Jewish Eldercare Centre / 5725 Victoria Ave. / Montreal, QC H3W 3H6 Fall 2007 Volume 3 / No. 1 Jewish Eldercare Newsletter Medical coverage update An essential mandate of the Jewish Eldercare Centre is to provide medical coverage for all of our residents, ensuring that they receive the proper medications and that their medical condition is monitored by our nurses and physicians. A normal contingent of physicians would include eight doctors under the supervision of our Director of Professional Services, Dr. Markus Martin. However, with the resignation of one of our physicians this September, we will have only five doctors available for our 320 residents. We are making every effort to fill the three vacant positions, and trying to overcome the difficulties of finding suitable candidates when the demand for doctors services far exceeds their availability. In addition, we have been receiving assistance from the Minister of Health s Regional Board. Dr. Serge Dulude, who is involved with physician allotment on the Island of Montreal, is using every opportunity to encourage placements of physicians at the Centre. Our nurses will be closely monitoring the medical condition of each resident, in order to assess the need for medical intervention. We are asking our residents and their families to understand that under these circumstances, priority will be given to emergencies and medical complications. High Holiday Services 5768 Conducted by Haim Sherrf Dalse Room, Kastner Pavilion No charge for services Residents, families & friends are welcome to attend Rosh Hashanah Wed., Sept. 12 th Thurs., Sept. 13 th Fri., Sept. 14 th Yom Kippur Fri., Sept. 21 st Kol Nidrei 6:30 pm Sat., Sept. 22 nd Shachris 9:00 am Yizkor 1:00 pm Mincha, Neilah, Maariv 5:00 pm Fast ends 7:36 pm Sukkot Wed., Sept. 26 th Thurs., Sept. 27 th Mincha, Maariv 6:30 pm Fri., Sept. 28 th Mincha, Maariv 6:30 pm Sat., Sept. 29 th Shimini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Wed., Oct. 3 rd Thurs., Oct. 4 th Fri., Oct. 5 th Shachris 9:30 am Sat., Oct.6 th A Very Happy and Healthy NEW YEAR L Shana Tova Tikatevu 1
Milieu de Vie Services News Recreation / Volunteers / Chaplaincy Many thanks! Milieu de Vie Services is greatly appreciative of the valued support which is offered by the community, all of which helps us provide the highest level of recreational programs for our residents. We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their ongoing support. The Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec (CSUQ) continues to provide monthly specialised Sephardic programs, as well as Centre-wide activities, including music programs, special Rosh Hashanah celebrations and a widely-attended summer celebration held in mid-july. The Knights of Pythias and Maple Leaf Lodge each continue to sponsor music concerts on a regular basis. The Jewish Eldercare Centre Auxiliary continues to sponsor, and organize in conjunction with Milieu de Vie Services, our ever-popular C.L.A.S.S Program. Higher functioning residents attend lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics, presented by professionals in their respective fields. The monthly sessions, returning this October, culminate in a graduation ceremony in the Spring. Recreation Programs returning Some of the many programs returning this Fall: The Tour du Monde program, featuring armchair travel information and supper related to a specific country. The Breakfast Club, a social event centered around the first meal of the day. The Business Club, a therapeutic program for a group of our residents who organize and sell everyday items such as toothpaste, Kleenex and other useful items. This activity helps build self-esteem and encourages decisionmaking. The money raised is dedicated to future programs in the Centre. Check the Milieu de Vie Services bulletin boards for the dates & times of upcoming sales. Every Tuesday at 6:30pm, an evening concert is held in each pavilion; and every Sunday at 2:00pm, a family concert is held, alternating each week between Pavilions. Please refer to the monthly activity schedule for times and locations of all programs, and check the bulletin boards for last minute changes. 2 Chaplaincy The Healing Circle Returning for a second year this September, The Healing Circle is a unique program designed to help our residents cope with their illnesses. The Healing Circle has been shown to calm the participating residents, remove tension, build a sense of well-being and restore feelings of hope. Sessions include songs with special meaning, along with highly relevant readings. Sessions of The Healing Circle are held on the last Thursday of every month, from 10:30-11:30am in the fourth floor dining room of the Kastner Pavilion. New machitzas added to Dalse Synagogue A new and more attractive Machitzas is being installed in the Dalse Synagogue during services, serving as a partition between male and female participants and in accordance with Judaic traditions. The use of a Machitzas has biblical origins going back to the Jews crossing of the Red Sea. Merriam and Moses sang a song of thanks to God as Moses led the men, and Merriam led the women, in separate groups as they fled Egypt. Ongoing Shabbat services for all residents of both pavilions, their families and friends Oneg Shabbat Program Conducted by Rabbi Ronen A. Abitbol Friday, 2 pm Dalse Room (Kastner Pavilion) and 3 rd Floor Dining Room (Hope Pavilion) Kabbalat Shabbat with Haim Sherrf Held every Friday 6 pm until last Friday in October 4 pm starting first Friday in November Dalse Room Shachris with Haim Sherrf Sat., 10 am - 12 pm Dalse Room Shabbat Mincha Includes discussion of the Torah portion of the week. Sat., 2:30-3:30 pm Dalse Room
Mincha weekday afternoon services Conducted by Rabbi Michael Wolff Tues. & Thurs., 1:45 pm Hope Pavilion Synagogue (2 nd floor) For the full schedule of services, please refer to the monthly schedule of activities from Milieu de vie services. Some times and locations are subject to change. For additional information on chaplaincy services, please contact Rabbi Michael Wolff or Rabbi Ronen A. Abitbol, 738-4500 ext. 2323. Volunteers needed for High Holiday and Shabbat Services Our residents very much like to attend services during the High Holidays and Shabbat throughout the year, and you can help. Volunteers are needed to bring residents from their rooms to the Synagogue and back again, assist during services and perform other necessary tasks. If you d like to bring a smile to someone s face during this special time of year and on Shabbat please contact Lisa Patterson, 514-738-4500, ext. 2330. CLASS Graduation celebrated by residents & families A magnificent graduation ceremony was held at the end of May, for the twenty-five participants of the 2006/07 C.L.A.S.S. Program. Many family members also attended the event. From October through April, the residents had attended lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics, presented by professionals in their respective fields. The monthly sessions, which are continuing this Fall, are sponsored by the Jewish Eldercare Centre Auxiliary and organized in conjunction with Milieu de Vie Services. Valedictorian Mary Wilson Holden addresses graduates and guests 3
Memories of a great summer MANY THANKS to our summer staff and many volunteers, MISSIVES, companions and families for their invaluable help this summer. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Tara Tower, our summer activities animator, as well as our two summer provincial grant students, Roberto Vaccariello and Preety Trehan. Numerous summer activities kept our residents busy this year. Missives talent shows, Bar-B-Q s, garden parties and garden games were some of the events offered. Groups of residents also took part in outings to the Laval Nature Centre, Biodome, Beaver Lake, apple picking, restaurants and local city parks. A major highlight of the summer was the Centre-wide BBQ in mid-august, attended by hundreds of residents, family members, volunteers, companions and staff. During a special event at the BBQ, four participants won prizes in the Creative Hat Contest and Parade. A pilot project in July brought everyone from the 2 nd floor of the Kastner Pavilion to a special BBQ event in the garden residents, staff, volunteers and companions. These floor-wide events are designed to promote the personalization of care through an interdisciplinary approach. Staff attending the BBQ included nurses and PABs, as well as members of the occupational therapy, physiotherapy, recreation, social work and dietary departments. Centre-wide BBQ Hope Pavilion staff person Krystyna Jackowiak won 1 st Prize in the Creative Hat Contest Resident Raisa Shapiro won 4 th prize Family member Grunia Kohen won 2 nd Prize MISSIVE student volunteer Stephanie Tran won 3 rd Prize Many thanks to the sponsors of the Creative Hat Contest prizes: Loews Le Concorde Hotel, Quebec City; Quality Hotel, Dorval; Massotherapist Daniel Gavsie; Jewish Eldercare Centre Auxiliary Gift Shop. Auxiliary volunteers Lois Tafler, Mary Moscovitch and Ruth Katz serve up fresh fruit at the BBQ 4
Visit to Laval Nature Centre Biodome Visit Missives in Action Tai Chi Volunteer demonstrates a Tai Chi movement to a resident 5
Floor-wide BBQ - 2 nd floor Kastner Pavilion Head Nurse Debbie Tonge spends time with a resident during the floor-wide BBQ for the 2 nd floor of Kastner Pavilion in July Jewish Eldercare Centre Auxiliary Gala Sunday, October 21, 2007, 6:00 p.m. / Congregation Beth-El, 1000 Lucerne Rd., Town of Mount Royal Honouring Howard Bergman, MD Entertainment by Bowser and Blue Valet parking / Cocktails / Dinner / Silent Auction Chairpersons Linda Drapkin & Farla Ettinger Family members may honour residents at the event by including their name in the Honour Roll of the Gala s souvenir program book. Please see the enclosures for details. All proceeds dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the Jewish Eldercare Centre s residents, through the funding of essential equipment and programs. Tickets and information: 514-738-4500 ext. 8108 6 Jewish Eldercare Newsletter Fall 2007 Editor: Irving Rudy If you have any comments regarding the newsletter, please call 738-4500 ext. 2110, or e-mail: mireille.cohen.chsldjuif@ssss.gouv.qc.ca