Liberty Wellness – Employees Helping Employees

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Liberty Wellness Works is Liberty Lutheran’s health and wellness program that helps employees reach their fitness goals, as well as achieve better health through improved diets, nutrition, and stress management. Liberty staff members are encouraged to earn points that can be redeemed for financial bonuses at the end of each Eligible employees can gain up to $350 per year.

The system is based on a 1 point equals $1 system. Regular wellness visits with a physician that include bloodwork are worth 200 points, which converts to $200. Completing a monthly challenge will earn an employee 5 points. Being a non-smoker for over 12 months is worth 10 points. Having your annual dental exam is worth 15 points. Points are also awarded for such activities as reading a book on stress management, receiving an annual flu shot, joining a gym (or Liberty’s own Becoming Center), and more.

Each month, employees are encouraged to submit healthy recipes they enjoy making at home. Rebecca Ditore, wellness program coordinator, then assembles the recipes and shares them with the entire network of Liberty employees through her email blasts.

This summer alone, 60 recipes were sent to Rebecca by staff to encourage others to eat healthy this summer.

Here is just a sample of those recipes:

Tropical Papaya Smoothie
Submitted by: Annamma from Paul’s Run
Servings: 1
1 papaya, cut into chunks
1 c fat-free plain yogurt
½ c fresh pineapple chunks
½ c crushed ice
1 tsp coconut extract
1 tsp ground flaxseed

Combine the papaya, yogurt, pineapple, ice, coconut extract, and flaxseed. Process for about 30 seconds, or until smooth and frosty.

Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Submitted by: Heidy from Liberty at Home
½ cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 container plain or flavored Greek yogurt
1 egg

Mix together, cook with coconut oil
Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto skillet to make 1 pancake
Wait for edges to bubble and flip pancake

Cantaloupe Salsa
Submitted by: Luanne Fisher, Whitemarsh
4 cups cantaloupe, small chunks
1 cup tomatoes, small chunks
½ red onion, diced
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ yellow bell pepper, diced
½ cucumber, small chunks
4 jalapeno peppers, diced
2 tbsp. each lemon & lime juice
Clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. olive oil

Mix everything & refrigerate until chilled & flavors combine (about 1 – 2 hrs.)

Summer Fruit Salad
Submitted by: Sherry, The Village at Penn State
1 – 29oz can of peach slices (don’t drain)
1 – 20oz can of pineapple chunks (don’t drain)
3 1/8 box of instant vanilla pudding
1 lb. of strawberries sliced
1 banana sliced
½ pint blueberries
1- Bunch of grapes

In a large bowl combine peaches, pineapple, pudding and juice from cans. Mix well. Stir in remaining fruit and chill.

Carrot Dogs
Submitted by: Areatha, West Philadelphia Senior Center
5 carrots – cut each end of the carrot off, to fit a hot dog bun,
Shave the outer layer of skin off.
Put 2 cups of water in a pot with:
2 tbls. soy sauce
2 tbls. liquid smoke
2 tbls. steak sauce such as A1 sauce
2 tbls. maple syrup
2 tbls. ketchup
(Preferably organic, without high fructose corn syrup)

Stir the pot and add the carrots.
Let it boil for 10 minutes
Cover the pot and boil for 10 more minutes.
Place your carrot in a hot dog bun and dress it with coleslaw, white onions, mustard and ketchup.

Delicious Cauliflower
Submitted by: Diane, Whitemarsh
1 large head of cauliflower, cleaned and cored (keep it whole)
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon brown mustard
4 slices Swiss cheese; other sliced cheese may also be used
Pepper, to taste

Clean, core and steam one large head of cauliflower.
Drain cauliflower and place on a serving dish.
Mix mayonnaise and mustard together to blend them.
Spread the mixture over the hot cauliflower.
Sprinkle with pepper.
Lay the four cheese slices on top to cover the cauliflower.
Serve when the cheese has softened and melted.

Low Carb Taco Salad
Submitted by: Sheryl, Village at Penn State
8 oz. low fat sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese
1 lb. lean ground beef
Mild taco seasoning packet
Mild taco sauce
1 bag shredded or chopped lettuce
1 bag mild shredded cheddar cheese
Tomatoes
Whole grain Tostitos (optional)

Mix sour cream & cream cheese until creamy and layer on bottom of 9×13 pan.
Brown ground beef & mix taco seasoning according to package.
Layer on top of sour cream mixture.
Pour taco sauce over ground beef.
Layer lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.
Dip Tostitos if desired.

Summer Veggie Pasta
Submitted by: Sophie, Artman
Pre-cooked ziti (zucchini diced, tomatoes diced)
Garlic chopped or minced depending on your preference
Basil leaves
Mozzarella balls or Parmesan cheese
Yellow squash
Mushrooms if you like it

This recipe is quick and easy to make. The amount of ingredients depends on how many people you’re cooking for and the timing also depends on how you like to eat your vegetables. I like to eat mine crunchy, so I don’t cook them as long.

Zucchini Casserole
Submitted by: Teri, The Hearth at Drexel
1 large zucchini, chopped into ¼-inch slices
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
Croutons
1 tomato, sliced,
4 – 5 slices American cheese or sharp Cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook zucchini 10 minutes or until tender and drain well.
Sauté onions, mushrooms and green pepper in butter.
Add zucchini to sautéed mixture; season with salt and pepper.
Put mixture into buttered 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with croutons, then sliced tomatoes.
Arrange cheese slices on top.
Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.
Vegetable mixture may be prepared ahead of time. If so, heat casserole longer to warm through.

Apple Turnovers
Submitted by: Samantha, West Philly Senior Community Center
Total Time: 30min
Servings: 8
Small Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut into 8 (1/2-inch) slices
Tablespoons butter, melted
One can (8 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
One teaspoon apple pie spice

Heat oven to 375°F.
Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper, or grease cookie sheet.
Set aside.
In small bowl, toss apple slices in 1 tablespoon of the melted butter; set aside.
Separate dough into 8 triangles.
In small bowl, mix brown sugar and apple pie spice.
Divide mixture evenly among triangles.
Top each triangle with apple slice. Starting at short side of each triangle, wrap dough around apple.
Place on cookie sheet. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until crescents are deep golden brown and apples are softened.
Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Learn more about the benefits of working for Liberty Lutheran at LibertyLutheran.org/benefits

A Day in the Life – Gary Dolan, Director of Environmental Services at The Village at Penn State

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

As part of our Day in the Life series, Gary Dolan, Director of Environmental Services at The Village at Penn State, shares how he created a culture that defines excellence in service. Here is Gary’s story:

I’ve been very fortunate to have a position that is constantly evolving and presenting new opportunities to learn. The Village is always a beehive of activity, especially in the areas I get to work in. Within my job I oversee housekeeping, laundry, and the facilities side such as maintenance, security and all the work done on 60 acres of grounds. My department also works closely with Liberty’s IT staff to make sure all our tech is running smoothly.

In the past several years, with all the construction going on, I’ve also been working with Dave DeLuca, Liberty’s Director of Real Estate Development, which has been so rewarding given his knowledge. It’s been a great few years with the addition of the completed community room and connector hallway. Now, with the construction of a new main entrance lane, our Commons building expansion, Palmer Park and the new cottages that surround it, another round of development is underway. We also manage renovations to current apartments. I really appreciate what my team is able to do there and how creative they can be.

Managing the grounds is always interesting for us. For example, when the starlings roost at the University’s football stadium and their staff chases them away, they fly right to our campus. So we need to manage that when they try to take up residence on our buildings.

Being so close to Penn State, we have a lot of very intelligent, engaged and active people living here, some of whom are retired academics that desire to be sincerely involved in some of the day to day operations. Being that the University has its roots in agriculture, a lot of our residents are particularly knowledgeable about managing plants and grounds. Some of them are master gardeners. It’s always interesting to learn from them and to get their feedback on caring for things, such as different hand pruning techniques, and what specific fertilizers we should be using on certain plants and not on others. The residents aren’t shy about sharing that insight, so I’ve been very lucky to learn from them.

I am very proud of our amazing staff. There is no way I could oversee everything this position calls for without their help. They’re always going the extra mile. The key thing is that we’re not in a silo. We have oversight of an entire campus and when someone has a problem it’s our problem too, because we often have the ability to remedy the situation or at least lend a hand.

Everything that you can see, feel, touch, and smell at The Village has to do with our work. Whether it’s the lights or phones, or helping fix something in the gym or the kitchen, we deal with everything that has to do with the quality of life at The Village. So the day-to-day can be an adventure, and not to be cliché but in my entire time here, no day is ever the same. I love it. There is not one single day, when it comes to 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon that I don’t truly wish it was 10:00 in the morning because there is so much to do. The days just fly by.

We are here for our residents and it’s so important that they know that. We can’t just show up to work and do our job on the grounds, or the laundry, or maintenance. We are caregivers just as much as anyone else and it’s important to remember that when it comes to the service we provide, I’m fortunate to work with people who truly believe that. It’s not just about fixing a sink or a light; it’s about providing help in all areas to create a positive experience in all outcomes. I love that our team has pride in service.

I have the opportunity to learn from residents every day. I just really appreciate the amount of learning this job continues to provide from both them and the people I get to work with.

One other thing I’d like to note is that the Association for the Healthcare Environment, which is a peer group of the American Hospital Association, has been critical in my career within this industry. I was fortunate to serve as national president of the association in 2011 and again in 2016 throughout 2017. Liberty Lutheran has been so supportive of my involvement and I am very thankful for that. It’s wonderful being able to work for a group of people that recognize opportunities for professional and personal growth. They know it’s key to the entire organization, not just the individual.

To learn more about The Village at Penn State, Palmer Park, and the new cottages, please visit RetireatPennState.org.

For information about working at The Village at Penn State, or Liberty’s other communities, please visit LibertyLutheran.org/job-listings.

Getting into the Swing of Things at The Village at Penn State

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Construction has begun on the highly anticipated Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State. Designed and completed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, the first-of-its-kind fully landscaped park, gardens and beautiful walking trails will offer residents unparalleled outdoor space for year-round activities, recreation and al fresco dining.

The senior living community is dedicated to providing a wealth of healthy experiences for retired adults seeking an active and engaging lifestyle. Thanks to a suite of services, including independent living, personal care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing, residents are able to ‘age in place’ throughout all stages of their retirement.

With the addition of Palmer Park at The Village, residents seeking to continue their robust lifestyle choices can step outside to hone their golf skills on the professionally contoured synthetic grass putting green and practice area. The Park also has space for residents to delight in a game of bocce, stroll the walkway through world-class gardens, and partake in morning meditation on the multi-purpose fields.

A magnificent pergola and fire pit accent the new Creamery Terrace where residents can revel in al fresco dining with views of Palmer Park’s fields and golf putting greens. Focused on resident nutrition and using fresh, local-sourced ingredients, the Village’s exquisite restaurant-style fine dining allows for a stunning experience that rivals the region’s fine dining establishments. Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream will also be available on-site in a variety of flavors for residents, family and friends to enjoy on the terrace, on the walking paths, or while relaxing on one of the many sitting areas throughout the Park.

Located on the doorstep of Penn State’s campus, residents of the Village enjoy a special relationship with the University and the students. The Village provides transportation to lectures, sporting and cultural events, and to downtown State College. Students also regularly visit The Village, bringing their youth and energy to an already vibrant community. With this in mind, Palmer Park is distinctly designed for residents of The Village to be active in a very unique outdoor setting.

Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State showcases how the community continues to offer unparalleled services to people who want to stay fit and active through their retirement.

Click here to schedule a tour to learn more about all the new developments happening at The Village at Penn State.

Watch a short video about our new developments below.

Nursing: The Finest of Arts

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Nursing is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said the finest of Fine Arts. – Florence Nightingale

National Nurses Week is officially celebrated from May 6 to May 12. At Liberty Lutheran, and in all our communities, we recognize and applaud the work done by each and every member of our nursing staff. Day in and day out, our registered nurses (RN), certified nursing assistants (CNA), and licensed practical nurses (LPN) impact the lives of our residents in tremendous ways.

The American Nurses Association’s theme for National Nurses Week 2018 is ‘Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.” In recent letters from residents and their family members to the staff at Paul’s Run, Artman, The Village at Penn State, and The Hearth at Drexel, the words used to describe the nursing staff echoed that theme. Some of those words include: Helpful. Highly efficient. Sacred. Awesome. Wonderful. Respectful. Compassionate. Just like family.

“The care provided by our nursing staff is second to none,” said Dana O’Donnell, executive director of The Hearth at Drexel. “Their dedication to the wellbeing of each resident is unrivaled and their willingness to go the extra mile is heartwarming. Each day I witness acts of kindness and generosity that go above and beyond their regular duties. Whether it’s stopping to take part in a resident event, or offering an uplifting hug the compassion and skill of our team moves me daily.”

Liberty Lutheran, The Hearth at Drexel, Artman, Paul’s Run, The Village at Penn State, Liberty at Home and Liberty Hospice would like to take this moment to say thank you to the nurses who make a difference in the lives of our residents.

If you would like more information about open positions for CNAs, RNs and LPNs at Liberty’s communities, please visit https://www.libertylutheran.org/job-listings.

Five Questions Your Doctor Wishes You Would Ask About Your Heart

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

February is officially designated as Heart Health Month. According to The Heart Foundation, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable.

Dr. Christopher Pitsch, Medical Director at Liberty Lutheran’s Paul’s Run community, offers five questions he wishes his patients would ask.

Q: What is heart disease?
A: Though “heart disease” may be used to describe a few different conditions, it is most commonly used in reference to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart.

Q: What causes heart disease?
A: Heart disease starts with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. Blood components can also begin sticking to the wall, causing a “plaque” buildup and narrowing/hardening of the vessels.

Q: What does high blood pressure have to do with heart disease?
A: Several years of high blood pressure can damage artery walls, causing them to become stiff and narrow. Though controlling our blood pressure is always important, there is more flexibility as we get older. Too aggressively lowering our blood pressure can cause problems as well.

Q: Is it OK to exercise?
A: Yes, regular exercise improves blood flow to the heart and makes the other muscles in the body more efficient, increasing their functional capacity as well as any medicine. As little as 10 minutes of an exercise you enjoy can go a long way.

Q: How can I lower my cholesterol?
A: Though sometimes medicine is required, healthy lifestyle changes can also make a big impact. Eating more fruits, lean meat, vegetables, and fish can go a long way, while eating less organ meats, egg yolks and fats.

Dr. Pitsch recommends that everyone should have an open and honest conversation with their doctor about heart disease and the prevention of heart disease.

For more information about heart disease, and how to reduce your risk, visit TheHeartFoundation.org.

Volunteering with Liberty Hospice – A Day in the Life

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Jean Irvin, volunteer coordinator for Liberty Hospice

There is a belief in the Lutheran Church that throughout our individual lives, we are accompanying each other on our respective journeys. As part of Liberty’s Day in the Life series, Jean Irvin, volunteer coordinator for Liberty Hospice, shares how this concept rings true for Hospice volunteers and patients. Here is Jean’s story.

Liberty Hospice’s team includes our medical director, social workers, our chaplain, skilled nurses, hospice aides, and volunteers. We all work together to provide support and compassionate care to those who have a life expectancy of six months or less, although if a patient improves but still manages a life threatening diagnosis we have served them upwards of a year prior to their passing.

I joined Liberty Hospice as the volunteer coordinator on January 25, 2017, and for the past year there has been no typical day. Hospice is very fluid, and one day is never the same as the next. My work depends upon the needs of our patients and our case load.

Each morning I check to see if there are any new requests for hospice services from residents at Paul’s Run, Artman and The Hearth at Drexel. Liberty Hospice also currently provides services to patients in six other communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania, while maintaining relationships with communities we’ve served in the past.

We currently have about 30 volunteers who engage patients in a variety of ways. Some of our patients can be more active, while for others, just talking about pictures in their room can bring back incredible memories that create a real sense of joy. For those who are non-verbal, simply sitting with them provides support and a connection that reassures them that someone is there for them.

Stephanie and Colleen both find volunteering for Liberty Hospice a rewarding opportunity.

Our volunteers demonstrate an incredible amount of commitment. Serving as a hospice volunteer isn’t easy, but it’s purpose-driven and fulfilling for many of those who share their time with us. We want to make sure they are connected with our mission and recognized as valuable members of the Hospice team. To achieve that goal, I check in with our volunteers over the phone and through e-mail to see how they’re doing and to checkup on their availability. We also host volunteer appreciation events and education programs, and during major holidays and volunteer appreciation month we also send out cards and notes expressing our gratitude for everything they do. Making our volunteers feel appreciated is key to providing the best hospice care.

I also recruit volunteers on a daily basis. This includes managing applications to ensure they’ve met our criteria to volunteer. Once their paperwork is complete I coordinate and provide orientations, and try to meet them in the field when they’re visiting a patient for the first time.

There’s a large administrative aspect to my role as well. As the volunteer coordinator for Liberty Hospice I’m also a member of the interdisciplinary team. When there is a request for our services we usually get paperwork on the patient from a nurse or a social worker. From there we log information into a variety of systems to track and generate reports for the patients’ records.

Phyllis and Penny volunteer at Paul’s Run.

Every time a volunteer goes out to see a patient, I organize the correct paperwork and work with other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure that we track which volunteer is working with a certain patient. All of the information we create ends up in our patients’ charts, which also needs to be logged in to Hospice’s patient tracking system.

Hospice offers several programs and activities to create positive experiences for those we’re serving, such as Music and Memory and pet therapy. It warms my heart when I see a patient light up with joy at the sight or touch of one of the volunteer-dogs we bring in to provide companionship. Some of our patients have been required to give up a beloved pet, so when they get the chance to participate in pet therapy the positive impact can be immeasurable.

Part of my job is to also work with volunteers to create playlists for our Music and Memory program. For this, we contact family members to find out what our patients enjoyed listening to throughout their life, and what songs may draw special memories. We dig deep and do our homework to make a meaningful impact. I’ve seen non-verbal patients sing songs verbatim, and those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia recall memories based upon the songs we play for them on an iPod.

Mr. Smart T. Pants and his human volunteer at Artman.

Coordinating services can include organizing ceremonies for our We Honor Veterans program, which recognizes the sacrifices of those who have been in our armed forces. As with everything we do, this can be requested in advance or require a very quick turnaround. We work very diligently to ensure we meet the needs of those we’re serving.

Liberty Hospice also provides bereavement services to families of patients who have passed away. We keep in touch with them for 13 months following their loved one’s passing. The first card each family member will receive is one that is hand-signed by our staff. Every time we have a team meeting, which is every other Wednesday, I bring the cards for everyone to sign and then send them to each family member.

Right now we’re providing support to approximately 500 family members by offering grief counseling and holding support groups, which are also open to the public. We stay connected with them in a variety of ways; one of which is through the mail, which is the area I coordinate with volunteers. Given the number of family members we’re reaching to out this can be a large and important task.

The important thing I want to share is that there are tons of volunteer opportunities with Liberty Hospice, whether they’re directly connected with patients or helping us within our offices. We even have some volunteers who work within Liberty Lutheran’s family of services and we’ve have had their friends and family referred to us as well.

Being a Hospice volunteer is not about being part of someone’s death. It’s about being part of someone’s life. The comfort and companionship we provide at Liberty Hospice is so important for our patients and their families, and I see it on a daily basis. Being a part of this team is a truly important part of my life.

The compassionate care that Jean, and everyone at Liberty Hospice, brings to our patients and their families is integral to Liberty’s mission to serve as a vital resource for individuals and their families. If you are interested in volunteering with Liberty Hospice, or know someone who might be, please reach out to Jean at jirvin@libertylutheran.org or visit LibertyLutheran.org/volunteer.