HyeDounAprilMayJune08 PS2

AN

A Publication of the Armenian Nursing And Rehabilitation Center, Inc., Emerson, NJApril•May•June 2008

H y e D o u n

Hovnanian Armenian School students commemoratingthe Armenian Genocide with the residents of ANRC

The President’s Message

2 HYE DOUN | April/May/June 2008

Andrew Torigian

The Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sits on three spacious acres nestled in wooded, suburban Emerson, Bergen County, NJ.

Our Address is:Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

70 Main Street, Emerson NJ 07630Phone: 201.261.6662 Fax: 201.261.5509

You are invited to call and make an appointment to discuss the individual needs of your loved one.Directions:By Bus: Port Authority: Bus #165 to EmersonBy Car: Exit #165 on Garden State Parkway. Right turn onto Oradell Ave. Left turn onto Kinderkamack Rd. Turn right onto Main St. Follow contours of road. Home on left.From GWB: Take Route 4 to Kinderkamack Rd. Right turn onto Main St. Follow contours of road. Home on left.

Board OfTrustees

ANDREW TORIGIANPresident of the Home and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

VATCHE BAGHDIKIANVice President

DAVID ROWANTreasurer

BERGE TALANIANAssistant Treasurer

KHOREN NALBADIANRecording Secretary

ANNETTE TAMALIAN-ALMONDCorresponding Secretary

H. CRAIG FROONJIAN, DMDJOHN VANISKHIANBoard Members

MATTHEW RUSSO, LNHAAdministrator

JAN MRANI, M.D.Medical Director

Hye DounEditorial Board

Andrew TorigianChief Editor

Louisa JanbazianEditor

Matthew RussoAdvisor

Howard TorossianPhotographs and Ads

Printed byPRINTSOLUTIONS

Englewood, NJ201.567.9622

Hye Doun

It has been said if you want someone to build something correctly, give that person the proper tools. We at the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) have been extremely fortunate in

having the right tools to do the building at our Home.The tools at the ANRC are the dedicated, experienced and caring staff who have diligently devoted themselves to their tasks at hand, each one in their own way adding their part of the skills needed to make life more comfortable for each of our residents. Each of them

makes the extra effort which enhances the quality of life for those at the ANRC.However, we must also remember that the inspiration and motivation of our staff

emanates from the top. Therefore, we at the ANRC, are very fortunate and thankful that we have Mr. Matthew Russo, LNHA as our Administrator. It is his constant vigilance and caring for our residents that is reflected through his leadership to the staff, providing them the impetus to perform so well.

Our volunteer Board of Trustees work equally as hard setting the goals that can be reached, enhancing the life of our residents. By close cooperation of our staff and the input from our Trustees, we endeavor to maintain our high standard for the ANRC.

We also need to recognize the wonderful work of our ladies who serve on the Friends of the Armenian Home (FAH). These remarkable women have devoted themselves to beautifying and decorating the ANRC to make it into a Home away from home for our residents. Because of their efforts, we salute the FAH ladies and ask you to support them whenever they have a function to raise funds for the ANRC. Their next luncheon is on September 17, 2008 at Neiman Marcus at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey.

We thank all the members of the ANRC who attended the Annual Meeting on June 1, 2008. It was a very upbeat gathering and we express our appreciation to those in attendance. q

A peek inside a volunteer’s life reveals many things – one is that the calling

does not come easy. Our home plays host to a number of vol-unteers who help our home’s services dramatically. I cannot tell you the countless times I am

able to meet with Bertha Vanishkian, FAH (Friends of the Armenian Home) President, throughout the year. Her dedication and per-sistent approach to “getting things done” around the home brings welcome praise from the multitude of visitors, health care representatives, and res-idents who never get the chance to even meet her. She is not alone either. Many ladies from the FAH group share her vision and my column is too short for all of their names. We thank you all! There are many other friends to the ANRC that volunteer to assist and aid other departments to function when our staff is unable to. Our home recently had the opportunity to host a volunteer appreciation dinner on May 1st to those volun-teers who provide “hands on” support by show-ing our thanks in a very small way. The Activities

From the Administrator’s Desk

HYE DOUN | April/May/June 2008 3

Matthew L. Russo, LNHA Administrator

“Working with volunteers is an amazing, powerful, humbling, and enriching experience.”

How Do They Do It?Department routinely calls on these people to help sustain the wide variety of functions outside the home our residents have come to expect. Many are family members and local residents and this home is incredibly grateful for your efforts! Lastly, our ANRC’s Board of Trustees is made up of volunteers. It’s easy for me to “blow sun-shine” when speaking of my bosses, but I am completely humbled how month in and month out this group of professionals leave their offices early,

leave their families at the din-ner table, and come to the home to discuss delicate day-to-day functions of our nursing home. It takes a very caring individual to “put time in” for a

cause and expect nothing in return. Working with volunteers is an amazing, pow-erful, humbling, and enriching experience. If you are interested in volunteering at the ANRC, please contact my office and I will help you find a reward-ing experience that you may never have known existed. Thank for reading my column and as al-ways, be well! “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are price-less!” ~Sherry Anderson

Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide

at the Memorial at the Armenian Home. L to R:

Father Hovnan Bozoian of Sts. Vartanantz Church

and Father Diran Boyadjian of St. Leons Church

The senior population is growing larger, especially as the “baby boom-ers” continue to age. In general we

are living longer as a population the result of modern medicine, public health initia-tives, health education and improved and

enhanced socioeconomic conditions.According to the Census Bureau it is anticipated that 62 mil-lion people, or almost one in five Americans will be aged 65 and older by 2005. By the year 2045, the elderly population will reach 77 million. (Source: American Demographics, Au-gust 1994, P.38).

As we all begin to age, there are many interesting questions that we can ask: Are we living a quality life? Senior years are often thought to be a time when there is a decline in physi-cal and emotional well being, including attractiveness, vitality and health. However, this is not the truth. Most seniors are very active, vital, and are contributing members of our soci-ety. Helping seniors to be the best they can is an important element in keeping these folks thriving.

What can you do as a senior? Take time to learn the truth about aging. Talk to your doctor and find out what is right for you. Unless you have a major medical problem, your doctor will be proud to hear you say you want to exercise. He will be also able to tell you the risks and benefits of exercise for you. Find out what is safe and consistent with your lifestyle. It is as good for the young, as the older person. Exercise can enhance the quality of your life. Years ago the absence of dis-ease equated with health, but we have learned that this is not necessarily the truth. The bigger picture includes a continu-ing interrelated series of health related promoting behaviors including regular exercise.

Exercise might slow down the progressive decline in func-tion that occurs with inactivity and aging. It can provide in-creased muscle strength, range of motion, endurance, flexibil-ity and posture. All of these are attributes that can only aid you as you age.

What can you do? After a consultation walk add easy things to incorporate into your life style. Use the stairs instead of the elevator (take each step slowly – do two at a time if you can), dance, ride a stationary bicycle, or swim. It is never too late to benefit from preventive health measures. Appreciate your life, feel better emotionally, sleep better, expand your network of friend’s (exercise with new people), enhance your self-esteem, avoid social isolation and increase the positive feelings you have about yourself. Age graciously; disease and decline are not inevitable in later years. Do things for you; stay healthy, vital and you should feel functional for decades. q

Health Care

Mediterranean Diet Helps Alzeimer’s Patients Live Longer

Carol Somerville, LCSW


To the heart has a natural pacemaker called the “sinus node” which produces electrical impulses. These

electrical impulses cause the heart to contract and pump the blood throughout the body. The impulses travel from the natural pacemaker cells down through

an electrical pathway enabling the heart muscle walls to produce contractions.

The Mediterranean Diet Helps Alzheimer’s Patients Live Longer.

A new study published in the Sept. 11 issue of Neurologist, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that Alzheimer’s diseased patients live longer if they consume a Mediterranean- style diet. The diet is typically defined as rich in fish, olive oil, cereals, fruits, and vegetables and enjoyed with a glass or two of alcohol, usually wine, with the evening meal.

“Alzheimer’s patients who adhered to the diet to a moderate degree lived 1.3 years longer than those people who least adhered to the diet,” researchers concluded at Colombia University Medical center in New York. “ And those Alzheimer’s patients who followed the diet very religiously lived an average four years longer.”

The study followed 192 New York residents living with Alzheimer’s. The researches found that those patients who most closely adhered to a Mediterranean diet showed a 73 percent reduction in mortality risk compared with those who followed the diet least.

An accompanying editorial to the study – “pass the Grain, Spare the Brain” by James Galvin, M.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine- asserted that the study is important beyond Alzheimer’s. “[Despite] all of the medical and pharmaceutical advances made in the last century, perhaps the most important things we can still tell our patients, regardless if age, is to stay mentally active and physically fit and to eat a healthy and balanced diet.” q

Maggy N. Petrosian, RN, CDP

Aging. Are we doing this successfully?: The Benefits of Exercise

Father. Vahrij Shirinian being interviewed by the Bergen Record on Armenian Martyrs’ Day


UPCOMINGEVENTSJune 1st – AnnuAl MeMbership Meeting

June 4th – live entertAinMent w/CAndyCe giAgiunto

June 5th – “top your own pAstA”June 14th – sAddle river bAnd/FlAg dAy CelebrAtion

June 15th – FAther’s dAy lunCheon/ArMeniAn Children entertAinMent

June 18th – live entertAinMent w/MAry stellA

June 22nd – ridgewood CAvAliers bArber shop singers

June 26th – resident outing

June 27th – suMMer pArty

“hero by the inCh”July 4th – independenCe dAy CelebrAtion

July 9th – iCe CreAM sundAe pArty

July 18th – viennese tAble

July 23rd – hot dog dAy

July 30th – beACh pArty

August 5th – Friendship dAy pArty

August 8th – pizzA pArty

August29th – shopping dAy

I’m sure everyone is feeling the strain of higher prices for food and fuel in their

own kitchens. Well the kitchen of the ANRC is no different from yours, except that we pre-pare about 300 meals a day, not counting special food for the

Activities Department. Some of the ways we are cop-ing with higher prices, is obtaining new vendors that have better pricing, but always assuring the same high quality of food that the residents and staff demand, and changing cooking techniques that will result in higher yields.

We have implemented our new Spring-Summer menus. Some of the changes are adding more Sal-ads (Bulgur, Couscous, and Lentil Salads), and more Middle Eastern dishes (Baked Fish with Tomatoes & Rice, Fried Eggplant with Peppers and Tomato Sauce, Chicken with Rice and Pine Nuts).

On the equipment front, we have received our new oven. We formerly used electric ovens with very little capacity. This new oven is a gas-convection oven with enough capacity to eliminate three of our present ov-ens, but we will keep one because of the range top. Not only will these ovens cook faster and more uniform than the old ones, but also they will save the ANRC money since they use gas instead of costly electric. I want to personally thank the Board for approving the oven. It’s money well spent!

Well that’s about it. Have a safe and healthy sum-mer, and we’ll speak in the fall. Now for our Recipe, a nice lite salad for the summer.

Mediterranean SaladServes 6

3T extra-virgin olive oil + ¼ c2 cloves garlic, minced1pound box Israeli couscous (or another small pasta)3c chicken stock (or vegetable stock, if you want to keep it vegetarian)2 lemons, juiced1 lemon, zested1/2t salt1/2t freshly ground pepper

In the Kitchen with Chef Alan Fass

1c chopped fresh basil leaves1/2c chopped fresh mint leaves1/4c dried cranberries (or other dried berries)1/4c slivered almonds, toasted

In a medium sauce pan, heat 3T olive oil. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the couscous and cook until lightly toasted and browned, stirring often. Carefully add the stock, and the juice of one lemon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the couscous is tender, but still firm to the bite (al dente), about 8-10 minutes. Drain.

In a large bowl, add the warm couscous with the remain-ing olive oil, lemon juice, zest and salt & pepper. Cover and put in the refrigerator until cool. Once cooled, add the fresh herbs, dried cranberries and almonds. Toss and serve.

If you want, an assortment of vegetables or proteins can be added to the salad (tomatoes, zucchini, sugar snap peas, cooked chicken, shrimp, calamari). q


Received with Thanks the following donations for the ANRC

We gladly thank Varoujan Vartanian, Noubar Boyajian and Ara Dinkjian for their continuing entertainment support for the ANRC’s residents. Varoujan, Ara,

and Noubar have routinely visited the home year and year out to provide our residents with traditional Armenian music. The music they provide and interaction with our residents is appreciated by all! q

Varoujan Vartanian, Noubar Boyajian, and Ara Dinkjian along with Administrator and Dave Rowan (Treasurer) Varoujan Vartanian entertaining the residents

The Armenian Home turned green during St. Patrick’s Day with a festive Irish Oc-

casions for all. Chef Alan cooked up “Bangers and Mashed” while the residents enjoyed themselves to Irish entertainment provided by Jonnin Music!

DONATIONS TO FAHVirginia L. HajeianArax H. ChirkianDr. Roupen and Dr. Pat SiraganianMr. and Mrs. Bryan StepanianMr. and Mrs. Ara SetrakianMr. and Mrs. Leon KassabianMr. and Mrs. Levon KassabianMrs. Silva Zadurian

TOTAL: $1,900.00

In honor of Alice Philibosian’s 80th BirthdayIda GueyikianGrace BedrosianMrs. NedurianBertha VanishikianElbiz Baghdikian

TOTAL: $410.00

IN MEMORY OF MANUSAK TEMURCUMr. Sarven AkdemirianMr. & Mrs. Sarkis AraianMr. & Mrs. Arman BarsamyanMr. Manuel BenzerMr. & Mrs. Agop DedeogluMr. & Mrs. Khoren Pashalian Pronto Jewelry Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Arto SanagMr. & Mrs. Hagop TabibianMs. Narin Yesiltepe

TOTAL: $700.00

ARMENIAN HOME DONATIONSMr. Haig BoyadjianMr. & Mrs. Hacik SariminasyanMr. & Mrs. James Yost

TOTAL: $1,200.00

IN MEMORY OF RENE LAJOIEAjc Consulting Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Paul ClavioMr. & Mrs. Donald EddyMr. & Mrs. Herbert GrastatLeigh Technologies, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Svajdlenka Mr. & Mrs. Keith Van Saders

TOTAL: $670.00

IN MEMORY OF PAT D’ALESSANDROMs. Jane Devito

IN MEMORY OF ELIZE TASCIOritani Savings Bank


Activities Corner

W ith the beautiful weather upon us the Activity De-partment is planning sever-

al trips outside of the home. On May 18th the residents of the home visited the River Dell High School to listen to the Shoghig Choir of Armavir, Ar-

menia. This concert will benefit the AMAA Summer Camp Programs in Armenia and Karabagh. We all had a wonderful time! In both June and October we are planning a trip to the Bergen County Zoological Park. This park is home to a wide variety of both domestic and wild ani-mals. The zoo is an animal lover’s delight and many of our residents have not been to one in quite some time. In the hot months of July and August, we are plan-ning outings where the residents will be able to remain indoors. Whether we decide to go out to a restaurant or the mall, any time out of the home for our residents will come with certain admiration. September is the time where out residents will at-tend the Annual Senior Picnic. It is held each year at Van Saun Park in Paramus. The Bergen County Division of Senior Services sponsors this event each year and the residents enjoy this event each year while sitting in the park and listening to bands, visiting mer-chant booths, and taking in the fresh air. Lastly, our department held a Volunteer Apprecia-

Community OutingsSandy Cortelyou, ADC, Director of Activities

During Holy Week and Easter the home was blessed with the presence of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Bishop Anushavan Tanielian. All of the residents were given a special blessing by the Archbishop and we are incredibly fortunate for his visit!

tion Party for all of the volunteers that assist our de-partment with functions previously mentioned in this column and beyond! Our party was held on May 1st and Chef Alan delighted our volunteer guests with his culinary presentations and delicious entrees. Both our community and family volunteers impact the residents in so many ways. Each volunteer was also given a small gift for his or her time, spirit, and appreciation; we thank everyone for joining us! q

On April 22nd a few residents from the home vis-ited the Paramus Park Mall for a day of shopping, Pictured (above) L to R: are Zepyur Grigorian, Al-ice Aginian, John Johnson, Zepyur Mardekian and her granddaughter Christine Mardekian, Ginny Al-exander, ANRC Administrator Matthew Russo, and Sona Doudoukjian. Picture taken by (and a special volunteering thanks to) Steve Hortian!


Friends Of The Armenian Home - FAH

On Friday, February 1, 2008 “Friends of the Ar-menian Home” gave their yearly Poon Pare-gentan party for the residents. All of the FAH

ladies that were present did an outstanding job from preparing the delicious food table to decorating the

FAH Ladies at Poon Paregentan table, L to R: Linda Amerkanian, Verkine Marashian, Armine Pechdimaldji, MaryAnne Bonjuklian, Ann Takvorian, Ica Kouyoumdjian, Anita Temiz, Lily Anne Babigian and Elbiz Baghdikian

L to R: David Rowan, Der Vahrij Shirinian, blessing the food table, Andrew Torigian and Matthew Russo

FAH PoonParegentan PartyLinda Amerkanian

Shoghig Choir performs at the ANRC!

On May 20, 2008 the AMAA’s Shoghig Choir from Ar-mavir, Armenia performed at the home to everyone’s appreciation. They sang and performed Armenian popular songs and dances. At the end of the concert, Rev. Garush Antonyan, the pastor of Armavir Church and the Artistic Director of the choir, addressed the residents with these very touching words. “We have been here for almost twenty days. We consider this the most honorable work we have done. I assure you and remind you that God’s eyes are always on you, and he has you in his heart. Your life gives us life and if you don’t honor your life, we cannot honor ours. You are my family and my parents.” Rev. Antonyan left with a special blessing for the home and an outpour-ing of emotion by many was apparent. We thank the Shoghig Choir for their recent visit to the home and wish them the very best God has to offer. Many thanks to Elbiz Baghdikian for volunteering her time and efforts to bring this event to our home!

Great Room of the Home. The residents also enjoyed the festivities and participated in singing and clapping to the music on a newly purchased karaoke machine. The FAH ladies went to each resident and adorned them with crowns and beads which put big smiles on their faces. Der Vahrij Shirinian, a resident him-self, was kind enough to give the blessing of the food table, said a few words about Poon Paregentan and led us in singing the “Hayr Mer” while another resident of the Home, Isabella, accompanied us on the piano. Ica Kouyoumdjian, our FAH Vice Chairperson, gener-ously underwrote this party. It was a very gratifying day for everyone. q

In honor of National Nurses Week, May 4th through May 10th, we salute all nurses who provide excellent care for the ANRC’s residents year in and year out!

Vilma Manalese, CNA and Shakeh Bautista, RN, DON

Alice Azar, LPN Isabel Pena, RN

Harjindar Kaur, CNA Maria Colina, LPN “Say Cheese!” MDS Coordinator, Faye Yu, RN

Barbara Tory, CNA, Mari Camcikyan, RN, Shakeh Bautista, RN, Maggy Petrosian, RN, Marlene Fonvil, CNA

Helen Crimmins, RN, Chondra Wade, LPN, Gerald Gallyot, LPN

Marielucie Merdecat, CNARosalinda Puno, CNA Lisa King, RN

Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. 70 Main StreetEmerson, NJ 07630

Nonprofit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDEmerson, NJPermit # 4

AMAA’s Shoghig Choir with Hye Doun Residents and Staff

HyeDounAprilMayJune08 PS2

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