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November 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Turkey Giveaway

Taj Barnett, marketing manager for The Allure Group’s Linden Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, joined Chris Banks, founder and executive director of the East New York United Concerned Citizens, to hand out over 250 turkeys the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Linden Center was proud to co-sponsor this very worthwhile event.

Drive-Thru Event

The King David Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation hosted a Chanukah Drive-Thru Event on Sunday, Dec. 6. We distributed free activity boxes, which contained Circle Magazine, a coupon to the Ice Cream House, the means to create your own science experiment and several other goodies.

November Blue Carpet

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We are overjoyed to share our November Blue Carpet Farewells! We wish our departing patients well, and thank our amazing staff for their dedication and hard work.

Linden Center and Vis a Vis Health — a Promising Partnership

With Vis A Vis Health, Allure’s care continues even after you leave Linden Center. Patients are given a hand-held device that enables them to keep in touch with healthcare professionals, and allows those same professionals to track the patient’s biometrics.

Veterans Day Fete

Linden Center celebrated Veterans Day with food, inspirational video chats and the presentation of gifts to our wonderful residents. We thank all the veterans for doing their part in history and for putting their lives on the line for our country!

Heartwarming Thank You Letter

This heartwarming thank you letter, from the family member of a resident to King David Center administrator David Schoenblum, made our day! It is moments like these that motivate us to do what we do. Special shoutout to our hardworking staff for their dedication. 

Pondering Smart Healthcare Facilities

Joel Landau, founder and chairman of The Allure Group, wrote for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News about smart healthcare facilities, which have gained some traction during the coronavirus pandemic. Particularly notable was a temporary field hospital built in Wuhan, China — the very epicenter of the outbreak — that was manned by robots.

Artificial Intelligence: How its Potential Has Been Shown During the Pandemic

Joel Landau also wrote for Healthcare Business Today about the manner in which artificial intelligence’s potential has been revealed during the pandemic. He cites as one example the manner in which an AI platform detected an unusual flu outbreak in Wuhan, days before the World Health Organization issued an alert about the pandemic.

Talking Up Technology

Melissa Powell, The Allure Group’s president and COO, was featured in a recent McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article discussing PadInMotion, Inc., which allows our patients to engage with loved ones via one-touch connectivity.

“Having PadInMotion’s tablet technology at every single one of our beds was a lifeline during the pandemic,” Melissa told writer Kimberly Marselas, “and will be a staple of our resident-family communication moving forward.” 

October 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

King David Center Renovation

The new King David Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, labelled the Nursing Home of Tomorrow, available today, has been a year in the making. 

Renovations began in October 2019 and are nearly complete; all that’s left is construction of an aquatherapy pool. Prior to that, there was a makeover of the lobby, an expansion of a first-floor cafe and the consolidation on the first floor of the rehab center, which had previously been on the eighth floor, and the robotics suite. Resident units, as well as hallways and nurses’ stations, were also upgraded.

“We’re always trying to grow,” facility administrator David Schoenblum said. “If you stay in the same place you’re not going to make strides. You’re going to fall behind. And we’re always looking to grow, to make strides.”

Newsweek Fetes Hamilton Park Center

Big congratulations to Hamilton Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for being ranked among New York State’s best nursing homes by Newsweek Magazine. 

Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper, in a letter accompanying the rankings, noted that the U.S. is getting older by the day. In fact, she pointed out, the oldest Baby Boomers are in their 70s, and by 2030, more than 20 percent of the nation’s population will be 65 or older.

That led Newsweek, in collaboration with the global data research firm Statista Inc., to analyze the country’s 15,000-plus nursing homes and rank them. Just over 400 made the cut, including 63 in New York State.

New Issue of Senior Times

A new issue of The Senior Times, produced by King David Center and fast becoming the go-to publication for everyone in The Allure Group community, is out. This magazine, over 80 pages long, provides everything from the latest in medical news to interesting interviews and side-splitting humor. Truly it is a must for seniors, their loved ones and everyone else. Pick up one for yourself and see what all the hype is about!

Mid-Autumn Festival at King David Center

King David Center recently celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional festival observed by East and Southeast Asian people. Regarded as the second-most important holiday on the Chinese calendar (after Lunar New Year), it dates back some 3,000 years, to when leaders of that heritage worshiped the moon in hopes of fruitful harvests. It is observed with lanterns, which light the way to prosperity and good luck, as well as pastries called mooncakes.

Mrs. Jean Observes 102nd Birthday

Mrs. Jean, a Hamilton Park resident since 2015, recently celebrated her 102nd birthday with family, friends and staff, who honored her with a cake and presents. She had a wonderful time and is so grateful for the warmth and love she received!

october Blue Carpet Farewells

We are delighted to share our October Blue Carpet Farewells! We wish the residents well and thank our amazing staff for their dedication and hard work.

An Accent on Staff Safety

Joel Landau, founder and chairman of The Allure Group, writes for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News about the twin priorities during the coronavirus pandemic of keeping not only residents safe, but also staff. Regular testing is the best way to do so, though some facilities have resorted to such means as self-confining (i.e., having staff live where they work). In addition, there are states that have formed so-called strike teams, groups that can come to the aid of overburdened staff during times of need.

Leading With Her Heart

Kellyann Byrne, Director of Concierge Services at King David Center, told Patch.com that during the COVID-19 pandemic she has been asked to serve as a go-between for residents and their loved ones. It is something she has been happy to do, as she always “leads with (her) heart.”

“I just feel that I am their visitor,” she said of the facility’s 206 residents. “I’m their daughter or their son. I’m their sister or brother. Whoever they’re closest to, I’m that person for them.”

September 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

KING DAVID CENTER WELCOMES RABBI BORUCH GOLDSTEIN

The King David Center is pleased to welcome Rabbi Boruch Goldstein as the facility’s new Rav. Rabbi Goldstein, Mora D’asra of the congregation K’hal Ner Lemeyah, of Marine Park, was formally introduced at an outdoor ceremony, and he emphasized to the crowd the importance of living every day to the fullest, no matter one’s age or physical condition.

Rabbi Goldstein will do his part to make it so, by providing spiritual guidance for each and every Jewish resident of the newly renovated King David Center.

September BLUE CARPET FAREWELLS

We are delighted to share our September Blue Carpet Farewells! We wish the residents well and thank our amazing staff for their dedication and hard work.

REHAB WEEK 2020

King David Center and Linden Center both celebrated National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, saluting their respective rehab teams for their tireless work, each and every day.

Observed every September since 1976, National Rehabilitation Awareness Week serves as an acknowledgement  to those in a profession that Forbes once ranked among the “happiest jobs” in the U.S. 

Thank you for everything you do. You make us all happy too!

ARTS AND CRAFTS DAY AT HAMILTON PARK!

Hamilton Park residents showed off their artwork to our staff, having reaped the benefits of an activity that has been associated with seniors’ pain relief, stress reduction, improved cognitive abilities, lowered blood pressure — and lots of fun!

Residents enjoyed a number of crafts including origami, card-making, drawing and coloring.

Zoom Art Therapy at Linden Center

Linden Center residents had so much fun with their Zoom Art Therapy, where they had the opportunity to get creative and let their inner Picasso shine.

Grandparents Day at Crown Heights Center

Lions Clubs International sent cards and gifts to Crown Heights residents in celebration of Grandparents Day to share a little extra love and appreciation on this special day.

How Seniors Can Minimize Falls

Joel Landau, chairman and founder of The Allure Group, wrote in Senior Lifestyle Magazine about the steps older people can take to minimize falls, which are an ever-present danger for those 65 and older. 

Among the steps he suggested were taking up Tai Chi, being aware of medication use and doing a safety assessment of one’s surroundings.

Why Telemedicine is a Priority

Melissa Powell, COO of The Allure Group, penned a piece for McKnight’s Senior Living in which she discussed the increasing necessity of telemedicine — not only because of the coronavirus pandemic, but because there are vast areas of the U.S. underserved by the healthcare industry. 

The Allure Group makes use of a telemedicine platform known as Telehealth Solutions, and recently partnered with Vis a Vis Health on a telemedicine solution that affords easy interaction between recently discharged patients and clinicians.

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July 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Jon Batiste Appears at Crown Heights

Renowned pianist Jon Batiste, leader of Stay Human, the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” left Crown Heights residents in high spirits with his performance in mid-July, part of the Sing for Hope initiative.

Batiste, a Louisiana native and Juilliard graduate, serves on the board of Sing for Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the arts to uplift and unite communities. Known for his R&B and jazz stylings, Batiste was named Music Director of The Atlantic in 2017, and also serves as co-artistic director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.

July Blue Carpet Farewells

Hamilton Park bade a fond Blue Carpet farewell in July to two patients, Ms. Tatyana and Ms. Linda, who showed the utmost courage and determination in the face of COVID-19.

“I want to say from the bottom of my heart, everybody was so great,” Ms. Linda told the staffers who gathered in the lobby to see her off. Then she went outside and was greeted by her family, who turned out in full force for her happy, healthy discharge.

Came to us on a ventilator and was successfully weaned off of the ventilator and is now able to breathe again on her own. As she made her way toward the door in her wheelchair, a guitarist serenaded her and the well-wishers who had gathered.

Burgers at Bedford Center

The Bedford Center received a lovely Shake Shack donation one day in mid-July. All our hard-working employees were grateful for the delicious hamburgers!

Protecting Dementia Patients During a Pandemic

Joel Landau, The Allure Group’s founder and chairman, wrote for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News of the particular challenges the coronavirus pandemic has presented to residents afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The key, Joel wrote, is employing person-centered care — i.e., care that takes into account the values, preferences and needs of each individual.

Discussing Assisted Living with Loved Ones

Joel Landau also wrote for Senior Lifestyle Magazine about the challenges of discussing assisted living with loved ones, and concluded that it is essential to lay the groundwork for talking about such a difficult topic before ever actually doing so. It also helps to identify the available options and review them with your loved one to gauge their preferences and talk through any concerns.

All these steps will make the conversation easier once that time arises — and will make the transition much easier too!

June 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Blue Carpet FarewellS

Several residents across The Allure Group’s locations were accorded Blue Carpet Farewells. We wish them well, and as always, we are so proud of our staff for the work that they do. Keep it up!

McKnight’s Spotlights The Allure Group’s Tech Use During the Pandemic

The Allure Group was featured in McKnight’s Senior Living for our advanced use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep staff and residents safe and healthy. The article spotlighted how therapy robotics, remote monitoring systems and social engagement platforms have all taken on added importance during the crisis. As The Allure Group’s founder and chairman Joel Landau put it, “Having cutting-edge technology in place has helped us weather this most challenging time.”

Harlem Center Green Space

Many thanks to former New York governor David Paterson, Assemblywoman Inez E. Dickens, and our guest of honor, Keith L.T. Wright, for their generous PPE donation and for attending/supporting the opening of the Harlem Center garden named in honor of Keith, a member of the New York State Assembly from 1993 to 2016.

Aside from providing a beautiful green space for our residents, renovations will include a vegetable garden for our residents to plant and farm on their own. Stay tuned for the finished product!

Crown Heights Long-Service Employees

Crown Heights celebrated and honored our 55 long-service employees, two of whom have been serving the organization for 40 years. A huge thank you for all of their dedication and hard work!

Deep-Seated Questions About Ageism

The coronavirus pandemic brought into the open some deep-seated questions about aging in America. The Allure Group’s COO Melissa Powell writes about the scourge of ageism and what to do about it, in a post that appeared on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.

The Difference Tech is Making During the Pandemic

Melissa also writes, in a piece that ran on Healthcare Business Today, that technology’s impact has been felt in areas such as contact tracing and testing, as well as in the search for a vaccine. In addition, cognitive technology is capable of strengthening supply chains that have been frayed during the pandemic.

The Importance of Self-Care for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers are facing stresses like never before during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Joel Landau writes for McKnight’s, self-care has taken on increased importance. That means getting the proper amount of sleep, eating the right foods, being sure to exercise and also practicing mindfulness.

Sing for Hope

Raise your hand if you like late night TV! The Sing for Hope Initiative came by with Stephen Colbert band leader, Jon Batiste to Crown Heights! His music and entertainment left our residents in high spirits with a performance they will never forget!

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The Allure Group is now on Instagram. Follow us here to see our staff in action and what we are doing throughout the community!

 

May 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

A Standing Ovation to Our Dedicated Staff

We’re humbled and grateful for the cheers and standing ovations New York City residents have given healthcare workers every day at 7 p.m. The Allure Group’s founder and chairman, Joel Landau, urges us to remember that those in skilled nursing facilities should never be overlooked in those moments of support.

As he put it:

The brave workers in our nation’s nursing homes should be applauded from every rooftop and every balcony… [T]hat has never been clearer than at this point in the nation’s history.

We couldn’t agree more! On that note, our staff is incredibly thankful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from residents, loved ones, friends, and family. Your thoughtful words, cards and gifts bring smiles to our faces and serve as a beacon of light in these challenging times.

Saluting a Sidewalk Serenade

Many thanks to Brooklyn musician Michael Abramovshcik for his serenade of King David Center from a street corner outside the facility on April 27. 

“This was our idea to bring music to people who could not be outside,” Abramovshcik told News 12 Bronx. “They can see us through the windows and hear the music.”

Abramovshcik is a member of a social club founded by his wife called Club Aelita, which is committed to combating loneliness and isolation, especially among seniors. And sure enough, he saw the residents at their windows, listening to him as he played.

“I saw their happy faces,” he said, “and that made me happy, too.”

COVID-19 Discharges

Allure’s Hamilton Park, Crown Heights and Bedford Centers all were overjoyed to announce the discharges of COVID-19 patients.

The Hamilton Park resident is now healthy, and went home to see his wife for the first time in over a month. He expressed his gratitude to the staff for all their hard work, and we share his warm feelings for these caring professionals.

Crown Heights was similarly heartened by the release of its coronavirus patient, and no less proud of its staff. And like those in the other two facilities, Bedford Center staffers gave their patient a warm sendoff.

Thank You for an Uplifting Tribute!

A heartfelt thank you to our first responders at InstaCare, Midwood, and Maimonides for an uplifting tribute to our King David Center staff and residents, which came in the form of a parade of ambulances past the facility in early May, with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Yet Another Thank You

Representatives of the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, which is headed by Gale A. Brewer, dropped off personal protective equipment at Harlem Center. We could not be happier!

The Allure Group’s HOPE FLOAT!

In celebration of Nurses Week, The Allure Group launched The Hope Float to bring a spark of hope and thank this city’s healthcare heroes. It was a great success, and a week that we won’t soon forget. We’re glad we were able to bring a smile and some much needed fun to those working at hospitals, healthcare facilities, and nursing facilities all around New York.

The Hope Float made stops to Maimonides Medical Center, NYU Langone Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Kings County/Downstate, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYP Columbia, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn Hospital Center, and Woodhull Hospital.

The Hope Float provided the music, but our heroes gave us all a reason to smile!

Even More Thank Yous

  • Bedford Center: For Nursing Home Week we all know the way to our staff’s heart, and that is through their bellies! Made From Scratch, a catering service, filled us with great food throughout the week. Could not have been happier! Also, thank you to Sallie, our horticultural therapist, for guiding us and helping us to adapt her usual group sessions into room visits so our residents can continue spring planting! The residents had so much fun!
  • Harlem Center: Thank you to Field Trip restaurant for donating food! Every kind act matters. 
  • Hamilton Park Center: Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen was so gracious in donating food for our staff! We could not have done this without Winnie Greco on behalf of the Borough President, and Shirley Huang from Caipa. Thanks so much!
  • Hamilton Park Center/King David Center: Councilman Justin Brannan’s office and Gotcha Cafe donated drinks to the two centers. There was also another donation from Tiger Sugar. We are so grateful for our community and small businesses!
  • King David Center: A big thank you to Sprint for its donation of socks, postcards, lotions and more. Everything was deeply appreciated and will be put to good use!

COVID-19 FAQs

Looking to schedule a video chat with your loved one? You can find that and other important info related to COVID-19 on our FAQ page here.

March 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Thank you message to The Allure Group staff

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the brave and hard-working members of our staff who are toiling tirelessly to keep all our nursing homes running smoothly amid this global pandemic.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some show up every day to care for the most vulnerable in our society. We are grateful to each and every one of you for your dedication and are proud to have you as a part of The Allure Group family.

Click here to read the Thank You note by our President & COO, Melissa Powell.

A Message for the Friends and Family of Residents

We wanted to send along a message of solidarity and also provide some facility-specific information during this trying time. While the recently mandated visitor policy has been difficult for all, you have other means of staying connected with your loved ones, particularly through our bedside tablets known as Pads in Motion.

These tablets, which have been in use for over a year, are designed to keep residents in touch with family and others who cannot visit as much as they might like. Now, with the unique challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak, PadInMotion has become an essential lifeline to help keep residents connected to the outside world. While we are doing all we can to keep safe and busy in the facilities, we would encourage you all to reach out to your loved ones. Our staff would be thrilled to set up a quick chat, virtual card game or maybe even a happy hour.

Here is a link to a YouTube tutorial about PadInMotion. Instructions can also be found at our website, Allurecare.com.

Please stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for latest updates.

How to Stay Safe During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Here are best practices for staying safe and stopping the spread of the coronavirus:

  • Shelter in place: In other words, stay home! This is particularly important for those suffering from lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system. By staying home, you avoid those who might already be infected with the disease.
  • Wash your hands: Sounds simple, but do it often, with soap and water.
  • Don’t touch your face: Hard to do; tends to be one of those things people do without thinking. But it’s a must.
  • Cover your nose when you cough or sneeze: Do so with a tissue. Or into your elbow. But not your hand.
  • Mind your health: Pay attention, particularly for signs of cold or flu. An elevated temperature or shortness of breath are specific signs that the coronavirus might be taking hold.

From Our Blog THIS MONTH

September Newsletter 2019 from The Allure Group

Wishing You A Healthy And Happy New Year!

Rosh Hashanah, literally the “head of the year” is the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. This year, it began sunset of Sunday, September 29th and ends nightfall of Tuesday, October 1st. If you’re celebrating the holiday, we wish you and your family a sweet and happy New Year!

Harlem Center Donated Backpacks & School Supplies to 100 Harlem Elementary Students

One hundred K-2 students at P.S. 154, The Harriet Tubman Learning Center, received new backpacks filled with essential supplies for students to succeed including pencils, cases, notebooks and more from our Harlem Center on Wednesday, September 25. The annual event was exceptionally special this year, as fathers of the young students were also in attendance for a “Dads Day” celebration at the school.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. The Allure Group will be participating in the Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk  and will be holding raffles throughout the month with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Information coming soon on how you can join us to show your support! 

Group photo from last year’s walk

Newly Renovated Crown Heights Center, Linden Center and Bedford Center

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Things just keep getting better at The Allure Group! Check out our newly renovated Crown Heights, Linden and Bedford Centers. More coming soon! 

Melissa Powell in HHM Global

This month, COO Melissa Powell was published in HHM Global with an article titled, Extinguishing Burnout, a Continuing Challenge in Healthcare. She discusses the extensive research which has identified the causes and consequences of burnout as well as some solutions.

Mid Autumn Moon Festival Celebrations

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the largest festivals in Mainland China and East Asia. This festival began as a celebration of the moon and has a tradition of deity, but it is also a time to reconnect with family members. Many traditions of the Mid-Autumn festival are centered around family reunion and happiness.The Allure Group celebrated Mid Autumn Moon Festival this month across our centers with live music, dancing, and moon cake. 

Linden Center International Day

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Linden Center had a great time celebrating International Day this month, with a feast that included food and treats from numerous countries and cultures. 

Pina Colada Night at Crown Heights Center

Crown Heights Center celebrated the end of summer with a festive Pina Colada Night for residents. They played some fun games of dominos as well while they enjoyed their drinks. 

Monthly Art Therapy Session – Linden Center

Residents enjoyed their monthly art therapy session at Linden Center with an afternoon filled with painting. See some of the paintings from this month below.

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From Our Blog: Five Reasons Music Programs Are Great for Seniors

Music has been delighting its listeners and challenging its performers since the dawn of time. While you may think music is only a tool to move the emotions and pass some time, science has discovered that music may have a more critical role in the human experience than initially understood, especially for seniors. Click here to read the full blog post.

May Newsletter from The Allure Group

Nurses Week Celebrations

They work long hours. They work around the clock. They are asked to do difficult things under difficult circumstances. They comfort patients and families in trying times.

For all these reasons (and more), nurses deserve to be celebrated. And that’s exactly what happened in mid-May, when Nurses Week was observed at all six of The Allure Group’s facilities.

Celebrations and events took place across all of our centers to celebrate our incredible nurses. Gifts were given, luncheons were held, and a delicious breakfast in the case of our Bedford Center, for their night staff. 

It was also Nursing Home Week this month which meant even more reason to celebrate and honor all of our incredible staff. Thank you very much to everyone who helped to put on these wonderful events and celebrations.

See below for some highlights of our celebrations:

Bedford Center Nurses Week Celebrations

Hamilton Park Nurses Week Celebrations

King David Nurses Week Celebrations

Linden Center Nurses Week Celebrations

Crown Heights Nurses Week Celebrations

Harlem Center Nurses Week Celebrations

Allure Chairman, Joel Landau, featured in hhm global

The Allure Group Chariman, Joel Landau, wrote a piece this month for HHM Global titled “For Seniors, Managing Health Means Managing Money” where he included a list of tips and recommendations to help seniors manage their funds. From sticking to a budget to downsizing, the article discusses ways in which managing money can also help with managing your health.

COO Melissa Powell Published in Medcity News

The Allure Group’s COO Melissa Powell penned a piece on May 9 for the Medcity News entitled “Let’s Hang on to What We’ve Got: Why Employee Retention is Crucial,” in which she discussed the challenges of retaining quality staff.

The thrust of the piece is that while compensation is a factor, other things — like engagement, work-life balance and culture — matter just as much, if not more.

So too does leadership. As she wrote:

“(M)anagers can set the tone. They can serve as conduits from the C-suite, communicating to the rank and file the organization’s vision and direction. They can establish the culture, make workers feel wanted and yes, hold the fort when it comes to that slow (and costly) leak of talent.”

Further, she wrote, the management team would do well to connect with employees on their turf — to understand their day-to-day role and plot ways in which they can make it easier for them. That’s how a culture grows, and how organizations can minimize personnel losses.

Congrats to Winsome McLean-Davis: Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award Recipient

Congrats to Winsome McLean- Davis, Post-Acute Care Administrator of Harlem Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, for winning the prestigious ACHCA Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. We are honored to have you as a part of The Allure Group family!

MANHATTAN TIMES, PATCH AND HARLEM WORLD MAGAZINE COVERED OUR HARLEM CENTER’S PAINT AND SIP EVENT 

Clients in the Fortune Society’s Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) program continued a new initiative called ARTrition on May 20 at the Harlem Center, one that exposed residents to art and nutrition.

This program, a variation on Fortune’s “paint and sip” classes, called upon justice-involved individuals to not only teach residents the finer points of sketching, but also to serve them nutritious smoothies.

The classes were led by Guy Woodard, a Harlem native who began drawing at a young age by learning to skillfully replicate images around him. Woodard’s creativity eventually led him down a dark path, as he did several stints in federal prison for counterfeiting and forgery. After his incarceration, Woodard met with the head of The Fortune Society. The group provided support services, a renewed sense of purpose and a new way to use his talents. “Teaching is my favorite thing to do now,” said Woodard.

In the class Woodard taught for us, they worked on a drawing of President Barack Obama, a request from our residents.

Programs involving creativity have been found to give seniors a sense of purpose, afford them the opportunity to interact with others and experience personal growth, among other things.

To read more about this story, check out the coverage:

Dementia Education Presentation at Bedford Center

Laura Wayman, “The Dementia Whisperer,” raises dementia awareness worldwide and came to present to our community, staff and resident’s family members at our Bedford Center this month.

Laura Wayman is an internationally renowned in-demand expert and author of “A Loving Approach To Dementia Care,” published by John Hopkins University Press. Her expertise in dementia communications and care enables her to provide others with the tools to better understand the world through the eyes of those afflicted with this disease.

Easy Riders: Allure Pedals into Bike Week

Some Allure staffers took part in the Get Out and Ride Bike Challenge, May 13-19, part of National Bike to Work Week. Congrats to all who took part, and see you on the road again next year!

Bedford Center held Pet Therapy for residents

It has been proven that pet therapy benefits seniors in many ways — that it positively impacts their heart health, gives them purpose and can reduce stress. Pets even improve socialization, since they can serve as unbiased listeners and give unconditional love.

With that in mind, the Bedford Center hosted a pet therapy session on May 2nd.

“The Value of a Varied Diet in Skilled Nursing Facilities”

As residents enter a skilled nursing facility it is vital to their overall well-being to feel a level of control over what they are eating each day, as well as to feel that their specific dietary needs have been addressed. These facilities must meet standard requirements to serve a certain level of nutritious meals and snacks to their residents and to achieve basic levels of food safety and preparation. But beyond this, they can tailor daily offerings to ensure their residents feel as comfortable and “at home” as possible.

At The Allure Group, several dietary options are offered, whether residents are looking for Asian, Latin or Kosher fare. Our six facilities also customize their menus to our clientele at each location. For example, we serve Kosher menus at our King David and Bedford Centers, Chinese food at our Hamilton Park location and American and Spanish dishes at the Crown Heights Center. We also change the menus every season, and hold tastings for our residents when we do so. With this mix of choices, residents can look forward to meal times, secure in the knowledge that they will be able to have what is familiar to them.

Read the entire post here.