13th annual excellence is ageless gala raises record amount

19 Pages·2016·1.32 MB·English

life
Abundant
S P R I N G 2 0 1 6
13TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IS AGELESS GALA
RAISES RECORD AMOUNT FOR
BENEVOLENT CARE
More than 575 friends, sponsors, the elderly, you will never learn from “The mission of Lutheran SeniorLife
business partners, residents and staff their wisdom.” is to enrich the lives of older adults
members of Lutheran SeniorLife in a faith-based environment so that
Part of respecting our elderly includes
attended the 13th annual Excellence they can enjoy the abundance of life
helping them live an Abundant
is Ageless Gala on April 29 at Heinz regardless of their physical condition
Life®. Each year, Lutheran SeniorLife
Field. or financial circumstances,” he said.
provides nearly $3M in benevolent
The generosity of many helped make care and subsidies to make that Continued on page 3
this the most successful Gala to date, happen.
as more than $240,000 was raised
Some of the evening’s proceeds
for benevolent care, which supports
were generated through a silent
our residents who have outlived their
auction featuring several pieces
financial resources.
of original art created by friends,
This year’s honoree was Dr. R. Bruce residents and staff.
Bickel, retired senior vice president
David Fenoglietto, president and
and managing director, Private
CEO of Lutheran SeniorLife,
Foundation Management Services
thanked supporters for their
Hawthorn PNC Financial Services
generosity and stressed the
Group. The Excellence is Ageless award
importance of benevolent care.
is given to an individual age
55 or older who has made
significant contributions to the
community through profession,
service, philanthropy or
leadership.
A long-time supporter
of Lutheran SeniorLife’s
mission, Dr. Bickel said that
to be ‘excellent,’ one must be
(ABOVE) Dr. R. Bruce Bickel, 2016 Excellence
humble, grateful and respectful.
is Ageless Gala honoree
“We must respect the elderly,” (LEFT) Gregory B. Jordan, Gala chairman, and
he said. “If you don’t respect Dr. R. Bruce Bickel
Like us on Facebook
www.lutheranseniorlife.org
Abundantlife Thanks to all who helped make
is published by Lutheran SeniorLife. this our most successful Gala ever.
To report a change of address
or to be removed from our –Thank You!
mailing list, please contact the
Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation
at 724-453-6014 or
[email protected]
Lutheran SeniorLife
Board of Directors
Mark Trauman, J.D., Chairman
Rev. Peter D. Asplin
Frank T. Baker, Ph.D.
Rev. Ronald A. Brown
Ronald J. Coombs
Jeannette Christensen
Rev. William B. Diehm
Rev. James W. Dollhopf
George D. Ehringer
Dr. R. Bruce Bickel, Gregory B. Jordan,
David J. Fenoglietto
2016 Excellence is Ageless 2016 Excellence is Ageless
Rev. Randall Frenz
Gala Honoree Gala Chairman
R. Brandon James
Eric D. Kofmehl, Ph.D.
Mary Jeanne Krob, M.D.
Rev. Robert Musser
Michele Reuss
Rev. Sandra Samuel
Rev. Margaret Suhr-Barkley
David M. Wolfe
Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation
Board of Directors
Lance A. Whiteman, Chairman
Carol Achezinski
Thomas E. Crowley, J.D.
David J. Fenoglietto Ben Jamieson, John Harmon,
senior vice president, Northwest Lovett, Bookman, Harmon, Marks LLC,
Kurt Herbst
Savings Bank, Lutheran SeniorLife and the George H., Lillian S. and
Benjamin S. Jamieson
Foundation Board of Directors Mary S. Campbell Foundation
Mary Jeanne Krob, M.D.
John W. Manzetti
Brian A. Maxwell
Rev. Michael Sourwine
Daniel E. Wille, Esq.
OUR MISSION
On behalf of our Moral Owners,*
Lutheran SeniorLife serves elders in
our three synod region, intending
that the recipients of these services
will experience a more Abundant
Life® regardless of their physical
condition or financial circumstances.
Tom Crowley, Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow,
*SWPA Synod, NWPA Synod,
PNC Bank, Bishop of the Southwestern PA
WVA-WMD Synod Lutheran SeniorLife Board of Directors Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
13TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IS AGELESS GALA
RAISES RECORD AMOUNT FOR BENEVOLENT CARE
Continued from front cover
“Lutheran SeniorLife is committed to PNC Financial Services Group. Additional photos from the event
never asking someone to leave their “The need for support, financial and can be found on the Lutheran
home at Lutheran SeniorLife because otherwise, has grown along with SeniorLife Facebook page www.
of lack of resources,” said Greg Lutheran SeniorLife. Tonight we facebook.com/LutheranSeniorLifePA/.
Jordan, Gala chairman, executive celebrate and support all those who v
vice president and general counsel of are touched by their great programs.”
2016 EXCELLENCE IS AGELESS
GALA SPONSORS
Lutheran SeniorLife wishes to extend its appreciation to everyone who supported the
2016 Excellence is Ageless Gala. Special thanks to the following sponsors for their
generous support:
SIGNATURE SPONSOR
PNC Bank
PLATINUM SPONSOR
A
The George H. Campbell, Lillian S. Campbell b
u
and Mary S. Campbell Foundation n
d
a
DIAMOND SPONSORS n
t
l
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield ife
NexTier Bank
John Harmon; David Fenoglietto, president and CEO,
GOLD SPONSORS Lutheran SeniorLife; Tom Crowley
Deloitte & Touche, LLP /
Eastern Alliance Insurance Group / First Niagara Bank / Focus Marketing / McGuireWoods, LLP /
Morrison Community Living / Northwest Savings Bank / UPMC HealthPlan
SILVER SPONSORS
Allegheny Construction Group, Inc. / Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC /
Butler Health System / CareKinesis / Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, PC / Ernst & Young LLP /
First Commonwealth Bank / First Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh / Heritage Valley Health System /
Jackson Lewis PC / Mars National Bank / MMC Land Management /
Morgan, Lewis and Bockius, LLP / Reed Smith LLP / Stantec / Trumbull Corporation/P.J. Dick, Inc.
BRONZE SPONSORS
ACMH Hospital / Anonymous / Automated Security Alert / Dr. and Mrs. Frank T. Baker /
Baker Tilly / The Betler Family Foundation / The Bittcher Family / Burns White LLC /
Butler County Ford / Clark Hill PLC / CNA / Daniel E. Wille, Esq. /
DeForest, Koscelnik, Yokitis and Berardinelli / Eckert, Seamans, Cherin and Mellott, LLC /
ePeople Healthcare / Gateway Financial Group, Inc. / Henderson Brothers, Inc. / Mediture /
Noelker & Hull Associates, Inc. / Perkins Eastman / Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) /
Providence Pharmacy Services / St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland, Pittsburgh /
Unified Alerts, LLC
www.lutheranseniorlife.org / SPRING 2016 3
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
Traditionally, there are more women Although the men also enjoy some of in helping to assemble a table top
than men living at senior care facilities the co-ed activities like card games or greenhouse for their new plants.
and enrolled in adult day centers. But musical entertainment, Nirschel said
By assembling the greenhouse, the
men and women have a unique set of that other things like crafts may not
men will have a sense of pride in their
interests to consider when planning always be as appealing to them.
handiwork, while also feeling that they
stimulating and engaging activities for
“Our guys are encouraged to become have created something useful that
a diverse population.
involved in the activity planning, so everyone can enjoy.
At Valley Care in Ambridge, an adult that we know what will interest each
Recently, after learning that several
day center for seniors, and throughout of them. In their younger years, many
of the men had an interest in cars,
the Lutheran SeniorLife system, staff of them worked with their hands,
some remote control model cars were
recognizes the importance of providing spent time in the military or liked to
purchased.
activities specifically for their male hunt or fish. We need to make sure
participants. that we structure their activities to “The guys just love them!” Nirschel
reflect these interests,” she continued. said, explaining that the men helped
“We understand that they have
get the cars out of the boxes, read the
different hobbies and interests than For example, Nirschel said, many of
instructions and inserted the batteries,
the women. It is important for the the participants are looking forward
giving them ownership of the project.
men to have time to themselves, to warmer weather so that they can
engaging in activities that appeal to tend to the flowers outside the adult “Taking them outside into the
them,” said Susan Nirschel, director of day center. To take this a step further, courtyard to race gets them out for
Valley Care Adult Day Services. the activity staff will engage the men some fresh air, encourages friendly
competition and sparks
conversations about cars
they may have owned or
maintained in the past.
It’s a perfect activity for
them.”
Nirschel said that it is
important to sometimes
think “outside the box”
to create activities that
are pleasing for all of their
participants and their
individual interests and
ability levels.
“Our participants, both
men and women, are
unique,” she said. “So our
programming can’t be one
size fits all.” v
Valley Care participants
Eugene Johnson, Chuck
Davis and Tom Disanto
teach Susan Nirschel how to
operate their new remote
control cars.
4
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND
A random inquiry about volunteer
opportunities at Passavant
Community for teens from St.
Stephen’s Lutheran Academy
in Zelienople has produced the
most unlikely, but wonderful, of
friendships.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Academy is
a licensed, private school that offers
autism support education, special
education and therapeutic tertiary
education beyond that found in a
traditional education program.
Part of the curriculum, the
Community-Based Learning (CBL)
program, involves instructors taking
students into the community to help
them develop the skills necessary to
St. Stephen Academy students Skylor and Henry enjoy playing Noodle Ball
be successful upon graduation.
with residents from the Allegheny Household at Passavant Community as part
of their Community-Based Learning Program.
As part of this program, six teenage
A
students now participate in b
“Pairing the residents with the residents’ faces are just priceless. Not u
Passavant Community’s volunteer n
teens,” Bobbert said, “helps them to mention it’s great exercise!” d
program. They come every week with a
n
tap into their playful side, which can t
their instructor for a portion of the “I think going to Passavant has been l
help alleviate some of the anxiety ife
school day to play games, sing, dance the best thing for these kids,” said
and irritability that can occur in
and interact with the residents. Candy Dwire, CBL instructor at
people with memory impairment.”
St. Stephen’s Academy. “They aren’t
Michelle Bobbert, household
Activities have included games judged there. They have a sense of
coordinator of the Allegheny
of Nerf football, shopping at the pride in their ‘work,’ receive positive
Household in the Abundant Life
Gift Shop and playing pool in the reinforcement and truly enjoy
Center, a Memory Care unit, said
Game Room, all of which have been interacting with the residents.”
she has been thrilled with the
enjoyed tremendously by both the
enthusiasm the residents show when “The kids and our residents mesh
residents and the students.
the students are there. very well,” Bobbert said. “It’s a great
One game that two of the boys, relationship. No one notices each
“The residents know the kids, and
Skylor and Henry, especially enjoy other’s differences when they are
they get big smiles when they see the
is Noodle Ball, where the residents together. They just simply enjoy each
kids walk in. They know that they
and students gather in a circle and other’s company.”
are about to have some fun!”
hit a large balloon around the room
“The Passavant staff has been so
Residents in the memory care units with foam pool noodles, all the while
wonderful to our kids. They always
are encouraged to participate in singing and dancing to 80’s music.
make them feel at home and give
carefully planned activities that
“It’s a sight to see!” Bobbert said. them treats when they come,” Dwire
can help them build and maintain
“The boys are dancing, the residents said. “This experience has been more
emotional connections, encourage
are clapping and hitting the balloons than we ever expected, and we are so
self-expression and help them feel
around, and everyone is having grateful for it.” v
engaged.
a great time. The smiles on the
www.lutheranseniorlife.org / SPRING 2016 5
MY DAY OUT PROGRAM HELPS CARETAKERS
BY MANAGING SENIORS’ DAILY NEEDS
Caring for an aging parent can have While at the My Day Out center, work schedules to accommodate
its challenges. participants receive breakfast and doctor visits.
lunch, and can take part in enriching
Add in the responsibilities of parenting “It’s difficult for a lot of us to miss
social, recreational, educational,
your young children, working and work so that we can take Mom or Dad
spiritual and creative programs.
managing household tasks, and it can to the doctor—we understand that.”
become a very difficult balancing act. “We are like family. We want our
Primary care physicians as well as
participants to know that they are
My Day Out, an adult day center at specialists including podiatrists,
needed, helpful, and part of this
Passavant Community, is designed to dentists, optometrists, audiologists
group,” she said, adding that she
give seniors living at home a place to and speech, occupational and physical
and the staff get to know each
come and spend the day, while giving therapists are available on site.
participant well, so they can structure
their caregivers some respite.
the activities around their personal “We can even take them for beauty
“When you bring your loved one to interests. and barber appointments here,” she
My Day Out, we can help with some said.
“If they choose, we can also assist
of their daily needs, so that their
them to medical appointments The flexible schedule at My Day Out
caretakers have time to tend to work
right here on campus,” McGregor allows families to choose how much
and family obligations without guilt or
explained, which can eliminate the care is needed. Participants can come
compromise,” said Lesley McGregor,
need for caregivers to adjust their as many days of the week as they
My Day Out manager.
would like, either for half or full
days.
“By allowing us to help with some
of the caregiving, families are
able to spend more quality time
together, doing the activities they
enjoy, rather than always tending
to their loved ones’ medical and
personal needs. And that’s what
living an Abundant Life is all
about, right?” McGregor said.
For more information about
My Day Out, please call Lesley
McGregor at [phone] or
visit our website at http://www.
lutheranseniorlife.org. v
When a participant mentioned that
he missed hunting, My Day Out
Center Director Lesley McGregor
set up a mock forest, designed
both a deer and a turkey costume
for herself, and gave everyone a
chance to try to “hunt” her using
toy guns with foam bullets.
6
COMPANION PETS PROVIDE STIMULATION
AND COMFORT FOR RESIDENTS
Our five senses – sight, touch,
hearing, taste and smell – keep us
connected to the world around us.
Older adults often experience a
decrease in the sharpness of these
senses, often leading to feelings of
confusion, causing many to become
withdrawn and anxious.
Companion pets are now being
marketed to seniors as a way of
providing sensory stimulation. These
stuffed animals can provide comfort,
without the responsibility that comes
with owning a real pet.
One such pet, a companion cat, is
now on display at the SilverSmart
TM
Technology Center. This batter-
operated, lifelike cat is equipped
A
with sensors behind the ears, under b
u
the chin and on the back so when n
d
stroked and petted, the cat meows, a
Audrey Pitchke, Passavant Community resident, is comforted by the soothing n
gently vibrates and moves slightly to t
mimic a real cat. purring sounds and soft fur of the companion cat. life
These soothing motions and sounds In addition to tactile stimulation, them such a simple pleasure is so
and soft fur can evoke feelings of Whalen said that interacting with heartwarming,” Whalen said.
calmness and improve mood in the companion cat often inspires
Whalen explained that there are
seniors who may be feeling agitated memories of the residents’ own pets
several manufacturers who are
due to dementia or other health- and triggers conversations with their
producing these companion pets,
related stressors. caretakers and other residents. These
each with different features and price
meaningful interactions, in turn, are
Sharon Whalen, Lutheran SeniorLife points.
beneficial for the residents’ social
technology associate, has introduced
well-being. Residents and their families can
the cat to residents at both Passavant
interact with the companion cat at
Community and RoseCrest Assisted “I know that not everyone is a ‘cat
the SilverSmart Technology Center
TM
Living at St. John Community. person,’” Whalen said. “So not all
at Passavant Community. Contact
of the residents are interested in
“I let the residents know up front Sharon Whalen at [phone]
interacting with the cat. But they
that this is not a real cat, to alleviate to make an appointment or to learn
still become engaged in the activity.”
their fears that it could scratch, bite about other technology items that
or jump. Once they have it in their “Watching how the residents can help keep you or your loved one
lap, many pet it as if it were real and respond to the cat has been so great. living more safely and independently.
love to feel the vibrations and hear To see their smiles and to watch v
it purr. It’s very soothing to them.” them become actively engaged
Whalen said. in something that is bringing
www.lutheranseniorlife.org / SPRING 2016 7
EXPANSIONS UNDERWAY AS LIFE PROGRAMS
CONTINUE TO GROW
Just one short year after opening its
doors, LIFE Armstrong County, a
partnership with ACMH Hospital, is
helping 26 older adults continue to
live safely and independently in their
own homes, and is also providing
social, educational and physical
enrichment at the Adult Day Health
Center, located adjacent to ACMH.
The LIFE Programs provide
comprehensive, coordinated medical
care for qualified older adults at
the Adult Day Health Center, in
the participants’ homes and in the
community.
“It has been such a rewarding year to
be part of the LIFE Armstrong County
team,” said LIFE Armstrong County
center director Karen Paul.
“We have received many positive
comments from our participants and
their families about how pleased they
are with the staff and the services LIFE Armstrong County held a senior fair to celebrate its first anniversary. Visitors
we provide. If it weren’t for the LIFE Frank and Peggy Lou Petrilla saw a variety of health-related demonstrations.
Program, these participants would not
increase the size of the facility to LIFE Beaver County is also expanding
be able to stay in their own homes,”
approximately 17,000 square feet. by acquiring an existing 5,000 square
she said.
foot space connected to its current
“This will give us enough space
In addition to LIFE Armstrong
location. The increased space
to nearly double the number
County, Lutheran SeniorLife also
will allow LIFE Beaver County to
of participants that we can
operates LIFE Programs in Butler
accommodate more participants as
accommodate,” said Toni Hively,
County in partnership with Butler
well as provide some meeting space for
executive director of Community LIFE
Health System, and in Beaver and
families and staff.
Services. “There is a tremendous need
Lawrence Counties in partnership
here for our services.” “The LIFE Programs have grown a lot
with Heritage Valley Health System.
over the past few years,” Hively said.
Marla Frailey, director of LIFE Butler
The increased need for this type of
“We finally have our footprint in these
County, said there will be increased
care has prompted expansions at both
counties. These expansions will allow
physical therapy and activity space,
LIFE Butler County and LIFE Beaver
us to provide additional much-needed
and possibly a media room.
County.
services to the people who desperately
Some interior demolition and “We also plan to increase the size of need them to enable them to continue
restructuring at LIFE Butler County is the bathing facilities to accommodate to live in their homes safely.” v
wheelchairs, and to make it more spa-
currently underway, which will
like,” Frailey said.
8
A DREAM COME TRUE
There are three rules by which all Dream Foundation then contacted a “It was such a special night,” Huf
princesses must abide—Be Smart. local company, Pittsburgh Princesses, said. “Emily was truly touched.”
Be Kind. Be Brave. who turned the dream into a reality.
“I loved seeing all the beautiful
Emily Delfosse is all of these. Delfosse was honored in March princesses, but Cinderella was my
at Calvin Presbyterian Church in favorite,” Delfosse said. “And Prince
A LIFE Butler County participant
Zelienople, with her very own Disney Charming was so handsome!”
for more than two years, Delfosse
party, attended by her family, friends
recently expressed an interest in At the end of the evening, Huf
and caretakers from LIFE Butler
going to Disney World. However, presented Delfosse with a Winnie the
County.
due to severe heart problems and Pooh t-shirt, her favorite character.
a recent hospitalization, it was “It really was a dream come true,”
Delfosse said that she is grateful to
determined that she was physically Delfosse said. “I couldn’t believe that
Huf and the staff at LIFE Butler
unable to travel. they would go to all that trouble for
County for helping to make her
me. I always wanted to go to Disney,
Cheryl Huf, a social worker at LIFE Disney dream come true.
but can’t. This was so great.”
Butler County, was determined to
“The staff is just awesome,” she said.
make her wish come true. Princess Elsa, from the Disney movie
“My husband, Ray, works all day,
Frozen, performed her song “Let It
“I wanted this so badly for Emily,” so if I didn’t come to LIFE, I would
Go,” while Delfosse and others sang
Huf said. “She is a really special probably just lay in bed all day,” she
along. Cinderella and her Prince
lady.” said. Instead, she said she enjoys
Charming shared a romantic dance.
coming to LIFE to play games like
Huf applied to The Dream
Delfosse was awarded an official bingo and fly-swatter volleyball and A
Foundation, an organization that
b
invitation to join the Royal Court to visit with all of her friends. u
serves terminally ill adults by
n
of Princesses, which she gladly d
providing end of life dreams, and “We have fun here. I don’t know a
accepted. n
the application was accepted. The what I would do without it.” v t
l
ife
Emily Delfosse (center) and Cheryl Huf (right) shared a special evening with Disney
characters from Pittsburgh Princesses.
www.lutheranseniorlife.org / SPRING 2016 9
EXCELLENCE IS AGELESS GALA
The generosity
Continued from front cover
of many helped
to make this the
most successful
Gala to date,
as more than
Matt Couillard and Mark Drummey, Automated $240,000 was
Security Alert
raised for
benevolent care.
Lance Whiteman, chairman, Lutheran
SeniorLife Foundation Board of Directors
and Greg Jordan, Gala chairman
Todd and Adrienne Boslau, Baker Tilly; Ken Spruill,
vice president, wealth strategy manager, Hawthorn
PNC Family Wealth, Private Foundation Management
Services; and Jane Bittcher, president, Lutheran Henderson Brothers, Inc.
SeniorLife Foundation
Christine Whiteman and
Anne Harmon
A
b
Dr. Frank T. Baker, Lutheran SeniorLife Board of
u
Directors, and Mary D. Baker, 2015 Excellence n
d
is Ageless Gala honorees a
n
t
l
ife
ABOVE: H. Scott Cunningham,
executive vice president and Ben Jamieson, Lutheran
managing director, PNC Wealth SeniorLife Foundation Board of
Barb and Glenn Management and Greg Jordan, Directors, and his wife Michelle
Harris, St. John’s Gala chairman
David Fenoglietto, president and CEO,
Lutheran Church
Lutheran SeniorLife and Terry Mann,
of Highland
director, Lutheran Service Society
Rev. Carl Johnson, St. John Lutheran Church, Kittanning;
Rev. Arlyn Eisenbrandt, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Aiden, PA;
Jeff Conn, managing partner, Clark Hill; Neil Parham, director, DeAnna Robinson, First Commonwealth Bank and Bill
Rev. Robert Musser, Lutheran SeniorLife Board of Directors
community affairs, Highmark; Dan Onorato, executive vice Hansmann, First Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh
president, public policy, Highmark
10 For a list of Excellence is Ageless Gala sponsors, see page 3. www.lutheranseniorlife.org / SPRING 2016 11