Concordia Lutheran Ministries Blog

Across the United States, it’s National Nursing Home Week – a time to honor the lives and milestones of the people we serve and the staff who serve them, as stated by the American Health Care Association. At Concordia, May 14-18 also serves as our Staff Appreciation Week.

In recognition of the special week, last year we posted a letter from our President and CEO Keith Frndak, expressing his gratitude for the 1,700+ people who carry out our mission every day. This year, we asked some residents and patients what they think of their caregivers…

The responses were both humbling and overwhelming to say the least. Below are some of the replies we received from residents and patients throughout the system.

“Moving here (Concordia of the South Hills) is the best decision I have ever made. The staff is very friendly and goes out of their way to help me. I am so grateful for all the assistance I receive so I can remain in my own apartment. I am the ‘happiest camper’ here.” – Doris R., Concordia of the South Hills Independent Living

“The kitchen staff is polite and goes above and beyond. And the activities are wonderful and keep getting better.” – Donni W., Concordia at the Orchard Personal Care

“This is my home and I’m happy here. I could never do without the Personal Care staff members. I also appreciate the efforts for the church services brought into the facility.” – Mary H., Concordia at Rebecca Residence Personal Care

“Concordia people are the most helpful people around. If there’s a problem, they always fix it. They’re like family!” – Dave P., Concordia at Cabot Personal Care

“I’ve been here 11 years and I’ve never met a staff member that hasn’t treated me wonderfully.” – Viola K., Concordia at the Orchard Personal Care

“I’m treated like a queen here. The staff is very efficient and kind to me. And the activities staff is just stunning.” – Lois L., Concordia at Rebecca Residence Personal Care

“The staff is wonderful.” – Fay N., Concordia at Cabot Skilled Nursing

One testament to how great our caregivers are at Concordia is our Staff Appreciation Fund. Last year, over $16,000 was donated to this fund by residents, patients, friends and family who have been touched by the loving care our employees give every day.

Money donated to this fund helps offset the cost of a variety of perks and benefits (Christmas party, Kennywood day, Pittsburgh Zoo trip, staff appreciation week, etc) we offer our employees as a way of thanking them for a continuous job well done. Donors have found it to be a wonderful way to thank the staff for the special care they received. Visit the Concordia Careers page for information on joining the family!

For more information on the various funds at Concordia, visit the Give A Gift section of our website, call Director of Development Jenn McIntire at 724.352.1571, ext. 8363 or e-mail us here.

It was a busy weekend at Concordia Lutheran Ministries – we had a Concordia Haven Apartments open house and, of course, our annual Fashion Show fundraiser on back-to-back days!  A huge thank you to all those involved and the many smiling faces who attended one or both events.

Below are some pictures from the Fashion Show, which, for the first time, featured models from the Concordia family: staff, residents and a few friends of the organization. Another special part of this year’s event was a tribute to Edie Waltenbaugh, a Haven resident who was actively involved with planning and carrying out previous Fashion Shows. Edie passed away in January.

The event, held at the Butler Country Club, was attended by over 300 people, which marks the first ever sell out. There were 55 gift baskets won as well. While we don’t have to total amount of money raised yet, all proceeds went to the Good Samaritan Endowment Fund, Concordia’s charity care fund.

Take a look at the pictures below and leave some comments! Oh, and don’t forget, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13. Take some time to visit mom and tell her you love her. If mom’s getting up in age, check out this blog post from last year on gift ideas!

Below is a story about the Concordia Chaplaincy Department, published in our February 2011 issue of Faith in Caring magazine. To be added to the mailing list or e-mail distribution list, e-mail us here or call the Concordia Public Relations Department at 724.352.1571, ext. 8266. Enjoy!

If the Concordia Mission Statement was a recipe, two essential ingredients would be 1) service to others and 2) a Christian environment. And while all caregivers at the organization help to carry out the mission, the foremost conduit for fostering that Christian environment is the Chaplaincy Department.

Since Concordia’s humble beginnings in 1881, Christian faith was the cornerstone of the organization, with seven of the first 14 delegates being Lutheran pastors. While Concordia has changed significantly since then, the spiritual core remains intact.

“Our Christian faith has influenced this organization in every imaginable way,” said Rev. Jack Hartman, Concordia chaplaincy director. “From major decisions to the type of care we provide at a basic human level, the goal is to allow the love of Christ to shine through our actions.”

Today, the Chaplaincy Department consists of pastors, deaconesses and a number of other spiritual care team members – including students. Concordia has played a vital role in the development of several deaconess interns. The goal for these individuals: to spread the Good Word.

Last year, the chaplaincy staff performed well over:
- 750+ worship services
- 800 Bible study/devotion sessions
- 5,000 room visits at Concordia locations
- Weekly patient visits at 16 different hospitals

This is all in addition to conducting 10 funerals, three weddings and four baptisms.

“The baptisms came at the requests of a few employees,” Hartman said with a smile. “We take care of the whole Concordia family, which includes the staff.”

A Friend and Adviser, Good Times and Bad

Ruth Frohn moved into a Concordia Haven Apartment with her husband John in 2002. The decision to relocate from their condo in Murrysville to Concordia came after John’s health started to fail.

The couple had been to the Cabot campus a number of times for festivals and to visit friends, but the decision to stay for good was predicated on one huge factor: the Christian environment.

“I’ve always felt the presence of God here,” she said. “It’s wonderful to be around people who love and appreciate you… It’s really like being with family.”

A year later, John needed skilled nursing care.

“When John was in Lund, Pastor Hartman ministered to him, to us, every day,” she said. “He would ask John about his new toys (he had a collection of walking, talking stuffed animals – which are now on display in Ruth’s apartment), or take him for ice cream at the snack shop.”

Outside the Box

Concordia’s growth and maturation has provided the Chaplaincy Department with opportunities to explore new ways of reaching people.

In March 2010, the Chaplaincy Department and Concordia Visiting Nurses (CVN) launched the In-Home Spiritual Care Program. Professional pastoral care visitations are offered to each CVN patient as a standard part of services.

Upon acceptance, the providing CVN staff member sends a referral to the Concordia Lutheran Ministries pastoral care team with the request for a visit. A Chaplaincy Department team member then contacts the patient and schedules an in-home visitation with a professional pastoral caregiver within seven days of the referral.

“We had one woman who had major surgery planned for a Monday, and she decided the Saturday before that she wanted to pray with someone. We saw her that Sunday and then regularly during her recovery,” Hartman said.

Another ministry that isn’t confined by conventional brick and mortar standards is the bereavement support group series Griefshare, coordinated by Chaplain Paul Rist. This series, offered at different times and at various locations, is open to any individual who has experienced a loss, even if they have no ties to Concordia. Griefshare presents a Christ-centered perspective on the grief process.

The Chaplaincy Department gets involved in a number of other unconventional ways as well. Chaplain Roger Nuerge participates in “Stand Up Meetings” at the Lund Care Center (daily sessions with clinicians and social services staff to identify resident needs).

During the Advent and Lenten seasons, Deaconesses e-mail messages to Concordia employees. The Chaplaincy staff participates in a reading program for kids at the Concordia Child Care Center…

The list goes on and on – but one fact remains: the spiritual needs of the Concordia family have been a top priority for over 130 years.

For more information on the chaplaincy department and the core beliefs at Concordia visit the About Us section on our website. You can also call us at 724.352.1571 or e-mail here.

All month long on the Concordia Blog, we’ve been talking about the importance of volunteers and highlighting a few of the many people who freely give their time to enrich the lives of others. As a faith-based organization, we believe in the importance of showing others the love of God, and our volunteers embody that idea every single day.

While saying “thank you” to our volunteers on a daily basis is common practice, we also have an annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – which was held on April 18. Around 170 volunteers attended the event, which was held in the Haven I dining room. The group was welcomed by Concordia President and CEO Keith Frndak, followed by a blessing from Chaplain Jack Hartman. Lisa Casey, assistant director of activities for Cabot skilled nursing, thanked those in attendance for their service. Musical entertainment was provided by The Good News Gospel Country Band.

Each volunteer was given the symbolic gift of a pot and some seeds, because at Concordia, we believe volunteers plant  the seeds of kindness. Below are some pictures of Concordia staff serving the volunteers. Further below is the contact information for each Concordia location for those interested in volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to add something, please leave a comment at the bottom of the post!

Concordia is always looking for interested community members to help in a number of areas. Our volunteers perform important and rewarding work, and can choose the duties, location and schedule most fitting to them. No prior experience is needed, just an open heart and the desire to change a life.

Volunteers contribute in many ways, including:
Music or dance talents
Helping with parties/special events/outings
Visiting residents and wheelchair walks
Quilting and sewing various items
Pet Therapy visits
Recycling cans and newspaper
Office help
Delivering mail/papers
Light yardwork
Assisting with chapel services
And much more!

Those interested in volunteering should call one of the locations listed below and ask for volunteer opportunities. For more information on Concordia Lutheran Ministries, visit our website or e-mail us here.

Concordia at Cabot
134 Marwood Road
Cabot, PA 16023
Phone: (724) 352-1571

Concordia at Ridgewood Place
1460 Renton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: (412) 798-1855

Concordia at The Orchard
1312 N. Main Street Extension
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 285-4490

Concordia at Rebecca Residence
3746 Cedar Ridge Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: (724) 444-0600

Good Samaritan Hospice
3500 Brooktree Road, Ste. 320
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 933-8888

Concordia of the South Hills
1300 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Phone: (412) 278-1300

Concordia of Cranberry
10 Adams Ridge Boulevard
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: (724) 779-4300

Concordia of Fox Chapel
931 Route 910
Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: (412) 767-5808

Concordia of Franklin Park
1600 Georgetowne Drive
Sewickley, PA  15143
Phone: (724) 935-1075

Concordia of Wexford
125 Brown Road
Wexford, PA  15090
Phone: (724) 935-1266

One of the beautiful things about volunteering is that one doesn’t need to fit into a specific mold to help another human being. Young or old; black or white; short or tall – there is very little criteria for lending a hand in some way.

As 84-year-old Butler resident Jean June has shown, not even a wheelchair and declining health needs to stop one from supporting others.

Since 2008, June has served as a volunteer with Concordia Tele-CareGivers, making daily phone calls to older, often homebound individuals to make sure they are responsive and able to answer the phone.

“I would rather be in their homes helping, but I do what I can,” she said. “We have good laughs, and you never know what kind of conversation you’re going to have.”

On average, June makes about five phone calls per day, some lasting 60 seconds and some 15 minutes, depending on the person on the other end of the line. She recalled one woman who was particularly withdrawn – but June eventually broke through.

“I called her for weeks, and each day she would say ‘I don’t feel like talking today,’ and I would tell her ‘that’s fine,’” June said. “Then one day, the woman finally broke the ice, talking about how she was a nurse during World War II. We had a real good talk.”

Another person on her call list, a woman from Jefferson City, was new to the program. Upon receiving a call at 8:30 a.m. on her first day, the woman quickly called Program Coordinator Sandie Ross and demanded that no one calls her before 9 a.m., “not a minute sooner!”

The next day, June hesitantly called the woman at 9:01. Since then, the two have become great friends.

“We’re trying to find a way to meet up, but for now we’re happy just talking on the phone,” June said.

Ironically, before volunteering with seniors, June volunteered as a babysitter in her church in Florida, where she used to live. And she’s certainly had plenty of experience with children: she has three living daughters (one deceased), nine grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

In addition to volunteering, she enjoys seeing family, doing puzzles and learning. And she has absolutely no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

“I don’t feel my age and I’m told I don’t look my age,” she said with a laugh. “If I had it my way, I wouldn’t be watching football on TV; I’d be out there playing.”

Established in 2001, Concordia Tele-CareGivers is operated solely by volunteers who make brief calls from 8 – 10 a.m. Monday thru Friday. Sometimes, the clients end up being the volunteers as well.

To volunteer, the qualifications are to be functioning by 8 a.m., at home until 10 a.m., good on the telephone (particularly with the elderly) and able to recognize a problem and report it appropriately.

For more information or to get involved, call Program Coordinator Sandie Ross at 724.352.6260. Visit the Tele-CareGivers page on the Concordia website.

………….

Concordia is always looking for interested community members to help in a number of areas. Our volunteers perform important and rewarding work, and can choose the duties, location and schedule most fitting to them. No prior experience is needed, just an open heart and the desire to change a life.

Volunteers contribute in many ways, including:
Music or dance talents
Helping with parties/special events/outings
Visiting residents and wheelchair walks
Quilting and sewing various items
Pet Therapy visits
Recycling cans and newspaper
Office help
Delivering mail/papers
Light yardwork
Assisting with chapel services
And much more!

Those interested in volunteering should call one of the locations listed below and ask for volunteer opportunities. For more information on Concordia Lutheran Ministries, visit our website or e-mail us here.

Concordia at Cabot
134 Marwood Road
Cabot, PA 16023
Phone: (724) 352-1571

Concordia at Ridgewood Place
1460 Renton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: (412) 798-1855

Concordia at The Orchard
1312 N. Main Street Extension
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 285-4490

Concordia at Rebecca Residence
3746 Cedar Ridge Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: (724) 444-0600

Good Samaritan Hospice
3500 Brooktree Road, Ste. 320
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 933-8888

Concordia of the South Hills
1300 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Phone: (412) 278-1300

Concordia of Cranberry
10 Adams Ridge Boulevard
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: (724) 779-4300

Concordia of Fox Chapel
931 Route 910
Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: (412) 767-5808

Concordia of Franklin Park
1600 Georgetowne Drive
Sewickley, PA  15143
Phone: (724) 935-1075

Concordia of Wexford
125 Brown Road
Wexford, PA  15090
Phone: (724) 935-1266

April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week. In recognition, each post this month will feature “blurbs” from some of the MANY volunteers who help us carry out our mission of caring every day.  Each person who lends a hand at Concordia Lutheran Ministries deserves our highest praise, and we are so thankful for what they do.

In last week’s post, we featured some volunteers from Cabot Personal Care and Concordia at Ridgewood Place, one of our Personal Care facilities in Plum Borough. If you have any stories to add, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below!

Concordia at Cabot SNF Volunteer Spotlight

Dana McCoy
Depending on an individual’s mindset, volunteering could be looked at as working for free. Concordia volunteer Dana McCoy has taken that idea and ran with it.

After working as Director of Activities for Concordia at Cabot for 22 years, Dana is now leading a weekly devotional group called Manna Moments. Clearly, she didn’t have to look hard to find the volunteer opportunity she was looking for after retiring.

“I was blessed during my years working at Concordia, and I feel just as blessed now volunteering,” Dana said. “I always feel appreciated and many people thank me.”

With so many years at Concordia, Dana could probably fill a book with her stories. One, in particular, moves her every time she thinks about it.

“The best thing was when a resident who is over 100 years old and I sang ‘God Will Take Care of You’ together. But she changed the last word to ‘God will take care of me.’”

Concordia at the Orchard Volunteer Spotlight

Sharon Einstein from SNIPS Hair Design in Butler
There’s a certain feeling that comes with being pampered – a feeling that can take you from gloomy to sky-high in a few minutes flat. Concordia at the Orchard volunteer Sharon Einstein is what you would call a purveyor of that feeling.

For the last year, Sharon has volunteered her skills in cutting, filing and polishing residents’ nails. Social responsibility and a fondness for seniors brought her to Concordia; the look on the faces of those she works with keeps her coming back.

“I feel everyone should try to do something good for someone else on a regular basis,” Sharon said. “One of the best things about volunteering at Concordia is the satisfaction of helping others. I always feel good when I leave here; the ladies are very appreciative.”

Sharon said her favorite memory of volunteering was when she offered a Christmas manicure day for the residents. Her sister (Susan Nagle) and two daughters (Maggie Craig and Emily) came to help, bringing in paraffin wax and massaging the ladies hands along with giving manicures.

“It was a good day for all and very rewarding,” she said.

………….

Concordia is always looking for interested community members to help in a number of areas. Our volunteers perform important and rewarding work, and can choose the duties, location and schedule most fitting to them. No prior experience is needed, just an open heart and the desire to change a life.

Volunteers contribute in many ways, including:
Music or dance talents
Helping with parties/special events/outings
Visiting residents and wheelchair walks
Quilting and sewing various items
Pet Therapy visits
Recycling cans and newspaper
Office help
Delivering mail/papers
Light yardwork
Assisting with chapel services
And much more!

Those interested in volunteering should call one of the locations listed below and ask for volunteer opportunities. For more information on Concordia Lutheran Ministries, visit our website or e-mail us here.

Concordia at Cabot
134 Marwood Road
Cabot, PA 16023
Phone: (724) 352-1571

Concordia at Ridgewood Place
1460 Renton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: (412) 798-1855

Concordia at The Orchard
1312 N. Main Street Extension
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 285-4490

Concordia at Rebecca Residence
3746 Cedar Ridge Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: (724) 444-0600

Good Samaritan Hospice
3500 Brooktree Road, Ste. 320
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 933-8888

Concordia of the South Hills
1300 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Phone: (412) 278-1300

Concordia of Cranberry
10 Adams Ridge Boulevard
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: (724) 779-4300

Concordia of Fox Chapel
931 Route 910
Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: (412) 767-5808

Concordia of Franklin Park
1600 Georgetowne Drive
Sewickley, PA  15143
Phone: (724) 935-1075

Concordia of Wexford
125 Brown Road
Wexford, PA  15090
Phone: (724) 935-1266

April 15-21 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. In recognition, each post this month will feature “blurbs” from some of the MANY volunteers who help us carry out our mission of caring every day.  Each person who lends a hand at Concordia deserves our highest praise, and we are so thankful for each person.

If you have any stories to add, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below!

Lund Care Center Personal Care resident volunteers

Evelyn P.
What she does: Folds towels, delivers newspapers and helps coordinate weekly Happy Hour
On volunteering: “I enjoy helping others and staying busy. Volunteering gives me a feeling of accomplishment.”

Annabelle M.
What she does: Counts Bingo chips, prepares schedules and menus and cuts out/delivers coupons
On volunteering: “I see that the girls need help from time to time, so I try my best to help. Volunteering becomes a habit and is a big part of my life.

Helen M.
What she does: Folds laundry, helps with Bingo and prepares schedules and menus
On volunteering: “I like to help others and keep my mind busy. My mom always said ‘it’s better to wear out than to rust out.’”

Concordia at Ridgewood Place Volunteers

Sandy Schmerbeck of Plum Borough
What she does: Helps with bingo three days a week and teaches pencil art and watercolor once a month.
On volunteering: “My parents were residents at Ridgewood and I decided after their passing to continue helping. I enjoy being around the caring staff and spending time with the residents.”

Judy Gratz of Plum Borough
What she does: Calls bingo and visits residents
On volunteering: “The residents are so sweet, funny and grateful for anything we do for them. One lady invited me to her room to look at her wedding photos and share stories, advice and jokes. She’s become like a second mom to me.”

Gerry Williams and Elaine Abel of Murrysville
What they do: Assist with the weekly worship service at the facility
On volunteering: “The residents and staff are always friendly and welcoming. We love chatting with the residents and getting to know them.” Both are members at Calvary Lutheran Church in Murrysville.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries has been serving seniors for 130 years. Our activity departments at every level pride themselves on giving those in our care many opportunities for interactions with friends and family.

For more information on what kind of activities we offer at each of our locations and levels of care, visit our website, call us at 724.352.1571 or e-mail here.

Did you know today is American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day®? According to ADA’s website, 79 million Americans are pre-diabetic – that’s one in three adults. What’s more, individuals 65 and over are at an even greater risk for having developing diabetes.

This one-day “wake-up call” asks the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to answer eight simple questions to determine if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. So you can do two things today to help yourself: 1) Take the Diabetes Risk Test by clicking here and 2) take a look at the 10 diabetes super foods, as compiled by Concordia Dietetic Technician Ruth Douthett.

All of these super foods have a low glycemic index and provide key nutrients that are lacking in the typical western diet. Getting nutrients from your food is essential in controlling diabetes. Have anything else to add? Leave a comment at the end of the post!

Beans: You cannot find better nutrition than what is provided by beans. They are high in fiber and are sources of magnesium and potassium. They are considered a starchy vegetable, but ½ cup provides as much protein as an ounce of meat without the saturated fat.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, collards, kale – All are low in calories and carbohydrates, so you can never eat too many!

Citrus Fruit: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes – These provide your daily dose of soluble fiber and vitamin C.

Sweet Potatoes: Packed full of vitamin A and fiber, you can eat these in place of white potatoes for a lower glycemic alternative.

Berries: Blueberries, strawberries or any kind – All are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Try mixing with non-fat yogurt for a great dessert.

Tomatoes: Rich in nutrients like vitamin C, iron and vitamin E.

Fish High In Omega 3 Fatty Acids: The best fish to eat – Salmon! Stay away from breaded and deep fried fish that can be high in saturated fat and salt.

Whole Grains: Look for the words “whole grain” and check the fiber content – look for 3 or more grams of fiber per slice. Fiber helps make you feel full and can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Nuts: An ounce of nuts, rich in magnesium and fiber, can help with hunger management. Walnuts give a healthy dose of omega fatty acids. Just watch your portion sizes, as nuts also contain a lot of calories.

Fat Free Milk And Yogurt: Great sources of protein, calcium and vitamin D.

Remember, eating to much of even healthful foods can lead to weight gain, so watch portion sizes.

For some seniors, establishing and maintaining a regular, nutritious diet is one reason for considering a move to a retirement or personal care community. Concordia offers free, personalized tours of all its communities for individuals wishing to learn more. To schedule a tour or receive more information, call Concordia’s headquarters (Concordia at Cabot) at 724.352.1571 or e-mail here.

Happy first day of spring! In celebration of the changing season, below is a story that originally ran in Faith in Caring magazine last year. Concordia Lutheran Ministries has many resident gardeners who look forward to this time of year, and this story looks at just a few of them. Enjoy – feel free to comment below!

Spring is a time of new beginnings, and there isn’t a better metaphor for that than the emergence of buds on the tree limbs and flowers “springing” from the earth.

Gardening is a special hobby for many people. Unlike collecting coins or listening to jazz, it’s a pastime that requires patience, know-how and more than a little bit of divine intervention. It’s also a fantastic hobby if you’re looking for an activity that… ahem… bears fruit.

And do you think it’s a coincidence that God’s original creation of earth was a garden?

Concordia Lutheran Ministries has its fair share of independent living residents who proudly display their green thumbs this time of year.

A tangible, therapeutic hobby

Many Italians lay claim to having some of the finest cuisine in the world. Most of those recipes start with one thing: fresh herbs. Just ask Angelo Amato, an independent living resident at Concordia of the South Hills (CSH) who uses his fresh-grown spices regularly in his cooking.

Born in Italy, Angelo came to the U.S. in 1962 when he was relocated through his job. A skilled chemical engineer, his work took him all over the country. He and his wife Cristina (who passed away in 2008) came to CSH in 2002.

Angelo, due in part to the mechanical nature of his job, has always found solace in the autonomy of gardening since moving to this country.

“It’s a great outlet,” Angelo said in his thick Italian accent. “There’s something therapeutic about the open air and how you can see your success. It’s tangible.”

He’s not alone in his passion for planting at CSH either. At any given time during the growing season, he can be found with five or six others who help care for the four 36-square-feet garden boxes outside the building.

Among the variety of plants – which include tomatoes, lettuce, basil and parsley – Angelo is particularly proud of the eggplant the group yields each year. Eggplant, he said, is difficult in that it needs lots of water, the right soil, distance between the seeds and most importantly, a new location from year to year.

While he doesn’t have any secret tricks to help stimulate growth, he said it’s clear that the amount of carbon dioxide he and his gardening friends provide the plants is helping.

“We don’t talk to the plants like some do,” Angelo said with a chuckle, “but we talk among the plants… and we talk a lot.”

Staying active and involved

The generation who grew up during the Great Depression learned lessons that are again serving people well in our current economy – thriftiness, good stewardship and resourcefulness.

For Haven II resident Pete Yacko, that era also taught him the importance of gardening.

“We maintained a garden to supplement our needs back then,” he said. “I guess I just learned to enjoy it and kept on after we didn’t really have to.”

Today, planting and maintaining a garden is automatic for Pete, who moved to Concordia in 2008. Part of what he enjoys is getting outside, enjoying the fresh air and receiving a return on his work. The other part is the opportunity to stay involved.

A retired Christian Missionary Alliance builder, Pete takes every chance he can to deter idle hands.

“Gardening is one of the best hobbies for staying active,” he said. “(The garden) takes constant care, time from your daily schedule… it’s great to be in a place that encourages it.”

The plants Pete helps maintain include beans, tomatoes, raspberries, leaf lettuce, green onions and potatoes – he grew close to 500 lbs. last year.

“My back gives me a little trouble and I can’t do quite as much (gardening) as I used to, but I love it. I only wish I would have moved here 10 years ago.”

New growth, new friends

When Alberta “Bert” Vrboncic and her husband Bill moved to Haven I in March 2010, one of the first things to strike them was the beauty of the outdoor surroundings. A gardener for her entire life, Bert saw possibilities right away.

That first year, Bert and a group of other Haven I residents had an extremely plentiful garden. In addition to the flowers the group planted to beautify the building, they grew and gave away green beans, peas, carrots, herbs and corn to other residents.

Getting such a bountiful crop was a thrill, but the real treat for Bert was making a few new friends.

“Since I was new to the building last year, gardening was a great way to make contact with people I didn’t know,” she said.

In addition to gardening, Bert has met others through some of her other hobbies: playing cards, cooking and baking.

……………..

For many people, one reason for considering a move to a retirement community is to have the time and energy to do the activities they didn’t have time to do while maintaining a house. For more information on the worry-free retirement living options at Concordia (South Hills or Cabot), visit www.concordialm.org/retirement.html.

One of the jobs with the most direct contact with patients and residents at Concordia are Nurse Aides and Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs). The job description of a CNA includes transporting patients, reporting changes in behavior, assisting with meals, cleaning and much more, but it can be summed up in one word: caring.

Below are seven of the top traits of the CNAs who work at Concordia, but the ideas are universal. Have any more? Leave them in the comments section!

Respectful – Most of your patients are at an advanced age and have a lifetime of experience, and they deserve our respect and appreciation. Treating people with dignity and respect goes a long way.

Patient – Everyone is at different levels, in terms of how well they get around, communicate, process information, etc. Patience is a virtue, especially in health care.

Dependable – Unlike some industries, the need for health services doesn’t take holidays or weekends off. How dependable you are directly affects the health and well-being of someone’s parent or grandparent in this job.

Friendly – We’ve all dealt with an unfriendly person or two in our lives – who would want an unfriendly person helping them each day? A smile and a few kind words are easy ways to help make your patients’ day a little brighter.

Empathetic – This is the ability to put yourself in other peoples’ shoes, and it’s essential to care giving. Maybe you haven’t been in the same exact situation as your patients, but it’s important to understand where they’re coming from in order to improve their situation.

Efficient – As a CNA, you’ll have a good number of patients with many unique needs. It’s important to stay organized to be the most effective care giver possible.

Motivated – Caring for others is more than a job, it’s a passion. The reality is people are relying on you to make their or their loved ones’ lives better, and that’s a responsibility that requires motivation.

Charlene Kish is the Vice President of Skilled Nursing and Rehab at Concordia. Her many years in senior care have taught her that caring is the heart of care giving.

“The most important trait is having a caring and compassionate heart,” she said. “In addition, I look for someone who is passionate about providing quality care, who will take care of a patient like he or she would want his or her relative cared for.”

With over 130 years of service, Concordia Lutheran Ministries has a long history of helping seniors and their families. And as one of the most comprehensive providers in the country, we’re able to find the right fit from a care and cost perspective.

Concordia is one of only a few CARF-CCAC accredited Aging Services Networks in the world and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. Serving over 20,000 people in the western PA region annually, Concordia offers a lifetime continuum of care that includes adult day services, home care, hospice, medical and rehabilitation services, memory support, personal care, respite care, retirement living, skilled nursing, and medical equipment capabilities.

E-mail us here or call us today at 724.352.1571 if you have any questions about our services and whether or not we can assist you and your loved ones.