VILLAGE LIFEVOL. 4, NO. 5 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

Whether riding on a Jet Ski for the first time or welcoming a return to the water, Brooke

Grove Foundation (BGF) residents participating in the 24th Annual Jet Ski Picnic embraced the occasion with enthusiasm. The much-anticipated event was hosted by Williamsport Retirement Village (WRV) on Dam 4 on the Potomac River in Sharpsburg, Maryland, on August 6.

Sporting vibrant blue, customized T-shirts, nursing home, assisted living and independent living residents from WRV and Brooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) gathered at the river’s edge ready for action. Some seniors opted for a leisurely, scenic trip in a pontoon boat, while others were eager to take on more of a challenge with a jet ski ride. A multitude of BGF employee team members were on hand to ensure that residents were safely carried to and from the watercraft and into the care of experienced drivers. An exhilarating spin down the river brought a sense of freedom and joy to participants.

“It’s very liberating and makes me feel young again,” said Sally Fost, 90, in a Herald-Mail article by reporter Valerie Bonk. “They took me down a good ways. I’m fond of the river anyway; it’s just calm and peaceful,” added Josephine (“Mamabear”) Benton, 93, who spent more than 20 years as WRV’s chaplain before becoming an assisted living resident.

As BGF Regional Administrator Tim Berry explained in the same article, the yearly event offers the seniors “an opportunity to choose how they’re going to spend their day … to get out, have some fun, and get lost a little bit in the day” while also creating new memories.

Brooke Grove Foundation Residents Gather at the Potomac for Annual Jet Ski Adventure

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: WESLEY MALIN JOINS LEADERSHIP TEAM 3

FITNESS CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS 5

EDWIN GIBB’S LIFE OF SERVICE 6

BEACON SCHOLARSHIPS 7

BGRV independent living resident Marcia Haller begins her cruise down the Potomac with driver Allen Hurley.

The Meadows assisted living resident Paul Riley enjoys a pontoon boat ride with his sister, independent living resident JoAnne Barron.

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Brooke Grove Retirement Village is a division of Brooke Grove Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing quality care for seniors since 1950. Village LIFE is a bimonthly publication of Brooke Grove Retirement Village.

Board Chair, Thomas Wetmore President, Dennis Hunter Medical Director, Ted Howe, M.D. Managing Editor, Lynelle Smith Layout/Design, Thomas Zgorski

Brooke Grove Retirement Village includes: • The Cottages Independent Living • The Meadows and The Woods Assisted Living • Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Other divisions of Brooke Grove Foundation: • Williamsport Retirement Village • Rest Assured Living Center

Brooke Grove Retirement Village does not discriminate in admissions, employment, contracting with consultants or acceptance of volunteers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation or national origin.

For nearly 70 years, Brooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) has sought to make a difference in the lives of seniors by offering a caring

and homelike environment while also maximizing personal freedom. Often a pioneer, BGRV has repeatedly devised innovative solutions to enhance quality of life and continually searches for ways to reach out to our surrounding community.

We hope that you’ll visit our campus on October 22 for our Simply Different Assisted Living Open House. Our Living Well and Caregiver

Connection seminar series, Thriving with Parkinson’s offerings, and Healthy Living classes provide chances for you to learn more about living a vibrant life.

In this newsletter, you’ll read about our support of the Alzheimer’s Association and the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. We consider it a privilege to support this worthy organization. As a long-time provider of memory support and Alzheimer’s care, this cause is dear to our heart.

We are eager to serve not just our residents, but their families, our staff and our community. It is our hope that our programming will benefit you as we strive to “touch people’s lives” in tangible ways.

Message from the Village From the desk of Toni Davis, director of marketing

In the Swing with the Olney Big Band The after-

noon of June 29 was just plain fun for Brooke Grove Retirement Village residents, staff and guests attending an Olney Big Band Concert held on the lawn at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center! From Glen Miller classics like “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” complete with the ringing telephone, to the “New York, New York” grand finale that had some residents doing a seated kick line from their seats on the front row, the band and its top-notch vocalists kept the crowd cheering.

A team of enthusiastic volunteers helped the staff find everyone seats in the shade – under tents and shade trees or on the large porch

overlooking the courtyard – and helped keep everyone cool and happy with cold drinks and ice cream treats.

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Nothing says “home” like the greeting of a beloved pet, the aroma of baking brownies,

the laughter of children and the many other comforting touches found in Brooke Grove’s assisted living homes. Prospective residents and their loved ones are invited to learn more during a Simply Different Assisted Living Open House to be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, at The Meadows.

Open House participants will meet our exceptional caregiving team, explore our residential-style homes and discover our innovative approach and programs, including those specifically designed to stimulate memory. With easy access to secure courtyards and gardens, residents move freely inside and out – visiting neighborhood homes, strolling winding paths, savoring the peaceful wooded setting and enjoying a maximum level of independence.

Admissions coordinators will be on hand to answer questions and schedule additional one-on-one meetings and tours, if requested. To attend the Open House, please RSVP to Director of Marketing Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by October 20.

Assisted Living to Host October 22 Open House

Brooke Grove Foundation (BGF) welcomed Wesley Malin as director of corporate

support services on July 2. A licensed nursing home administrator, Mr. Malin joins BGF from Meridian Senior Living – Hillhaven in Adelphi, Maryland, where he was executive director.

Mr. Malin previously served in a variety of staff and leadership positions with Hillhaven Healthcare Management, beginning in 1980 and including chief operating officer from 2001 until Meridian’s acquisition of Hillhaven in 2018. A top-rated assisted living and nursing home/rehab facility, Hillhaven was operated by the Malin family for more than 40 years.

Mr. Malin has served on the board of trustees for industry organizations such as LifeSpan

Network and the Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM) as well as on a variety of advisory committees and work groups for the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality. He is the 2006 recipient of HFAM’s President’s Award and LifeSpan’s 2018 Mayer Handelman Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science in long-term health care administration from Southern College.

“Wes’s depth of experience and comprehensive knowledge of the industry will be invaluable to Brooke Grove,” said BGF President Dennis Hunter. “We are pleased to welcome him to our team.”

Wesley Malin Named BGF’s Director of Corporate Support Services

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Team Brooke Grove is off to a great start with 58 employees, residents, family members,

volunteers and community friends registered for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® during a Kickoff Party held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC) on July 31!

Led by Team Captain Taylor Griffin, admissions coordinator, team members plan to participate in the Walk on the National Mall on October 12 and/or to raise money to support the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area. The team’s goal is $25,000.

In addition to personal fundraising and a Raffle to End Alzheimer’s, this year’s fundraising efforts include a Silent Auction for a beautiful quilt, expertly created and generously donated by Sue Moats. The quilt, which features a variety of colorful Brooke Grove Retirement Village team T-shirts from past years, is on display near the BGRNC reception desk, where participants may place their bid.

Raffle prizes include a $750 Mastercard gift

Why Do We Walk? To Improve the Lives of Millions with Alzheimer’s!

card, an Insignia 55-inch LED television valued at $330, and a $250 Amazon gift card. Tickets are available for purchase at the reception desks of BGRNC and The Meadows 1641 and from Lynelle Smith in the corporate office. The drawing will be held at 12 noon in the great room of BGRNC’s rehab center, and Silent Auction bidding for the quilt will also conclude at that time.

To join Team Brooke Grove, sign up online at http://act.alz.org/goto/BrookeGrove or call Ms. Griffin at 301-260-2320.

Quilt designer and donor Sue Moats presents the one-of-a-kind quilt now available for Silent Auction bidding.

August 13 found residents from across campus exploring the Montgomery

County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland. As the largest county fair in the state, the event offered many intriguing attractions, including an Old Timer’s show, farm animal exhibits, a midway and prize-winning home crafts, fruit and vegetable displays.

Good food and great music added to the fun as residents and staff strolled through the fairgrounds. A highlight was viewing the cake/cupcake decorating competition entries submitted by Rhonda Cohen, a dietitian at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC). She wowed the judges and won two Grand Champion awards, six blue ribbons and three second place ribbons!

Senior Day at the Fair

BGRNC Resident Helen Morris and her son visit the livestock exhibits.

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Nineteen residents successfully reached individualized goals to complete

independent living’s recent Six-Week Fitness Challenge! Each participant’s plan included fitness classes and walking club involvement as recommended by Terrie Daniels, Brooke Grove’s senior fitness and wellness specialist.

After collecting prize incentives along the way, those who achieved their wellness objectives enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Comus Inn and a scenic drive to the overlook on Sugarloaf Mountain. “I’m thrilled that so many residents reached their goals during this year’s challenge,” said Ms. Daniels. “I was inspired throughout

Fitness Challenge Champions

Fitness Challenge Champions celebrate on Sugarloaf's summit.

Colorful scarves, fashioned and donated by resident JoAnne Barron, were a sale favorite.

the program by the dedication they showed in meeting those goals.”

This year’s Summer Concert Series, hosted by the independent living community, once

again brought some of the finest local musicians to Brooke Grove Retirement Village residents, family members, staff and volunteers.

Held at Westbrooke Clubhouse on select Monday evenings throughout the season, the series offered guests the opportunity to soak in a variety of musical styles while relaxing on the patio with friends and neighbors. Performers included the Starvation Army Band; Brazilian classical guitarist Richard Miller; Gina DeSimone & the Moaners, an all-female band; a trio of musicians from

Summer Concert Series

Guitarist Richard Miller

Bob Perilla’s Big Hillbilly Bluegrass; and guitarist/vocalist Sandra Dean.

ILRA Yard Sale Benefits Alzheimer’s Association

A recent Yard and Bake Sale, organized and hosted by the Independent Living

Resident Association (ILRA), raised nearly $2,000 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area through Brooke Grove Retirement Village’s 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Campaign. Held in the Gathering Room at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the sale offered bargains on artwork, electronics and household goods as well as delicious, homemade taste treats.

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Classic Car Show Takes Riders on Trip to Yesteryear

Brooke Grove Retirement Village’s Flag Day Car Show was the largest yet, with car

lovers of all ages converging from across campus to check out more than 20 antique and classic automobiles assembled outside Westbrooke Clubhouse. Live music by the Swing Time Big Band, Rita’s Italian Ice and a variety of other refreshments added an air of celebration to the festivities.

The Mid-Atlantic Region Plymouth Owners Club participated in this year’s show in memory of former independent living (IL) resident Hank Clough, who belonged to that club. “A number of Club members attended and enjoyed seeing Hank’s photo on the program and reminiscing about their friendship with him,” remarked IL LIFE Enrichment and Community Coordinator Susan Phillips, who organized the show.

For the first time, guests were invited to vote

When 99-year-old Edwin Gibb took the podium to deliver a sermon to the

Columbia Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Missouri on August 10, it wasn’t for the first time. In fact, the resident of The Meadows assisted living began his ministry in that church as a singing evangelist 77 years earlier! His topic? “The Bible: The Jesus Book.”

After pastoring in Missouri, Elder Gibb spent 19 years in the mission fields of Singapore and the Philippines before becoming an officer of the General Conference of SDAs, the church’s world headquarters, from which he eventually retired as undersecretary. Accompanied by his son, retired Brooke Grove Foundation President Keith Gibb, Elder Gibb’s recent trip to Missouri provided an opportunity to return to his roots, visit family and reunite with old friends.

Elder Gibb continues to share his faith by offering a weekly Bible study for interested

Edwin Gibb’s Life of Servicehousemates at The Meadows. The group began their study more than a year ago, initially concentrating on the first five books of the Bible – scripture that provides common ground for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Elder Edwin Gibb speaks to the Columbia SDA Church congregation.

for their favorites vehicles. When the ballots were tallied, the winners were:

• Best Car in Show: Lyn Hudson’s 1962 Chevy Impala SS • Best Car Older than 1950: Phil Province’s 1938 Plymouth Business Coupe • Best Car Younger than 1950: Harvey Rapp’s 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Convertible

The Meadows assisted living resident Grace ("Jeff") Berry poses with a Ford Model A Tudor Sedan.

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Who can resist a Caribbean Social? Residents and guests could practically

feel the tropical breezes as they gathered under the pergola in Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center’s courtyard on June 21. The sights and sounds of the islands surrounded the group as they enjoyed good company, tapped their toes to the sounds of steel drums and Caribbean music, and savored virgin daiquiris and margaritas.

Welcome to the Islands

Admissions Coordinator Melissa Johnson assumed the role of interim assistant

administrator of Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC) on July 8. She will hold the position until her predecessor, Matthew Wetmore, completes Maryland’s long-term care administrator-in-training (AIT) program and returns as BGRNC’s assistant administrator next spring. At that time, Ms. Johnson will begin her own AIT program with BGRNC Administrator Rene Gomez as her preceptor.

Ms. Johnson joined BGRNC as administrative coordinator in 2017, before transferring to the

Caregivers Awarded Beacon Scholarships

Brooke Grove Retirement Village admissions department last year. She previously served as a development assistant at the Trust for the National Mall.

Ms. Johnson holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Towson University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Stevenson University, where she is majoring in healthcare management with a concentration in quality management and patient safety. Graduation is slated for June 2020.

Adjoah Darkwah, Anne-Estelle Ngue, Pauline Orock and Emerson Sandy are the

proud recipients of $750 educational grants from The Beacon Institute’s 2019 Caregiver Scholarship Program. Each of the four Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC) geriatric nursing assistants were nominated for their dedicated service and commitment to furthering their education by obtaining a nursing degree.

With a mission to support caregivers who provide quality of life for seniors, The Beacon Institute is the educational affiliate of the LifeSpan Network – the largest senior care provider association in the Mid-Atlantic. The

Caregiver Scholarship Program is sponsored by Morgan-Keller Construction.

BGRNC resident Josephine Santisi (seated) revels in the company of loved ones at the Caribbean Social.

BGRNC Director of Nursing Sally Kweti, RN (far left) and Administrator Rene Gomez (far right) join LifeSpan president Kevin Heffner (back center) in presenting scholarship certificates to (l to r) Emerson Sandy, Anne-Estelle Ngue, Adjoah Darkwah and Pauline Orock.

BGRNC Welcomes Interim Assistant Administrator Melissa Johnson

UPCOMING EVENTS

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bgf.org

Annual Jet Ski

Adventure

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“Nine to Ninety” Caregiver Connection Seminar Tuesday, October 15, 2-3 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Free. To register, contact Toni Davis, 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org, by October 13.

“How to Improve Your Health by Strengthening Your Core” Living Well Seminar Wednesday, October 16, 1-2:15 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Free. Preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. To register, contact Toni Davis, 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org, by October 14.

Assisted Living Open House Tuesday, October 22, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Meadows Assisted Living 1635 Hickory Knoll Road For information or to RSVP, contact Toni Davis, 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org, by October 20.

Inova Blood Drive Thursday, October 24, 2:30-7 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome. To schedule, visit inovabloodsaves.org (sponsor code 7313) or contact Norma Heim, 301-570-7081 or volunteers@bgf.org.

“Chair Yoga” Healthy Living Class Mondays and Wednesdays November 4-December 16, 9:45-10:30 a.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center $30 for six-week session. To register, contactToni Davis, 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org, by November 1.

“Community Resources Toolkit” Caregiver Connection Seminar Tuesday, November 12, 2-3 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Free. To register, contact Toni Davis, 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org, by November 10.