| News & Notes - November 2024
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 | Hudson Valley Chapter Walk to End Alzheimer's
Walkway Over The Hudson - October 1, 2024
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Who We Are
Shining a light on an individual or a group significantly impacting life at Lutheran Care Center.
Giving Back to the Community
Supporting the Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's
An estimated 6.9 million people are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. The Lutheran Care Center staff, residents and their families are all too familiar with this statistic. So, it is no surprise that they decided to raise funds to support the annual Dutchess/Ulster Alzheimer’s Walk.
Organizers Janet Freer, Sharon Schmelz and Janet Canero spearheaded the effort.
Sharon, a Recreational Therapist at LCC, says, “I work with Dementia residents on our Memory Care Living Unit which is dedicated to the individual needs of residents diagnosed with severe dementia. That is my passion and love. I’ve been doing it for 30-plus years. This is not my first walk!”
Nurse Supervisor Jane Freer worked in a hospital critical care unit for 30 years. When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s she felt a call to serve this particular population and committed to working at a long-term care center. Motivated by the environment in which she is now engaged, and a desire to connect LCC with the greater community, she recruited others for the fundraiser. Jane was pleased that "family members here have been extremely supportive”.
Fundraising activities included two 50-50 cash drawings, sales of a specially designed T-Shirt, and a Penny Social Raffle. Raffle items, donated by one of our night nurses, a front desk receptionist and the MDS (Minimum Data Set) department, were a big hit.
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Several staff and resident families then represented LCC on the official Alzheimer’s Walk over the Hudson Bridge on Saturday, October 19th. Over $1,200 was donated to the Hudson Valley Chapter.
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OBSERVING SUKKOT
Spiritual care at at LCC welcomes residents from all faiths.
Sukkot, a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur, celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. The celebration includes the gathering together of four special species of vegetation: palm (lulav), 2 willow twigs (aravot), 3 myrtle twigs (hadassim), and the citrus fruit (etrog) which are waved and admired, both for beauty and for aroma, in thanksgiving for ending the forty years of wilderness wandering and for settling in a fruitful land.
A visiting Rabbi delivered the four species which were placed in the Chapel (above) alongside a beautiful painting by our resident artist, Faye Kass.
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MEMCARA
Memcara, an exciting new music therapy program designed for adults with varying degrees of dementia, has been introduced at LCC.
Developed by our very own music therapist, Christina Tadin, it has been studied, with approval, by Dartmouth College and the Veterans Association and instituted at long-term care facilities across the country.
The introductory launch has been met with great enthusiasm. The hope is to contract for long-term use of the program.
Residents engage with a staff or family caregiver enjoying theme-based music selections, scenes and related arts on iPads, tablets, or large screen TVS. Hundreds of favorite tunes from Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole to Michael Buble’ and Andrea Boccelli, as well as Disney and Broadway hits are paired with a new theme each week. Music and images trigger brain and recall. Sessions run 15-20 minutes. Our residents have demonstrated improved verbalization, interaction, cognition, and often a sense of calm, at the end of a session.
Caregivers are encouraged to sign up to use this immersive experience with a family member. Add a new and fun dimension to your next visit! Contact Carolyn Brazil at cbrazil@tlcn.org.
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Please join us for these upcoming events:
Celebration of LifeFriday, November 15 at 2 pm in The Living Room
Thanksgiving Protestant ServiceThursday, November 28 at 10:30am in The Chapel
Resident Christmas Chime ConcertFriday, December 6 at 2pm in The Living Room
Click here to see the full calendar of events on the LCC website.
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Giving Tuesday is just around the corner!
As we approach Thanksgiving, we thank you for your steadfast support of Lutheran Care Center. Your generosity has been instrumental in transforming lives. As we carry on the important work of caring for seniors, guided by our shared values of compassion and service, we hope that we can continue to make a profound difference together.
Please help us continue to offer Memcara, the cutting-edge music therapy program designed for anyone experiencing even a little memory loss, beyond our introductory session.
Your gift today will bring back memories and a smile to many faces!
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Click here to donate online (you may designate your gift in honor or memory of someone) or mail it to: Patricia Ludington, Administrator, Lutheran Care Center, 965 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.We are grateful!
Thrivent members may direct your Choice Dollars. After logging in, choose The Lutheran Care Network, Scarsdale, NY. Your gift will be credited to Lutheran Care Center, Poughkeepsie.
Non-Thrivent members may also donate here under "Make a personal donation". Thrivent will pay the processing fee so your entire donation goes to this cause.
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