In honor of International Nurses Day, Karen Foreman, Director of Nursing at Sprenger Healthcare’ Anchor Lodge Retirement Village in Lorain, has been chosen to throw the first pitch at the Lake Erie Crushers home opener.
“With a broad knowledge base in every department of the skilled nursing facility field, Karen is truly able to exceed expectations as a leader, supervisor and Director of Nursing,” said Janelle Shaw, Administrator at Anchor Lodge Retirement Village.
In recognition of Foreman’s dedication to being an outstanding nurse and role model, she was nominated and chosen by her peers to throw out the first pitch of the season.
“Karen has been very kind in guiding me when I moved into my new role as the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON). She has provided great deal of knowledge that I have used daily,” said DeeDee Kozusko, ADON at Anchor Lodge Retirement Village. “Karen provides space for you to grow and listens when you need to talk things out. She has become a mentor who I truly value.”
Foreman joined Sprenger Healthcare in 2000. Her knowledge, leadership and commitment to patient care led to her promotion as the Director of Nursing and continues to drive the 17 years of success she’s had with the company.
Outside of work, Foreman shares her passion for the well-being of others through her ongoing dedication to the American Cancer Society.
The Lake Erie Crushers’ home opener is Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:05 p.m. against the Joliet Slammers. It will take place at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium, 2009 Baseball Boulevard, Avon, OH 44011.
For tickets to the Lake Erie Crushers game, please visit www.lakeeriecrushers.com.
Sprenger Healthcare is celebrating the expansion and renovation of Amherst Manor Retirement Community with a community open house Thursday, April 27, 2017.
The community open house will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 175 North Lake Street, Amherst, OH 44001.
Tours will be provided throughout the event for community members to explore the skilled nursing expansion, which includes 30 private rooms and a new state-of-the-art 2,700 square foot therapy gym.
The community open house will include a ceremonial ribbon cutting, complimentary wine tasting with Giuseppe’s Wine Cellar, raffle baskets and a visit from the Lake Erie Crushers mascot, Stomper.
Join city officials and members of the Sprenger family at 5:00pm for a Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting that will mark the official unveiling of Amherst Manor’s new addition.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and cocktails will be available, compliments of Chef Jim Smith.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the facility receptionist at (440) 988-4415 or email rwheeler@sprengerhealthcare.com.
About Amherst Manor Retirement Community
Amherst Manor Retirement Community was the first to join Sprenger Healthcare in 1959. The facility offers a continuum of services, including skilled nursing, orthopedic and short term rehabilitation, memory care, assisted living and independent senior living. To learn more about the programs and services offered at Amherst Manor, visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com or contact the facility at (440) 988-4415.
For more information, please contact:
Jason Coe
Facility Administrator
Phone: 440-930-6603
Email: jcoe@sprengerhealthcare.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Avon Lake, OHIO (March 1, 2017) – Towne Center Community Campus, owned and operated by Sprenger Healthcare, is undergoing expansion to add a new, one-of-a-kind memory care assisted living facility.
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living is designed to be a unique transitional unit offering quality care for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. With safety, continuity of care and sensory cognition in mind, Parkway was developed to optimize quality of life and encourage residents to maintain a healthy level of activity.
As the first memory care assisted living facility to join Sprenger Healthcare, the unit will include 30 private studios with individual bathrooms and specialized safety features. It’ll have its own dining room featuring chef-designed meals, an original food truck themed café, a soothing salt water aquarium, a 45-foot glass atrium to let in plenty of natural light, and a secured courtyard for residents and their loved ones to enjoy.
“The addition of a memory care assisted living facility on our campus will give us more capacity to meet the needs of our residents as they change and evolve,” says Jason Coe, Administrator at Towne Center.
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living will not only be a safe and comfortable home for residents, it’ll provide a constructive environment to promote activity and socialization with planned outings and weekly happy hours. The Life Enrichment team will offer specialized programming, including fitness programs, as well as art and pet therapy. Residents can also take advantage of our Certified Dementia Care Specialists and 24-hour staff to assist with everyday needs.
The addition of Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living to Towne Center Community Campus is scheduled to be completed in summer 2017.
About Sprenger Healthcare
From a small family-owned nursing facility to an expansive enterprise, Sprenger Healthcare is actively growing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the communities it serves. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Sprenger’s third generation is building a legacy while maintaining the same philosophy of personalized care initially established by Grace Sprenger. For more information on Sprenger Healthcare, please call (440) 989-5200 or visit our website, http://www.sprengerhealthcare.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Whether you want to eat healthy to lose weight or just for overall wellness, changing your diet and sticking to it can be tough. However, it doesn’t have to be! Planning your meals in advance is a great way to ensure you stick to the diet you intend. For National Nutrition Month, we asked our very own Chef Jim Smith, Dietary Director at Towne Center Community Campus, to share some of his healthy recipes. With these recipes, not only can eating healthy be good for you, it can also be delicious! Try out these recipes and see how easy and enjoyable eating healthy can be.
Southwest Veggie & Black Bean Burrito
Prep: 20 Minutes
Servings: 4
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes tortilla wraps
- 1/4 cup sweet roasted peppers, sliced
- 1 Tbsp. black olives, sliced
- 2 cups roasted fresh sweet corn
- 1 Head romaine lettuce, ribbon cut
- 2 oz. hot pepper ring
- 1 fresh avocado, sliced
- 2 cups Chef Jim’s black beans
- 2 cups Chef Jim’s Fresh Salsa
- Spread sun-dried tomato wraps on a flat work surface.
- Strain any excess juice from Salsa and black beans.
- Starting 2” from the bottom of the sun-dried tomato wrap, divide
equal amounts of each ingredient vertically on each wrap. Be sure to leave 2” on both sides of the wrap uncovered.
- Fold sides in and roll the wrap, beginning at the bottom.
- Slice in half and serve.
Chef Jim’s Black Beans
- 2 c. black beans, canned
- 1 tsp. fresh shallots, minced
- 1/4 tsp. Sriracha hot sauce
- 1 tsp. Sazon seasoning
- 1/4 c. fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 stalks celery, diced small
- pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients together and let rest for 3 hours.
Chef Jim’s Salsa
- 3 fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 tsp. Sazon seasoning
- 1/2 c. V-8 juice
- 1 tsp. fresh garlic
- 1/2 c. cilantro
- 1/2 tsp. Sriracha sauce
- 1/2 Taco sauce
- salt & pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients together and let rest for 3 hours.
Balsamic Chicken and Pears
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Makes 4 main dish servings
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 4 small skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 2 pears, not peeled, each cut in half, cored, and cut into 8 wedges
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ cup dried cherries or raisins
In a nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add chicken and cook until chicken is golden brown and loses pink color throughout, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate; keep warm.
In same skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add pears and cook until tender and golden brown.
In cup, with fork, blend broth, vinegar, cornstarch, and sugar. Stir broth mixture and dried cherries into skillet with pears. Heat to boiling, stirring; boil 1 minute. Return chicken to skillet, heat through.
Tyler Sponaugle, Physical Therapist at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation, has been honored as the Hero of Long-Term Care for February 2017 by the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA).
The Hero of Long-Term Care is an honor given to employees in long-term care for their service and dedication to their residents, community and facility. Only one winner is chosen each month by the OHCA, Ohio’s largest organization representing long-term care facilities.
Tyler was nominated by his peers for this award. A special gathering was held at Rose Lane to celebrate his accomplishments and present him with the Hero of Long-Term Care award. He will also be recognized at the OHCA’s 2017 Annual Convention.
Although Tyler has only been a Physical Therapist for a little over 2 years at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation, he has a long history of working in long-term care. At the age of 15, he started his career as a dietary aide. He continued his work by becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) and then Rehab Tech. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2009 from Ohio University and a doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013 from Cleveland State University.
Tyler is a member of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association and is actively involved in the Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer.
Being able to put a smile on his residents’ faces each day is one of his biggest accomplishments at Rose Lane.
“Tyler’s ability to work with a patient from the beginning of their stay to the end of their stay, and give them the encouragement they need to progress and get better, is one of the many reasons he was nominated for this award” said Ashli Hartzler, Life Enrichment Director at Rose Lane, “He is able to develop a trust and friendship with his patients that help lead to their success.”
Congratulations Tyler for winning Ohio Health Care Association’s February 2017 Hero of Long Term Care.
Avon Lake, OHIO (February 4, 2017) – Sprenger Healthcare hosted its first annual Love Run 5k raising $880 for the Avon Lake High School Athletic Boosters.
More than 175 people participated in The Love Run held at Towne Center Community Campus, 200 Community Drive in Avon Lake on Saturday, Feb 4th, 2017.
“It is important to Sprenger Healthcare to be involved in our community,” said Jason Coe, Administrator for Towne Center Community Campus. “We had a great turnout and are happy to help raise funds for the Avon Lake Athletic Boosters.”
Participants got in the Valentine’s Day spirit with the love-themed 5k run and 1-mile walk, featuring a DJ, red and white tie-dye shirts, and a complimentary breakfast with a chocolate fountain.
Winners were announced for the top three women and men finishers in the following age groups: 14 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 and over. Awards were also presented to the First Furry Friend to finish and the Most Spirited participant. Visit www.hermescleveland.com for race result details and to stay updated on the second annual Love Run 5k, set to take place February 2018.
For more information about Sprenger Healthcare, please visit www.spengerhealthcare.com or call 800-772-1116.
Occupational What?
By: Chrissy Queen, OT
When a patient first arrives at a skilled nursing facility (SNF), they are seen by both a Physical Therapist (PT) and Occupational Therapist (OT). Everyone knows what PT is so the question becomes what exactly is OT? Occupational Therapy focuses on maximizing a patient’s level of independence with daily tasks (ADLs) using compensatory techniques, education on body mechanics and instruction on use of adaptive equipment or strategies as needed to complete a functional task. The goal of OT in a rehab setting is to return the patient to their prior level of independence so they can safely return home.
During their stay at a Skilled Nursing Facility, a patient will undergo many assessments of their ability to complete their bathing, dressing and toileting routines. The therapist will provide explanation and demonstration on use of adaptive equipment and techniques within the parameters of their specific diagnosis/rehab needs. The therapist will complete education on safe strategies for managing home tasks such as light meal preparation and laundry tasks.
Occupational therapists also work to improve strength and range of motion in the upper extremities. This can be an important component to recovery for patients who may need to rely on trunk and upper extremity support when they have an affected lower extremity. They also provide education on walker safety during ADL tasks during home management tasks.
An Occupational Therapist also works to determine the best seating for a patient when in a SNF for rehab. Assessment of width of wheelchairs, types of armrests and leg rests needed and providing specialized cushions when appropriate are all areas an OT will address.
Family education is an important component of Occupational Therapy as well. An OT will provide direct hands on family and staff training on a patient’s ability to complete functional skills and on the level of assistance they will require if returning home.
Finally, prior to a patient returning home to their previous living arrangements, an Occupational Therapist can perform a home safety evaluation. This involves taking the patient to their home and assessing needs for modifications so the patient may safely return home. Recommendations will be made for any equipment needed within the home that will promote independence, safety and decreased risk of falls. Modifications to a patient’s home may include removal of throw rugs to reduce fall risk, installation of grab bars for security and moving of household furniture to prevent tripping hazards.
There are many ways an Occupational Therapist can influence and affect a patient’s rehab stay in a Skilled Nursing Facility. The goal is to return the patient to their prior level of function with daily tasks, prevent falls and optimize patient rate of success when returned home. After all Physical Therapy may get you up and walking but without skills learned in Occupational Therapy, you would be walking around with no clothes on.
By: Lisa Zook, Dietitian
Looking to improve your diet this Spring? Eating a varied diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, is one of the keys to good health. However, to stay healthy, it’s equally important to makes sure the produce you consume is safe to eat. One way to do that is to make sure any fruits or vegetables you use have been washed well before you peel, cut, eat, or cook with them. Pesticides can also be reduced by washing fruits and vegetables properly.
How Fruits and Vegetables Become Contaminated
Although most people understand that meat products such as chicken need to be properly handled to prevent food-borne illnesses, some do not realize that fruits and vegetables may also cause illness if not handled and stored properly. In fact, in recent years, contaminated fruits and vegetables have been the culprit in several large outbreaks of food-borne illness. That is because they are eaten in the raw state at most times. Some of the ways fruits and vegetables can become contaminated include:
- Harmful substances present in the soil or water during growing
- Poor hygiene among workers during harvest, packing, and transporting
- Pesticide use during growing to prevent plant disease and pest infestation
The following fruits and vegetables have been found to have larger amounts of pesticides:
- Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes. They have levels within the USDA limits but should be washed carefully before eating to make them safer to eat.
How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables
- Start by choosing produce that’s free of bruises, mold, or other signs of damage. If you are purchasing precut items, make sure they have been refrigerated or displayed on ice at the supermarket.
- Once home, store perishable fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator (at 40 degrees F or below) until you’re ready to use them. Always store precut fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, too.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after handling fresh produce.
- Use a sharp paring knife to cut away any damaged or bruised areas of the fruit or vegetable.
- Wash the produce before you peel it. That way, contaminants will not be transferred from your knife to the fruit or vegetable.
- Hold the fruit or vegetable under cool running tap water, gently rubbing it as you rinse it.
- For firm produce, such as melons and winter squash, use a clean vegetable brush to scrub the surface as you rinse it. Do not brush too hard.
- Produce with bumpy, uneven surfaces, such as cauliflower and broccoli, should be soaked for 1 to 2 minutes in cold water to remove contaminants, soil and bugs from the nooks and crannies.
- Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry the produce before using it.
How to Wash Salad Greens
Salad greens require special attention. First, discard the wilted outer leaves; then prep and wash greens as directed for each type.
- For leafy lettuces, such as green or red-tip leaf, butter head, and romaine as well as endive, remove and discard the root end. Separate leaves and hold them under cold running water to remove any dirt.
- For smaller greens, such as spinach and arugula, swirl them in a bowl or a clean sink filled with cold water about 30 seconds. Remove the leaves and shake gently to let dirt and other debris fall into the water. Repeat the process if necessary. Drain in a colander.
- For iceberg lettuce, remove the core by hitting the stem end on the countertop; twist and lift out the core. Hold the head, core side up under cold running water, pulling leaves apart slightly. Invert the head and drain thoroughly. Repeat if necessary.
- For mesclun (a mixture of young, small salad greens often available in bulk at farmers markets), rinse in a colander or the basket of a salad spinner.
Other Tips for Washing Fruits and Vegetables
- Do not use soap or detergents when washing produce.
- You need not seek out a special produce wash to clean fruits and vegetables. Cool, clean, running tap water is fine. Studies have shown that tap water is effective as vegetable sprays and vinegar or lemon water.
- Wash all produce before using, even if you are going to peel it including bananas. Any dirt and bacteria on the outside of unwashed produce can be transferred from the knife into the fruit or vegetable.
Tip: Even organic fruits and vegetables, as well as produce from your own garden or local farmer’s markets, should be washed well.
By: Danny Parsons, Sprenger Hospice Care
Out with the old in with the new… Wouldn’t it be so nice if it was that easy? Our bodies and minds have endured a great deal over the years. Today I would encourage you to rest assure that all is not lost. Newness is in our grasps if we choose to embrace it.
How can we experience a new us? No, I am not talking about surgery or some fad diet, but a renewing of our minds is what I have found to be the key. Ask yourself today; what it is that has been consuming most of your thoughts? It is normal to be concerned about something, but sometimes we can let it consume us. So many of us stress and worry about things we have little or no control over.
A renewing of our minds is not us simply pretending something isn’t taking place or that our current circumstances aren’t real. A renewing of the mind is getting our focus back to where it needs to be.
This New Year, let’s make it a point to focus more on the many things we can control and work on ways to make those changes happen.
We need to focus on the present and everything we still have available to us. So often we ponder on all the negatives in life, which could bring anyone down. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that there is plenty positives in our lives and many things to be grateful for.
Renewing one’s mind is thinking that even though things might not be perfect, we still give our very best. We understand mistakes will be made, but we chose to learn from them and continue on life’s journey. Developing an attitude of gratitude will go a long way in this New Year.
I am reminded of the story of the little train that thought he could. It wasn’t something he did all at once. Inch by inch, little by little, he made his way up that steep hill. So will we if we don’t give up. That mountain that stands before us might seem impossible today but no one is saying you have to reach the top overnight. The excitement is found in the journey of the climb. Enjoy each new experience that comes your way; embrace the challenges that arise from time to time. Know that you can do it and reach down deep and find that inner strength that lies within; where our mind goes the body will follow.
We’re looking for a HOLIDAY STAR!
Give back in the spirit of the season and WIN!
Sprenger Healthcare is holding a company-wide competition between facilities and individuals! We want to see you get into the spirit of the holiday and new year by giving back to your community! The facility and individual with the most memorable holiday deed will be rewarded! Work together and on your own.
Contest will run Dec. 9th thru Jan. 31st
Chosen facility wins a catered lunch/dinner for all staff! Individual winner gets a $100 gift card AND $100 donated to a charity of choice!
Winners will also be featured on the Sprenger website and a press release will go out to local newspapers!
What can you do?
- Fundraise for a cause
- Volunteer your time
- “Adopt” a family or child in need
- Participate in a fundraising event
- Collect canned foods, coats, toys or other items
- AND MORE!
