G loria Petro, Executive Director of the Chelsea

At Toms River, says you can feel the difference.

“The staff and the residents all know things are getting done,” she said shortly after a new sitting area was added just off the building’s main lobby.

New paint, new furniture, new landscaping and a fresh infusion of energy have breathed new life into the modern assisted living com-munity which Chelsea pur-chased in late June after man-aging it for more than a year.

“The Cottage should be ready in August,” she adds, refer-ring to the new Country Cot-tage being added to a portion

100% NJ RATING FOR CHELSEA AT MANALAPAN

CHELSEA SENIOR LIVING NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2009 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

CASTLE RESIDENTS WRITE TO REMEMBER

2

REALITY OF HEALTH CARE REFORM

3

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 5

EB’S TERESA CARLUCCI TURNS 101

3

SOMERSET GARDENS CAR WASH FOR ALZ

5

NAME THE NEWSLETTER

CONTEST! Win a $200 Gift

Card!

CHELSEA PEOPLE

tions Director Lynn Mihok, included a fresh direct mail-ing, new flyers touting the Country Cottage and new brochures offering a general description of the commu-nity.

(Continued on page 6)

NEW LOOK, ENERGY AT CHELSEA AT TOMS RIVER

T he Chelsea At Manala-pan joins the Chelsea at

Tinton Falls in achieving a perfect rating from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.

The “no deficiency” report followed an exhaustive, three-day inspection of virtu-ally every nook and cranny of the Chelsea including resident apartments, the kitchen and

of the second floor. The Country Cottage is a special, secure environment for resi-dents with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments.

A new marketing push, spear-headed by Community Rela-

Fresh flowers and a fresh outlook at The Chelsea At Toms River

dining room, Wellness Cen-ter, building safety systems and employee performance. It is the highest achievement an assisted living community can attain during a state in-spection.

“It’s really a tribute to our staff,” said Alison Manasso, Executive Director of the Chelsea at Manalapan. “They

(Continued on page 4)

A.L.WEEK T-SHIRT

CONTEST!

Win a $100 Gift Check!

READ ABOUT BOTH ON

PAGE 6!

Manalapan DCR Rose Ciaburri with resident Carol Chiaramonte

TRADITIONS OF THE HEART

PAGE 2 CHELSEA PEOPLE

CASTLE RESIDENTS WRITE TO REMEMBER

A t age 90, Alberta Gol-ston’s eyes are bright

and her conversation is sharp.

“I’m proud of my age,” she says without hesitation and runs down her family tree with equal pride: four chil-dren, ten grand children, 16 great grand children and one great great grand child, scat-tered all across the country. She is a resident of Castle Senior Living, a diverse as-sisted living community smack in the heart of Amer-ica’s melting pot, Queens. And while the population is diverse, many residents of Castle Senior Living, like many aging Americans, have one trait in common.

“I can’t remember what hap-pened two hours ago,” says Ms. Golston, “but childhood memories are still clear.”

Fellow Castle residents, gath-ered in the living room, nod in agreement at what appears to be a universal truth of get-ting older-- thumbing through old memories affirms the good, validates life choices and renews that spark that keeps them going day after day.

To help them remember, social worker Connie Gem-son, LMSW, visits Castle from time to time to encour-age residents to write about their lives. She collects their writings and publishes them in pamphlets which are dis-tributed throughout the resi-dence.

“They are using their senses,” Ms. Gemson says as she de-

scribes the bene-fits of writing and remembering. “They are more alert. There’s a sense of commu-nity. They en-courage each other.”

At the other cor-ner of the living room sat Stan Neuhaus, who made his living selling men’s clothing in New York and who wrote most re-cently about life during the Great Depression.

My father had a steady job, Stan wrote. My mother would make a fresh leg of lamb. On Tuesday she would serve cold lamb with waffles. It wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

“Such fond memories,” he said as he read aloud.

Beatrice Ferro was there when President Franklin Roo-sevelt dedicated the Queens Midtown Tunnel in 1940.

“I was one of the first people to walk through,” she recalls as if it happened yesterday.

Rose Kaplan worked as a sec-retary in the New York De-partment of Education when she experienced what she calls her claim to fame.

“I had to entertain Eleanor Roosevelt,” she says. “She came into the office for a meeting and I asked if she’d

like a cup of tea while she waited.”

My very first job was baby sitting, wrote Rose. Then I worked at Fortunoffs. I sold lamps.

“Writing makes people more aware of their lives, their choices and their accomplish-ments,” says Ms. Gemson who conducts writing classes at assisted living facilities else-where, too.

It’s clear from the assembled group that writing is only the beginning. Once someone gets the ball rolling, the memories flow like water and the conversations span the years.

“It’s refreshing,” says Alberta Golston who politely finishes her reminiscence and gets ready to go to lunch.

Beatrice Ferro, walked through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel in 1940.

Stan Neuhaus sold men’s clothing in New York City.

Alberta Golston, Castle Senior Living resident.

Rose Kaplan, “entertained” Eleanor Roosevelt.

HEALTHCARE REFORM: A LOOK AHEAD

H ealth care reform is emerging as the main

topic of the summer in Wash-ington where the Obama ad-ministration and Congress have been wrangling over the best way to pay for health insurance for every single American.

“I’ve been to Washington and spoken to some of our Sena-tors and Congressmen,” said Roger Bernier, President and COO of Chelsea Senior Liv-ing at a recent presentation on health care reform at The

PAGE 3 CHELSEA PEOPLE

Spiraling health care costs are affecting every American, one way or the other. And it’s becoming evident that one way or the other, all Ameri-cans will have a stake in pay-ing for a solution that will adequately insure everyone including the 15% of the population who currently are uninsured.

“To achieve that goal, it would cost every American about $600 a year,” Mr. Bernier said. “And many peo-ple just don’t have it.”

Worthington Assisted Living in Brick, NJ. “I have to say, I get the feeling they’re de-tached, like they’re not really

in touch with what’s going on back home.”

Roger Bernier at The Worthington Assisted Living where he did a presentation on different health care plans being offered by the President and Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

TERESA CARLUCCI TURNS 101 AT EAST BRUNSWICK

T eresa Carlucci is still pretty sharp, keeps in

touch with current events and has many fond memories of her years with the Du-Pont company. But when it comes to the secret for living 101 years, she just shrugs.

“There is nothing outstanding,” she said. “You live from day to day and take it in. There is no secret."

Miss Carlucci celebrated her 101st birthday at her home at The Chelsea At East Bruns-wick on July 28 (her actual birthday is July 30, 1908), surrounded by family and friends. Seated just a few feet away in the Chelsea’s living

room were her brother Lewis, 93, nephews Michael Carlucci and Chris Carlucci and their families including great neph-ews Sean, 9, Michael, 12, Patrick, 15, and great niece

Kelsey, 8. The group was serenaded by a pianist who also sang. And of course,

there was cake.

When asked about some of the big events of her time, Miss Carlucci doesn’t pick out any one as more remark-able than others.

“We never thought they were important at the time,” she of-

fers. “You just listened to your mother and

father.”

As for modern times, Miss Carlucci evidently watches TV.

“I don’t like all the belly-showing,” she says. “And what happened to Jackson? I think he was poisoned, don’t you?”

“Every American is going to have to give a little bit to achieve health care reform.”

Roger Bernier President Chelsea Senior Living

Above: Teresa Carlucci cele-brates 101 with great niece Kelsey, 8. Right: Great neph-ews Michael, 12, and Sean, 9, eyeing up the cake.

100% RATING FOR CHELSEA AT MANALAPAN

work very hard to create the most home-like environment possible for our residents. They care about details and this rating proves it.”

The Chelsea at Tinton Falls earned the same flawless rat-ing during its state inspection in December, 2008.

(Continued from page 1)

PAGE 4 CHELSEA PEOPLE

FLOWER POWER AT BRIDGEWATER & E. BRUNSWICK

F lower arranging isn’t just a craft-- it’s an art. The Chel-

seas At Bridgewater and East Brunswick led residents in the artful display of flowers in July. The New Brunswick Trowel Club brought experts to the East Bruns-wick community while Donna Pignatelli, Bridgewater’s DCR, brought the benefit of her knowl-edge to her group, pictured to the immediate left.

SOMERSET GARDENS CAR WASH FOR ALZHEIMER’S

East Brunswick resident Irene Giallombardo with flower arranger and daughter Carol DiNapoli.

A hot day in July was tailor made for a car wash at Somerset Gar-

dens to raise money for the Alz-heimer’s Association. A total of $500 was raised. SG does several events a year to benefit the Alzheimer’s Asso-ciation. Pictured from left to right: Food Service Dir. Mike Fitzpatrick, Memory Impairment coordinator Cheri Jones, Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs, Executive Dir. Marlo Si-gnoracci, Nassau County Legislator David Mejias, Community Relations Dir. LeeAnn Noren, Building Services Dir. Chris Johanson and Community Relations Dir. Pam Winter.

Wet and wild at Somerset Gardens! Sign attracting drivers coming off the Long Island Expressway.

Alison Manasso, Executive Director, The Chelsea At Manalapan

PAGE 5 CHELSEA PEOPLE

with 119 and Rosemary Kalamaras came in third with 110 hugs for a $25 gift card. Kudos to Executive Director Julia Fraser for coming up with the hug-venture.

_____________________

READY FOR ANYTHING

B en Sheard, Building Services Director of

The Chelsea At Tinton Falls, completed courses in emergency incident management usually taken by police, fire and EMS personnel. The courses help managers figure out deployment of resources and basic incident command structure in the event of a large scale emergency.

SPOTLIGHT ON EMPLOYEES

Lef to right: Kelly Adams, Exec. Dir. of Chelsea At Bridgewater, Bridgewater Lead CMA Aminata Conteh, Edie Gerelli, Chelsea VP of Operations and Loretta Kaes, Chelsea VP of Health Services

CHELSEA RNS WIN SPONSORSHIPS TO ATTEND AALNA

G ail Crumes, Vicki Seavey, Bev

Johnston and Elaine Jeffers, Health Services Directors at Chelsea communities in New Jersey, have been awarded $1,200 sponsorships to attend the annual American Assisted Living Nurses Association conference in Chicago. The sponsorships were made possible by local medical practices and Chelsea Senior Living. More details in next month’s newsletter.

_____________________

CHELSEA PEOPLE RECOGNIZED FOR ONGOING ACHIEVEMENTS

A minata Conteh, Lead CMA at The Chelsea At

Bridgewater, was recognized at the Health Care Association of NJ in July for winning a $2,000 nursing scholarship reported here last month. Edie Gerelli, Chelsea Senior Living Vice President of Operations, earned a certificate from the American Health Care Assn/National Center for Assisted Living recognizing her as a Future Leader of Long Term Care in America. Future Leaders is a year-long program offering training in areas such as quality management, customer satisfaction and leadership.

Congratulations to Aminata and Edie!

_____________________

HUGS ARE HUGE AT WORTHINGTON

K eeping a “hug log” isn’t an everyday thing

at our communities, but it made for a warm and fun time at The Worthington Assisted Living in July. Employees were challenged to give as many hugs as possible while on the premises to win a prize. Only one hug per person could be counted. After a total of 726 hugs were given over a one week period, the big winner, Tami Dinklage, won a $100 American Express gift card with 244 hugs. Second place and a $50 gift card went to Theresa Bille

Gail Crumes, one of four Chelsea RN’s going to the AALNA conference.

Worthington Hug Contest participants Robert Wiener, Theresa Bille and Tami Dinklage

Ben Sheard, Building Services Director of The Chelsea At Tinton Falls

316 South Avenue Fanwood, NJ 07023

Phone: 908-889-4200 Fax: 908-889-4224

O N THE WEB:

WWW. CHELSEASENIORLIVING. COM

Chelsea People is a publication of the Public Relations Department of Chelsea Senior Living.

Suggestions for content, including photos, may be sent to Tom Kranz by email to tom.kranz@yahoo.com or by fax to 908-889-4224.

©2009 CMG Chelsea, LLC. The C logo is a registered trademark.

A new quarterly newslet-ter just for employees of

Chelsea Senior Living and its communities in New Jersey and New York will be launched in the fall. It will focus on employee achieve-ments, announcements about training, benefits, incentive programs and job openings.

Like any other important publication, it needs a name. And who better to name it than the people we’ll be writ-ing about, our employees?

During the month of August, we’d like to hear your ideas for a name for the new Chel-sea employee newsletter. Each community will estab-lish its own way of collecting

NAME THE NEWSLETTER CONTEST

them, whether on paper or via email. The winner, deter-mined by an informal and impartial committee, will receive a $200 gift card.

Remember, this will be a publication aimed at employ-ees and what’s important to them. Let’s get those ideas flowing. Good luck!

®

Summer activities continued through July with a dance and sing-along and live entertainment by Chelsea favorites Don Pesce and Jerry Spathis. The Chelsea At Toms River is also the first of our properties to display resident artwork selected by the Health Care Association of New Jersey for their 2010 calendar. The pieces, five in all, will be displayed at the New Jersey communities through the rest of 2009. One is by Chelsea At Toms River resident Carmela Crooks.

(Continued from page 1)

An inviting, new sitting area utilizes space from the massive dining room, which remains an airy, bright place for meals at The Chelsea At Toms River.

UPDATES AT CHELSEA AT TOMS RIVER

WHAT’S MY NAME?

A ll staff members of Chelsea Senior Living

and its communities are in-vited to submit designs for this year’s Assisted Living Week t-shirt contest.

This year’s theme is “Traditions of the Heart”. Your design can be up to two colors and must be no larger than 8” x 10”. It can’t be too detailed and must have the Chelsea Senior Living logo incorporated.

The winner will receive a $100 gift check and the win-ning design will appear on t-shirts distributed to all our communities during Assisted Living Week, September 13-19.

T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST Please submit all designs to your Executive Director or to Edie Gerelli via email no later than August 7th.

We’re looking forward to getting some great designs again this year. Good luck!

Traditions

Of The

Heart