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Commenting With Courage
In the last newsletter, I wrote about “What’s in a Name,” explaining how our new name and branding better define our Organization’s mission to enrich lives through service. Our Organization takes our faith-based principles very seriously in how we conduct business with each and every person, whether Resident, employee, family member or other customer. It is paramount to our Organization that all individuals be treated with fairness and respect.
I want to thank the many who wrote positive responses and encouragement regarding the direction of Bethesda Senior Living Communities. You offered some good ideas and some needed criticisms. I always appreciate feedback, whether positive or negative, especially when the person offering the feedback has the courage to identify themselves. It gives credibility to the concerns and more importantly, it provides an opportunity for us to personally address the issue with the appropriate individual. From time-to-time, however, I receive anonymous letters that have complaints, but the individual has not signed or in any way identified themselves. It is understandable that sometimes it might appear that an unfair decision was made, but please realize that there is usually more to a situation than what meets the eye. This is why it is so important to know who to contact so we may discuss your concern or complaint. It is our goal to provide personal attention to your concerns so that together we can address and resolve the issue in a timely manner.
We always welcome your comments, both positive and negative. But please comment with courage, and remember to add credibility to your comments by identifying yourself so we can promptly reply. We thank you for your support and please know that Bethesda Senior Living Communities will do whatever it takes to care for and enrich the lives of our Residents.
Larry W. Smith, President
Bethesda Senior Living Communities
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A Mission of Mercy For Abandoned Babies in Kenya
Zawadi Lizzette
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It’s hard to imagine anyone abandoning a child – let alone a newborn baby – but extreme poverty leads to new levels of desperation.
The New Life Home in Nairobi, Kenya, was created several years ago when missionaries Clive and Mary Beckenham found a tiny infant on a trash heap. Determined to respond to this need, the home has since rescued over 1,000 babies.
Babies like Zawadi, who was discovered next to a stream by a Good Samaritan. Or Gabriel, whose mother left him in a local church building. Or Daphine, who was abandoned at a public hospital.
These babies are utterly defenseless, forsaken, unloved... until the arms of the staff at New Life Home enfold them. There they find shelter, nutrition, medical care, and the most potent treatment of all: love.
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Daphine
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Mission of Mercy has partnered with the New Life Home because each of these babies matters. New Life Home doesn’t just rescue these babies – they change their lives forever.
Zawadi likes to cuddle and is learning to lie on her stomach for a few moments. Gabriel is grabbing toys and responding to smiles. And sweet little Daphine recently celebrated her first birthday and is starting to talk.
In this critical phase of a child’s life, the staff at New Life Home is there. Many of these babies are later adopted by loving families from Kenya and abroad, a testament to the power of this vital ministry.
For more information on Mission of Mercy’s work with the New Life Home, please go to: www.missionofmercy.org/NLH.
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Summertime Safety Tips
Summer brings all people, including seniors, outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities with family and friends. Senior citizens are more susceptible to the effects of heat as their bodies return to normal more slowly and their bodies’ cooling mechanism is not as efficient as in younger people. Hence, seniors should be aware of the health problems related to summer heat and know the preventive and safety steps they should take to avoid these problems. The U.S. Center for Disease Control estimates that every year 300 people in the United States die from heat related ailments and thousands of citizens suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Here are some important summer safety tips for seniors:
- Remember, the faster you move the faster your body gets heated up, so seniors should take it slow in the summer, especially when it is very hot. All outdoor activities should be planned in the early morning when it’s cooler and as much as possible, use shaded areas under trees or covered areas.
- Proper ventilation is essential so that the temperature and humidity do not become too high. When it’s too hot outdoors, seniors are wise to stay indoors in places where there are fans or air conditioning, and possibly opening windows when cool breezes are blowing.
- Since dehydration accelerates during the summer months, everyone should take extra fluids during the summer months to compensate for dehydration. Plain drinking water or sports drinks are best for hydration.
- Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages as much as possible as they accelerate dehydration.
- Some medications cause loss of fluid and electrolytes from the body as side effects and can prove dangerous. Various diuretics, antibiotics and other medications can slow down the body’s natural capacity to control body temperature. Seniors should always check with their physicians and pharmacists to find out if the medications prescribed have any such effects.
- Seniors on low carbohydrate diets should be careful to take a lot of fluids as the extra protein in their diet can cause the body to heat up quickly.
- Plan ahead for outings by wearing light colored, loose fitting, cool clothing (preferably cotton) and use head coverings like hats or caps. Seniors’ skin is very sensitive, so use of a high SPF sun block (30+) and avoiding direct sun exposure as much as possible is a good idea.
These summer safety tips for seniors can help prevent most heat related heath problems.
Article taken in part from the Citizen Reporter
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In Celebration of National Grandparents Day
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Left: Marilyn Borcherding with her great-grandson; Right: Joyce Migliaccio with her grandson at the County Fair
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The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of the lonely and elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
Grandparents Day this year is September 12, 2010, and we honor and cherish our Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. Bless you one and all!
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Left: Mary Florez with her granddaughter and great-grandson; Top: Gladys Coykendall with her daughter, great-granddaughter, great-grandson and granddaughter. Four generations!; Bottom: Ellen Renna with her daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughter
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COPYRIGHT © 2005 Bethesda Adult Communities
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July 1st
2nd Annual
Fourth of July Celebration
Featuring Larry Koncil
on the Accordion
at 2:00 p.m. and a
whole day of special
events and food
2nd Saturday Each Month
Shirley Johnson
Gospel, Contemporary,
and Country Vocalist
August 13th
7:00 p.m.
Roe Family Band
Annual Show
August 27th
2:00 p.m.
Country Jammers
3rd Saturday Each Month
10:30 a.m.
Pet Therapy
September 23rd
2:00 p.m.
The Musical Notes
Sax - Drum - Piano
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