AARP’s Desiree Hung Speaks on Social Security

2 - Memory Care Initiatives at Cross Keys Village

3 - Honoring George Tjiattas

4 - Cycling Without Age at Betnany Village

4 - Normandie Ridge Memory Care Residence and Garden

On April 13, 2016, Desiree Hung, AARP-PA’s Associate Director for Ad-vocacy spoke to the PARCR membership on the topic of “The Future of So-cial Security and Medicare”. After a lengthy overview of AARP; she began by sighting numerous statistics relative to the topic at hand, Social Security. She said that since its inception in 1935, Social Security has done little to keep up with the times. She stated that four out of five adults either rely or plan to rely on Social Security as a source of retirement income. And to that we might add, “why not?…we paid into it. Shouldn’t we expect to re-ceive our benefits?” She went on to say that Social Security kept 22 million Americans out of poverty in 2013. According to the Social Security Admin-istration, 51.9 million people receive SS benefits which amounts to 17% of the population. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of people age 65 or older receive benefits. There are more people in the program than ever before and we are living longer. With that as a backdrop, it’s no secret that all this costs money and America doesn’t have it. We are told that without the guarantee of Social Security, the poverty rate would sky rocket from 9.5% to 43%. We all know the system needs to be fixed but what do we do about it?

It is certainly a fact that current beneficiaries must be assured that their benefits will continue and not be reduced and, those nearing eligibility must also be assured that they will receive their benefits, as well. There is great concern among those aged 25 to 69 that the benefits they receive will be less than the program delivers today. Eighteen percent (18%) believe they will get nothing. The fact is that, in a 2014 survey conducted by the National Academy of Social Insurance, 84% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans agreed that it is critical to preserve benefits even if it means increasing taxes. Currently, statistics seem to say that Social Security can continue to pay full benefits until 2037. After 2037, at present tax rates, the program could pay 76% of promised benefits. There are numerous other statistical data which show similar results.

Most “fix-it” ideas involve either increasing contributions to Social Secu-rity or some type of modification of benefits for some or all future benefi-ciaries or, a combination of both. Currently the wage cap is $118,500 above which no one pays taxes on their SS income. The SS Administration tells us that if the cap was raised to $220,000 about one-third of the long range problem would be solved and have no effect on the vast majority (94%) of workers. This writer believes that the suggestion from one of our PARCR members made more sense when he said, “what about no cap”? Well, this debate will go on for a long time but one thing is for sure, it is critical that this issue be resolved.

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PARCR POSTPENNSYLVANIA ALLIANCE OF RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

RESIDENTS Volume 3, Issue 1 October 2016

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST UPCOMING

PARCR MEETINGS

October 12, 2016 - Woodcrest Village, Lancaster, PA

January 11, 2016 - Cross Keys Village, New Oxford, PA

April 12, 2017 - Quincy Village, Waynesboro, PA

July 12, 2017 - Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford, PA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Memory Care Initiatives atCross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It can-not be prevented or cured, but those dealing with it and related dementias are not helpless, and Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community, is giving them a new weapon. Last October, Cross Keys Village held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Memory Care Residence, which promises an array of tools to make life better for those suffering from dementia, for their families and for other caregivers. It also launched a fundraising campaign to help with the costs of this $7 million project. Construction was dealt a serious setback this February when an accidental fire de-stroyed the structure’s shell, which was 22% assembled at the time. Thankfully, no one was hurt and no other buildings were damaged. With the full support of the board of directors, the project resumed within weeks and is expected to be completed before the end of 2016.

The latest scientific features that provide comfort, security and engagement for its residents will be in-corporated into the building. Rooms have optimal light, a key among numerous cues that help orient resi-dents to the time of day. Kitchens, a sundry store and other public spaces also are designed to emphasize the familiar and make everyone feel at home. Features of the building and grounds will promote physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, and the therapeutic environment offers delightful sensory pleasures in sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. Inside might be kitchen aromas or an office desk where papers can be organized. Outside, flowers and vegetables will line the walkways, and a garden shed will provide memo-ries and connections.

Cross Keys Village is undertaking renovations and changes to its memory care programs and facilities elsewhere on campus in order to make the connections with the new residence seamless, as it continues to develop resources in this area for organizations (especially congregations in the Southern District Church of the Brethren) and individuals. All team members have received basic training in order to offer knowl-edgeable and compassionate support with an understanding of the changes that occur with memory loss. Topics range from essential dementia education to communication techniques to a series of dining, hos-pitality and nutrition. Specialized dementia courses were a requirement for team members in memory neighborhoods in the Health Care Center and Personal Care.

Jennifer Holcomb, Memory Care Director, added another feature to dementia training by offering sup-port groups. The Memory Café is a support group for individuals that are living with a neurocognitive disorder or those helping to care for someone with a neurocognitive disorder. The group meets monthly and offers two components: lifelong learning and support. Lifelong learning is accomplished by reaching out to local businesses and receiving education and a tour about their business. The benefits are indescrib-able to the community. People are gaining awareness about neurocognitive disorders and becoming more empathetic. Support is accomplished through meetings that provide additional education to the members. They learn new information, meet providers from the community, build relationships with each other and have an opportunity to share their challenges and frustrations with others who can relate. Because of this new knowledge, as the disorder progresses they already know what to expect and how to plan. The group members appreciate knowing that they have someone they can call opon when they need guidance, as-sistance or support.

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George Tjiattas was honored at the PARCR Quarter-ly Meeting held on July 13, 2016, for his eight years as president of PARCR. He was presented with a plaque which states “Dr. George Tjiattas, In recognition of your dedicated efforts, leadership, commitment, and inspiration as President of the Pennsylvania Alliance of Retirement Community Residents from 2007 to 2016, we thank you. From the grateful Executive Committee and Members of PARCR .” He was given a presidential citation from LeadingAge PA which was presented by Ron Barth, CEO of LeadingAge PA. He was presented with a letter of appreciation from the 88th District House of Representatives. A motion was made for President Emeritus status of PARCR which was approved with a standing ovation.

Honoring of George Tjiattas

George Tjiattas and Ida Jeanne Smith

George Tjiattas and Ron Barth

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PARCR POST Edi-tor may be con-tacted via email:

rwbuehler@garden-spotvillage.net

PARCR website is www.parcr.org

PARCRBethany Village,

325 Bethany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA

www.parcr.org

Cycling Without Age at Bethany Village

The Cycling Without Age movement was founded by Ole Kas-sow in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. It all started when Ole rode past a retirement community and had an idea of getting se-niors of the community outside so that they could experience “the wind in their hair” once again. After some thought Ole discovered that rickshaws were the answer to his dilemma.It was an imagina-tive, simple and safe way to help the seniors of the community to get outside in order to relive old memories and experience new adventures. He started to offer free rickshaw rides to residents of local long-term care communities. The response to this new activ-ity led to resounding excitement and interest. The Cycling of Age

Normandie Ridge Memory Care Residence and Garden

On December 29, 2015, Normandie Ridge held the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for its state of the art memory care residence. The setting offers a homelike, person-centered engagement program in the eighteen bed facility. The therapeutic engagement program focuses daily on intellectual, social, physical, spiritual, and sensory therapies which meet the individual needs of the residents in both group and individualized settings. The small home setting was designed to help the residents’ minds stay sharp and reduce the effects of memory decline with purposeful spaces and destination walking pathways. The daily activities are established around tasks and activities which aid the residents in developing feelings of ownership and enhancing their sense of well-being. These activities create a balance of productive, leisure and self-care activities which help the residents to feel successful and useful. The therapeutic engagement activities help the residents maintain their optimal cognitive and psychological health.

As the community welcomed the warmer weather, the memory garden provided a safe outdoor space for the memory care residents. The garden features home-like details and is accessible to the residents of all capabilities with its level walkways, a pergola with benches, a water feature, a privacy fence, and covered porch area. A resident of the community, Tom Scarborough, employed his background knowledge and experience in farming and gardening to assist in the designing, planting and maintaining of the garden. Tom assisted in planning the garden in order to retain its beauty year-round. Tom was very involved in the creation of the Serenity Garden for the skilled nursing residents. The Serenity Garden won an award for its design and purpose from LeadingAge PA.

was launched and five additional rickshaws were purchased. Today Cycling Without Age continues to spread the joy and happiness for residents. The progrm is active in 41 cities within 21 different countries and is continuing to grow. The Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh, Wisconsin was the first chapter in the United States. Bethany Village is proud to be the first chapter in Pennsylvania and the Asbury family!