INSIDERTH

E BAPTIST HEALTH

A Publication of Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Summer 2015

2015 Wine & Food

Pairing

Join us on Friday, October 16th as we present the 4th

Annual Food & Wine Pairing and Raymond Whitbeck Community Service Award at River Stone Manor in Glenville from 6 to 9 PM. The fun and delicious evening will feature wines to be sampled from various wineries paired with delicious offerings from the culinary masters at River Stone Manor, located at 1427 Amsterdam Road in Glenville, NY. There will be great music on hand featuring the acoustic stylings of James Rissacher, and we are thrilled to announce that all of the wine served at the event has been donated by Guidarelli’s Wine & Liquor.

The generous spirit of the community, along with people like you, allow us to share an event such as this to raise funds for the various programs that The Baptist Care Fund, the fundraising arm of Baptist Health System, supports. Our programs are designed to provide quality of life and high levels of engagement for our patients, residents and their families, and fulfill our mission to “Serve all persons with quality care in

a loving and compassionate environment.” They include our popular Dreams Can Come True Program, Music Therapy Program, our Healthcare Scholarship Program and will soon include the Music and

...continued on page 3

Message From The PresidentPage 2

Reflections: How Dry is Your Well? Page 6

A Word From Our Administrator Page 7

IN THIS ISSUE

featuringThe Raymond Whitbeck

Community Service Award

pairingBaptist Health System

Fourth Annual& foodwine

Friday, October 16, 2015 6-9 PMRiver Stone Manor

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A Message from the President

It’s hard to believe that 32 years have passed since I joined Baptist Health System as

President and CEO. Back then, we were known as Baptist Retirement Center. My how things have changed! One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to excellence in caring for our aging population. Baptist Health System now includes Baptist Health, our skilled nursing facility; Homeward Bound Transitional Care at Baptist Health, our dedicated sub-acute rehabilitation program; Judson Meadows Assisted Living, the area’s newest assisted living community featuring short stay respite programs and tiered levels of assisted living care with several floorplans to choose from including a limited number of Medicaid funded apartments; The Baptist Care Fund, our fund-raising arm which provides

Timothy Bartos

Judson Meadows Now Offers Short Term Stays!Willliam Brownell was

looking for a new place to live. The 81 year old father of three

was living alone in a condo until a required surgery left him unable to live independently. He tried short stays at a couple local assisted living facilities, but was not happy with them. His daughters had visited Judson Meadows Assisted Living Community and loved it, so Mr. Brownell decided to try staying in one of their apartments for six weeks. He moved into one of the fully furnished respite apartments. “I brought my own easy chair, but that was all.” He was immediately impressed with Judson Meadows, likening it to staying in a fancy yet comfortable hotel. After only one week he had decided to make Judson Meadows his permanent home.

“The meals are fabulous. There is nice linen and glassware, and there’s always a choice of two menu items, plus alternate choices if you prefer. The wait staff are wonderful and make you feel so at home.”

William enjoys morning devotions and bible study among the many activities that

are available. He has made some dear friends since coming to Judson Meadows. “All of the residents are so nice – we kid and joke. It seems like home there, not an institution.”

William recently underwent surgery again and is currently a patient at Homeward Bound, Baptist Health System’s subacute rehabilitation unit, until he is fully recovered. He plans to return to Judson Meadows. This time he will be moving into a permanent apartment, and bringing his own furniture and belongings to make it truly his home.

“Judson Meadows is the closest thing to home you could have.”

...continued on page 8

William Brownell found a new home at Judson Meadows Assisted Living Community after a respite stay.

...continued on page 6

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Wine & Food Pairing...continued from page 1Judson Meadows Now Offers Short Term Stays!Memory program. just to name a few. In addition to learning about a variety of wines through sampling them that evening, you’ll enjoy an abundance of delicious, fresh, hand-crafted food, toe-tapping music, basket raffles and great people to enjoy a fun evening out with! Craig Adams, Meteorologist and wine enthusiast from CBS 6 Albany and The Capital Region CW will serve as Master of Ceremonies for all the fun! The highlight of the evening will take place as you witness the awarding of the 4th Annual Raymond Whitbeck Community Service Award. The award is named after Raymond Whitbeck, a founding Board Member of Baptist

Health System almost 40 years ago. Ray was involved with many community organizations and knew that the collective involvement of many could produce great results for the whole community. He was a compassionate, funny and visionary man. It is in his memory that we are proud to be able to present this award to a deserving recipient for yet a fourth year. Each year’s winner receives $2,000 from the Baptist Care Fund to be donated to a charity of their choice. Applications are available on line at www.bapthealth.com under News & Announcements. The deadline for applications this year is Friday, September 18th. Prior award recipients include Lori Sames from Hannah’s Hope Foundation (2012), Jim Ruggiero from The Schenectady Day Nursery (2013) and John McDonald from The Saratoga Lions Club (2014). Tickets to attend the event are $50.00 each, and can be purchased online at www.bapthealth.com or by sending a check payable to Baptist Care Fund, 297 North Ballston

Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the evening of the event. Please contact Ruth Tietz, Director of Marketing/Development at Baptist Health System should you require more information.

518-370-4700 www.HomewardBoundRehab.com

A rehabilitation program of Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Recently Hospitalized?

Want to get well and go home?

Call us!

Craig Adams, Meteorologist from CBS 6 Albany and The Capital Region CW

Raymond Whitbeck, founding Board Member, Baptist Health System

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Annual Fund

Raymond Chun San and Joan Ma First Baptist Women

Alan & Dianne Freestone Schenectady Parkinson’s

Support Group

Chaplaincy Fund

Burnt Hills Baptist Church Duanesburg-Florida Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist Church

Fowler Baptist Mission CircleHope Baptist Church Trust Immaculate Conception

Rosary Altar Society Old Stone Church

West Hoosick Baptist Church

Donations in Memory of...

Mollie Delorenzo Pamela Cerrone

Karen & Peter Mantas John Smircich

Robert DuFort Alphonse & Margaret DeFillippo

Gregory & Laural Fernau Timothy & Julia Thomas

Carmella Ferri Gail Andrews

John & Carol DiPasquale Robert & Susan Greco

AcknowledgementsOctober 1, 2014 through

July 31, 2015

Thank you to our donors for your generosity

and support!

Carl & Sandra Hubbard James & Linda Keane

Vincent Plano Joseph Kocsis & Kerry Schmidt

Julia GabrieleGloria Ferri

Michael & Susan Frisoni James & Janet Pertierra

Marie Pertierra Richard & Marie Pidgeon

Janet Rainey

Dorothy Gauvin Theodore & Tonia Dandrow

Charlotte McAllister Kenneth & Diane McKenna

Pauline Hildreth Bill & Donna Fairlee

Greg & June McGarry John & Pat Williams

Viola Hunt Margaret Datz

Charles & Nancy Jones A.M. Meiklejohn

Linda Miller Jean Roos

Steve & Diane Skibinski June Smith

Robert Kessler Clarence & Norma Burns

Libero ManzoneRobert & Sandra Brennan

Leonard & Anoinette Buchakjian Lawrence & Charlotte Eaton

Art & Kathleen MonacoDwight & Gail Wilson

Edna Merry Walter & Jacqueline Habel Stanley & Lorraine Korona

Bert & Anita ParkerSally Pepe

John & Anne Turner Frank & Wanda Vila

Dominic Niguel Moore-Loveless Allen & Judy DeNegris

Ginny Podbielski

Vincent & Patricia Carretta

Antonia RotondiRichard & Lois Ferro

Francis & Kristine Marra Neil Murray

Norman Rowell

Louis & Judy Buhrmaster

Donations In-Kind

Nora Balcer James & Kathleen Beswick

John Meaney

Annual Fund

James & Cindy Albright Ruth Bartos

Timothy & Diane Bartos Jeffry & Patricia Brozyna Louis & Judy Buhrmaster

Linda Davin Walter & Jacqueline Habel

Elsie Mills John & Patricia Montanaro

Regular’s Liquor Store

Tree of LifeWilliam Sheehan

Thomas & Robin Sarnacki

Donations in Honor of...

Melvina West Thea Hoeth

The Baptist HealthSystem Foundation

Baptist Health Nursing &Rehabilitation Center

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Donations in Memory of...

Justus Belfield Linda Castilla

Ruth Tietz

Catherine DarianoDeNooyer Chevrolet

Marie DeCiero John DeCiero

Alfred GiaquintoAllen & Judy DeNegris

Frances Gramowich Greg & June McGarry

Helen Gray Richard & Holly Gray

Chris McCann Deborah Botch

Maria Onorato Anthony P. Onorato

Doris Rand Gary & Gail Champlin

Vincent & Mary Jean DiRoberto Scott & Beverly Ebeling

Diane Frasco Jean Rand Griffiths

Justine Wronkowski Matthew Wronkowski

Eleanor Young Russell Young

9th Annual Alfred Kahler Memorial Golf Tournament

Corporate SponsorsAOW Associates

Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC The Chazen Companies

Jaeger & Flynn Associates M&T Bank

The Nurse Connection Staffing Dr. Robert Ringler

Corporate FriendCBS6 Albany

Omnicare

Patron Sponsors EA Morse & Co., Inc. Marshall & Sterling

Carmen Mastroianni, Jr. Select Rehabilitation, Inc.

SWBR Architects TC Equipment, LLC

Green Tee Sponsors55+ Living Magazine

Grove Associates Renter’s Guide, LLC

Individual Sponsors Animal Protective Foundation

Joshua Cuckerstein Kormos & Company

Phoenix Textiles Scotia-Glenville Lions Club

Thank you to the many who helped make this year’s golf tournament so successful through your financial

contributions, donations of raffle items, serving on

a committee, or by attending.

Did you know that the Baptist Care Fund now

accepts online donations?

Your gift to the Baptist Care Fund can help fund a Dreams

Can Come True outing. Programs like this, along with

our Art and Music Therapy programs, rely on donations

to help continue improving the quality of life for our residents

and their families.

Please visit us online at www.bapthealth.com

to make a tax deductible donation TODAY!

If you prefer, you can send your

donation in the form of a check

using the envelope included in this

newsletter.

Save the Date!October 16, 2015 6-9 PM

Food & Wine Pairing Event River Stone Manor

Glenville, NY

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The travel industry and resort meccas go to great lengths to entice us to venture from home and

spend our hard-earned income on family get-aways. At this time of year the airports, rail stations and highways throng with those stepping away from the rat race and routine of work-a-day realities as they seek respite. Who has not joined the hectic, often exhausting process with myriad others seeking sun, fun and relief from the life’s duties and responsibilities? Equally frustrating is the soon return, often with an empty feeling that the inner need for re-creation has not been fully satisfied, no matter the effort and expense put into recreating.

Might it be that the urge to get away and escape to somewhere is evidence of an unmet need for a spiritual encounter that restores and transforms within? Without minimizing the legitimate benefit to vacation at the mountain cabin, the seaside cottage or taking the cross-country tour, satisfying the emptiness and drained feeling (burnout) of our over-busy lives may also be found in nurturing the spirit within. This is a need we can address not only once-a-year but fulfill monthly, weekly, or daily as part of the rhythm of life. The ancient wisdom and observance of sabbath-keeping reveals a pattern or practice of work and regular rest. The early desert fathers and mothers observed the practice of “holy leisure” that afforded down time that was restorative and restful for body, mind and soul.

Canterbury Tales relates the story of pilgrims (medieval vacationers?) who combined the excitement of the open road and spiritual encounter of retreat in an early version of a booming travel industry. Adopting these efforts to provide consistent rest that is restorative and pursue spiritual practices that offer a “holy pause” in the midst of endless work and over commitment provides increased energy, greater creativity, enhanced stress reduction and better concentration in the work phase of our lives. It is well recognized that taking control and creating balance in all areas of life leaves us more refreshed and resilient and better able to handle the many demands we must face. If your well is consistently dry, it’s time to create a comprehensive strategy to keep it replenished.

Reflections by Chaplain Mark Chaffin How Dry is Your Well?

Judson Meadows short term stays... continued from page 3

Judson Meadows Assisted Living Community offers short term options for seniors who would like to try assisted living, want to give their caregivers a needed break, or may not be ready to return home after a hospital stay. Respite residents receive all of the services, amenities and support that permanent residents enjoy.

For more information or a tour, call 518-831-2400 or visit JudsonMeadowsAssistedLiving.com.

CARING LIKE FAMILY

Baptist Health System Assisted Living

Respite/Short Term Stays Now AvailableWelcome Home

Studio & one-bedroomapartmentswith amenities

All meals & utilities included

Tiered levels of services to meet your needs

www.JudsonMeadowsAssistedLiving.com

RefinedAssisted Living

Call

518-831-2400for more

information orto schedule a tour

39 Swaggertown Road, Glenville, NY 12302

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We are extremely proud of our long and continued history of providing quality care to our community. What some of you may not know is that we also have an activities department second to none. Not only are the staff well versed, but the variety and frequency of meaningful and enjoyable activities is readily apparent. Some of my favorites include the recent appearance and culinary demonstration by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani (compliments of Flik Lifestyles), our numerous trips to baseball games, the Saratoga Race Track, summer barbeques, food and coffee tasting events, musical concerts, and boat

rides on Lake George, to name a few.

At Baptist, we believe life should be engaging, interesting, and fun. Our goal is to make our residents feel like they are at home and experiencing life the way they want to. Our residents aren’t shy about telling us how important food and activities are to them. We have been listening! I have been working closely with both of these departments to enhance these services. Based on resident feedback, I have asked the activities department to provide more of the activities that residents enjoy. We have engaged the services of Flik Lifestyles, an outside company

specializing in food services (amongst other things) to provide an incredible culinary experience at every meal. The food we serve at Baptist is created from

scratch, using the

freshest ingredients available. The feedback we get from residents is at the heart of improving every experience going forward. We incorporate this information into every activity so each will be special and memorable for the people we serve.

Several years ago, the team at Baptist had a vision of having a dedicated rehabilitation wing. This vision has come to fruition! For three years now, Homeward Bound has provided rehabilitation services to over 700 patients. Our favorable satisfaction surveys are averaging around 95%! The team of clinical experts on

Administrator, Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

...continued on page 9

Tony Alotta, Administrator

A Word from Tony Alotta

Respite/Short Term Stays Now Available

Activities staff members Deb Marek and Wendy Hoyt escort 2015 Queen and King, Mary Lou Petta and

Orlando Caruso at the Memorial Day Parade in Scotia.

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Message from the President...continued from page 2meaningful, engaging programs to our residents, patients and their families as well as the greater community; Nurse Connection Staffing, Inc., a nurse staffing company providing professional, well-trained staff to numerous health care facilities, schools and other organizations in need throughout The Capital Region and Syracuse; Home Connection Companions, our social model home care service and CallingtoCheck.com, a communication service to keep you in touch with aging friends and loved ones. What a delightful challenge it has been bringing all of these very necessary services to life with the wonderful team of professionals I have been so blessed to work with and call the Baptist Health System Family.

Over the years I have had the privilege of working with some exceptional folks. Their smiles, stories and compassionate deeds will always be near and dear to me. Many have moved on to follow other paths, both professional and personal, but their indelible mark and dedicated service will live on throughout the Baptist Health

System. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many of these special people.

As you walk our halls visiting loved ones and friends or perhaps volunteering, you will notice some new faces. These are the new faces of the dedicated aging service providers that comprise the team that will help take Baptist Health to the next level to our commitment of operating a center of excellence. Please join me in welcoming them, and feel free to call upon any of them to assist you in any way.

With so many changes in the healthcare landscape in NYS and nationally, one thing is sure,

you can rest well knowing your loved one is in, or has been in our care. We are committed to excellence! We realize you have a choice in providers, and thank you for choosing Baptist Health System. It truly is our honor and privilege to care for you or your loved one.

As I like to say on the weekly TV segment I host on all things aging related, Six on Seniors, airing on CBS 6 Albany Mondays at noon, “Aging is Mandatory…..Getting Old is Not!”

Tim BartosPresident/CEO

Baptist Health resident John Quinn enjoying a classic car show held at Baptist earlier this summer.

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Homeward Bound, along with the rehabilitation department – Select Rehabilitation Services, have created a first class rehabilitation center where the objective is for patients to achieve their individual goals and go home.

With an eye toward the future, it is my vision for the organization to enhance the experience of every individual Baptist serves. The focus will

be on excellent quality care and customer service, individual preferences, and meaningful engagement as defined by our residents and patients. With the extraordinary team of compassionate and skilled staff at Baptist, I am confident that we will deliver on these goals.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your summer!

...continued from page 7

Are you finding it more and more difficult to provide day-to-day care for

your parent or loved one?

A Word from Our Administrator

AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

39 Swaggertown Rd., Glenville, NY 12302Studio, and one bedroom

apartments availableIndividualized levels of service

Enjoy The Art of Aging Well atJudson Meadows Assisted Living Community

For more information or a tour, call518-831-2400

www.JudsonMeadowsAssistedLiving.com

Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani demonstrates how to make meatballs to residents and staff during his visit

to Baptist Health in June.

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Our volunteers are so important to us here at Baptist Health. They can be seen daily running the gift shop, transporting residents, doing clerical work, paying friendly visits and so much more. We are so used to seeing them here that they seem to blend in with our interior landscape, but what a difference it would make if they were not around!

We are given so much by our volunteers, and they receive just as much goodness in return from their visits.

Connie Remsheid began volunteering here during the years that her mother was a resident at Baptist, and has continued for the past eleven years. She offered us some insight as to what she gets out of volunteering.

“I go home with a very deep feeling of having made people happy. After I visit with residents, the way they say thank you to me is so sincere!” Connie

said she wakes up looking forward to coming here, and that volunteering makes her feel like she has found her purpose in life.

“I’m happy that I’m still able to do this. My kids brag about me going to work every day.”

From high school and college students to retired members of the community, volunteers of all ages and walks of life continue to bring smiles to the faces of our residents every day, and those smiles are contagious!

“I feel like I’m glowing” says Connie.

Lou Carol Comley, Director of Volunteers & Customer Service, emphasized the importance of volunteers, particularly to transport residents in wheelchairs within the facility. Able-bodied folks who can bring residents to activities, our in-house beauty shop, the therapy gym and religious services are always appreciated. Volunteers can also help out in the gift shop or pay friendly visits to residents. If you love to

sew or knit, we can certainly use clothing protectors, lap blankets, walker bags and other handmade items.

New volunteers need to meet some minimal health requirements and go through a brief orientation before beginning, and should be able to commit to a minimum of 20 hours of service.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to pay it forward, put your skills to good use and make some new friends.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at Baptist Health, please contact Lou Carol Comley at 518-370-4700 ext. 146, or email comleyl@bapthealth.com.

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

- James Matthew Barrie

Connie Remsheid is just one of the many volunteers at Baptist who find a renewed sense

of purpose each time they visit.

Volunteers - Love in Action!

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Frank Austin is currently a rehabilitation patient here on Homeward Bound. A recent conversation with him revealed that he has had an exceptional life so far!

Originally from Congers, Rockland County, Mr. Austin studied Early Childhood Education because when he was a sophomore at the State University College at New Paltz he enjoyed working with the three year olds at the campus preschool. He taught kindergarten at Riverside, NY in Suffolk County for 7 years, and then had an opportunity to teach in a pre-Kindergarten in Bronxville, Westchester County. Bronxville was a wealthy area with the finest public education system. The children he taught were delightful and very sharp.

He has vivid memories of the stories children would tell him in school. A 4 year old girl told her class about a trip she had taken to her grandmother’s garden. She related the story of this magnificent trip in great detail, including the names of all of the towns she had traveled through. When she described her grandmother’s garden, she even knew the botanical names of the many flowers her grandmother grew. Mr. Austin was amazed at this fantastic story, and told the girl that he didn’t believe that her grandmother really had such a garden. The little girl said, “Do you know where my grandmother lives?” Mr. Austin replied that he did not. Hands on her hips, she turned slightly toward him and said, “So there!” It was her way of telling him that since he didn’t know her grandmother, he couldn’t possibly know what was growing in her garden! Mr. Austin is sure that this little girl must have grown up to do great things.

Another child told the class how his father had surprised his mother one day by placing a check for $50,000 on the table. The boy’s father was in advertising and had come up with the slogan, “You’ll wonder where the yellow went

when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!”

Frank began studying for his doctorate, but in1955 he was asked to come to Schenectady to help launch a pre-Kindergarten at Linton, the new high school. It was a tremendous experience, working with great people and doing something he loved.

With Linton’s preschool successfully launched, Mr. Austin was asked to start a similar program at Mount Pleasant, and eventually started preschools for five more schools. He also ran a Head Start program and taught social psychology at the high school level. The focus was on problem solving and interpersonal relations, skills that are so important to success throughout life.

Mr. Austin had an outstanding staff that were like family to him. “They were the best people I ever worked with.” In February 2015, Frank celebrated his 90th birthday. Some of his former staff members came to visit. When Frank saw them, his face lit up with smiles for his beloved friends.

Frank’s advice to parents is “if you don’t accommodate them when they’re small, you will accommodate them when they’re older”, explaining that if parents help their children through the rough spots when they are young, they will develop the skills and confidence to solve problems independently as they grow up.

Mr. Austin feels that he was a lucky man to have had such a fulfilling career. It is certain that there are quite a few people living today whose lives he touched and changed for the better, and who consider themselves fortunate for having known him.

Frank Austin - An Exceptional LifeVolunteers - Love in Action!

Frank Austin, whose wife Millie is also a teacher

297 North Ballston AveScotia, NY 12302www.bapthealth.com

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Some Moments to Remember at Baptist Health

A pet visit with Christine Camp and Jitka Korber

Pat Compositor is serenaded by Elvis

Great Gatsby Party at Judson Meadows with Dick and Betty Weber

Clowning around - the activities crew and John Haffner

Fran Miner receiving POW Medal from Congressman TonkoA Paint ‘n’ Sip session