Garvey Manor & Our Lady of the Alleghenies AT-A-GLANCE 2018 Summer Issue What does it mean to be a volunteer at Garvey Manor and Our Lady f the Alleghenies? Kathy Gburek, Volunteer It has been said many times, one gets more than they give when volunteering. This has certainly been true in my experience at Garvey Manor. Each resident has a life story to tell and wisdom to share. Since I began volunteering two years ago, I have been able to serve in many areas. Being a Eucharistic Minister to the residents who cannot attend Mass provides the opportunity to visit with residents individually and is a great way to learn their names and personalize the time spent with them. A favorite for me is helping to transport the residents to and from various activities. Whether to Mass, the beauty shop, or to Carmel Hall for fun times, transporting residents provides a bit of time for sharing conversation and a laugh or two. Outings to shopping, for lunch, or other excursions can be a bit more challenging, but are so much fun. Since the volunteer has one-on-one time to spend with a resident, it s a great way to develop a friendship. When I leave Garvey Manor after volunteering, I am sure to have a smile on my face, or a tear in my eye.sometimes both. Mother Teresa said, We can do no great things, only small things with great love. The great staff at Garvey Manor are always ready to answer any question I have and they are so very appreciative of all the help volunteers provide. Notice that I have not used the phrase volunteer work because to me, this is not work, it is fun, it is a blessing, and it is rewarding in so many ways. That s what volunteering at Garvey Manor means to me. Kathy Gburek Carol Lockard assists Nikki by volunteering in the Garvey Manor Café Emmett and Cynthia Yeager volunteer with pet visits to residents. Gloria Gates is always ready to help you find some goodies in the gift shop If you would like information on how to become a volunteer at Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Kathy LaVelle at 814-695-5571.
Greetings from Sister Joachim Anne, After a busy and eventful Spring, Summer is now in full swing. Our residents and staff are enjoying some of the many activities and events already in place during the first half of the year. As you will see when reading this newsletter, the events held at Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies are unique and diverse-something to interest everyone's personality. SHARED COMMITMENT is one of our Core Values most often experienced in the interactions of residents and their families, staff, and volunteers. Those interactions are what make us not just a health care facility, but a family-caring for and about each other, and enjoying each other s company. When the demands of following regulations and striving to make ends meet during tough economic times takes their toll and cloud our focus, a refocusing on our Mission and the real reasons why we are here puts things into proper perspective. Resident centered care and service has been, is, and will always be our Mission. Thank you for joining us in whatever way you too are committed to this common goal. Older Americans Week Each year during May, which is designated as Older Americans Month, we set aside a week to celebrate Older Americans. This year, we chose "Many Stories...One Home" as our theme. Our celebration began on Sunday with a program dedicated to Stories of Mother's. During a social for residents and their families on Mother s Day, a beautiful red rose was presented to our ladies while they enjoyed the talented Kent Martin sing and play our favorite tunes. Monday was Mission Day when Sister Joachim and Sister Jacinta provided a prayer service for staff to reflect on the Mission of Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence. We were blessed at Mission Day services with personal reflections from residents on how their life story has been impacted by living at Garvey Manor or Our Lady of the Alleghenies. We were also blessed with the story of the traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Queen of All America, Mother of Hope, and Protectress of the Unborn. Staff, residents, and visitors were invited to visit the Chapel for private prayers, devotions, and even a gentle touch of the Image. We continued our week with a visit from Penn State Altoona Students who shared WWII history stories. A night of songs from the Andrew s Sisters was absolutely entertaining. Jay Smar shared a wonderful show of stories told in song. Thursday was our Employee Appreciation Day when staff shared stories of what it means to work at Garvey Manor. Staff were treated to a special meal and service recognitions were awarded. Friday we shared stories of our pets and had a special Dog Parade. Staff and residents collected supplies and donations for Mending Hearts Animal Rescue. We were able to provide Mending Hearts with a monetary donation of $245.00 along with several boxes full of animal supplies. It was a wonderful week full of love and excitement that brought us rejuvenation as we celebrated the stories of our most precious gifts; our residents, families, staff, visitors, and pets! Employee Appreciation and Recognition Day Recognizing 41 employees who celebrate tenure in 5 year increments for a combined 585 years of service including 2 special recognitions to Kathy MacDonald and Barbara Beers for 45 years of service each to Our Residents! Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence Core Values: Shared Commitment Respect for the Sanctity of Life Compassion Hospitality
Celebrating Older Americans Week The traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Queen of All America, Mother of Hope, and Protectress of the Unborn Mother s Day with Julia Perretta and her daughters. Our wonderful Dietary Department always provides such great hospitality. Our own Sister Robert and Abbie at the Doggie Parade on the runway Mother s Day with Kay Wawrynovic and her mother Alice Burns The Andrew s Sisters perform as though they are at a USO event The group of Dog Parade participants and their beloved humans
Nursing Competencies Every year Staff Development at Garvey Manor coordinates a Nursing Competencies Day. It is a day filled with education and fun for our nursing staff to renew the educational requirements of the Department of Health as well as reenergize their passion for becoming a nurse. The nursing managements staff work together to come up with new and creative stations that depict real life scenarios nurses face while caring for residents. Employment at Garvey Manor is seen as an extension of the facility s Mission, not just a job, but a Ministry. Our staff is special. They are committed to enhancing the lives that God has entrusted into our care. Thank you to ALL of our staff for the Shared Commitment, Hospitality, Respect for the Sanctity of Life, and Compassion you show to one another and our residents of Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence. Pam Sellers, Staff Development and Jen Kelly demonstrate proper glucometer use Deborah Nelson, Skin Care Nurse, teaches Misty Pine about pressure ulcer prevention More Fun Times at Garvey Manor A Volunteer Appreciation Luau was held to thank our volunteers for their wonderful commitment to the residents. Father s Day was celebrated with Papa John s Pizza because Our Pops ARE Tops!! Anna McGeary and her daughter help out during the Luau so the volunteers can relax and enjoy themselves. A few of our dads are shown here with the 30 pizzas we bought for the party thanks to a donation from one of our generous families.
Thank You for the Continued Support of Our Mission The 2018 Basket Bingo proved to follow suit from previous years. The event grew larger with 147 people playing bingo. 63 baskets were available on our basket bonanza raffle, and we had 25 additional baskets as bingo prizes!! All prizes were generously donated from friends and families of Garvey Manor, local venders, and various business partners. We are always humbled when we receive such a generous outpouring of support from others. Your generosity helps provide the sustainability of our Mission and Ministry. All proceeds will be directed to Garvey Manor and Our Lady of The Alleghenies resident programs, amenities, and services. We also use proceeds to purchase furnishings and equipment used by the residents to enhance the services and life enriching activities we provide. Thanks to all of our donors we were able to raise $10,000!!! Thank You to The Generous Individual Donors Of the IN2L Computer and IPAD s An IN2L (It s Never Too Late) is a computerized system that features over 3,000 applications and content items to provide choices for social connection, intellectual stimulation, physical engagement, and other person centered activities specifically designed for the elderly. The staff at Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies use the IN2L regularly. The only problem with the IN2L was, after 9 years, our system was outdated and in need of replacement. So, when a very generous donor approached us about a donation he would like to give to be designated for something technological that we could use with the residents, the staff immediately thought of a new IN2L system. The new system has been purchased and residents and staff are in awe of the new technological features, games, and adventures they can access. Staff also use IPADs throughout the house for a variety of personcentered activities. They were so regularly used that a donor recognized the need for more of them and gave us the funds to purchase an IPAD for each of our nursing units and Our Lady of the Alleghenies. If you would like more information on how to use the IPADS or the IN2L with your loved one please ask to speak with someone in the activities department. Barbra Hileman Facetimes the donor showing him how we use the new IN2L while Elaine Polombi searches to find her favorite show-tunes to sing along. No matter the amount, your generous support is always appreciated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the residents of Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence. Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me.
New Beginnings Please join us in wishing Cindy McClellan, our Dietician a fond farewell on her retirement. After 25 years of service Cindy has decided to retire. She is excited to travel and enjoy some exciting adventures with her husband Fred. She plans to rekindle some of her roots in Arizona. But first, Cindy plans to travel to Alaska in June and in September to Breckenridge Colorado where her daughter Sarah will be married. We wish Cindy all of the best. She will be missed by everyone. Known for her pink flamingos and free spirit, Cindy lived the Core Values of Garvey Manor well by always showing the residents and staff Compassion and Hospitality. Her sense of Shared Commitment and Respect for the Sanctity of Life will be fondly remembered in the many friends and memories she made during her career. Good luck and God Bless Cindy! We will miss you. Cindy s shoes will be filled by Victoria Tori Watters. Tori is a recent graduate from Penn State University. Tori completed her internship in April through the University of Houston. She then passed the dietician exam and is now a Registered Dietician Tori began her career at Garvey Manor in 2016 as a summer intern. She then worked part time while in school as a dietary supervisor. Congratulations Tori! We know you will do great! We are also very excited to introduce to you Sister Philomena Anne. Sister Philomena professed her First Vows on June 9, 2018 at St. Teresa's Motherhouse. We wish her the best of blessings as she begins her First Mission at Garvey Many and Our Lady of the Alleghenies. We welcome her to our home. Cindy on a trip to the Farmer s Market with residents from OLAR. Sister Philomena Anne Victoria Tori Watters, Registered Dietician How you can become a part of Mission & Ministry sustainability... Charitable giving to a worthy cause... Charitable giving to Garvey Manor is a very meaningful way for donors to be a part of our Mission and Ministry. Our Ministry of caring continues because of the generosity of donors such as yourself. Because of our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status, contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Inclusion in wills, memorial, and honorary donations, in any amount, are appreciated and can be used for benevolent care, community enhancements, special projects, and activities within our community. Other means of giving to consider can include, but are not limited to, bequests, endowments, trusts, securities, life insurance, and real estate. The Carmelite Sisters and the residents of Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence thank you for considering our Ministry as a recipient of your charitable giving. Please call Holly Keller at 814-695-5571 to discuss your intentions. Our Mission is: To promote and provide personal and professional quality of care and services in an atmosphere reflecting Christ's compassion, love, and concern for the elderly.