Month: June 2018

Our 2018 Speakers Series kicks off with special guest speaker Dr. Erin E. Stevens from MGH!

As part of our 70^th Anniversary celebrations, Sancta Maria Nursing Facility kicked off its 2018 Speaker Series on Tuesday, June 5^th by having as our special guest, Dr. Erin E. Stevens, a Geriatric and Palliative Care Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Stevens, in her presentation entitled “‘I’m Having Trouble Remembering,’ the Difference Between Normal Aging and Dementia,” touched upon many of the warning signs that accompany dementia in older adults and gave suggestions on how to try to combat these diseases as well as where to seek professional support. Susan Rowlett, the program director for Dementia and Caregiver Support at MGH accompanied Dr. Stevens and was able to give additional insightful answers to questions raised by guests following the presentation.

We were honored to have these two esteemed professionals from MGH present as part of their Speaker Series, which continues in September with a presentation about Palliative Care. Sign up here.

The event was free and open to the public and guests enjoyed a wine and cheese reception along with Dr. Steven’s presentation. We were happy to have guests from many different backgrounds including medical professionals and caregivers, as well as local individuals that just wanted to be more informed about the aging process. We were also delighted to have as our special guest, Mother Superior, Sr. Mary Jennifer, who came up from Connecticut for the event.

Celebrating 10 years with Cotting School

Sancta Maria is so pleased to be a part of Project Bridges with Cotting School of Lexington, MA and has just celebrated 10 years of this beautiful partnership with the school whose mission it is to enable its students with special needs to achieve their highest learning potential and level of independence.

Ten years ago, Sancta Maria agreed to be a work site for some of Cotting’s students, providing an opportunity and an environment for some of the students to come and work part-time, learning valuable job and social skills.

On the flip side, Sancta Maria has truly benefitted from this relationship over the years, as we and our Residents have been blessed by the help and friendship of these many lovely and talented individuals.

The students have held positions in our kitchen, helping with meal preparation and such. Daniel and Andrew, pictured above, have been working there this past year and were proud to present Sancta Maria with a plaque commemorating ten years of this special relationship and bond.

National Nursing Home Week: 13-19 May

Mother’s Day started our National Nursing Home week on Sunday, May 13^th, but we made sure to continue the celebration with our Staff and Residents all week long. It was a wonderful way to say “Thank You” to our great staff and celebrate with our many Residents. Doughnuts and coffee were provided all day on Monday, musicians entertained throughout the week, games were played, and prizes were handed out.

On Thursday, all staff were encouraged to take a break and sit down to a delicious lunch served up by the Administrative Staff. It was just one more way we could show our gratitude to the many employees that help Sancta Maria make a difference in the lives of the many Elderly in our care. We could not do it without them.

And since we are celebrating our 70^th and 50^th anniversaries this year, each employee was given a T-shirt which commemorates this special occasion!

Mother’s Day – Honoring the Women Who Have Loved with Motherly Love

This year, May 13^th was Mother’s Day and the start of National Nursing Home Week, so we at Sancta Maria made sure to get the whole celebration started off right.

On Mother’s Day we honored our Residents, especially the ladies, by treating them to a sumptuous brunch here at the Home, prepared by the loving hands of our kitchen crew. Ham, quiche, fresh fruit and hash browns was just some of the cuisine enjoyed as many of the children and grandchildren of our Residents came to join and honor their mothers and grandmothers on this special day.

Flowers that had been graciously donated by Trader Joes adorned the dining rooms and were distributed afterwards to the many “mothers” of our home – which of course includes the many ladies and Religious Sisters that have loved with motherly love throughout their lives.

Later in the week, as a continuation of Mother’s Day and as part of our National Nursing Home Week celebrations, our Activities Department hosted a “Mother’s Day Tea” for our Residents complete with donated teas and pastries from Starbucks and Iggy’s Breads. Ed Palladino, a local entertainer who sings and plays accordion, entertained the Residents as they sipped their flavored teas.

A Helping Hand from Liberty Mutual

Early this May, hundreds of employees from Liberty Mutual offices throughout New England took part in “Serve with Liberty,” the company’s service-centered program that allows its employees to take a day off of work in order to serve in their community.

Sancta Maria was happy to host nine Liberty Mutual employees over the course of two days, who came ready and willing to help out in any way they could.

The employees were put to task with what we hoped would be interesting and engaging projects and included helping Katie, our Activity Director get organized, painting a Wellness Room, and planting donated flowers on our grounds for the Residents to enjoy when they visit the outside picnic area.

Sancta Maria was grateful for this help in making the Facility that much nicer for our Residents and commends Liberty Mutual for allowing and supporting their employees to become involved in non-profits within their communities.