D ORC HESTER COU NTY C O MMISSION ON TH E AGING, INC. Pleasant Thoughts V o l ume Ap r il / Ma y 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Day The Activity Calendar and newsletter are found on-line at www.pleasantday.com.
P ag e 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: One Vet One Day Volunteer Appreciation Day April is National Volunteer Month. And each year Medical Adult Day Care celebrates Volunteers. Staff organize it, set it up, get the food, decorate, do whatever needs to be done so the volunteers come and enjackie J. Vickers joy. The only volunteer that does any part of the work is our volunteer Volunteer Coordinator Jane Hessler who calls and invites the volunteers. Andrew Todd calls and invites the entertainers and all those who are on our daily programs. Missy LeCompte designs the tile, the participants paint the tile, and no two are alike. As they leave, volunteers choose a tile as a token thank you. Some hang them on their wall, some put them in their yard, and some have every tile since Laurie Rippons designed the first one in 2011. has a tile for each year framed and hung. counts 200 (+/-) volunteers through the year; some are monthly, some weekly, some once a year. Some come in and talk to the participants, some teach a class, some entertain, some speak about current events, some help with mailing Pleasant Thoughts, some fill in for the receptionist, some bring their dogs to be petted and loved on, some help on trips, some help in the yard, some teach flower arranging; some prepare items for crafting; some are medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists and nurses who speak about health issues, whatever all the volunteers do, they do out of the goodness of their hearts. So while we have never had 200 invited volunteers show up, usually 50 to 75 take time to let us say Thank You. To all of you who weren t able to attend, please know and accept our heartfelt thanks for all that you do. THANK YOU!!! It is time for an update on s One Vet One Day Program. In answer to one question that I have received recently, a resounding Yes, the program is alive and well, Yes, donations are still needed and Yes, Veterans are enjoying the extra day a week and the help they receive during these extra days. While I explain that a $75.00 donation will provide one extra day for one Veteran for one week, we certainly appreciate a donation of any amount. It takes about $1,000.00 a week or 14 checks for $75 to provide one extra day a week for each of our Veterans. I am going to thank you in advance for any check in any amount you give to the One Vet One Day Program. Just like all Veterans, our Veterans have some interesting stories to tell about their service days, some serious and some funny anecdotes. Andrew Todd who puts the newsletter together, with a lot of help from all of the staff, suggested this and it really is a good idea. Andrew will be interviewing the Veterans and writing up the interview. After the Veteran has the opportunity to read and approve the article, one interview will be published in each future edition of Pleasant Thoughts. So watch for upcoming articles. Pleasant Thoughts Is a publication of The Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc. for the general public and members of the Medical Adult Day Care Center A Place Like Home 2474 Cambridge Beltway ~ Cambridge, MD 21613 410-228-0190/410-476-3100 www.pleasantday.com care@pleasantday.com Edited by Andrew Todd editor@pleasantday.com Hubert Trego, Jane Hessler, and Jackie Vickers at the Volunteer Appreciation Day. There s always one who thinks the rules do not apply to them.
P ag e 3 Flag Donation Medical Adult Day Care proudly displays the American flag and the Maryland flag. Unfortunately flags, unlike what they represent, do wear out. When new flags are needed, our delegate is contacted. Delegate Johnny Mautz, representing Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and Wicomico in District 37B, was Johnny-on-the-spot delivering both flags. He presented the flags to Veterans. The new flags will be hung proudly 24 hours a day. Nurses Corner This article will focus on vitamin D deficiency, common causes and how we can correct the deficiency. Vitamin D is an element found in the body that helps with bone structure, and help with regulation of the immune system, digestive system and neuromuscular system. Low vitamin D levels can cause weight gain, depression, hair loss, fatigue, and heart palpitations. The most common causes of vitamin D deficiency is diet and not enough sunlight. In case you re wondering about good vitamin D rich foods here are a few; wild caught fish (salmon, mackerel), mushrooms, cheese, eggs, and all milk are fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight is the most effective source of vitamin D. Studies show that you should receive at least 20 minutes per day, If that s not an option, there s always over the counter supplements that can be taken such as vitamin D3. Don t start taking over the counter vitamin D3 without consulting your doctor first! If your deficiency is severe, the doctor may prescribe vitamin D in larger dosages with increased frequency. I hope everyone has a lovely spring with lots of sunlight. :) Article by Tish Wallace, LPN The Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc. Board of Directors THANK YOU for your donations in March-April Ray Lowry Betty Ruark Elsie Jones Evangeline Quarles Nancy Jackson Marie Perry Lelia Thompson Dolores Adams April Howard Barbara Marsh Howardene Brem Lisa Lewis Medical Adult Day Care Center Hubert Trego, President Wendy Conn, Vice President Barbara Marsh, Secretary Howardene Brem, Treasurer George Ames Steve Disharoon Jane Hessler Laura Higgs Kathryn Hubbard William Jarmon Barbara Schneider Philip D Adamo - Honorary Helen Combes - Honorary Evelyn Robinson - Honorary Leonard Smulowitz - Honorary Springtime Tree decorated by Roz Wallace. Jean Daffin Simone Turnell Charlotte Lankford Jackie Vickers Fannie Wallace Amyia Johnson Crystal Travers Missy LeCompte Shirley Dail Dot Bradshaw Myrtle Crider David Krom Wendy & Tom Wilson Hubert & Starr Trego Family of Philip Brooks Family of Joseph Jordan Thomas Funeral Home P.A. Anonymous Donors Jeannie Whirley Holly Kulikowski Peggy Coffman Dave Ryan Connie Blades Kelly Hunt Diane Godfrey Debbie Collison Ron Crismond Joyce Horsey Deb Yost Susan Bareis
P ag e 4 DCTC Nursing Students Each year, Medical Adult Day Care was pleased to welcome Medical Services I students from the Dorchester Career Technology Center (DCTC). The students were at in January and February to get their clinical experience. They will graduate from Cambridge South-Dorchester High School as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), ready to take the Maryland State Board of Nursing test to receive their Certification to work as a CNA. It is such a pleasure to watch students grow and often go on to continue their nursing career. Doctor s Day Dr. Ira Kurz Dr. Leona Odemena Dr. Carey Willey Dr. Stephen Wilkinson Dr. Shariff & Assoc. Dr. Eugene Newmeir & Assoc. Every year for Doctor s Day, visits neighboring offices and thanks them for their dedication and care of their many patients. A special gift basket is given to them with sweets and treats. The Cambridge South-Dorchester Student Nurses, led by their teacher Kasteen Farmer, shared their presentations with participants. The students talked about proper skin care, and the importance of exercise and hydration. Have you seen that bright blue van running around town? That s the new Dodge Caravan with a beautiful, full body decal applied by Mid-Shore Graphics. Far Left: Was this photo taken atop a roof or perhaps a helicopter above Cambridge? No! It s a picture of the bus on s very own train garden! Painted by Editor Andrew Todd, this Matchbox miniature is a striking resemblance of the real thing, complete with blue seats and name on the sides.
P ag e 5 Happenings at In a special St. Patrick s Day themed presentation, Maxine & The Showtime Entertainers performed for participants. Left: Connie Erdell, Auxiliary President of VFW Post 5118 of Easton, MD, made a donation to the One Vet One Day program. Dr. Carey Willey of Cambridge Family Eye Care, LLC, spoke to participants about vision health, proper care for your eyes and common problems that occur as we age. March was Social Worker Appreciation Month. As a way of saying thank you for all of her dedication, Julia Farrow was presented with an appreciation bag of goodies and treats. Right: Following up, Royce Ball of the Mid-Shore Recovering Vets Group donated to the One Vet One Day program as well. Marlene Meninger of the National Outdoor Show made a donation to Danny Seabrease, Facilities Safety Manager, for the use of buses for the event. buses were used to shuttle attendees to and from their vehicles. BK Eschette of the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health gave a presentation on diabetes and its risks to the participants of. May 6th-12th is National Nurses Week. This year s theme is Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and the blue represents awareness to the disease. wore blue to highlight the importance of regular screenings for colon and colorectal cancer. Tamika Watson, LPN, and Millie Morales of the Dorchester County Health Department stopped by to educate everyone on routine screenings and how to receive help if you cannot afford them.
P ag e 6 More Happenings at Employee Spirt Week The Easter Bunny holiday brought eggs and candy to. Eggs were hidden around the center for participants to find. Inside the eggs were jellybeans for some, numbers for others! The numbers were later redeemed for other goodies and there were even prizes for most eggs found. Exercise is an important facet of life and as you age it becomes even more important. Gail Benjamin, pictured right, with participants Jaime Thomas and Elway Taylor visits every Monday to lead the participants in exercise. Ray Chaplain, member of the Sunshine Boys, donated five guitars, cases, and amplifier to Pleasant Day to benefit the participants. Thank You! RED, WHITE & BLUE Brian Stevanus of the Dorchester County EMS gave a presentation on 911 for both Pleasant Day staff and participants. Everyone also received tote bags and helpful information cards to help guide you during an emergency.
P ag e 7 Monnie Whaples, HR/Acct. Manager and a MAADS (Maryland Association of Adult Day Services) Board Member, meeting in Annapolis, MD. Also stopping into the meeting was Maryland State Delegate Johnny Mautz. participant Shirley Stanley visited Maple Elementary to read to fourth grade students during a Read-A-Thon. participants have been invited to return and read for students in the future. buses were used by the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to be used during the 18th annual Eagle Festival. The buses ferried attendants between attractions and points in the refuge. staff and participants pose in green to celebrate St. Patrick s Day. The Cambridge South-Dorchester High School Vikings Cheerleaders visited participants to raise their spirits and cheer together. Go Vikings! A Sweetheart bowling tournament was held at Choptank Bowling Center to benefit Medical Adult Day Care. Members of the Eastern Shore USBC Executive Board presented Missy LeCompte, Activities Coordinator, with a donation to s One Vet One Day program. For Everybody s Birthday, held on the last Friday of every month, Shelley and Anita entertained participants with music and karaoke. Thank you to all who donated in memory of Eleanor D Adamo. These donations are being used toward continuing Pleasant Thoughts newsletter, one of her favorite reading materials. Have you ever heard of such a thing as Fly Swatter Art? By using household fly swatters and dipping them in plates of paint, participants were able to make unique pieces of art that were hung in the main hall.
Registered Charity Identification Numbers: 501(c)(3) Maryland Charity- #91 Maryland Charity Campaign- #2415 Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc. Medical Adult Day Care A Place Like Home 2474 Cambridge Beltway Cambridge, MD 21613 Return Service Requested Medical Adult Day Care Your Care is our Business Find the hidden frog! This is not the hidden frog Place Label Here What s Up with Missy? Did you know Easter has not been celebrated on April 1 since 1954? This year April came and went but, that didn t stop us from celebrating. Colored eggs, a super egg scavenger hunt, Minute-To-Win-It egg roll game, and hot cross buns just to name a few, started April in the right direction. Other festivities included: Doggie month and visits, Volunteer Appreciation, decorating, straw hats, frogs, defeating diabetes, haiku, superstitions, and crafting with wood. Trips included, bingo at the Empowerment Center and a Delmarva Shorebirds baseball game. In May, Mother s Day and Memorial Day have planned celebrations. As well as, May Day, the St. Paul s Flower Fair, the Anniversary of V-Day, clothespins, the rooster, advertising slogans, Star Wars, nylons, flowers, herbs, buttons, Stevie Wonder, hamburgers, and Graduation. A trip to Long Wharf has been scheduled Memorial Day recognition. Please mark your calendars of the upcoming events and as always Thank you and have a Pleasant day! Medical Adult Day Care Center PLEASANT DAY is: MEDICAL Attendance is prescribed by your physician Nurses are on duty 100% of time Nurses provide medical services and treatment Nurses are in contact with your doctor Nurses administer medications & observe for effects ADULT Any adult who needs regular medical help DAY Opens at 8:00 - Closes at 4:00-5 days a week No beds - No one stays overnight CARE Help with toileting, bathing, eating, walking Providing support, stimulation and exercise Nurturing staff who are State certified and licensed CENTER A fresh, clean, home-like setting providing coordinated care so that: You continue to live in your home or with family You don t have to go to a nursing home You attend as many days as you like You help your loved ones to help you Article by Missy LeCompte, Activities Coordinator at