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Welcome New ResidentsCatherine (Kitty) D’EntremontImelda Kelley
Our Newest EmployeeKevin Bienvenue, Mechanical Systems Engineer
“My oldest son came home after his first day of Kinder-garten with his new pants all torn up!” Peg B.
“I just loved school because of my friends. I liked the teach-ers, and felt sad when school ended because I wouldn’t see my friends until September. The gym teacher did not like me because I was afraid to climb bars on the wall! In Assembly Hall, we would listen to Symphony music and the teacher would tell the story of Symphony. Then, she would ask us to identify the instruments. The Sci-ence teacher would take the students out at night to point out the different constellations. In Home Economics we had sewing half the year and cooking the other half. I went home for one-hour for lunch to Grammy every day.” Frances
“I liked going back to school to see friends. I also liked the school work, but sometimes had a hard time because I wouldn’t wear my glasses because . . . ‘Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses’” Pearl
“I volunteered in the library when my kids were young. It was a good way to keep an eye on them and all the other kids as well.” Jean K.
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Donna Carroll, RA
Donna’s commitment to fulfilling RiverCourt’s mis-
sion statement—to treat others with respect, dignity, and compassion, is so
much a part of who she is that even in the most dire circumstances, she doesn’t waiver.
Aside from meeting or in most cases exceeding her job requirements, Donna picks up additional shifts when needed.
She is responsible for the raffle prizes, employee birthday cards and lottery tickets, and as well as many other things behind the scenes. She
contributes good ideas and truly deserves the award and acknowledgement for a job well done.
Bert and Pearl
the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences
Back to School MemoriesI can’t help but think of going back to school when September comes around. My mom has so many pictures of the whole neighborhood on the first day of school. All of us dressed up in our fancy new school clothes, all of our new notebooks and pencil cases and shiny new lunch boxes filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and an apple or an orange. I remember trading with the other kids for their lunch that always looked better! If my mother only knew! Any-how, we thought it would be fun to reminisce about the good old days when going back to school was the biggest and best thing in our
young lives, so we asked the residents to share their memories.
Here they are:“New clothes” Lois G.“You would always wonder about your teacher and if she gives much home-work?” Lois W.
“You find out what everyone did in the summer.” Walter P.“My father was on the school board and the kids said that’s why I got good grades!” Katherine G.
ContactsSusan Whitty-Kennedy ext. 242 Executive Director [email protected]
Sharon Amadon ext. 234 Resident Care Director [email protected]
Kim Landi ext. 227 Reflections Program Director [email protected]
Karen McKenzie ext. 222 Director of Marketing [email protected]
Trisha McCaig ext 223 Office Manager [email protected]
Activity & Volunteer Director ext. 240
8 West Main StreetGroton, MA 01450www.rivercourtresidences.comp: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133
September 2014The
Leatherboard
continued back page
Door Hangers—the residents enjoyed mak-ing these doors hangers and reading the beautiful poem, “Footprints in the Sand,” which is printed on the cross.Sharing the Music and the love of friend-ships! RCT Singers’ road trip in August was enjoyed by all as we visited and sang with some of our former residents.
Reflections
Bill N. and Bill C. enjoy the new glider swing out back.
Wellness What Is the Difference Between Health
Care Proxies and A Living Will?
Advance Directives, such as Health Care Proxies and Living Wills, allow people to retain control over medical decisions. Massachusetts law allows people to make their own Health Care Proxies, but does not officially recognize Living Wills. A Health Care Proxy designates another person to make medical decisions should you be unable to do so, and a Living Will allows you to list medi-cal treatments that you would or would not want if you became terminally ill and unable to make your own decisions.The Massachusetts Health Care Proxy Law (Mas-sachusetts General Laws, Chapter 201D) permits people to appoint a Health Care Proxy (called an “Agent” in the law) using the Health Care Proxy Form. Health care providers and facili-ties are bound to follow your Agent’s decisions as if they were your own. You are free to choose almost anyone as an Agent, but it is important that you discuss your treatment preferences with your Agent. You may also write on the form cer-tain treatments that you do or do not want, or limit the authority of your Agent. You may also appoint an Alternate Agent, in case your Agent is unavailable or unable to make decisions regard-ing your care.The Health Care Proxy becomes effective when your doctor determines that you are unable to make or communicate health care decisions for yourself. Your doctor then must record in the chart the cause and nature of your incapacity as well as its extent and probable duration. In order to appoint an Agent, you must be at least eigh-teen years of age. You do not need a lawyer to fill out the form and make it legally binding. In order for it to be binding, you must sign the form in the presence of two adult witnesses, neither of whom you are appointing as your Agent or your Alternate Agent.Once you have signed the form, it is recom-mended that you make at least four copies. Keep the original yourself, and give copies to your Agent, Alternate agent, your physician, and
anyone else who may be involved in treatment decisions if you ever become unable to make decisions for yourself. Copies of the form are as legally valid as the original. The form remains valid unless you revoke it by: signing another Health Care Proxy form at a later date; legally separating from or divorcing your spouse and your spouse is named as your Agent; notifying your Agent, your doctor, or other health care provider, orally or in writing, that you want to revoke your Health Care Proxy, or doing anything else that clearly shows that you want to revoke the Proxy, for example, tearing up or destroying the Proxy, crossing it out, etc.Massachusetts is one of only three states that recognizes Health Care Proxies but does not recognize Living Wills. Living Wills are still potentially useful because they guide Agents and physicians about the types of choices a person would make.Information courtesy of The Massachusetts Med-ical Society
–Nicole Young R.N., CDP
The Wellness Clinic is held every Friday from
10:30–11:30 in the Fitness Center.
September Special Events and Entertainment
at RiverCourt
Massage Therapy ........................................Mondays 1–4
Manicures/Pedicures/Massage.................3rd & 4th Tuesday 9–3
Tai-Chi .........................................................Thursdays at 1:15
Me & Martha Entertain ............................9/2 at 2:00
Resident Council .......................................9/3 at 1:30
Care Givers Support Group .....................9/3 at 6:00
Steve Stains on Piano ...............................9/4 at 2:30
Catholic Mass with Father Bob ................9/6 at 11:00
Ceramics with Diane .................................9/3 and 9/17 at 10:30
Deb Thompson Sings ................................9/9 at 2:30
Art Class with Linda ..................................9/10 and 9/24 at 10:45
Lobster Fest ................................................9/18 at 5:30
George Parker Classical Guitar ................9/25 at 2:30
Dick Sawyer on Piano ...............................9/26 at 2:30
Birthday Party with Heather Marie .........9/30 at 2:30
Ladies’ Luncheon .......................................TBA
Men’s Luncheon ......................................... .TBA
Pizza, pizza, everywhere!We were unable to have a luncheon trip in July due to the weather. It never failed, every Wednesday that we planned to go out to eat was hazy, hot, and humid with a chance of thunderstorms. So we decided to have a Pizza Party. Everyone enjoyed it. This will defi-nitely be a repeat activity!
Joe soaking up the sun on the back patio.
The memorial service was bittersweet. We honored and remembered our beloved residents. Staff shared their fond memories with family, friends and residents.
August Memorial Service
Our oldest resident, Erhart Muller, from Harvard, MA recently celebrated his 105th birthday! There was standing room only. Erhart had a won-derful time and felt very loved, as well he should! Many of his friends and relatives came to cel-ebrate from near and far, from California, Connecticut, Mar-tha’s Vineyard and, of course, Harvard.
Assisted & Independent Living
Bessie was born in Nashua, N.H. She graduated from Nashua High in 1942. Bessie got married in 1949 and had four children, one daughter and three sons.Bessie went to work at Benson’s Wild Animal Farm when she was thirteen years old. She was given two bear cubs to take care of. Bessie worked there for five years until high school graduation. While she worked at Benson’s, she put on elephant performances for the public.Bessie left Benson’s and went to Michigan to work in a bar/restaurant owned by her uncle. Her primary duty there was serving drinks. She stayed there for five years.After that, she went back to Nashua. She had met her husband-to-be in Michigan. They got married when he got out of the service. Then settled in Ayer, where they owned and operated a restaurant for sixty years. The restaurant was called the Ayer Spa for the first five years, then they changed it to Tony’s for her father in law.Bessie loves sports and bowled for fifty-five years. Bessie is a Patriots fan and she loves the Red Sox. She even saw Ted Williams play at Tiger Field in Detroit!Bessie is still getting used to her new surroundings and feels like she will love living at RiverCourt. And, we love having her here.
Resident Profile: Bessie Sifakis
September BirthdaysJerry Callahan September 2Helen Swieca September 2Jean Ashton September 5Muriel Cosgrove September 11Lois Watt September 15Ethel Dalton September 22Joyce Miles September 25
September morn . . . Do you remember how we danced the night away. Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play; September morning still can make me feel this way.
—Neil Diamond
Susan’s CornerWhat runs through your mind when you think of September? Colored leaves? Football? Cooler weather? Sweaters? Apple cider? Bonfires? Rosy cheeks? Sweatpants? Fires in the fireplace?Living in Massachusetts, colored leaves have become a familiar site. Driving to work and seeing the beautiful colors on the trees. I love sitting on my patio and watch-ing the leaves fall to the ground. My favorite thing is the smell of leaves as they are raked and gathered from the lawn.One of my joys as an Aunt was having my nieces and nephews help me rake the leaves into a pile. Before we would bag them, we would reward ourselves by jumping into the mound. As a child, I remember raking the leaves with my Dad and jumping in them. He would always laugh because we never seemed to get the raking done. Now my nieces and nephews are all grown with children of their own and my parents are gone. I wonder if they rake leaves in heaven and my Dad is laughing because he can’t seem to get it all done. Maybe, just maybe I’ll go to see my niece Christine in Connecti-cut this fall and rake leaves with her and her children and let my inner child once more relish the raking, the jumping, and the smell of fall leaves.Enjoy September.
Exploring the AreaGroton Historical Society & Museum 172 Main St. 978-448-0092Kimball Farms 400 Littleton Rd., Westford 978-486-3891Gibbet Hill Barn, Trails, and Restaurant 61 Lowell Rd.Townsend Military Band Concerts Town Common–Thursday eveningsFitchburg Art Museum, free passes available at front desk 978-345-4207 Carter Myseum of Groton History Lone Lane 617-823-5757 The Natural Market 148 Main St. 978-448-5075Bliss Bakery 134 Main St. 978-855-7562The Herb Lyceum (New American) 368 Main St. 978-448-6499Filhos Cucina (Italian) 235 Main St. 978-448-5664Main St. Café (Friday Night Entertainment ) 159 Main St. 978-448-9634
Kiss me!Can you really see me?.
Meet the “Night Owls”
This is the 11–7 crew who watch over you while you sleep. Together, they bring many years of experience and devo-tion. Knowing we have such wonderful and dedicated staff taking care of us in the night brings peace of mind to us all!They are: Judie Copeland, Kathleen Thorpe, Deb Ernst, Christine Chace, Karen Page, and Donna Carroll.
We went to Fruitland’s for one of the summer band concerts. We were treated like royalty! We had reserved seats under the tent, and front row parking. It was a beautiful night. The weather was perfect and the whole experience was just delightful. We got to see the sunset before we left. What a nice evening we had. We will have to do that again next year.
Out and About
Beach theme centerpieces for the dining room
tables
Monthly Craft
