Sunset Lake Newsline February 2015 In This Issue Letter from the Admin……….…1 Letter from the Administrator Employee for February…….....4 Resident for February..…….....4 Fun Games………..……...…..6 & 7 Our Team Administrator Devin Eickelmann Director of Member Care Elizabeth Borer Director of Rehab Ellen Schaad Member Services Coordinator Lona Saunders Director of Social Services Myrista Bugaj Director of Culinary Services Sylvie Baxley Human Resources Damarie Ayala-Silva Director of Programming and Entertainment Michelle Cotton Director of Environmental Services Barbara Hong Director of Plant Operations Dustin Johnson The New Year is underway and we want to start the year off right by addressing Safety Awareness. But first, some news on our dining room! The main dining area will be renovated with new decorative wall protection and a speaker system to enhance the dining experience. In order to accomplish these renovations, the main dining area will be closed for two days in February. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience. A reminder about Safety Awareness! Devices such as extension cords, power strips, and even some types of surge protectors are considered potentially hazardous and are prohibited in our center. In order to provide the safest environment possible, we ask our residents and families to refrain from using extension cords or power strips in resident rooms. Similarly, we are also focused on the use of electronic cigarettes. Times are changing and technology is evolving, and we have recently been introduced to the electronic cigarette. Please note that these smoking devices are still considered potentially dangerous when used in certain areas and need to follow the facility’s standard and guideline. Please utilize the designated outdoor smoking area. Staff Development Sandra Raynor, RN We appreciate your support!! Devin Laundry Services By Barbara Hong All Resident clothing must be identified with the Resident name in a permanent fashion. Laundry services are available here at Sunset Lake Health & Rehab Center free of charge. Should family choose to launder resident personal clothing, retrieve laundry at least every other day. Resident name still needs to be placed on their clothing. Nursing staff will place clothing in the bag provided and store it in the armoire for families choosing this option. Soiled clothing not removed in a timely manner will be laundered by Center staff. Retrieve missing items with in 1 week, otherwise they will be placed on the “no name” rack. You may direct questions regarding laundry services to Barbara Hong, Director of Environment Services. - Thank you! INFORMATION The Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE Ombudsman Program: 1-888-831-0404 The Care Line 1-877-227-3301 2 Keeping Track with Apps During a caregiver support group meeting a member's phone chirped and she said; "Oh, Gus is home". This simple sound and comment began a discussion about locator applications (apps) and services. There are locator apps for cellphones (and computers) that can help keep track of your loved ones whereabouts. They are available for Android, iOS (iPhones), Windows Phone, and the Web. Some apps are more or less dementia friendly and useful to caregivers. The aforementioned support group attendee uses Life 360 Family Locator to get alerts. Another member also uses Find My Friend. Many cell phone carriers offer (for a cost) locator applications. This includes the big name companies as well as companies that may not be as well known, such as Greatcall.com, a service with a vision to empower people to live more independently. If your loved one still carries a phone (smart or not) keep reading: Scott Webster, senior editor for AndroidGuys and contributing writing for CNET reviewed six apps: Glympse, Life360 Family Locator, Cozi Family Locator, Find My Friends, Google+, and Carrier-branded apps. His informative article (http:// www.cnet.com/news/six-ways-to-share-your-exact-location-with -family-and-why/) shows actual application pictures while describing apps' primary functions and which devices the app can run on. Another useful tool is Appcrawlr, an application search engine that helps you to find the best app for your needs. Appcrawlr also offers ways to compare apps and gives consumer ratings as well. There are also products more designed for dementia clients. The Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone®, powered by Omnilink is just one example. Through location updates, family members can monitor a person's location, while the individual with Alzheimer's maintains their independence. With a progressive disease such as Alzheimer's other options may need to be considered. Project Lifesaver for example offers devices that can be worn. No app or tracking system is 100% accurate. Though a location management service (or app) is useful it is not the same as a 24hour companion. Story by Stefanie Thompson, M.A. And for more information go to the Alzheimer’s Association web page. 24/7 Confidential Helpline: 1-800-272-3900 Website: www.alz.org/flgulfcoast What is GERD? by Elizabeth Borer, RN. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus). The backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms of GERD include acid reflux and heartburn. Both are common digestive conditions that many people experience from time to time. When these signs and symptoms occur at least twice each week or interfere with your daily life, doctors call this GERD. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle changes and over-thecounter medications. But for people with GERD, these remedies may offer only temporary relief. People with GERD may need stronger medications, even surgery, to reduce symptoms. GERD signs and symptoms include: A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), sometimes spreading to the throat, along with a sour taste in your month; Chest Pain; Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); Dry cough; Hoarseness or sore throat; Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux); & Sensation of a lump in the throat. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, especially when accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as shortness of breath or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience severe or frequent GERD symptoms. If you take over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice per week, see your doctor. GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux—the backup of stomach acid or bile into the esophagus. When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter—a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of you esophagus—relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing frequent heartburn and disrupting your daily life. This constant backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus, causing it to become inflamed (esophagitis). Over time, the inflammation can erode the esophagus, causing complications such as bleeding or breathing problems. Over time, chronic inflammation in your esophagus can lead to complications, including: Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). Damage to cells in the lower esophagus from acid exposure leads to formation of scar tissue. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway, causing difficulty swallowing. An open sore in the esophagus (esophagus ulcer). Stomach acid can severely erode tissues in the esophagus, causing an open sore to form. The esophageal ulcer may bleed, cause pain and make swallowing difficult. For more information for complications, risk factors, test and diagnosis and what you can do - go to the web site www.mayoclinic.com. 3 Strawberry Schaum Torte By kraftrecipes.com Employee of the Month Julie Bussell This month we recognize Julie Bussell of the Rehab Department for all her hard work! She is originally from Richfield, Minnesota and moved to North Port, Florida when she was eleven. She Joined the Sunset Lake Team in November, 2002 as the Senior Wellness Coordinator. “ I really enjoy working with the staff and residents” She became the therapy scheduler in October 2010. INGREDIENTS        8 egg whites 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups sugar 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries 1-1/2 cup whipped cream She graduated from Lemon Bay High School and became a C.N.A. in 1985. She enjoys reading, needle point, going to the movies and out to dinner with friends. She enjoys spending time with her sons Joshua (25 years old) and Justin (23 years old). We want to congratulate Julie in recognition of her dedication and her compassion for our residents and their families! Member of the Month DIRECTIONS Place egg whites in a large bowl and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add the vinegar, vanilla and salt; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread into a greased 10-in. spring form pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool (meringue will fall). Serve with strawberries and whipped cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Yield: 12 servings. 4 Meet Virginia Carlin Born in Hoopeston, Illinois, Virginia had the good fortune of living abroad. She attended Purdue University briefly then set off to New York and attended Vassar. It was on a University trip aboard the Queen Mary to London that she fell in love with travel, especially train travel. She has had tea at Buckingham Palace and eventually moved to Paris where she worked for the American Embassy for 3 1/2 years. Upon her return to the states, she managed an art gallery in New York, married and began her family. Her daughter, Connie lives locally and she has two grandchildren, Camille, age14 and Rowland, age 9. Virginia also worked on Adlai Stevenson’s Presidential Campaign in 1952. Life is quieter now, but “Ginny” remains active and social here at Sunset Lake. Her interests are many but she particularly enjoys movies, music and travel related programs. Ginny is always ready to be on the go! What fun! Happy New Year Party Answers to Crossword and Sudoku Games Answers for Games pg. 6 & 7. 5 Answers to crossword on page 5 6 Games WEBCROSSWORDS.com Word Search: Valentine’s Day http://www.puzzles.ca/wordsearch.html Sudoku Game 7 answer on page 5. Go Red for Heart Month By Tori Couch Greystone is committed to healthy, worthy and impactful causes. We are proud to support the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women initiative and National Heart Month. This February, Greystone kicks of the Go Red Survivor Gallery, a traveling gallery of heart issue survivors featuring Greystone's own associates. Traveling through the Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg area, the gallery showcases women who have dealt with heart attacks, arrhythmia (dangerously rapid heart rate), and battled through heart conditions from birth. Many women may be unaware of potential heart attack signs which differ greatly from men. Often misdiagnosed, women's symptoms include:  Chest discomfort or upper body pain in the back, shoulders, arms, stomach, jaw, neck or throat  Lightheadedness or dizziness  Nausea or vomiting  Inability to sleep or unusual fatigue  Shortness of breath or trouble breathing As the 2015 Go Red Tampa Bay Chair, Connie Bessler, CEO of Greystone Healthcare Management, is raising awareness and support for women's heart health. "Through education we can highlight the different ways heart concerns can manifest themselves and encourage better care and safety. A number one killer of women, we must be constantly vigilant against such a serious – and often overlooked – health concern." Support Heart Health month by:  Wearing red on Go Red Day, February 6th.  Visiting www.facebook.com/AHATampaBay to learn more about Greystone's own survivors stories.  Learn more about the American Heart Association and Heart Month at www.heart.org Pictured are Greystone’s featured survivors: Jaxie, Rachael, Jennifer and Amanda. 832 Sunset Lake Blvd., Venice, Florida 34292 Phone: 941.492.5313 Fax: 941.492.5315 Find Greystone on the Web! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check out our website for the latest updates. www.facebook.com/ GreystoneHCM www.greystonehealth.com www.twitter.com/ GreystoneHCM www.youtube.com/user/ GreystoneHCM