DODGE PARK REST HOME COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2015
Dodge Park Rest Home has been serving the Worcester area since 1967 with the specific purpose to be recognized by the consumer and industry as the most professional, ethical and highest quality care facility for the elderly. We are committed to listening and responding to the needs of the residents, their family members and our employees. We are committed to going the extra mile when assistance is required by the public, the residents and their family members. We will remain committed to an entrepreneurial spirit, which does not tolerate waste or bureaucracy, but rewards achievement.
-Micha Shalev & Ben Herlinger, Administrators /Owners
C O N N E C T I O N
THE DODGE PARK REST HOME
A Cheerful
Heart is Good
Medicine
In the Issue
At Dodge Park Rest Home & Day Club memories are created for a life time!
The Prospect of Dementia And Sleep Problems
New RulesFor Patient Discharge
Dementia CostsRocket higher
Brain ImplantsNew controlled by mice
This Month Special Days in November
PumpkinsNot just for Jack-o-lanterns
Halloween CelebrationPictures from Dodge Park
Celebrating Our November Birthdays!
Calendar of Events Dodge Park Activities & Events
Neighborhood Connection is now digital!Email [email protected] to get it delivered to your inbox each month. Print editions will mail out every other month only.
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 32 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
Bringing LIFE to Those We Serve
DODGE PARK REST HOME
Micha Shalev MHA Executive Director/Owner
Ben Herlinger Adminstrator/Owner
Carrie Lindberg RN, BSN Director Of Nursing
101 Randolph RoadWorcester, MA 01606
Phone: 508.853.8180Fax: 508.853.4545
The Dodge Park Family of Care Services
Dodge Park Rest Home The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park Dodge Park At Home Dusk to Dawn at Dodge Park
Bringing LIFE to Those We Serve
The Prospect of DementiaBy Micha Shalev
Only few want to grow old, as most of us are afraid of becoming senile. But now that our
bodies last longer in better health, our brain being no exception, the prospect of living a fulfilled
old age is better than ever before.
It is not difficult to think of somebody really old who is still as sharp as a razor blade, still
driving, playing gold and visiting the gym. That sole fact is scientific logic against the notion
that old age turns you confused. Old age and dementia are two separate entities that, although
often coming together, are as different as old age and grey hair. Why then do so many people
believe that the two are closely attached?
The worldwide attention afforded to Alzheimer’s disease, as dementia is erroneously called, did
not appear out of the blue. For a long time dementia disappeared entirely into the background
as a recognized illness, and people who became confused in old age were declared to be
“senile”. Senility was thought to be a result of the “normal” ageing process and in the middle of
the last century little attention was paid to their problems.
The denial of the existence of dementia is a sign of the discrimination that old people faced. In
1975, led by US-based Dr Robert Butler, the first director of the National Institute on Ageing,
a new dawn of research emerged to break down this fatalistic view. Butler was a pioneer
and wanted to make a statement for both young and old. “Alzheimer’s disease” was finally
recognized by doctors and medical research scientists.
The positive part of the “war on Alzheimer’s” is that it put the issue of dementia back on the
map. Opinion formers and policymakers in many developed countries have predicted horror
scenarios, with the numbers of dementia patients increasing drastically in the coming years.
This is partly true because the post-war baby boom generation will have reached a very old
age by that time. After all, dementia is a disease that principally affects old people.
But those prognoses are based on the assumption that the statistical risk of getting dementia
will remain the same. This is a false assumption. Dutch researchers have shown that the risk of
getting dementia in old age was significantly lower after the year 2000 than before.
Brain scans carried out after 2000 showed far less damage due to cerebral vascular disease,
which would be a plausible explanation for the reduced risk. The epidemic of cardiovascular
disease has long been on the decline, beginning with a fall in the numbers of heart attacks
in middle age, and followed by a drop in the number of strokes suffered by old people. Now,
bringing up the rear, we see dementia figures falling for the oldest in society.
Is early testing necessary? There is general consensus that screening for dementia makes
absolutely no sense at all, and can even be considered unethical. Tests for early stages of
dementia can be a huge hazard, as people who receive such a diagnosis believe they are
doomed to die with dementia, but that is far from always being the case. After delivering the
diagnosis of dementia, modern medicine has
nothing to offer them by way of slowing down any
cognitive degeneration.
Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM CADDCT is the owner
of Dodge Park Rest Home and The Adult Day Club at
Dodge Park located at 101 Randolph Road in Worcester
as well as the new state of the art Oasis At Dodge Park
which schedule to open fall 2015. He is a graduate of
the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
program, and well known speaker covering Alzheimer’s
and Dementia training topics. The programs at Dodge
Park Rest Home specialized in providing care for
individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The
facility is holding a FREE monthly support group meeting
on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for spouses and
children of individuals with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s
disease. He can be reached at 508-853-8180 or by e-mail
at [email protected] or view more information
online at www.dodgepark.com
New rule would toughen patient discharge proceduresDischarge procedures for patients moving
from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities
would face tougher scrutiny under a
proposed rule released by the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday.
The proposal would require hospitals to
develop a discharge plan for patients within
24 hours of admission, and complete that
plan before the patient is transferred home or
to another facility. Hospitals also would have
a medication reconciliation process in place,
establish a post-discharge follow-up plan and
transfer patient medical information to their
receiving facility under the proposal.
The changes would meet requirements for
discharge planning described in the IMPACT
Act. The “simple but key” revisions would
modernize the discharge process and take
patients’ preferences into account as they
transfer home or to a nursing facility, CMS
Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt said in a
press release.
The American Health Care Association said
it intends to submit comments on the rule
to ensure that it benefits both providers
and patients, said Greg Crist, senior vice
president of public affairs..
“We support provisions of the proposed rule
on discharge planning requirements that
would enhance the transfer process to skilled
nursing care centers, increase the sharing of
patient information between skilled nursing
centers and hospitals, and improve patient
safety,” Crist said. “As patients play a greater
role in making decisions about their post-
acute care, we want to ensure that they have
sufficient and appropriate information to
make informed choices.”
Dementia costs rocket past heart disease, cancer
Healthcare costs for people with dementia are more than 80%
higher than those for people with heart disease or cancer, a
new study has found.
Patients with heart disease had an average total cost of
$175,136 over the last five years of their lives; those with
cancer incurred $173,383 over the same span. The costs for
patients with dementia was $287,038, a finding the study’s
authors called “stunning.” Investigators from New York’s Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai compared healthcare costs
for patients on Medicare from information gathered from the Health and Retirement Survey.
The researchers estimate out-of-pocket costs for dementia patients was, on average, $61,522, due
to the increased level of care and supervision needed by those with dementia. Those caregiving
costs were not covered by Medicare, the authors noted.
“This places a large financial burden on families, and these burdens are particularly pronounced
among the demographic groups that are least prepared for financial risk,” wrote lead author Amy S.
Kelley, M.D.
Check memory sooner: groupMore than 30% of those over age 70 have memory problems, and a panel of aging experts said this
population should have memory and reasoning ability evaluated annually by a healthcare provider.
Around 16% of those older than 70 have mild cognitive
impairment, noted the group, writing in the September
Journal of American Medical Directors Association. Fourteen
percent have dementia.
Progression of cognitive impairment can sometimes be
changed through lifestyle adjustment, they noted, such as
adopting a Mediterranean-type diet. Video games also can
help reasoning, memory and reaction time in older adults.
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 54 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
This Month
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week,
Nov. 2-8.
Approximately
3,500 animal
shelters across
the United
States serve the
estimated 6-8
million homeless animals in need of refuge each
year. Show them some love and support.
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness
Week, Nov. 14-22. Held each year the week before
Thanksgiving to give Americans a time to show
compassion for people experiencing hunger and
homelessness.
Geography Awareness Week, Nov. 15-21.
Spatial thinking through maps is one of the most
important skills that students can develop as they
learn geography, Earth and environmental sciences,
and so much more. Celebrate and explore the
power of maps!
American Education Week, Nov. 16-20.
Take this opportunity to celebrate public education
and honor individuals who are making a difference
in ensuring that every child receives a quality
education.
National Authors Day, Nov. 1.
Celebrate your favorite
writer—published or
unpublished—and
support authors with a
visit to your bookstore
or public library.
World Freedom Day, Nov. 9.
Celebrated on the anniversary
of the fall of the Berlin Wall in
1989.
World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14.
Led by the International
Diabetes Federation to engage
people worldwide in diabetes
advocacy and awareness.
International Games Day, Nov 21.
Libraries around the world participate in local and
international gaming activities, and game publishers
donate tabletop games and access to video games
to libraries for the event.
Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.
Enjoy some turkey and pumpkin pie while being
thankful for family and friends.
This Month
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Mice controlled with new brain implantsBrain control seems to be a reality—in mice, at least
Brain control seems to be a reality—in mice, at
least. Scientists at the Washington University
School of Medicine and the University of Illinois
have developed a tiny implant, thinner than
a human hair, that allows them to control the
movements of mice.
Previous attempts involving photostimulation
through fiberoptic cables or drug injection through
metal tubes required surgery and damaged brain tissues. The new technique uses
a small device mounted to the head of a mouse and powered by a battery. The
device delivers drugs from small reservoirs to the mouse’s brain. In one test, a
mouse was made to walk in circles after its brain was injected with a chemical that
mimics morphine.
In another set of experiments, scientists modified mice brains to make them
sensitive to light and stimulated brain cells with tiny LEDs. The mice were kept on
one side of a cage by flashing light pulses on specific brain cells.
Scientists and physicians hope that the experiments will lead to more minimally
invasive procedures to treat humans suffering from stress, depression, addiction,
and pain.
How much is that in galleons?Converting money when traveling to another country is difficult enough.
What happens when you travel to a different planet? Many famous fictional worlds
have their own currencies, designed by writers and filmmakers. Take a look at what
your cash would buy (as calculated by Mobile Money UK) in places you’ve only read
about or seen on the screen:
• Star Wars. Currency: Galactic Credit Standard. Conversion: 10 GDS = $10.10
• Flintstones. Currency: Clams. Conversion: 10 clams = $32.
• Harry Potter. Currency: Galleons. Conversion: 10 galleons = $73.50
• Game of Thrones. Currency: Gold dragons. Conversion: 10 Dragons = $13,157.89
• Discworld. Currency: Ankh-Morpork Dollar. Conversion: 10 AMD = $1,666.67
• Dune. Currency: Solari. Conversion: 10 Solari = $16.39
DODGE PARK REST HOME
The Day ClubMand
Bringing LIFE toThose We Serve
Bringing LIFE toThose We Serve
Invite you to...
A Christmasand Hanukkah Party
Please join your loved one as we celebrate with Santa andgive out a traditional Christmas gift to our residents.
Entertainment will be provided byWayne Page andPaul Lameroueaux
~The event will take place on December 17th, 2015
from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at Dodge Park Rest Home.101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606
Come One, Come all! We are popping the cork, and having a ball!So come and join us and don’t be tardy, or you’ll miss a fabulous party!!!
Please RSVP toRenee Williams
at (508) 853-8180 byDecember 14, 2015.
Please invite all friendsand family members
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 76 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
Military Family Appreciation Month.
Throughout
November, military
families serving
around the world
are honored
through a variety of
observances and
recognized for their commitment and the many
contributions they make every day in support of the
military and our nation.
National Epilepsy Awareness Month.
The Epilepsy Foundation estimates that 65 million
people around the world, and 2 million in the U.S.,
have epilepsy—a neurological condition in which
disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain
cause seizures.
National Epilepsy
Awareness Month
seeks to break down
barriers stopping
people with epilepsy
from reaching their
fullest potential.
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month.
Celebrate your love of peanut butter this month
by sharing these facts with your friends: One
12-ounce jar of peanut butter contains about 540
peanuts; one acre of
peanuts can produce
enough peanut butter for
30,000 sandwiches; and
peanuts contribute more
than $4billion to the U.S.
economy every year.
Native American
Heritage Month.
Beginning as a single
day of recognition for the contributions the first
Americans have made to the establishment and
growth of the U.S., Native American Heritage Month
was designated in 1990 by President George H. W.
Bush.
This Month
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5HEALTH WATCH Watch for these risks of high blood
pressure If you haven’t checked your blood pressure lately, you may not be aware of some of
the risks associated with hypertension. Here’s what high blood pressure can do to
you:
Heart attack. Your coronary arteries can be damaged and blocked, as high blood
pressure causes atherosclerosis.
Stroke. Hypertension can cause the arteries in your brain to weaken, potentially
leading to a stroke if they clog or burst.
Heart failure. Narrowed arteries caused by hypertension can increase your heart’s
workload, which may lead to an enlarged heart unable to supply enough blood to the
rest of your body.
Kidney failure. High blood pressure can also caused narrowing of arteries in the
kidney, inhibiting their ability to filter blood and regulate hormones and fluids in your
body. Ultimately, kidneys can shut down if the arteries grow blocked.
Vision loss.
In the eyes, hypertension can cause bleeding, as well as swelling of the optic nerve—
both of which can damage your eyesight.
Don’t sabotage your diet during the long afternoonWatch out for these post-lunchtime habits
that can add on extra pounds (from the Health
Magazine website)
You can eat a healthful breakfast and a nutritious
lunch, yet still undercut your efforts to stay fit if you
slack off in the afternoon. Watch out for these post-
lunchtime habits that can add on extra pounds (from
the Health Magazine website):
Heavy snacks.
A mid-afternoon snack can turn into a second lunch
if you’re not careful. Don’t overdo it. Limit your
snacking to 150 calories or fewer.
Avoiding the gym.
Schedule time for exercise; don’t skip it just because
you’re busy or tired. Burning calories is important to
staying in shape.
The coffee shop.
If you need a dose of caffeine, don’t overload on
extra sugar and cream, and resist the scones and
muffins. Have a cup of coffee or tea at work, or ask a
friend to pick up something salubrious for you so you
don’t face the temptation.
Workplace celebrations.
Birthdays, showers, good-bye parties and the like
usually feature treats that can pack on the pounds.
Share your good wishes, but don’t go overboard on
the goodies.
Stay healthy when you travelTry these tips to stay healthy wherever you crash
Can your hotel room make you sick? Whether you’re on vacation or traveling for
work, you don’t want your accommodations to create health issues. Try these tips
to stay healthy wherever you crash:
• Get a smoke-free room. Avoid exposure to leftover smoke and nicotine by
requesting a smoke-free floor when you make your reservations, or at least a
nonsmoking room.
• Resist the minibar. Decline a minibar key when you check in. You’ll be free of
temptation to indulge in unhealthy (and expensive) drinks and snacks.
• Ditch the bed cover. Bed covers can be hiding places for bugs and other pests.
Store it in a dresser or a corner of your room before going to bed.
• Bring your own disinfectant. Wipe down the phone, TV remote, and other
devices with an antibacterial spray or wipe before using them to get rid of any
harmful bacteria and germs from previous guests.
• Use fresh cups. Don’t drink from reusable glasses and cups. Stick with your
own water bottle, or plastic disposable cups wrapped in plastic.
• Pack your own snacks. You won’t want to raid the minibar or visit the vending
machines if you bring your own snacks with you. Dried fruit, trail mix, and other
nutritious options will help you avoid overindulgence in your room and when you
eat out.
• Exercise. Take some time out to stretch, run in place, or do some simple
aerobics or yoga.
• Check the exits. Make sure you and your family (or fellow business travelers)
know how to get out of the hotel quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Welcome tothe Oasis at Dodge Park
A Revolutionary Residential Care Facilityfor the Elderly and those diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Central Massachusetts
ReseRvAtions being ACCepted - opening FAll 2015
1 0 2 R a n d o l p h R o a d, W o R c e s t e R • at t h e s i t e o f t h e o l d o d d f e l lo W s h o m e
RESERVATIONS BEING ACCEPTED - OPENING FALL
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 98 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
Health CornerWITH CARA ZECHELLO
DODGE PARK REST HOME REGISTERED DIETITIAN
Employee Birthdays Nicole C. 11/04Grace W. 11/06Tiffany W. 11/17Norma C. 11/24Merline V. 11/27Nereida R. 11/29
Celebrating November Birthdays
Are you caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and need a break during the day?
The Adult Day Care at Dodge Park offer the right solution for your respite care. To learn more about our Adult Day Care Program please join us for an afternoon of fun at our monthly Day Club open house with your loved one on the 3rd Thursday of each month between the hours of 1:30pm and 4:00pm .
The next open house will be on November 19, 2015.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get out with your loved one and have an enjoyable afternoon. The afternoon will consist of group discussions, music, arts, refreshments, and most importantly, laughter.
The monthly open house is FREE and open to the public. It is open to anyone at any stage of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease
process accompanied by friend, family, and loved ones.
Pumpkins - Not just for Jack-o-LanternsNow that summer is over and autumn has arrived we see pumpkins showing up in everything from soup to
pasta to even coffee. As a fresh, whole food, pumpkin in its purest form is packed with several nutritional benefits.
One cup of pumpkin contains only 50 calories and provides about 3 grams of fiber, which are both important for healthy weight management. This same cup of pumpkin provides 564 milligrams of potassium, about 12% of our daily requirement. Potassium is important for the body’s electrolyte balance, especially after exercising and it keeps muscles functioning properly including the heart muscle. Pumpkin is also a good source of vitamin C, with one cup containing 11 milligrams (20% of our daily requirement). Vitamin C is helpful in boosting one’s immunity.
Perhaps the star of pumpkin’s nutritional profile is vitamin A. Just one cup of pumpkin contains 200% of our recommended daily requirement of the nutrient. Vitamin A is important for a healthy immune system and for healthy vision, especially at night. Beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, is an antioxidant found in pumpkin. It is the carotenoid that gives pumpkins their vivid orange color. Beta-carotene has been the subject of much research. According to the National Cancer Institute, beta-carotene may play a role in cancer prevention. As an antioxidant, it may also help prevent heart disease. Studies done at Harvard Medical School have reported that beta-carotene may slow down cognitive decline. This is important research when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. In addition, beta-carotene is also helpful in reducing skin wrinkling.
When it comes to pumpkin, don’t forget the pumpkin seeds. Toast them up and enjoy them for a healthy snack. The seeds are rich in phytosterols, natural plant chemicals, and have shown to reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and fight off certain types of cancer.
When fresh pumpkins are no longer available, canned pumpkin is a great alternative. Add pumpkin puree to your favorite pancake or waffle recipe too add a nutrition boost to your breakfast. Add roasted pumpkin cubes to pasta for a seasonal twist on an ordinary weekday dinner.
Roasted Pumpkin Pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch cubes (about 4 cups) 2 shallots, finely diced ¼ cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss pumpkin cubes with shallots, olive oil, salt and pepper till coated. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes or until tender, tossing once during baking.
Enjoy roasted pumpkin as a delicious side dish or add to your favorite stir fry or casserole.
I will be available to meet with family member to address any concern or questions regarding dietary needs or special diet for their loved one. I can be reach at Dodge Park Rest Home number (508-853-8180). Written by Cara Zechello, M.Ed., RD, LDN
ResidentsKen O. 11/5Agnes H. 11/8Clarie D. 11/15Mary M. 11/16Audrey J. 11/17Victoria L. 11/23Harvey M. 11/23Irene B. 11/29
Leonor P.
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 1110 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
Contact us for Pre-Opening
special pricing!
Now Accepting Applications for Admission
Opening Spring 2016
Dodge Park Rest Home Web: www.DodgePark.com On Facebook: www.facebook.com/DodgeParkRestHome 1312 Dodge Park Rest Home 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (508) 853-4545
DODGE PARK REST HOME
The Day ClubMand
Bringing LIFE toThose We Serve
Bringing LIFE toThose We Serve
Invite you to...
Thanksgiving Dinner atDodge Park Rest Home
Join Us To Celebrate Thanksgiving TogetherWe are so blessed and we count you among our blessings.
You are cordially invited (with all of your family and friends)to join us for our Thanksgiving Dinner Party celebration
with Paul Lamoureaux and Wayne Page.
O
RSVP Is A Must!!! RSVP to Renee Williams by November 15th
at (508) 853-8180 ext 117or [email protected]
Halloween Fun at Dodge Park!
101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: (508) 853-8180 Fax: (598) 853-4545
Please join us for our FREE monthly support group with Elaine Kapperman, LIC-SW. For family of individuals with dementia Nov 10, Dec 8, Jan 12 (2nd Tuesday of every month for children and spouses of individuals diagnosed with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease) The meeting is from 6pm - 8pm.
For more information or to RSVP contact Debbie Williams (508) 853-8180. FREE Monthly Support Group “Open to The Public” Please join us!
Alzheimer’s & Caregiver Support Group Meeting
Neighborhood Connection is now digital!Email [email protected] to get it delivered to your inbox each month. Print editions will mail out every other month only.
Monthly Support Group “Open to The Public”2nd Tuesday of every month for children of parents
with memory impairments.