Category Archives: Village at Penn State

What is Skilled Nursing and Is It Right For You?

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At times our health can feel more unpredictable than life itself. Knowing that help will be there for you when you need it, especially when something goes wrong, provides peace of mind that is simply irreplaceable. Skilled nursing facilities in continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) help provide peace of mind for older adults through the times they need it most. Skilled nursing care offers the same professional support and medical resources you’d receive in hospitals within the comfort of your retirement community. Providing round-the-clock care for individuals whenever they may need it, this level of care empowers older adults to maintain their health and live comfortably with independence and fulfillment.

What does skilled nursing mean?

  • Skilled nursing: a healthcare center with full-time registered nurses and doctors on staff, providing nursing care 24 hours a day. Skilled nursing facilities also have places to store and dispense medication properly.

 

The Village at Penn State with Nittany Lion

Residents at The Village love the Nittany Lion!

The care provided by skilled nursing facilities can be short-term or long-term depending on your unique healthcare needs. The Village at Penn State and Paul’s Run, two of Liberty Lutheran’s vibrant retirement communities, offer both long-term and short-term skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities offer a wide range of services including occupational, physical, and speech therapy as well as basic nursing care like medication management and assistance with activities of daily life with 24 hour medical supervision.

Is skilled nursing right for you or your loved one?

This is an important question to ask, understanding whether or not skilled nursing is the right level of care for you depends on the type of assistance you or your loved one needs. Skilled nursing is often the most complete level of care for people who’ve experienced an injury or illness that requires medical attention they can’t provide for themselves. Additionally, with certified medical staff present 24 hours a day at Liberty’s skilled nursing communities, individuals who need assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and/or dining, experience the comfort and peace of mind from skilled nursing services in knowing that assistance is there when they need it. With skilled nursing care at The Village and Paul’s Run, not only are you certain that help will be there, but that the care you receive is from staff who truly care about your health and happiness.

Experience the excitement of university-based skilled nursing care at The Village at Penn State

The Village at Penn State’s skilled nursing neighborhood offers residents a setting that’s equally nurturing and comfortable as it is engaging. A private garden courtyard, lounge, beauty salon, barbershop, and a private chapel are among the many amenities that make residents and their families feel the excitement of university-based retirement communities.

The Village at Penn State dining services

Chefs at The Village preparing delicious AND nutritious meals

Services and staff include

  • Licensed nurses
  • Certified nursing assistants
  • Social worker
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapists
  • Assistance with bathing, dressing, dining, and other activities of daily life
  • Medication supervision
  • Fully-furnished private rooms
  • Chef-prepared meals served three times every day

 

Within the skilled nursing neighborhood at The Village, you’ll find fully furnished private rooms and warm-hearted care at The Atrium, their vibrant Health Care Center. Their reputable team includes licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, a social worker and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Support includes help with bathing, dressing, dining, and medication supervision. Residents and family enjoy delicious meals served daily by The Village’s staff of chefs who balance fresh taste with great nutrition.

Enjoy independence with resident-centered skilled nursing care at Paul’s Run

“I love this place. For a guy like me Paul’s Run is second to none. The people that work here make this place. They give you love and affection and are all very caring and compassionate.” — Skilled Nursing resident

Paul's Run residents and Eagles cheerleaders

Paul’s Run residents rallying their Philly spirit with The Eagles cheerleaders

Resident-centered skilled nursing care at Paul’s Run consists of a highly-trained team of staff who provide individualized care plans while encouraging the highest levels of independence. With professional nurses and therapists providing 24-hour medical supervision and on-going health assessments, the residents of Paul’s Run don’t just understand that help is available, they feel that they are truly cared for.

Paul’s Run has and continues to earn reputable rankings for their outstanding skilled nursing care. Additionally, the community is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report, and is newly recognized on the publication’s most recent list for Best Nursing Homes, Short-Stay Rehabilitation.

What is resident-centered care?

The goal of resident-centered care is to nurture each person’s dignity and independence. Paul’s Run creates a community built around residents’ preferences. With numerous recreational and religious activities, residents are encouraged to participate in all the community has to offer while having the freedom to make their own decisions on what they do each and every day.

Still not sure if skilled nursing care is right for you or your loved one?

The skilled nursing facilities at Liberty Lutheran’s CCRCs offer a level of care that provides medical assistance for older adults whenever they may need it. With licensed medical staff available 24 hours a day, you can be certain they’re receiving warm-hearted care in a vibrant community that engages and supports them fully. To experience more of the skilled nursing care offered at Paul’s Run visit their website here or see what skilled nursing at The Village at Penn State has to offer you by clicking here.

Wondering the difference between skilled nursing and independent living?  Read our blog post about independent living to find out!

Bringing Smiles and Youth to The Village at Penn State

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On Sundays, residents at The Village at Penn State are greeted warmly at the omelet station by Ali Dajani. While making their favorite omelet, he talks with each one about whatever’s on their mind. That’s usually the previous day’s football game (or not depending on how well Penn State played).

The Village at Penn State Dining Services

Chef Craig and Ali serving smiles at The Village

The Village and the SCAHS Work Experience Program

Ali began working at The Village through a program called the State College Area High School (SCAHS) Work Experience Program. The Village first learned about the program several years ago when another employee who attended SCAHS realized that, with the hours she was working, she could qualify for the program.

The program is a win/win for SCAHS and The Village. “At the time, we were struggling to hire enough employees to cover dining services,” shares Duane Leitzell, Director of Dining Services. “For high school students, this is often their first job.  Since we’re in hospitality, we hire smiles and look at how a person interacts with people. We can teach them everything else they need to do the job well.”

In the 2017-2018 school year, SCAHS awarded The Village with their Employer of the Year Award. The program has done so well that last year The Village hired five students.

Pursuing passion at The Village

For students like Ali, they not only get the work experience, but many develop a love for the industry and pursue a career in hospitality and culinary arts. Ali is currently a freshman at Penn State majoring in hospitality management. He has aspirations of continuing on to culinary art school.

“I love being able to do something that I’m passionate about,” expresses Ali. “With the SCAHS program, I could take what I was learning in the classroom and put it into practice at The Village. And Chef Craig has been a great mentor.”

Executive Chef Craig Hamilton adds, “It’s pretty cool to watch how much Ali’s caught onto. I have fun working with all of the students. I get to step out of my normal routine and teach them something that they’re eager to learn. It’s rewarding to watch them grow.”

Forming friendships with residents

And how do the people who call The Village home feel about having high school students working there? Duane shared that the feedback on surveys has been very positive. They love having youth around. While students often feel intimidated at the beginning, they quickly become friends with many of the residents. Some of those friendships even continue to thrive long after the student has left The Village to pursue a career elsewhere.

Discover senior living at The Village at Penn State. Experience our fun and spirited community by clicking here.

Liberty Wellness – Employees Helping Employees

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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

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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

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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

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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.