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Allure Group July 31, 2020

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!

Allure Group June 24, 2020

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!

Follow Us on Instagram

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

Allure Group May 29, 2020

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.

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 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 January 30, 2020

January 2020 Newsletter from The Allure Group

WATERFRONT ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE GRAND OPENING

We are very excited to launch The Waterfront, an adult day healthcare program, tailored towards seniors who can benefit from participating in a variety of group activities, as well as those seeking individualized medical care.

The grand opening of The Waterfront at our King David Center was an unforgettable evening. From the food, to the entertainment, to the kind words said throughout the night, we couldn’t have asked for a better start to this exciting new chapter with The Waterfront. A special thank you to our guest performer, singer Shulem Lemmer.

To everyone who made this event happen and to everyone who joined us for the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebrations, we thank you. This evening was a huge success because of you!

The Allure Group Centers Receive Quality Initiative Recognition Awards from the AHCA/NCAL

We would like to congratulate our Bedford Center, Linden Center, Harlem Center, Crown Heights Center, Hamilton Park Center and King David Center for receiving Quality Initiative Recognition Awards from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL)!

This program honors members that have achieved outstanding performance in customer satisfaction, hospitalization, antipsychotics and functional outcomes. Thanks to our team members for all of their hard work. We could not be more humbled and excited!

Bedford Center Raising Money for “Victims of Philippines Taal Volcano Relief fund”

Some 6,000 families were displaced when the Taal volcano erupted on Jan. 12 in the Philippines, and subsequent ash ejections — as well as the threat of another large-scale eruption — have precluded the return of those people to the four villages that were affected.

Maria, our wonderful DNS at the Bedford Center, is intimately involved with a GoFundMe Fundraiser called “Victims of Philippines Taal Volcano Relief fund,” which was established by a group of medical professionals to provide supplies for those who were displaced. We hope many more of us from the Allure family give to this cause, which can be accessed here. Every small contribution helps!

Congratulations to Harlem Center Medical Director, Raji Ayinla, MD, CMD

The Allure Group congratulates our very own Harlem Center Medical Director, Raji Ayinla, MD, CMD for getting certified as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care through the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (ABPLM)!

We are proud of his achievement on being among more than 5,500 physicians nationwide who have received the CMD designation since the program’s inception in 1991. This program recognizes the dual nature of skills needed to contribute to a nursing home’s quality of care and empowers medical directors with a unique blend of medical and management competence. We and our residents are grateful to count you as a member of the Allure family.

Lunar new year celebrations at our crown heights and bedford centers

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Our residents and staff had a wonderful time celebrating Lunar New Year at our King David, Bedford and Crown Heights Centers. Here’s wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous Year of the Rat! All residents and families left with big smiles from great dining and watching fun-filled entertainment. The dragon dancing got our residents on their feet and made everyone really enjoy the music! Thanks so much to everyone who helped to put on these fun events.

Bedford Center Holds Painting Class

Miriam from Pick-A-Color hosted a painting class with our residents at Bedford Center. Everyone had their own unique take on Frosty the snowman! Activities like this have been found to have multiple benefits for seniors, like aiding in relaxation and socialization and improving cognition and self-esteem.

Linden Center Stages New Year’s Eve Fashion Show

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Strike a pose! Linden Center residents enjoyed a fun fashion show on New Year’s Eve, before ringing in 2020. We love to see our residents participating in fun events like these that give them the chance to enjoy themselves and show off their unique personalities.

Hamilton Park Hosts Salvation Army

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Thank you to The Salvation Army for visiting our residents at the Hamilton Park Center! We enjoyed a day filled with musical and dance performances. It was a wonderful day!

The band that entertained the residents is one of 2,500 sponsored around the globe by The Salvation Army, an organization founded in London in 1865. According to Caringmagazine.org, the first band was founded in 1882, when a man named Charles Frye and his sons offered to serve as bodyguards for Salvation Army street preachers. To pass the time the Fryes played brass instruments, and before long became the first leaders of the Army’s musical arm.

Linden Center NYPD Hosts Zero Tolerance Program

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Thanks to the team of NYPD officers who visited Linden Center to educate our residents about the Zero Tolerance Program, which dates back to the 1990s. This program was enacted in an attempt to reduce youth violence, drug dealing, domestic violence and auto-related crime.

It was our honor to host a group that does so much for the community. We learned so much and had a great time doing it!

From Our Blog: How to Help Seniors Get the Most Out of Day Trips

Taking seniors on a day trip is not just a walk in the park — though goodness knows, that’s far from a bad thing. There is much more to it than that. Much more in the way of challenges, and much more in the way of benefits.

Click here to read our full blog post.

Allure Group December 3, 2019

November 2019 Newsletter from The Allure Group

We Hope You Had A Happy Thanksgiving!

The Harlem Center donated 30 turkeys to its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, during a senior event in mid-November. Those turkeys were then given out to neighborhood families as part of Thanksgiving care packages, enabling those folks to enjoy a wonderful holiday dinner.

Allure participated in the annual Thanksgiving Day feast held at Boys And Girls High School. The event hosts 500 seniors for Thanksgiving Day, complete with a full Thanksgiving meal, raffles, and a DJ.

Allure was also proud to attend 81 precinct council’s Annual Thanksgiving seniors luncheon with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

Allure Implements New Cardiac Monitoring System

The Allure Group, forever on the cutting edge of technology, is proud to announce a dynamic new partnership with TelemetRYK to bring its proprietary cardiac monitoring system to Allure’s Hamilton Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Bedford Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation facilities.

Implementation of TelemetRYK, which uses biosensors to provide round-the-clock monitoring of the vital signs of residents showing signs of COPD and CHF, is expected to follow at Allure’s other four skilled nursing facilities in the near future.

This new technology, which is compatible with existing telemedicine platforms, is also expected to reduce hospital readmissions and associated costs.

Allure, which monitors the vital signs and movements of all 1,400 of its residents using a remote monitoring system known as EarlySense, also employs robotics to help patients rehabilitate from various conditions, as well as an AR/VR platform called Jintronix to aid those recovering from stroke. In addition, Allure uses a telemedicine platform called Telehealth Solutions, and provides a Pad in Motion tablet at each bedside, equipped with soothing apps and sounds that help residents sleep better.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November was designated Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, who would, sadly, be diagnosed with the disease himself, 11 years later; he died in 2004.

Here are some facts about this dread disease, as compiled by the Alzheimer’s Association:

Some two million Americans were afflicted with Alzheimer’s when Reagan made his proclamation. That number has since risen to 5.8 million, and is expected to reach 14 million by 2050.
One in three seniors dies while suffering from Alzheimer’s or some related form of dementia, making it the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.
Alzheimer’s is expected to cost the nation some $290 billion in 2019, a number that is expected to balloon to $1 trillion in 2050.
Early detection has been shown to be helpful, but only 16 percent of seniors report receiving cognitive assessments.

A Veterans Day Salute, to All Who Served

A heartfelt thank you to all veterans, who were honored on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The holiday, by the way, originated as Armistice Day in 1919, the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. It became an annual observance in 1926, and a national holiday in 1938.

What Is the Future of AR and VR in Healthcare?

As mentioned above, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are very much a part of the picture at The Allure Group, and in healthcare at large. It is estimated that some 30 million people will make use of these technologies within the next three years, and 70 million within six.

You can read the entire blog 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

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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!

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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!