this. We did it, practiced, went through the test and became the three well know, Lassie Collies in Northeast Philadelphia, with our Pet Therapy certifications.

Bubby’s home was the site of our first visit as certified Therapy Dog volunteers. Residents looked forward to our visits; some marked their calendars and counted the days until the next visit. Group and 1:1 room visits were great; a woman was sitting on her bed looking at her watch, just waiting for the dog visit. We entered her room, after knocking and announcing ourselves. The woman’s face became illuminated and her arms extended to embrace the dogs.

These visits didn’t stop at Bubby’s nursing home. As other homes found out about the famous Northeast Philadelphia Pet Therapy Lassie Collies, from television and newspapers, our list of homes turned into 7 plus a hospital. Mazel, Bagels and Kasha started the Pet Therapy program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Langhorne.

Some of the people with whom we worked with had animals for forty or fifty years of their lives. Having dogs around stirs up positive memories and emotions in them. Research has shown that animals have positive effects on health, emotional well being and social contacts. Indeed, the best medicine for some mental and

2 Editor: Randie Dale Duretz • Assistant Editor: Rosemary Maurer • Associates Our Residents

Editor: Randie Dale Duretz • Assistant Editor: Rosemary Maurer • Associates Our Residents 3

physical ailments may not come in a bottle but maybe having contact with a Pet Therapy Dog.

Researchers have shown that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure and heart rate, build confidence and self-esteem, increase mobility, offer security and help elderly residents by improving verbal communication and encouraging activity.

The Therapy dogs love their work and look forward to visiting these homes. These dogs don’t care about a resident’s physical appearance, how she or he smells or what type of disability they may have. Where else can they enjoy so much love, attention and joy in such a short time? A few minutes of being loved and loving a Therapy Dog is so meaningful for an elderly person. For them, it can be the highlight of a long, dreary, day.

As a result of the work and volunteering that the dogs and I have done, we have won a number of awards. Received the Spirit of Philadelphia Award from John Blunt and former Councilman James Tayoun. This story, cut short, is part of a book called, Pet Therapy-Animal Assisted Activities in Health Care Facilities, which I wrote, 1st on the shelf in 1992. I designed and sold my idea, Pet Therapy Bingo. And also was part of a video, called Animal Heroes. The video team followed my dogs and I for a day at one of the nursing homes I’ve worked at. During the orientations I give, I present this 10-minute video and explain how important a program like this is needed in a nursing home.

I just want to thank Bubby for everything. I know she’s up there, looking down on me. Yes, unfortunately at this present time, I do not have a dog or dogs. My Pet Therapy volunteering was taken away from me, June 18, four years ago. Poison dog food took my Little Sheltie, Mel away from me, way too soon. At this time, that’s why at Glendale Uptown Home, I’ve reached out to the community and friends to bring in their Pet Therapy dogs to brighten our 240 residents.

A big thank you goes out to- Monday’s Pet Therapy team, Helen, Tori & Pippin. Wednesday morning Pet Therapy team, Brian and Peppy. Wednesday afternoon Pet Therapy team, Ed and Reilly.Friday Pet Therapy team, Steve, Lynne, Heart and Misty.

Chat From CharlieAs the Administrator of Glendale Uptown Home, I would like to welcome everyone, residents, staff, family members and visitors, to our home and hope you enjoy reading our newsletters, The Glendale Post. I look forward reaching out to you each month through the newsletter.

We work very hard to make Glendale an enjoyable place to live and work. Through this newsletter I hope we can keep you abreast of the many events that take place at Glendale each month and encourage our residents, staff, families and visitors to join in.

For our new residents and family members, if there is anything we can do to make your transition to Glendale an easier one, please feel free to stop by the Administration Suite and we will do our best to help in any way we can and answer any questions you may have. For our residents that are currently living here, you are always welcome to stop by my office and say hello. I certainly look forward to sitting down with you and chatting about our families.

Let’s continue to make Glendale the best it can be. Remember, my door is always open.

Recreation NewsHello, Randie Duretz, Director of Recreation/Volunteers. This is not my job, it’s my occupation. August will be 27 years that I will be in this

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position and enjoying each day like the first. I’ve come along way, as you can see…

• Awarded the Spirit of Philadelphia Award, from the Mayor, Councilman and Channel 10, for my numerous visits at many area nursing homes. I opened up the Pet Therapy program at St. Mary’s hospital.

• I’ve developed a Pet Therapy bingo game which was sold through Nasco and working on two other ideas in my spare time.

• I’ve assisted in writing the book, “Pet’s in Therapy. Animal Assisted Activities in Health Care Facilities”.

• I’ve presented seminars on the geriatric populations at area colleges.

• My Collie, Sheltie and myself, have a 7 minute spot in the movie, “Animal Heroes”. This video shows us doing pet therapy visits in a nursing home and I explain how beneficial it is.

• Also designed and developed a cookbook and brought in money for the recreation department.

I look forward for each day. With the help from my staff, Yolanda, Tatiana, Mundy, Yvonne and Ami, our goals are to keep residents alert, both mentally and physically stimulated as independent as possible. We find out who they are, what they did, then take it from there. We keep reminding the residents, “Join In, Try It, You’ll like It, we say, everything can be done, in their seat and on their feet”.

I’m proud to be an employee at Glendale Uptown Home.

Dream Maker Coming To Glendale Uptown Home

A new program is in the works and getting off the chopping block. With the help and

Do You Have A Cooking Niche? Recipes Needed

Glendale Uptown Home Cookbook Fundraiser In The Works

The Recreation Department is putting together a cookbook. We’re reaching out to you, to be a part of it. We need Staff, Volunteers, Family, Friends and other Outside People to make this happen. Randie, Glendale’s Director of Recreation/Volunteers says, “we need to collect around 300 recipes for the cookbook. I’ve done this at other facilities. We had lots of fun choosing the cover, dividers and even the colors. At one facility we made $1,000.00, which went back into the resident’s fund. A fund they chose to rent a bus and go to the local Casino and have

assistance of 4 of Glendale’s Volunteers, Larry McNerney, Ida Taylor, Evelyn Huber, Joseph Slotnick and Randie, the Director of Recreation/Volunteers, we are working to fulfill our 240 residents dreams, as some say, their bucket list. This will be a never ending project, from a cup holder that attaches to a wheelchair, to a new outfit, limo ride to their favorite restaurant. A mailing list and phone calls to start with are very promising. With the help from family and community dreams can be met. Please note, some dreams may need to adapt to the resident. Everyone can Dream, no matter the cognitive level. Some will need input from family and staff. A big ceremony will take place, no one but the Dream Team and the family whose resident we’d be granting the dream will know that day. Media will be involved. This will be a surprise, yes tissue boxes will be given out, and emotions will show. Just how exciting will this be? Just a special moment in time, granted here at Glendale Uptown Home for one resident at a time.

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Recreation News - Continud from page 3

Peaches Pet ColumnWe can learn a lot about living, from our Canine Friends By, L.A.Jasbeusy

My dog educated me on the best ways to approaching. These are some of the best tricks I’ve learned from my old dogs.

There’s almost no problem in life that doesn’t improve with a few kisses and a pat on the head, a full body massage doesn’t hurt either.

When life takes away your pleasures, find other pleasures. Sulking is for cats.

Some bones are meant to be buried and forgotten. Some are meant to be savored with relish. It takes years of practice to be able to sniff out the difference.

It’s always much nicer to snuggle up next to a soft, squishy body than one that is rock hard.If you need help getting up on the sofa or going for a walk and someone wants to help you, let him or her. Don’t think of it as being needy, think of it as fulfilling someone else’s wish to be needed.

News From TheHalls At Glendale

Mr. & Mrs. Charles StegCongrats On Your New Baby BoyJeanette SolomonCongrats working 40 years at the Uptown HomeLynette St. BernardCongrats working 35 years at Uptown HomeCrystal WilliamsCongrats on baby girl LondonEbony Harrell-SilverCongrats baby Taylor’s already 1 year & 2 months oldErica WalkerCongrats, Brynn will be 1 year in August. And she’s taking stepsAmanda MaurerCongrats, Be Safe With Your New CarBeth HermelyCongrats On Your Engagement to TonyRandie DuretzGlad to hear, Mom’s back on her feet, after 3 long months. And she’s going back to work tooBarb and Jean, RNAC officePrayers goes out to their mother MaryJean Nottingham, Nursing Assistant,Prayers goes out to your daughter in law, KimRNAC Ladies at Glendale WelcomeEbony Harrell-Silver with open armsRosemary MaurerCongrats on daughter Nikki, making Suburban One Second Team All Conference 2011 For Softball

***News from the halls at Glendale can be submitted to Randie, in person or write down, slip under her office door.

Residents Don’tLive In OurFacilities

We Work InTheir Homes


Daily Survival Kit

Toothpick-Reminds you to pick out the good qualities in others

Rubber Band-Reminds you to be flexible: things may not always go the way you want, but they will work out

Band Aid-Reminds you to heal hurt feelings, yours or others

Pencil-Reminds you to list your blessings every day

Eraser-Reminds you that everyone makes mistakes and it’s okay

Chewing Gum-Reminds you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything

Mint-Reminds you that you are worth a mint

Candy Kiss-Reminds you that everyone needs a kiss or hug

Tea Bag-Reminds you to relax and go over that list of blessings

Reprinted with permission from Creative Forecasting,a monthly publication

Age isn’t importantUnless you’reWine or Cheese.

Man stands in his own shadows,Wonders why it’s dark.

Do not follow where the path may lead.Go instead where there is no pathAnd leave a trail.

Activities purpose is not to kill time,But to make time live.Not to keep a person occupied,But to keep him/her refreshed.Not to offer an escape from life,But to provide a discovery of life.

A hug is a great gift,One size fits allAnd it’s easy to exchange.

Quotable Quotes 6 Editor: Randie Dale Duretz • Assistant Editor: Rosemary Maurer • Associates Our Residents

Life is like a bicycle,To stay uprightYou’ve got to keep pedaling

Anti-Stress KitAn ERASER helps make those little mistakes disappear,

A PENNY so you will never be completely broke,

A MARBLE for those days when you’re sure you’ve lost all of yours,

A RUBBER BAND to help you stretch beyond your current limits,

A STRING to hold it all together when it seems like it’s falling apart,

A HUG and KISS to tell you that you are loved and cared about.


Six, 4 Legged Furry Friends, dependable, on time, always in a good mood, tail wagging, wet nose, always happy to see the Glendale Residents. We must not forget, the five, 2-legged devoted owners who drive the Pet Therapy dogs for their visits. Monday afternoon, we have Tori & Pippin, whose mommy is Helen, Wednesday morning we have Peppy, whose daddy is Brian, Wednesday afternoon we have Reilly whose daddy is Eddie & Friday afternoon we have Misty

& Heart whose mommy is Lynne & daddy is Steve. The residents & staff at Glendale Uptown Home thank you very much & give you a round of applause. All of you make Glendale a better place. Thank you for choosing our home to volunteer at.

Volunteers To Recognize At This Time

Where residents live with tradition, caring and love

7800 Bustleton Ave.Philadelphia, Pa 19152


lunch.” A fun time had and it couldn’t have been done without the help from others. Please write the recipe down, (please write down several) include your pinch here, a dash there, a stir etc. Include how you’d like us to acknowledge you under your yummy recipe. Be sure to tell us how we can get in touch with you. When the cookbooks complete, we’ll let you know. Several ways you may turn them in are:

email- [email protected] mail-Randie Duretz-Director of Recreation/VolunteersGlendale Uptown Home7800 Bustleton Ave.Philadelphia, Pa. 19152 In envelope-Slip under my office door

Thank you so much for being a part of this.

Do You Have A Cooking Niche? - Continued from page 4

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