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Allure Group October 31, 2020

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.”

Allure Group August 31, 2020

August 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

The Growing Joy at Bedford Center

Bedford Center Director of Recreation Pearl Rimpler happily enlisted her facility in Plantogether, an initiative that involves delivering plants to seniors who are either quarantined at home or residents in skilled nursing facilities.

According to a Fox 5 television report, Plantogether was started in April by two young Crown Heights women, Baila Dalfin and Nechama Hecht, by soliciting donations to their Instagram page. Local gardening businesses have also contributed greenery, and to date the women have delivered plants to over 300 seniors.

“When you see how much it is appreciated by (seniors), you feel like people are thinking about them and people care about them,” Hecht told Fox 5, “so that’s something that inspires us to continue moving forward.”

Celebrating 25 years at bedFord center

Allan Campos, Cardiopulmonary Unit Director at Bedford Center, was saluted for 25 years of service in a surprise ceremony in mid-August. In his remarks to well-wishers, Allan recalled that before he interviewed for the job all those years ago, his uncle, a bank manager, told him to make clear to his potential employers that he would be an asset to their organization.

“I just try to live by that phrase that was given to me by my uncle,” Allan said. “I try to do the best every day.”

He also said he has considered other jobs through the years, then thought better of it.

“I have my family here,” he said. “I love the people that I work with. That’s why I stay.”

The Senior Times – A magazine from the allure group

Click here to read The Senior Times, a magazine from The Allure Group.

The issue includes:

Timely op-eds authored by The Allure Group’s executive staff
A review of King David’s popular summer event featuring world-renowned Uncle Moishy
Tips for thriving during the pandemic
Lighthearted jokes, inspiring poems, fun crafts and mouth-watering recipes
And much more!

Rachel Klein, The Allure Group’s Corporate Director of Special Programs, writes on its opening page that the goal for the Senior Times is “to cover anything and everything you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones happy and healthy.”

august 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.

how the coronavirus pandemic has sparked healthcare innovation

Joel Landau, The Allure Group’s founder and chairman, wrote for Provider Magazine about the manner in which the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked innovation in the healthcare field. Joel noted that The Allure Group has been on the cutting edge of that trend, having implemented EarlySense, a remote contact-free monitoring system, even before the outbreak.

In addition, such breakthroughs as telehealth and electronic health records have proven invaluable to healthcare professionals during this crisis.

Protecting Dementia Patients During a Pandemic How to prepare for future healthcare pandemics

Joel Landau also wrote for McKnight’s Long-Term Care News about the need to prepare for the next pandemic, which healthcare professionals agree is an inevitability. Their only disagreement is whether the current crisis qualifies as “The Big One” — i.e., a calamity comparable to the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 — or whether that is still to come.

Joel cites the work of several experts who say the United States is in need of an independent, nonpartisan body that is capable of a rapid response to future pandemics. There are those, in fact, who have said the body should be to public health what the Federal Reserve is to finance.

How does one successfully age during a pandemic?

The concept of “successful aging” has long been debated, The Allure Group COO Melissa Powell writes for Thrive Global, with some researchers defining it pre-pandemic as the ability to remain free of disease and disability, maintain cognitive function and actively engage with life.

Now, however, there are those who have arrived at a new definition — the ability to draw on internal and external resources to withstand life’s setbacks, whether chronic illness or social loss. In other words, it’s a matter of being resilient in the face of adversity.

We’re hiring!

The Allure Group has a new role for Infection Control Nurses. Here is a link to more information about these positions. Please contact Cynthia Deng (CDeng@AllureCare.com) if you are interested.

Allure Group April 30, 2020

April 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Thank YOU TO ALL OF OUR AMAZING HEALTHCARE HEROES

Thank You to Our Amazing Staff

Thank you to our staff for all you do every day, but especially during this trying time. As a token of our appreciation, we shared chocolate bars with them.

Allure Healthcare Hero: Joyce McCollin

Harlem Center receptionist Joyce McCollin, this month’s Allure Healthcare Hero, is fully aware that she is a piece of The Allure Group’s larger puzzle, while understanding that each piece serves an important purpose — especially now, during the coronavirus pandemic.

“If I don’t show up for work,” she said, “someone else will have to fill in for me doing my daily tasks, as well as their own.”

And that, she added, just puts more of a burden on a staff that is already bearing a heavy load.

“I have to do whatever it takes to make it less stressful for my co-workers,” she said. “Big or small, I’m going to do it.”

She said she didn’t pursue a career in healthcare. Rather, “It chose me.” One day she was waiting outside for her kids to come home from school when she was approached by a staff member and asked about working part-time at the desk. She agreed to do so.

“I enjoy the relationships the staff have with each other,” she said, “and wanted to be part of it.”

She also savors the relationships she has fostered with residents who stop by the desk each and every day, and adheres closely to something her dad and two former colleagues once told her: Take pride in your work — “meaning,” she said, “whether you’re President of the United States of a street cleaner, always put your heart and soul into your work.”

She is heartened every day by the selfless attitude of everyone at Allure — at the way people pitch in and help, no matter what department they happen to be in or what position they hold.

“It’s not about titles,” she said, “but helping each other get the job done, and seeing smiles on the residents’ faces.”

COVID-19 FAQ Page is Now Live on our Website

Want to know more about CDC and New York City guidelines during the COVID-19 crisis? Eager to reach out to loved ones, but not quite sure how? You can find all that information on the Frequently Asked Questions page of Allure’s website. Particularly valuable are links to the individual pages devoted to each of our six facilities, offering regularly updated information that is pertinent to each and every resident.

Reaching Out to Loved Ones

With visitation limited during the pandemic, our residents and staff eagerly reached out to loved ones by whatever means possible. Here, for example, is an Easter wish one of our residents shared:

Retaining Talent in the Aftermath of COVID-19

Retaining talent, challenging at any time, is a particular concern during the current crisis, as Allure founder and chairman Joel Landau writes in SCORE Mentors. The companies that are best at keeping their staff intact, he added, feature strong leadership, transparency and opportunities for professional development.

Tracking PPE During the Pandemic

Allure COO Melissa Powell told Skilled Nursing News that it is not only important to know what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for staff during the coronavirus crisis; it’s also a matter of knowing when to order it.

Moreover, she said facilities need to be aware of the various guidelines concerning what is and isn’t appropriate PPE.

“You need to pay attention to what is required by the Department of Health, versus what the (Food and Drug Administration) says,” she said. “Just because the FDA says something’s okay, I don’t necessarily know and believe yet that the Department of Health says that’s okay. So I’ve been keeping very strict adherence to what the Department of Health says is okay, and watching what products to use based on the Department of Health.”

We’re Hiring!

We are seeking Registered Nurses for all six of our facilities, whether they are in search of full-time, part-time or per-diem work. Interested parties should send resumes to jobs@allurecare.com or call (212) 690-7400 (Ext. 1219).

Allure Group March 24, 2020

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

While technology is all the rage, certain low-tech hacks can help seniors in everyday life.
Having a positive outlook can make a world of difference.
Taking care of your teeth greatly impacts one’s overall health.

Allure Group February 24, 2020

February 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Heart Awareness Month Observed

February is Heart Awareness Month, as first designated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. The goal is to raise awareness of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., taking an average of 647,000 lives each year.

The Allure Group prioritizes heart health by incorporating the latest monitoring tech for cardiac patients, TelemetRYK. Our hearts are healthier together.

Rivka Mintz, Icilma Fergus Honored

Rivka Mintz, RN, assistant vice president at the Maimonides Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Institute, and Icilma Fergus, director of cardiovascular disparities at Jvalld Medical Center, were Allure’s Heart Awareness Month honorees.

Rivka is part of Maimonides’ Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) team, a heart pump implanted in patients suffering from end-stage heart failure. In addition, Rivka is part of a team, led by Dr. Gary Stephens, that travels to the South American nation of Guyana six times a year to provide open-heart surgery for those in need.

In 2011, Icilma — then the chief of cardiology at Harlem Hospital — founded the Healthy Hearts series, which includes Harlem Healthy Hearts, a series of monthly workshops and demonstrations designed to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. That affliction is, sadly, more prevalent in Harlem than any other part of New York City.

Please join us in congratulating Rivka and Icilma for their tireless dedication and incredible work ethic, characteristics we all look for in the cardiac community. You can read all about them at the links.

Celebrating Wear Red Day

The staff at all six of Allure’s facilities really embraced the spirit of Wear Red Day (Feb. 7), one of the signature days of Heart Awareness Month (a.k.a. American Heart Month), by sporting these gorgeous looks! Thanks to everyone who went the extra mile to raise awareness for a very special cause. This month of all months, we encourage you and your loved ones to take care of your heart health with regular check-ups. Spread the word!

In honor of Tu’Bshvat: The Blessings of Fruit

In honor of Tu’Bshvat, Allure hosted a session to discuss the Blessings of Fruit and how food can help with many of the health issues seniors face every day, on Feb. 10 at The Waterfront.

According to the website Choosemyplate.gov, fruit is a source of such nutrients as potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamin C and folic acid, which are essential to maintaining healthy blood pressure and bowel function, as well as the growth and repair of body tissue and the formation of red blood cells.

Black History Month Observed

February is also Black History Month, which according to History.com was created as “Negro History Week” in 1926 by African-American historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson. Fifty years later it was expanded to a month-long observance in February, the month in which Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born.

This month of all months, it is imperative that we remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!

In observance of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, our residents spent the afternoon creating some heart-shaped artwork for their loved ones.

Taking part in art classes like these has been found to have various benefits for seniors, not the least of which are that it affords them the opportunity to make connections, which seems especially appropriate on a holiday such as this. It is also an opportunity for self-expression, gives them a renewed sense of purpose, improves motor skills and stimulates the mind.

There was, in fact, joy and love throughout the Allure network on the holiday:

Harlem Center: AKA Sorority joined us for a Pre-Valentine’s Day social! The girls played games, brought some lovely gift bags and enjoyed refreshments with the residents. And on the holiday itself, children from Global Community charter school visited to spread some love to our residents! So great to see the youth come and volunteer their time and hearts on a love-filled day!
Hamilton Park Center: The holiday was celebrated with fluffy delicious cupcakes and live entertainment. Everyone left with fullness and love in their hearts!
Linden Center: Residents enjoyed a delicious meal, live entertainment, and dancing. All hearts were filled to the fullest!
King David Center: All the love of the holiday was captured in a group photo! All the decorations and festivities really lifted up the spirits of residents and staff!

King David Center Holds Presidents Day Celebration

Presidents Day was a big hit at the King David Center! The decorations and accessories really brought out everyone’s high energy and excitement!

Bedford Got Talent? Yup!

The Bedford Center was the scene for a talent show — dubbed “Bedford Got Talent” — and it was a huge success! Dancing, singing and musical instruments filled the room with smiles from ear to ear!

Crown Heights Celebrates Kobe Bryant Day

Everyone at the Crown Heights Center wore Kobe Bryant jerseys or T-shirts, as well as Los Angeles Lakers-themed clothing, in honor of the retired Lakers star and his daughter Gigi — nicknamed the Mamba and the Mambacita, respectively — who lost their lives in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Jan. 26.

From Our Blog: Why Dietary Moderation is Particularly Important for Seniors

Twenty-five percent of seniors suffer from poor nutrition, meaning they are either overweight or underweight, which can lead to far greater health problems. For that reason, it is critical to eat a proper diet. Read the entire post here.

Allure Group October 31, 2019

October 2019 Newsletter from The Allure Group

The Allure Group Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and The Allure Group is staging raffles at all its centers to raise money to fight the disease, the most common one among women other than skin cancers.

Stay tuned for a special Breast Cancer Awareness Newsletter where our raffle winners will be announced!

Harlem Center Recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Nursing Homes

We’re proud to announce that our Harlem Center was mentioned in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Nursing Homes. Harlem Center is mentioned as one of the top 13 nursing homes in NYC that received a rating of “high performing.”

Hamilton Park Center Recognized in Newsweek for Best Nursing Homes of 2019-2020

Our Hamilton Park Center was also recognized this month by Newsweek for Best Nursing Homes of 2019-2020.

A huge congrats to all of our hard working staff and team members who made this possible!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween, a holiday first observed by the Celts some 2,000 years ago, was celebrated at all The Allure Group’s centers.

FYI: The Celts inhabited an area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and France, a very large trick-or-treat territory indeed.

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Halloween Party and Celebrations at Harlem Center

Allure Celebrates National Case Management Week

Allure celebrated National Case Management Week the week of Oct. 10, a date first reserved 20 years ago by the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) to honor care managers, which that organization defines as “advocates who help patients understand their current health status, what they can do about it and why those treatments are important.”

The goal of National Case Management Week is not only to celebrate those who assume such roles but also to encourage those in the field to raise awareness of the industry.

King David Center hosts a Chol Hamoed Learning Program

King David Center was excited to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot by hosting a community event for children of all ages with story teller R’ Fischel Shechter, illusionist Marc Garfinkel, and lots of exciting prizes!

Linden Center Hosts Columbus Day Parade

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Columbus Day, which according to the Library of Congress dates back to 1792 (i.e., the 300th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage), was observed at the Linden Center with a parade.

Crown Heights Celebrates End of Hispanic Heritage Month With A Dance Performance

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A dance performance was held in the Crown Heights Center to mark the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, the origins of which can be traced to 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation designating the week that included Sept. 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The first of those dates marks the anniversaries of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, while the second marks Mexico’s independence.

In 1988, Congress passed legislation designating mid September to mid October as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Linden Center Continues Art Therapy Sessions

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Art therapy sessions like those being held at the Linden Center are defined by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) as sessions that meld “knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques with visual arts and the creative process to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions.”

There is, in addition, a social element to such gatherings. They can serve as stress-relievers, improve self-esteem, improve the dexterity of those struggling with one condition or another, and even sharpen the minds of those afflicted with dementia.

Melissa Powell in CFO.com

Allure COO Melissa Powell, writing for the website CFO.com, opines that a business concept known as radical transparency — i.e., complete openness within a company — certainly has its place, but is not necessarily right for every organization. The problem, she points out, is that not everyone wants to hear blunt assessments about themselves, that indeed they even have a hard time even believing they have shortcomings.

For proof, Melissa offered this example: Respondents to a 1997 survey gave themselves an 87 percent chance of getting into heaven, while putting Mother Teresa’s odds at 79 percent.

Ponder that a moment. They gave themselves a better chance of making it to the Pearly Gates than a woman who spent her life giving of herself.

From Our Blog:

Five Ways Game Days Are Great for Senior Health

Allure Group July 31, 2019

July 2019 Newsletter from The Allure Group

Joel Landau Pens Piece for Thriveglobal.com

In a piece for Thriveglobal.com entitled “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: What Sets A CEO Apart,” Allure Group CEO Joel Landau notes that business leaders’ top traits are much the same as they were when Andrew Carnegie, the late steel magnate and philanthropist, outlined 31 of them over a century ago.

They include discipline and persistence, creativity and diplomacy, tact and likability. Joel, in fact, boiled Carnegie’s list to three essential qualities — relatability, adaptability and, for lack of a better word, stick-to-itiveness.

Joel noted in particular that a leader’s EQ (i.e., his emotional intelligence) was far more critical than his IQ, and added that such leaders encourage creativity, risk-taking and collaboration. He wrote that establishing a short- and long-term plan were of the utmost importance, and that a CEO should always be able to roll with the punches.

Melissa Powell Writes About Leadership During Uncertain Times

Change is constant in business, Allure COO Melissa Powell writes in a piece for Business.com entitled “How to Lead a Company in Transition,” and because of that a leader must be agile and quick-minded.

Melissa referenced a Harvard Business Review piece that calls the current business environment a VUCA World — i.e., one characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity — and also took note of the work of Jim Collins, head of a management lab in Boulder, Colo. Collins said change can come from within or without, and can be developmental, transitional or transformational.

Dealing with it, Melissa writes, requires discipline, transparency and creativity.

Fourth of July Celebrations Held at King David Center and Linden Center

The Fourth of July, observed as a holiday since 1870, celebrates the United States declaring its independence from Great Britain in 1776. Fun fact about the Fourth, however: Only John Hancock signed the document on that date; 55 others later followed suit.

Undeterred, the Linden Center celebrated this Independence Day with a barbecue, while the King David Center held an indoor party with festive decorations and entertainment.

Bedford Center Team-Building in Dumbo Park

The Bedford Center’s team gathered at Dumbo Park on July 27 to engage in some team-building activities, which experts have judged to be particularly important in an era marked by technological disruption and lean practices. Such activities enable workers to establish trust, understand each other and define roles. We’re so glad the Bedford team took the time to do this together!

Harlem Center Residents Exercise Outside in Nice Weather

The Harlem Center stages an exercise program every morning, Monday through Friday, but with the weather being nice it was moved to the patio this month! Not only did the residents enjoy the change of scenery but it also encouraged some neighbors from the community to join in.

Worth noting: Swimming has been judged to be the best exercise for seniors, followed by yoga, Pilates, body-weight training and resistance-band workouts.

Bedford Center Residents Visit Prospect Park Zoo

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo, a facility featuring 630 animals representing 100 species, was the destination when the Bedford Center’s residents ventured out on a recent day trip. Reports are that a good time was had by all!

Art Therapy Held at Linden Center

There are multiple benefits of art therapy like that which was held recently at the Linden Center. For one thing, it is intellectually stimulating and improves cognitive and motor skills. For another, it alleviates stress and anxiety. And finally, it features a social component.

Ice Cream and Pizza Party at Hamilton Park Center

The Hamilton Park Center had a pizza/Ice cream party with its summer youth workers. We’re happy to be able to celebrate with our dedicated summer youth team.

Weekly BBQ at Crown Heights Center

The Crown Heights Center stages a barbecue every Wednesday throughout the summer. It’s a great time for residents to enjoy the nice weather and some delicious food!

Allure Group April 22, 2019

April Newsletter from The Allure Group

2019 Parkinson’s Unity Walk – thanks for Walking With Us!

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A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came up for this year’s Parkinson’s Unity Walk! The walk was held on Saturday, April 27 in Central Park.

All the proceeds from the event, whether from entries or donations, are distributed among the major U.S foundations researching Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that hinders movement. Some 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year, and nearly 1 million will be afflicted by 2020. There is no known cure. Thanks again to everyone who came to walk and to those who donated!

Melissa Powell on “Outsourcing in Healthcare: The Pros and Cons” in hhm global

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Our COO Melissa Powell recently wrote an article that was published in Hospital & Healthcare Management on “Outsourcing in Healthcare: The Pros and Cons.” In the article, she discusses outsourcing in healthcare — how it can improve not only the bottom line but the morale of full-time staff, which will, in turn, lead to more positive patient outcomes. While there are potential drawbacks such as data breaches or violations of patient privacy, management of a facility can mitigate risk by doing its due diligence. Click here to read the full article!

Congrats to David Schoenblum, Eli Pick Facility Leadership award recipient

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Congrats to our very own, David Schoenblum, LNHA at Hamilton Park Center, for being awarded the Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award by ACHCA. Your tireless work and leadership is invaluable to us and we are proud to have you as a part of the The Allure Group family!

LINDEN CENTER TO HOST CONTINUING-EDUCATION EVENT ON MAY 16

linden center the allure group

On May 16th, our Linden Center will be the site for another continuing-education seminar, “Substance and Alcohol Abuse,” which will be open to hospital social workers, case managers and geriatric care managers.

The seminar, which also includes a dinner and spa event, will afford the Linden Center an opportunity to show off its brand new lobby. We hope to see you there!

Happy 105th birthday to Maudry McCullough!

the allure group 105 birthday

Harlem Center’s lovely Ms. Maudry McCullough turned 105 on April 10! Once a seamstress in Texas, Ms. McCullough has been a proud resident of Harlem Center since June 2006. Look at her smile — always pleasant. Happy Birthday to you, Ms Maudry, we’re honored to get to celebrate your special day with you!

Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Brought Therapy Dogs To Crown Heights Center

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The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit completed its Week of Animal Assisted Therapy on April 12, when its star therapist, a bulldog named Olive Oyl, made an appearance at our Crown Heights Center.

King David Center Holds Continuing-Education Event

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Thanks to all who attended a continuing-education seminar/dinner on April 10 at the King David Center, “Managing Chronic Stress While Treating Trauma.” It was a wonderful night and we’re looking forward to hosting more events like this one in the near future.

Easter Hat Parade at Linden Center

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We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter at our Linden Center, with a Easter Hat parade. Thank you to everyone who participated in this festive event!

King David Center Hosts Grilled Cheese Tasting

The grilled cheese sandwich was described as “unconditional love in sandwich form” in a 2018 post that appeared on thetakeout.com, and the residents of the King David Center would be loath to disagree after taking part in a recent grilled cheese tasting. Such sandwiches are believed to date back to the early 1900s, but according to thetakeout.com, their origins could be traced all the way back to the 14th century.

Whatever the case, they are as delicious as ever today!