Iwould like to thank all of the residents for their recent calls and letters of support. As most of you

know, I am extremely proud of El Castillo and how it has evolved over the past 20 years. I look forward to a positive evolution in the future so that we continue to provide excellent services to our current and future residents. Our Director of Nursing, Tina Giacchetti, has retired effective April 23. We thank Tina for her many years of dedicated service to El Castillo. In her place, Katherine “Kay” Miller has been hired as our new DON. Kay has a wealth of experience in long-term care, assisted living and memory care. We welcome her and look forward to a continuation of the great health care that is a mainstay of El Castillo. On a sad note, Maclovia “Mac” Lopez has informed me that she will be retiring no later than June 30. On April 16, Mac completed her 41st year at El Castillo. She has been an extremely good employee and friend to many residents. We will miss her but wish her all the best in her retirement. The Memory Support Center Capital Campaign is going into its second phase. So far, we

El Castillo LifeCare Community

Around El Castillo Allen Jahner, CEO Administrator

have received approximately $425,000 in donations and pledges toward our goal of reaching $3 million within the next three years. Residents who have expressed an interest in donating in 2013, please expect to hear from our Campaign Consultants. If you would like to donate, please call Lorin in Administration for complete details. I thank all who have so generously participated thus far and thank in advance all who contemplate a contribution to this very worthy cause. I especially want to thank the Campaign Co-Chairs, Jim and Louise Leopold, who serve as the campaign leaders. The construction project continues to move along very well in the Memory Center. More challenges have surfaced in the Health Center remodel, namely the high pressure water line that crosses the property. A new vault to house the meter and backflow preventer must be installed before further work can take place. The gas leak and the subsequent evacuation of the Health Center last week was caused by PNM digging on East DeVargas. All the staff handled the situation very well. It only took 13 minutes to complete the evacuation! The gas line was capped on Monday morning and everything is back on track. As soon as we get the utilities relocated, the project will be in full swing. You can expect the contractor to be working on Saturdays to catch up. Just a reminder, Dr. Roger Landry will make a presentation at El Castillo, May 8 at 1pm. The subject is “10 Strategies for Successful Aging.” In addition, he will have a public program, May 8 at 7pm in the St. Francis Auditorium of the New Mexico Museum of Art, on the Plaza. You are all invited to one or both of the programs. A wise lady once said, “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.”

MAY 2013

Newsof theCastle

2

Phil entered the world in

Altus, Oklahoma, a small town in the southwest corner of the state. He grew up with an older brother and they are still close. The family

moved to Cordell, another western Oklahoma town, the home of his parents. Phil’s dad was a receiver for failed banks, common during the Great Depression. From first grade through high school in Cordell, Phil was a straight-A student. He went to the University of Oklahoma in Norman and graduated in 1954 with a degree in accounting. He went into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and was the budget officer for Ardmore

Welcome New Residents!

Eager to travel, the Cieners have

covered much of the globe. They have a special interest in India and have visited that unique country four times. They have been to China and Singapore

in the far East and travelled Europe extensively, particularly enjoying Vienna, Budapest and Prague. Sidney started her life adventures in Canada, born near Toronto. When she reached adulthood, she worked for a customs broker. On a vacation to Los Angeles with friends, Sidney decided to stay. She worked for one of Lewis’s clients and thus met her life partner. Lewis was born in Middletown, Ohio moving to Los Angeles when he was four. He graduated from UCLA and spent his career as a CPA. He

became very active in the community as president of the Temple in Hollywood, the area Newcomers Association and Toastmasters. Their son majored in Asian studies and after graduation moved to Santa Barbara. They enjoy being close to their grandson who is now at Santa Fe Prep and is looking forward to taking some courses at St. John’s College. Sidney keeps busy with her many interests and talents. She is a photographer, paints and enjoys sewing and quiltmaking. She also has an interest in Mayan ceramics, perhaps because she earned a Certificate in Archeaology during her California days. The Cieners became members of the O’Keeffe Museum upon moving here and have more trips they hope to make in the future. They want to explore South Africa and Bhutan and then share their photography with their neighbors. Welcome to this creative couple!

Phil Symcox, Apt. 339

Sidney and Lewis Ciener

Air Force Base, 90 miles from home. Phil then worked along with his father and brother in his family-owned bank in Norman. He began as a bookkeeper and retired as Chairman of the Trustees and Board of Directors. During his 35 year career he was active in civic affairs including president of the Rotary and Library Board and chairman of the trustees in the Presbyterian church. His last career involved conducting real estate appraisals in Palm Desert, San Diego and Seattle. Phil and Betty Dolman married in 1958 and raised two sons. Keith teaches chemistry at the University of Tulsa, is married and has three children.

David has a master’s degree in accounting but currently restores old cars in Whitefish, Montana. Phil came to Santa Fe in 1992 and did volunteer work for AIDs organizations, including Southwest Care. He is now retired from volunteer work. Passionate about art and music, he is a regular at the Symphony, Santa Fe Opera and the MetLive Simulcasts and other events at the Lensic. He also enjoys visiting galleries and museums. Phil’s sunny apartment overlooking the residents’ garden has paintings and bronze dancers created by his former wife. He shares his home with his handsome cat, Sox. Welcome!

PROG

RA

MS &

EVEN

TS

HealthSPOT

What is Hospice Care and What Does it Really Mean?

If you or a loved one has exhausted all treatment options and are no longer helped by curative treatment, hospice care is an option. Hospice is a philosophy of

care that focuses on managing symptoms and maximizing comfort to support the highest quality of care and dignity for whatever time remains. The care is managed by a team of health care professionals that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists and trained volunteers. The team provides complete care aimed at relieving symptoms and giving social, emotional and spiritual support. Patients and families are included in making decisions concerning their care. You, your family or your doctor decide when such care should begin. To qualify, your doctor and the hospice medical director must certify that you are a candidate. Unfortunately people often resist hospice believing that it means that there is no hope or that they are “giving up.” Although hospice is for someone who is expected to live six months or less if the illness runs its regular course, if you get better, you can be taken out of hospice and go back to it if it’s needed. On the other hand, if your doctor and the team certify that your condition remains life-limiting, the time can be extended. In most states Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private and managed care organizations pay for hospice care. Another benefit for the family is bereavement counseling for 13 months after the death of a loved one. Hospice care has been shown to make people with incurable illnesses feel better and live longer. It brings the hope of making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness. (Information from the American Cancer Society and the Mayo Clinic)

“You matter because of who you are. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

—Dame Cicely Saunders, 1967, first used the term hospice to describe specialized care for dying patients

3

Home Health & Hospice

Karen Wells, RN, MPA

Thursday, May 23, 20132pm

Karen has a 35-year career in long-term care and aging. She has a wide range of experience including hospice nursing, running Visiting Nurses in the 1980’s and the statewide Trade Association for Home Health and Hospice. She continues and continues to lobby for the Long-term Care & Aging Department.

Welcome to Katherine MillerOur New Director of Nursing

Director of Nursing Katherine “Kay” Miller, comes to us with an impressive background and years of nursing and

management experience in a wide variety of healthcare settings. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Rutgers University and a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Kay’s experience as the Director of Nursing in a 55-bed dementia facility will be a real plus as we open our new memory center. She and her husband moved to Santa Fe from New Jersey ten months ago and they have fallen in love with the many wonders of our city. When she isn’t busy with our Health Center residents and staff, Kay enjoys spending time with her husband, sewing, reading, playing Scrabble, baking, cooking and socializing. Stop by and introduce yourself to the newest member of our staff.

PRO

GR

AM

S &

EV

ENTS

4

May BirthdaysBirthday Celebration:Wednesday, May 15

Committee MeetingsBuildings & GroundsFriday, May 3, 9:30am

Food CommitteeMonday, May 6, 2pm

Residents’ AssociationThursday, May 9, 2pm

Health CommitteeNo meeting this month

Program CommitteeNo meeting this month

Marketing CommitteeNo meeting this month

Finance CommitteeNo meeting this month

Ongoing Activities

Exercise Classes 9:30amMonday Creative MovementTuesday QigongFriday Strengthen & Stretch

11:15amWednesday Fitness Training with Kari (Fitness Center)

4pmWednesday Balance & Strength

Banking 9-10amWednesday First National BankThursday Los Alamos National Bank

Health 10:30am & 3:30pmWednesday Blood Pressure Clinic

Worship Services 10amFriday CatholicService(HealthCenter)Sunday HolyFaithEpiscopal(HealthCenter)

10am3rdThursday UnitarianUniversalist(A/Lactivityroom)

GamesWednesday 2pm Cribbage

Thursday 9am Mah Jong

Art 1:30-3:30pmFriday Painting,ArtStudio,Apt.505

Miscellaneous 10am-noonWednesday Seamstress (Pat Haeuter)

Cinema El Castillo 7pmSaturday

AllactivitiesmeetintheCommunityRoomunlessotherwisenoted

COMPUTER QUESTIONS? Call Jolene (995-2104)

Betty Dreiss, May 1Jean Chambers, May 3Ted Willliams, May 6Sue Moore & John Tucker, May 8Betsy Upton & Jane Wilson, May 9Lindy Manley, Judy Costlow AM Abbott & Bette Berry, May 11Bob Jones & Syrena Tucker, May 12Andy Wells, May 13Helen Snoke, May 20Lorette Goetz, May 21Oliver Edwards, May 28

NOTE Room Change!

NOTE Pat will not be here

May 22 & 29

PROG

RA

MS &

EVEN

TS

5

Cinema El Castillo Saturdays, 7pm, Lounge

Save the Date

Transportation

Wednesday, May 8,1-3pmCommunity RoomDr. Roger Landry“10 Strategies for Successful Aging.”Dr. Landry is a preventative medicine physician who specializes in empowering individuals to take control of their own aging.

2013 White Elephant SaleThursday, May 16, 9am-2pm, for El Castillo employees only.Friday, May 17, 9am-1pmOpen to residents, friends and family.

ProgramsWednesday, May 8, 1-3pm, Dr. Roger Landry: 10 Strategies for Successful AgingThursday, May 9, 7:00pm: Castle Players Present: Wanda VisitsMonday, May 20, 7pm: Women’s EnsembleSunday, May 26, 2pm: Flute Choir

Dry CleaningTuesdays, May 14 & 28Bring to Anna at the Front Office by 9am

Unless otherwise noted all programs meet in the Community Room

May 4: The Graduate (1967) After driving the wife of his father’s business partner home from a party, a recent college graduate becomes “trapped” into an affair. It eventually ends but he is haunted by the whole situation when he falls in love with the woman’s daughter. Anne Bancroft & Dustin Hoffman.

May 11: When Harry Met Sally (1989)Harry and Sally meet when she drives him to New York after they have both graduated from the University of Chicago. They keep bumping into each other and become good friends, which they both enjoy. However, they have an ongoing struggle with the idea of whether a man and a woman can be JUST friends. Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan.

May 18: Fargo (1996)A car salesman in his father-in-law’s dealership gets into financial trouble schemes ways to come up with the money. When it seems an embezzlement of money from the business is about to be discovered, he plans for two men to kidnap his wife for ransom money. The non-violent crime falls apart and gets bloody; a tenacious and pregnant sheriff investigates. William H. Macy & Steve Buscemi.

25: Kiss Me Kate (1953)Composer Cole Porter and Fred Graham, director and leading man in the musical version of the “Taming of the Shrew,” convince Fred’s ex-wife to play the female lead. Fred has also invited his new girlfriend to play a role in the production alongside her secret boyfriend. The emotional whims of the leads on stage, a fight on opening night and two gangsters collecting a debt who won’t leave the stage add to the production. Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel.

Saturday, May 4Santa Fe SpiritsCuatro De Mayo Celebration, Music by Mariachi Differencia & food by Tacos Y MasVan leaves 5:30pm

Sunday, May 19Santa Fe SymphonyVan leaves 3:30pm

6

2013 White Elephant Sale

Our annual White Elephant Sale is coming again on

May 13-May 17. May 13-May 15 will be when set-up

takes place in the Community Room.

The actual sale is Thursday, May

16 and Friday, May 17. On Thursday

the sale is for El Castillo employees

only, 9am-2pm. Employees must be wearing their El Castillo badge in order to shop. On Friday the sale is for residents, family and friends from 9am-1pm. As always, we need residents to help with this undertaking. Many hands make light work and the work doesn’t seem so burdensome when we share the tasks. Please let Pat or Louise know if you are willing to help. Newcomers, this is a

As everyone is aware, this has been an unseasonably dry year resulting in a

change in some of our plantings. In response to the many questions about pruning and plants:

• Significant pruning of shrubs has been done to provide handrail access as well as allowing more light into resident apartments. Due to the amount needed for the dogwoods, it was recommended that we prune them to between eight and ten inches in order to have more even and controllable growth. Some of these remain dormant.

• May 15 is the “frost date” for our area; annuals and planters will be addressed after that date.

• The trees in planters are desert willows and are still in dormancy, however if the spring growth is erratic, they will be replaced.

• We have continued deep watering and the irrigation system is scheduled to be turned on beginning the week of April 29.

EcoScapes takes pride and stand behind our work. If you have any concerns, suggestions or ideas, please contact Elkie and she will communicate these to me weekly. Thank you.

fun and worthwhile activity and gives you the opportunity to meet residents, learn names and discover new friends! The money earned goes into our Residents’ Association treasury for special needs that enhance our enjoyment at El Castillo. If you haven’t done so yet, begin to sort out things in your apartment that you want to donate to the sale. We do not sell seasonal items (i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter); shoes and clothing; books; CDs or records. Donations should be clean and in nice condition. Large furniture is not accepted unless preapproved by Pat, Louise or Jim Leopold. Should you

have any questions about the sale or would be willing to help, please call Pat (988-1329) or Louise (988-4592). We will have an organiza-tional meeting Thursday, May 2, 1pm in the East end of the Community Room. This is very important so if you cannot attend, please let Pat or Louise know beforehand!

Ladies! Please look through your jewelry

collection to see if you have anything you

don’t wear and would like to donate to the

White Elephant Sale. Jean Chambers, Apt. 303

(983-7492) and Yvonne Fairchild, Apt. 430

(984-0930) would love to be able to sell it all

at the sale!

Wanted for the White Elephant Sale

EcoScapes Landscaping…Spring News

Arlena Teitelbaum, EcoScapes Plant Specialist & Maintenance Coordinator

Pat Trumball and Louise Leopold, Co-Chairs

Bugles by Elk(ie)… Elkie Kleinman Elkie Reminds You…Shred it will be here Friday, May 3.

…Please turn in your 2013 Emergency Contact Form if you haven’t already.

…Please remember to make sure that the community room is available before scheduling meetings, gatherings, etc.

…Absolutely no bird feeders or feeding of birds is allowed! The food attracts unwanted critters that can present a health concern.

…Dog owners! If your pet has an accident on property, you are responsible for the cleanup…also, please keep your dogs on leash at all times. Your neighbors thank you.

7

Well, I must admit, I am hurrying up to catch up, after returning from what felt like a whirlwind visit to help my mom move from my

childhood home to a senior living community. Each of you has experienced the physical and emotional exhaustion such a move takes but what a sigh of relief once it is done. Regardless, it is a transition for our small, but tight knit, family as I know it is or was for each of you. Transitions and changes are always with us welcome or not. Whether it’s downsizing, no longer being able to drive, helplessness from watching a loved one decline, losing a spouse, loneliness… sometimes it is helpful to explore the impact of these with others who understand the experiences and can offer support. We are fortunate to be able to offer such a support group facilitated by Elizabeth Graham, bereavement coordinator with a local hospice. The group meets weekly for one hour and meets in six-week cycles with a one-week break. Elizabeth’s style is low-key, accepting and affirming, and all discussions are strictly confidential. If you might find support in such a group, please contact me. The group is open to all El Castillo residents. Anyone who loves to sing, used to sing, wants to sing, mark your calendars, Friday, June 7, 2pm. Priscilla Zimmerman, who is willing to direct the group (however it evolves), will be here. If you are apprehensive about your singing voice or ability to read music, but want to sing, please come. Priscilla is a voice teacher specializing in the aging voice as well as a choir director and singer. She looks forward to working with us. Finally, the Mother’s Day Tea has been postponed. Sandra broke her ankle and sadly admitted that the tea party was too much. Her tea parties are exquisite events and are not to be missed. She promises to reschedule at a later date. Enjoy the merry, merry month of May!

Pet Corner

Jan & Judy Novak’s regal cat, Jenni

These tips may seem obvious but it never hurts to be reminded…

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving and washing hair.

• Don’t let the water run constantly while washing dishes. Wash and scrub all the dishes and then rinse them.

• Showers are more efficient than baths. Shortening your shower by a minute or two also saves water.

• Fill a pitcher of water to keep in the refrigerator, rather than turning on the tap every time you want a glass of cold water.

WaterSPOT

Water Conservation Tips

Congratulations to Sandra Grasdockfor winning First Place in the baking contest “Cookies and Candies”

at the Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Festival in Albuquerque.

250 East Alameda • Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501505-988-2877 • FAX 505-983-3828

ElCastilloRetirement.com

AND THE WORK CONTINUES.. .