Karen, Te’Rel and Sarah with Esmeralda

Now that we’ve officially seen our first snowfall of the season, residents of The Life Center’s Memory Support Area had the thrill of watching staff members Karen Gallardo, Sarah Lamb and Te’Rel Lamay build a snowman.

Since it was the first snow, it was a little too light and fluffy to form a natural snowball, so staff members thought of spraying the snow with water from a spray bottle. “This worked like a charm,” shares staff member Karen. Te’Rel adds, “Once we put the head and body together, we added the face, using Oreo cookies for eyes, a carrot for a nose, and Oreo cookie crumbs for the mouth.”

Staff decided they wanted to make this snowman designed as a new Resident. They then added a hat, shawl, and gait belt for safety. Staff member Melissa Coleman named the new Resident/snow-woman Esmeralda. The Residents were laughing and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Our Annual Celebration of the HomeThe Life Center would like to extend a very sincere thank you to the Community for their continued support of our Annual Celebration of The Home. The brunch held on Sunday, August 18th at The Life Center was a tremendous success. Through the generous support of our donors, we raised over $60,000!

Over the past 6 years The Life Center has seen an almost complete renovation. Project Transformation has allowed The Life Center to revitalize the Resident bathing spas, Resident Rooms, Dining Area and Atrium. The focus for this year’s Annual Celebration of The Home is to renovate our Therapy area, allowing our Skilled Residents to have a more pleasant rehabilitation experience. The Life Center will also expand the services that Boulevard Children’s Center can provide to our Residents and the Community.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Residents, and Staff, we would like to thank each of our Donors and Attendees for their continued support of The Home. None of these renovations would have been possible without your generous support. The Life Center would also like to thank the Embassy Club for the delicious brunch, Michael Kroloff for his photography services, and Mary Foss for the musical entertainment.

Centerpiece

1 Winter 2013 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

a newsletter for friends of the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

Winter 2013

Joyce & Ben Swartz

See more photos from the Brunch inside on pages 2, 3 & 5!

900 Polk BoulevardDes Moines, IA 50312-2225 telephone 515-255-5433 fax 515-277-8898 www.seniorlifecenter.org

Executive DirectorStephen P. Blend, M.H.A. ijslc@dwx.com

Director of NursingTyra Stull, RN nursemgr@seniorlifecenter.org

Admissions CoordinatorLara Dillon, LPN admissions@seniorlifecenter.org

Memory Care CoordinatorAmber Rutherford memorycare@seniorlifecenter.org

Dietary DirectorDarlene Perdue dperdue@seniorlifecenter.org

Social ServicesChelsea Anderson, BSW socservices@seniorlifecenter.org

Director of Environmental ServicesMatt Stout maint@seniorlifecenter.org

Housekeeping & Laundry ServicesMaria Hernandez hskpg@seniorlifecenter.org

Activity & Volunteer CoordinatorWanda Gulickactivities@seniorlifecenter.org

Financial ManagerNikki Harding officemgr@seniorlifecenter.org

Executive AssistantJennifer Youngquist aa@seniorlifecenter.org

THe IOwA JewISH SenIOr LIfe CenTer

from the Director

With warmest regards,

Stephen P. Blend, M.H.A. Executive Director

2Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Winter 2013

A topic of some recent discussions I have been privy to focused on the future of the Jewish Homes Movement, and the “necessity” of maintaining such organizations as part of the changing landscape of the elder care environment. Such talk reminded me of the story of the late, lamented Jewish Home for the Aging in The City of the South.

A number of years of planning had taken place for a new nursing care facility to be located alongside The City of the South Jewish Community Center. The planning process had then come to a critical juncture—decisions were needed regarding plans for bond-financing, architectural drawings for the new “Home” and negotiations with the owners of the land which would accommodate the proposed new campus.

It was at this point that the Board of Directors of the then-existing Home decided that, rather than building a new campus, they would simply get out of the Jewish Home “business” and sell the “old facility” to a proprietary group of investors. Solemn promises were extracted from the buyers regarding such matters as the provision of kosher food, ensuring that Jewish religious services would continue to take place, as well as other ritual observances which make a Jewish home unique.

With little further ado, the management structure of the “Old Home” was dismantled and operational responsibilities transferred to the new ownership. Within an incredibly short period of time, all of the promises were abrogated and the Jewish Residents of the Home transferred to other area facilities. If adhering to kosher dietary laws was important to individual residents, that was, sadly, unfortunate. If holiday observances were important to individual residents, it too was, sadly, unfortunate. If any of the things that make a “Jewish Home” special to the residents and the community—including being a place of refuge—are no longer there, well it’s just, sadly, unfortunate.

As we look into the future of Jewish elder care services in Des Moines and across the Nation, our goal is and always will be to provide a special place for our Jewish elders . . . whether that’s one or fifty individuals. Join with us in our ongoing efforts to strengthen The Home. Join with us in acknowledging over 80 years of service to the community. From strength to strength!

A Promise Fulfilled

Robin & Philip Bear Shelley & Martin Brody

More Sunday Brunch Attendees

Winter 2013 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care 3

Our Annual Celebration of the HomeLet’s do Sunday Brunch!

Lorber Family (seated: Mickey & Fred Lorber; standing: Randy Lorber, Don & Susie Polden)

Don & Margo Blumenthal Gloria & Allan Rovner

Stuart Oxer Mollie Giller & Mark John Conley Jon Fleming, The Life Center’s Board President

Larry Kirsner & Joan Burke

Dennis Goldford & Debbie Gitchell

Ben & Joyce Swartz Donald Swartz

Judy Blank’s 70th Anonymous

Maurice Bucksbaum’s 90th Matthew & Kay Bucksbaum

Lois Copple’s 85th Gwenn & Steve Copple

Stan Engman’s 80th Betty Abrams

Joyce Swartz Donald Swartz

Heidi & David Moskowitz Gwenn & Steve Copple

Steve Blend & Staff Anonymous

J.P. Knauer Mr. & Mrs. Donald Hartline

Clair Shewalter Karen Shirk

Ben Shlaes Gwenn & Steve Copple

The Life Center Staff Sisters Jeanie & Elaine Hagedorn

for recovery of: Margo Blumenthal Gwenn & Steve Copple

K.C. Copple Gwenn & Steve Copple

Thelma Kardon Gwenn & Steve Copple

Tracy Levine Gwenn & Steve Copple

Mickey & Fred Lorber Gwenn & Steve Copple

Maryan Nadel Gwenn & Steve Copple

Barbara Shlaes Gwenn & Steve Copple

Sharon Stein Gwenn & Steve Copple

Mary & Irving Steinberg Gwenn & Steve CoppleSusan Wistey Gwenn & Steve Copple

Helen Barmish

Larry & Anita Bierman Joseph A. Cekuta, III Robert Chapman Gwenn & Steve Copple Paula & Randy Duncan Louis & Lois Fingerman Helen Galinsky & Family David & Sharon Ginsburg Mr. & Mrs. Gene Graziano Jeanne Hershey Dorothy & Harlan (Bud) Hockenberg Susan Hoffman Michael & Joyce Karon (+) Richard & Mary Langdon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Levitt James & Sue Luksetich Esahr Pildis Dr. M. Suzanne Pomerantz Audrey & Harlan Rosenberg Linda Solar & Alan Stern Joyce & Ben Swartz Jack & Janis Tallman Irene Weinberg Arlene Wolf & Family Janice & Alan Zuckert

Mr. & Mrs. Sol Beecher Louis & Ann Balentine

Myron & Jackie Blank Stan & Jody Reynolds

Anna Blumenthal Mr. & Mrs. Donald Hartline

Donald Brown Margie L. Brown Simon

Ida & Meyer Cohen Dr. K.L. & Kelly Cohen ***

Brad Dillon Rabbi & Mrs. Marshall Berg

Harriet Feder Ron Feder ***

Stuart Gottstein Gwenn & Steve Copple Esahr Pildis

Rolland Graham Mr. & Mrs. George Crowder Jim Cushing Mr. & Mrs. Dean Rowland Ms. Debra Stambaugh

Gerry Gruen Gwenn & Steve Copple Linda Solar & Alan Stern Goldie Zeichik

Norene Hale Marsha Hale

Fern J. Hyett William D. Hyett

Thelma Kardon Gwenn & Steve Copple Helen Galinsky & Family Esahr Pildis Goldie Zeichik

Dorothy Kirsner Mary Lou Frishberg Allen & Danny Allen Judy Beechen Lois & Bob Beh Don & Margo Blumenthal Shelley & Marty Brody Marie Brown Frank Child Gwenn & Steve Copple John & Barbara Cortesio, Jr. Claude Freeman Matt Fryar Fred & Charlotte Hubbell Foundation John & Ellen Hunter Barb & Hank Kinney Barbara & David Lettween Jeanne & Richard Levitt Andrew Lyons Joan Mannheimer Joe & Pola Martino Paul & Nancy Nurczyk Mary O’Harra

Dorothy Kirsner continued . . . John Orenstein Roselind & Sheldon Rabinowitz Barbara Royal Alan Stern & Linda Solar Joyce & Ben Swartz Thomas & Mary Urban William Vernon, Jr. Gus & Kris Von Boeselager Janice & Alan Zuckert

Gerald Kuiper Gwenn & Steve Copple

Anne Loeb

Dr. Ed Loeb ***

Bob Lohnes Gwenn & Steve Copple

Lula Belle Lowe Diana Jarman ***

Jim Matulef Roger & Linda Willem

Dorothy Newmen Susan & Rich Seidenfeld

Minnie Pearl Milton Pearl

Mary Jo Hagedorn Reed Sisters Jeanie & Elaine Hagedorn

Mary Rubin Michael Rubin

Ronni Sherman Barbara & David Lettween

Sarah F. Sigel Irene Ruth Weinberg

Ben Small Jim Galinsky & Family Betty Moscove

Sharon Stein Gwenn & Steve Copple

Sylvia & Will Swerdloff Shirley Wittenstein

The Life Center is pleased to acknowledge the following contributions received between May 1 and October 31, 2013. Every effort has been made to ensure proper gift recognition. However, in publishing a list of supporters, it is possible that we may have omitted or misspelled your name.

If so, please accept our sincere apology and kindly notify Jennifer Youngquist at (515) 255-5433 ext 283.

we are grateful to our Donors

4 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Winter 2013

Anniversary Celebration of:

Birthday Celebration of:

Happy Mother’s Day wishes to:

In Honor of:

for recovery of: continued In Memory of: continued In Memory of: continued

***Reflects gifts of $1,000 or more (+) Reflects multiple contributions made with same tribute

welcome to their new Home:

In Memory of:

Geoff Abelson Bankers Trust *** Jeanette, Robin & Philip Bear, Linda & Robert Carpenter *** Estate of Shirley Barsky Berck *** Margo & Don Blumenthal *** Harry Bookey & Pamela Bass-Bookey *** Mr. & Mrs. Richard Braverman Martin & Shelley Brody *** Joanne Brown Jackie & John Bucksbaum *** Maurice & Dorothy Bucksbaum *** Richard & Ellen Caplan Steve & Gwenn Copple Larry & Judy Deutch Ralph Dove & Maggie Grace Jeri Dunitz Martin & Wendy Edelson Charlotte Elmets Arnold & Karen Engman Loretta & Gary Fingert Fran Fleck & Terry Greenley Jon L. Fleming *** Ann & Tom Friedman *** Debbie Gitchell *** Dr. & Mrs. Richard Gloor Sharon & Dennis Goldford *** Brad & Tami Goldman Cathy & Tom Goldman *** Hanna & David Gradwohl Barb Hirsh-Giller & Harvey Giller Marilyn & Lou Hurwitz *** Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines ***

Nathan & Sherida Josephson Jane Keown Larry Kirsner *** Richard Kirsner Barb & David Lettween *** Mickey & Fred Lorber *** Katherine & Joshua Mandelbaum Mannheimer Family Foundation Fund Marcovis & Khalastchi Families Michael Mintzer & Alla Mintzer-Zaprudsky Douglas R. Nelson Mary Jo & Robert Pomerantz Rose Lee Pomerantz Tom Press & Donna Paulsen *** Gail & Stanley Richards *** Sheila & Irvin Robinson *** Trudi Rosenfeld Allan & Gloria Rovner *** Ruan Family Foundation Fund Stan & Mary Seidler *** Barb & Bruce Sherman *** Mary Shirk Ben I. Small Trust *** John & Randi Stern *** David & Denise Swartz Joyce & Ben Swartz *** Patsy Tobis Karen Weiss Robbie & Marvin Winick Shirley Wittenstein Alan & Janice Zuckert ***

we are grateful to our Donors

Winter 2013 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care 5

General Contributions

***Reflects gifts of $1,000 or more (+) Reflects multiple contributions made with same tribute

General Contributions: continued

Sharon & Dennis Goldford Bobbi Rietz & Ed Loeb

More Sunday Brunch Attendees

‘The Shelter”—Statue Donated by Jay Hytone

The Life Center would like to express its sincere appreciation to Jay Hytone for his recent donation of a wooden statue entitled “The Shelter.” Jay shares, “The statue was made by my uncle, Jack Zazatsky, who was born in Kiev, Russia. Jack went to Drake

University and later became the Vice President of Branch Stores for Younkers. He had taken up sculpting and

became quite good at it.” Jay continues by stating that his sister had another piece made by Mr. Zazatsky entitled

“The Burning Bush” and that she has donated that piece to The Temple. “The Shelter” graces a table by

The Life Center’s main entrance.

Starting May 1, 2013, The Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center began contracting all therapy services with Millennium Rehab & Consulting Group. In our last issue of The Centerpiece, we asked you to join us in welcoming the new members of Millennium Rehab to The Life Center. Upon reflection, we thought it might be more helpful to include a photo, and help you get to know them.

Becky Royce (Physical Therapist)

Becky enjoys working with The Life Center, because of its great reputation and support system for those in rehab working to get back home. She enjoys meeting new people and helping them get back home after an injury or illness. Becky went to both Iowa State University and Des Moines University. She started working with Millennium right after graduation. She has worked in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehab, home health, and workers’ compensation

settings throughout the Des Moines area. Becky enjoys reading random books and re-watching old TV shows.

Chelsea Akers (Occupational Therapy Assistant)

Chelsea was raised as a farm girl of a military family, picking up rocks in the field and helping out on the farm. She is the eldest of two daughters and lived on the farm until college. She went to school at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. She currently lives in West Des Moines and enjoys camping and fishing on the weekends with her family. Her favorite color is pink; her favorite food is spaghetti; and she loves animals. Chelsea enjoys seeing the overall improvement on a patient’s quality of life following therapy. A quote that Chelsea likes to keep in mind is:

“Laughing is a powerful medicine.”

Breanna Castro (Occupational Therapist)

Together with her husband, Breanna enjoys spending time laughing with her siblings and parents. Breanna attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska for both her undergraduate and doctorate degrees. During her studies, Breanna had the privilege of traveling to Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Bolivia. As an Occupational Therapist, she helps individuals achieve their highest level of independence in daily tasks. “Meeting people and walking with them during this vulnerable time is very rewarding,” stated Breanna. Breanna is very conversational in Spanish and loves doing therapy with people who speak Spanish.

6 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Winter 2013

Meet Our Therapy Team

top row (left to right) Becky Royce, Chelsea Akers, Breanna Castro. bottom row (left to right) Eric Roth, Jenna Rosenberg, Crystol Shear

Winter 2013 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care 7

Meet Our Therapy TeamEric Roth (Area Manager & Speech-Language Pathologist)

Eric lives in Carlisle with his wife and 2 sons. He enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Eric completed his Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University. He has worked in acute rehab, a small rural hospital, and skilled nursing settings. Eric shares, “I always think at work and in life we can improve what we do and who we are.” He enjoys helping other people, both staff and patients, and is thrilled when he sees a patient reach his or her goal.

Jenna Rosenberg (Speech Therapist)

Jenna enjoys building relationships with all kinds of people. She hopes she can make a positive impact on people’s lives. With her birthday on July 6th, while growing up she always thought the 4th of July fireworks were just for her. Jenna is married to her wonderful husband, whom she met on Match.com. Jenna has one son who is 22 months old, and she is expecting another son in March 2014! Jenna enjoys running and has completed many races, including 3 half-marathons.

Crystol Shear (Physical Therapy Assistant)

Crystol has been a Physical Therapy Assistant for 11 years. When her brother was 7 years old, he was involved in a lawn mower accident, resulting in a below the knee amputation. He spent the majority of his childhood with therapists. Crystol debated if she wanted to get into either orthotics and prosthetics or therapy, and decided that since there were more options in therapy, that was the route she would take.

The Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center would like to share the following letter, received by Stephen Blend, Executive Director, on November 13, 2013

Dear Mr. Blend:

I received your kind note in remembrance of my mother. Our family deeply misses her, but she remains forever in our hearts. We are comforted in the knowledge that she lived a full life and passed peacefully.

I had the honor and privilege to oversee her affairs and manage her care for the last seven years. The excellent treatment she received during her stay at the Life Center provided great peace of mind to my family. Although my mother’s health was in continuous decline during her stay, I believe the skill and kindness of the staff made her final years the best they could possibly be. For this, we are truly grateful and thankful.

In my many visits, I was repeatedly impressed by the management of the facility. I am no expert, but it is evident the Life Center is adequately staffed and employees are properly trained to undertake work that is both difficult and noble. All residents are well cared for and treated with respect and compassion. In addition, the professionals who serve them seem to enjoy their work, which benefits both residents and staff. I will never hesitate to recommend the Life Center to any families who face circumstances similar to ours.

Thank you for the important work that you do serving our elders.

Sincerely, Peter Bowers

A Letter from a family

Here’s what’s Happening

8 Skilled / Rehabilitation Long - Term Nursing Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Winter 2013

Our “Wish List”In order to further enhance the lives of our Residents, below are some volunteer or item requests:

• Magazine subscriptions (examples: Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Midwest Living)

• Pianist for our Friday sing-a-long, which is held from 11:00 am – noon

• Bingo assistant – to help our residents from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Wednesdays and Sundays

Making Apple Pies This fall, the Residents of Memory Care at Boulevard Place worked together to make several apple pies. They all enjoyed using the apple peeler and commented how much easier it was than when they had to peel them by hand! Isabella then helped mix all the dry ingredients. Of course the best part – eating the finished product!!

We Now Have a Mobile Website! With the growing trend of I-Phones and I-Phone-friendly apps and websites, The Life Center is now up-to-date with this new technology. Our website now has a mobile phone friendly version that allows people to quickly access key information, such as our location, driving directions, contact information, etc. Please check this out, and let us know if there is other information that would be helpful to include. To quickly access our mobile website, please scan the QR code shown here.

Isabella M stirring dry ingredients Gert B peeling an apple

Glora D peeling an apple Estelle and Brad showing the peeled apple