The Beacon Guiding your Journey

September 2017 � Volume 8 � Issue 9

Always Learning…. It’s time to send the kiddos back to school after what once again seems like the shortest summer on record. While I love the school year in many ways, the constant homework and fundraisers and events and reminders can be overwhelming, even for someone with just one child like me! So I do enjoy a break from all that during the summer, and I dread that all coming back just as much as the kiddos dread saying goodbye to their lazy, fun-filled days. But the learning that I see happening in my child every day that he goes to school is so neat to see, that it makes all the extras so worth it. Academically and socially, it is a true joy to watch as my child develops the skills he will need to be a successful student and member of society. At this stage in life, children are always learning something new, things that we as adults perhaps even take for granted at times. So every year at this time, I try to think about the things that I’d like to learn about within the next year. Personally and professionally, I deliberately identify some things that I wish I knew more about, and I make a plan to read a book, or watch a documentary, or talk to an expert about that subject. Of course the internet is (usually) a good source for just about anything you’d want to know anything about as well! I must admit that life’s hectic pace often gets in the way of checking all of those topics off of my “learn about this” bucket-list, so I still have a list that contains topics from several years ago, but one of these days, I just know I will find the time to cruise through that list! Here at SPES, we are always learning, too. Our associates are always being offered education on topics related to their jobs, caring for those with dementia, staying safe, etc. Our managers are always participating in leadership development meetings at which the education is geared towards improving relationships with our associates. And our organization as a whole is always reviewing data and trends to identify where our learning opportunities are and to develop plans to address and improve in those areas. It is a pleasure to be a part of an organization that puts such an emphasis on continued and shared learning, all for the sake of furthering our mission. Sondra Norder, President & CEO

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Rocking Chair Therapy and Dementia: Promoting Emotional and Physical Balance

What draws us to a rocking chair? Whether it’s seeing an empty glider on a comfy front porch or a rocker in a child’s nursery, there’s an almost audible calling to sit and enjoy the comforting back-and-forth motion. Perhaps it hails from our original development in the womb where the rhythm of our mother’s movements stimulated blood flow and a sense of calm, much like the sensory stimuli attached to gentle waves against a boat. We know that a rocking chair can soothe a fussy baby, but how might using a rocking chair benefit those who have dementia? Two studies from the University of Rochester School of Nursing found that the repetitive action of using a rocking chair helped ease tension and behavioral disorders, improve balance and muscle tone, and reduce the need for pain medication. In the studies, nursing home residents diagnosed with dementia due to Alzheimer’s or other causes rocked for half an hour to two and a half hours each day for five days a week. Although not all residents showed improvement in psychological and emotional well-being, those who rocked the most improved the most through the manageable, non-weight-bearing exercise of mild rocking. Nancy M. Watson, PhD, RN, who conducted the studies, said that “a gentle repetitive motion has a soothing effect+ and seniors could literally rock away their anxiety and depression. The patients required less medication and their balance improved as well. Further benefits included a happier nursing home staff. And families of rocking seniors were happier because their loved ones were happier.” One of the reasons for a reduction in pain could be that the gentle exercise of rocking may release endorphins and improve mood. Further, it is believed that the spinal cord can work only in one direction at a time, so when the brain is sending motor impulses down the spinal cord to make the legs rock the chair, pain impulses from the back are blocked and prevented from reaching the brain. Then, muscles in the lower back relax. Orthopedic surgeons often recommend rocking to improve strength and flexibility in the knees and hips. Whether it’s a traditional rocker or a glider, you’ll want to use a chair that has a solid foundation and a comfortable seat. To maintain or improve physiological relaxation, use a chair that allows the senior’s feet to comfortably reach the floor. Watch carefully to see whether they can easily sit down in and rise up from the chair—with or without help. You may want to gauge the amount of time spent in the chair, slowly increasing the time spent rocking based on beneficial secondary results such as reduced agitation, better sleep, and better pain management.

Article by Ava M. Stinnett, Activity Connections

Sources Rocking Chair Therapy Research. Retrieved from http://www.rockingchairtherapy.org/research.html. Houston, K. (1993). An investigation of rocking as relaxation for the elderly. Geriatric Nursing, 14, 186–189. Watson, N. M., Wells, T. J., and Cox, C. (1998). Rocking chair therapy for dementia pa-tients: Its effect on psychosocial well-being and balance. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Dis-ease & Other Dementias, 13(6), 293–308.

September Fun

September 1 Ice Cream

Social

September 4 Closed

September 8

Music w/Ellen

September 12

Outdoor Pig Roast

Lunch w/Music

September 14 SPARK!

September 18

Music w/Mary

September 20 Villa Voices

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Free Community Educational Program

Hosted by St. Paul Hospice Services

A Gift of Being Present:

Compassionate Approaches to Visiting a

Loved One on Hospice Services

Thursday, November 9, 2017

5:30 pm—7:00 pm St. Paul Elder Services, Inc.

Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center

221 E. 13th Street, Kaukauna

Meal will be provided

Presented by St. Paul Hospice Staff and Volunteers

To register for the seminar call: (920)766-6020 ext. 102

or email: lauriel1@stpaulelders.org

Happy Birthday! Sarah Owens, Hospice Volunteer

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Welcome to the

Life Enrichment

Center at St. Paul

Elder Services!

Cloud Walkers

(Foot and Nail

Clinic) Tuesdays and Thursdays

8:00 am – 2:30 pm

Healing Waters

(Aquatic Exercise Classes)

Classes Daily

Registration required for

each session

Massage Pamper yourself with

a massage!

By appointment only

The Memory Care

Clinic By appointment only

Please call for additional

information for our newest

clinic services

For additional

information, please call

(920) 766-6188

Fall Pool Sessions Choose from a variety of classes that are offered to suit your schedule. The fall session begins now and goes through October. Times and days available include:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 am-8:30 am 8:45 am-9:45 am

10:00 am-11:00 am 1:00 pm-2:00 pm 2:00 pm-3:00 pm

Tuesday and Thursday

7:30 am– 8:30 am 8:45 am-9:45 am

10:00 am-11:00 am 1:00 pm-2:00 pm 2:00 pm-3:00 pm 4:00 pm-5:00 pm

Monday and Wednesday

4:30 pm– 5:30 pm

Fun Cornucopia of Snacks

3 cups of popcorn

1/2 cup of sorted, small fall candies

(like candy corn)

1/2 cup of peanuts

12 waffle cones

Mix popcorn, candies, and peanuts in

a bowl. Scoop 1/3 cup of mixture into

waffle cones. Enjoy!

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Celebrate Mission Week with SPES 13th Annual

PIG ROAST “Hawaiian Luau”

Tuesday, September 12th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

14th Street Parking Lot

Lunch by Maders Catering and SPES

Music by Fernando

*Free to residents, tenants, & clients *One lunch token for staff, volunteers, & visitors ($7)

*Wear Hawaiian/flowered attire and jeans (due to event, Mass will be at 10:30)

During Your Fall Cleaning...

We are looking for donations of new or very

gently used items for our “Resident Christmas

Shopping” event. In early December, we will set

up a “store” where residents can select Christmas

gifts for up to three loved ones (or themselves!)

and we could use a variety of gifts for them to

choose from, including knickknacks &

decorations, jewelry, accessories, men’s interest,

laprobes, and arts & crafts. Contact Hannah at

ext. 108 if you have any questions.

Octoberfest

Join us on College

Avenue in Appleton on

Saturday, September

30th from 9am-6pm.

SPES will be at the

event, selling loaded

nachos (and muffins) as

we raise money to

benefit our residents,

tenants, and clients.

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7th 2:00 pm Happy Hour with Cy Mader

12th 11:00 am Pig Roast

13th 8:30 am Donuts, coffee and juice

14th 1:45 pm Ynots

15th 2:30 pm Luau Happy Hour with Manor

22nd 1:00 pm Dollar Store

27th 1:00 pm Casino

Our tenants have

been enjoying

rickshaw rides!

We are always looking for

volunteers in the Villa. Just a

few hours a month would go a

long way! We would love to have

visitors on the weekends and

evenings just to pass the time,

or to be board and card game

facilitators. Contact Tabetha if

you are interested!

Happy Birthday

2nd Bernard Driessen

8th Hugh Boschert

8th Bernadine Kaye

15th Margie Mach

16th Elizabeth Nigl

27th Robert “Father” Wheelock

Welcome to our

new hires:

Ashley Shepard

Katelyn Richards

Arissa Beaodoin

Brooklyn Cortazzo

Mariah Hilgart

Fallon Sanders

We would like to say

farewell to our college

students and youth

volunteers! We will see

you again over winter

and spring break!

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Enrichment Opportunities in September

September 5th: Memories in the Making

September 20th: One Man Band Entertainment

with Grayling Pingel

September 22nd: Time Slips

September 27th: Piano with Mary Hall

September 29th: Oktoberfest Happy Hour

When visi6ng the Manor, our residents’ safety is our greatest concern. We grant access at our entrances as quickly as we are able. Thank you for your con6nued pa6ence when entering and exi6ng the Manor.

Join us for a fun filled week as we celebrate National Assisted Living Week. Check out our September

calendar for more details!

During the month of August, we celebrated

State Fairs with Parachute Games, Big

Prize Bingo, and Special Foods found

at the Fair.

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at the Resource Center

Caregiver Support

Group Offered to anyone who has a

loved one affected by dementia.

2nd Monday of the month 4:00-5:00 pm

Group for Spouses of

Individuals Affected by Young Onset AD

Specifically for spouses of individuals who are

affected by Alzheimer ’s disease or other memory

disorders under the age of 65 years.

3rd Tuesday of the month 6:30-8:00 pm

Memory Connections This group, held Tuesdays

from 10 am-2 pm is

designed for those recently

diagnosed with a memory

impairment that are

motivated to work on

cognitive & physical

exercises with the goal of

improving brain health. For

information on eligibility

and cost, contact 766-6186.

SPARK!

Thursday, September 14th

2:30-4:00 pm

Come join our hosts, the

Trout Museum staff in

creating a beaded origami

crane window hanging!

Please Register at 733-4089

Memory Café News! The Memory Cafe is facilitated by St. Paul Elder Services at the Kaukauna Library. The Memory Cafe is

designed for individuals with mild memory loss and their loved ones to gather and enjoy camaraderie,

receive information, and just have fun in an informal setting. There is no charge.

Monday, September 11th 2:00-3:30 pm

Kaukauna Public Library

Come join us for a Mystery Café!! We will keep you in suspense but promise a good time

enjoying camaraderie and coffee!

Monday, September 25th 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center, St. Paul Elder Services

Wilkommen! Come and Celebrate Oktoberfest with us at the Memory Café. We will enjoy the tastes, sounds, and traditions of this late September German festival. Wear your lederhosen and/or alpine yodeler hat!

Happy Birthday to Us!

The Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center celebrated its one

year anniversary in July! As part of the event, we offered an

evening dinner program where Becky Reichelt, COO of St. Paul

Elder Services, spoke on how to visit a loved one who is living

with a form of dementia. Nearly 50 community members

attended. Watch for future educational programming at the

Memory Resource Center!

Are You Caring for Someone Living

with Memory Loss?

FREE consultation services

are now being offered by St. Paul Elder Services for

family care partners of those living with memory loss.

Services are provided by a Licensed Clinical

Social Worker specialized in memory care and

community resource connections.

Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment only.

Please call Julie Feil, LCSW, at 766-6186

Clinical Research Update by

Dr. Gizell Larson!Join us for an update from Dr. Gizell Larson of the Neuroscience

Group on what is happening in the field of Alzheimer’s Research.

Highlights of the recent International Alzheimer’s Conference in

London will be shared as well as an interactive program on what

you can do to take care of your brain!

The program is offered by the Memory Care Center, which is a

collaboration between St. Paul Elder Services and the

Neuroscience Group and will be held on

Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 pm

St. Paul Elder Services

Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center

221 E. 13th Street, Kaukauna

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The purpose of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation, develop programs which aim to increase opportunities for the nearly fifty million Americans with disabilities, and help those who are disabled live up to their fullest potential. Physical Therapists work on tasks like getting in and out of bed, moving from sitting to standing, and walking. Physical Therapists can assess for strength and balance impairments and work to prevent falls and maintain independence with functional mobility. Occupational Therapists help people remain independent in their activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing, as well driving, and bladder incontinence. Speech Therapists assist those with swallowing, communication disorders, and cognition. Here are some facts about rehabilitation: 1. Occupational therapy began in 1917. Therapists were recruited by the

Surgeon General and worked as “reconstruction aides” during World War I. The treatments gained recognition, and the American Occupational Therapy Association was formed.

2. Physical therapy can alleviate the fear of falling. Patients may be more willing to participate in group activities and socialize more frequently if they are less fearful of falling.

3. Many therapists state their jobs are very rewarding as their days are blessed with a work day full of small milestones and making lives better. 4. The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association recently declared that all stroke patients should have access to rehabilitation. Most stroke patients require some degree of rehabilitation. The sooner one begins stroke rehabilitation, the better the chance of regaining lost abilities.

National Rehabilitation

Awareness Week is

September 17-23, 2017

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September Meeting Monday, Sept 18th, at 12 noon

Haen Community Center

Please RSVP to Kay Fitzgerald

if you have not previously

signed up to attend.

Thank you.

Volunteer Hours for July

TOTAL HOURS: 1767.50

Adult Individual – 1396 Adult Group – 20

Youth Individual/Group – 300 Hospice – 41

Board/Advisory – 10.50

Welcome to our newest

volunteers:

Dale Van Elsen

Mary Gosse

John McMorrow

Justin Feil

Volunteer Needs for St. Paul Elder Services:

• PIG ROAST—9/12—9:30 to 2:00—any help

during this time would be appreciated!

• Octoberfest—9/30—help serve our great

nachos or just stop by to partake!

• Thursday Evening bingo - weekly @ 6:30

• Activity Hour games - most Fridays @ 6:30

• Visits with residents—walks outside, etc.

• Bringing residents & tenants to Mass – Home,

Villa, and Club Gabe

• Bringing residents to Holy Hour— 9/12 @ 3:00

• Memorial Service—Wednesday, 11/15

• Washing covers of chapel booklets

• Outreach is seeking an RN to assist with blood

pressure clinics

• Manor— Volunteers who could assist in evenings

with a snack from 7—8 , Monday, Tuesday,

Thursday or Saturday

• Manor—Hangman/word games on Wednesdays

@ 6:00

• Manor—assist a resident to Mass at the Home

(Must be able to push a wheelchair)

• Manor—assist with craft activity, @ 2:30— every

other Sunday

• Manor—assist with manicures, Thursdays @

3:30 or Sundays @ 1:00

• Villa—weekend and evening visits. Board game

or card game facilitators.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!

Happy Birthday!!

Paula Beyer 9/30

Melissa Binsfeld 9/14

Michelle Colyar 9/24

Anna Coons 9/18

Alice Dalton 9/9

Dolores Diedrich 9/23

Jeanne Emmer 9/13

Lauren Freier 9/7

Joseph Friday 9/25

Rich Frielund 9/25

David Goeser 9/17

Kathy Goggins 9/28

Carla Knoke 9/26

Patrick McGinnis 9/15

Carlie Morrow 9/4

Alex Morrow 9/5

Lois Neuser 9/8

Sarah Owens 9/22

Claire Podvin 9/1

Karen Rademacher 9/18

Faith Roska 9/9

Ann Schuh 9/28

Mary Pat Thomson 9/21

Marie Wall 9/12

Bruce Werschem 9/22

Lois Van Cuyk 9/27

If you are a “Cycling Without

Age” volunteer, there will

now be a clipboard hanging

by the rickshaws to record

hours. Thank you for getting

this program off to such a

great start! It has been so

exciting to see all the smiles

on the faces of those who

have had an opportunity to

ride in the rickshaws.

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The Thread

Fr. Jerry shared this poem and reflection with us one Sunday. It is powerful! He had a spool of thread as well.

William Stafford (1914-1993) described the True Self in his poem, “The Way It is”: There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt Or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread.

This thread is the True Self. And your True Self is who you are and always have been in God. At its core, your True Self is love. Love is both who you are and who you are still becoming, like a sunflower seed that becomes its own sunflower. Most of human history has referred to the True Self as your “soul” or “your participation in the eternal life of God.” The great surprise and irony is that “you,” or who you think you are, had nothing to do with your True Self’s original creation. All you can do is nurture it, which is saying quite a lot. It is love becoming love in this unique form called “me.”

We are allowed to ride life and love’s wonderful mystery for a few years—until life and love reveal themselves as the same thing, which is the final and full message of the risen Christ, life morphing into a love that is beyond space and time. Christ literally breathes shalom and forgiveness into the universal air (John 20:22-23). You get to add your own finishing touches of love, your own life breath to the Great Breath, and then return the completed package to its maker in a brand-new, yet same form. It is indeed the same “I,” but now it is in willing union with the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). It is no longer just one, but not two either.

Note that Stafford doesn’t instruct you to not let go of the thread: rather, he offers a promise, foretelling the future: “you don’t ever let go of the thread.” Why? Because you can’t. Love has you. Love is you. Love, and your deep need for love, recognizes Love itself. Remember that you already are what you are seeking. Any fear that your lack of fidelity could cancel God’s fidelity, is “absurd” (Romans 3:3 JB). Love finally overcomes fear. Your house is being rebuilt on a new and solid foundation. This foundation was always there, but it takes us a long time to find it; remember, “it is love alone that lasts” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

R. Rohr, Franciscan

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St. Paul Elder Services, Inc.

316 E.14th Street

Kaukauna, WI 54130

St. Paul Community NewsleDer

Club Gabriel (920-766-6188)

Hospice (920-766-6180)

Life Enrichment Center (920-766-6188)

St. Paul Home (920-766-6020)

St. Paul Villa (920-766-6181)

St. Paul Manor CBRF (920-766-6181)

The Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center (920-766-6181)

Volunteer Opportuni6es (920-766-6183)