Category Archives: West Philadelphia Senior Community Center

CUSP Workshop at WPSCC Teaches Members How Climate Change Affects our Health and Homes

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The impacts of climate change often fill people with fear. Aiming to teach communities how to prepare for climate change, rather than fear it, members from multiple organizations joined forces to lead a Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP) workshop at the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC). As members of the local West Philadelphia community gathered together for “The Weather Ready Homes: Climate Change, Energy, and Your Health” workshop, they learned not just what climate change is and how to prepare for it, but were encouraged to share their personal experiences about how climate change has affected their daily lives.

“Who in this room thinks they’ve felt the effects of climate change?” Ali Kenner, professor at Drexel University, asked the crowd as she introduced the topic of discussion.

The majority of the room raised their hands. 

“And what have been some of those effects? How has it impacted you?” Ali asked.

“Hotter summers!” many exclaimed from the crowd.

“Floods!” others responded.

The reaction from the crowd was clear: the climate is certainly changing, and it’s not only affecting the weather, it’s affecting our health too.  The effects of climate change are causing warmer, wetter weather throughout the Northeast, so much so that this region receives

71% more rain than the rest of the U.S. Additionally, this warmer, wetter weather can create changes in the air that affect health conditions like allergies, and asthma, and increase the chances for mold growth in homes.

Throughout the CUSP workshop three overarching topics were discussed: Energy efficiency and weatherization, mold in homes and schools, and emergency preparedness.

Within each part of the CUSP workshop active demonstrations were given that had members on their feet participating with enthusiasm. Among them an inflatable model house that demonstrated the importance of energy efficiency, as well as activities like “Is this mold, or no?” that tested the crowd’s recognition of mold in homes.

By the end of the workshop members of the community learned what climate change is, how it affects our health and our homes, and how to solve the problems that occur because of it. Participants created their personal emergency preparation plans complete with written phone numbers of people and businesses to call in case of a disaster, and ten lucky members even went home with an air purifying house plant.

Thanks to the dedication of multiple partnerships with eco and health-conscious organizations, as well as the event’s sponsor, The Franklin Institute, the CUSP workshop turned out to be a great success. With these types of programs, we empower local communities to stay healthy, live well, and create a better future for our planet.

Here is a summary of the partnering organizations who helped make this workshop possible as well as the workshop’s guiding mission.

The Weather-Ready Homes: Climate Change, Energy, and Your Health Workshop is part of an educational research project under the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP) sponsored by Franklin Institute which is led by multiple partnerships including the Clean Air Council, Drexel University, Energy Coordinating Agency, Liberty Lutheran, the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As part of this program, workshop leaders strive to teach community members the relationship between their health and climate change, as well as effective solutions and available resources in their area. Because of partnerships like this with multiple organizations, we are able to facilitate successful programs that benefit the future of our local communities and empower their health and well-being.

If you’d like to learn about climate change, there will be another CUSP workshop on February 20th, from 4 pm to 6 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Philadelphia! Please find the details below:

Wednesday, February 20th, 4 pm- 6 pm

St John’s Lutheran Church

3101 Tyson Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149

A Day in the Life – Rose Richardson, Executive Director for The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center

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As part of our Day in the Life series, Rose Richardson, executive director for the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center shares how her day is shaped to help members and staff have a successful and meaningful time .

My day usually starts early in the morning. Today I got in around 6:30 so we could prepare breakfast for the members that were going on a trip. we always want to make sure they have something in their stomachs before they leave.

On a normal day, I usually get in and the first thing I do is walk around the building and check every room to make sure everything is set up for that morning’s programs. After that, I’ll check my e-mails to stay on top of things. We have a kitchen here, so I’ll also check in with the team in the kitchen to make sure they have everything they need for both breakfast and lunch. We have a great team that improvises really well if we run out of something.

Members often show up as early as 8:00 am. I’ll usually open The Center and work the front desk to greet them and help them sign in. The one thing I always tell my staff is to ‘treat every member as if we may be the only smile they see all day.’ That rule applies from the moment we open. I really enjoy being able to say hello to them first thing in the morning.

I’ll usually go back into my office before 9:00. Then, I meet with Julia Diggs, our program coordinator, to discuss the day’s activities and upcoming events. I’ll also meet with The Center’s counselor to discuss any cases she is managing. From there, I’ll check in with our In-Home Support Program (IHSP) about what they’re doing. IHSP serves as an incredibly positive resource for the older adults we serve. A lot of them may be isolated or managing significant challenges, whether they are physical or financial.

Our IHSP staff works very hard to make sure we’re meeting the needs of their program participants. For example, a participant may need a new refrigerator, or we may need to contact a contractor to complete some home repairs. In order to get these things done, we utilize discretionary spending, which requires a lot of paperwork, especially as IHSP is required to get two bids for each project or purchase.

Members usually continue to arrive throughout the morning.  We’ll be packed for classes and programs at around 10:00 and I’ll go out into our main area, called the Atrium, to say hello to everyone. This is my favorite part of the job. I try to give our members as much time as I can, whether it’s talking to them about things involving The Center or their personal life. For me, it’s important that they feel listened to.

In addition to the programs we offer, The Center also invites vendors to come in as a service to our members. The vendors range in services and products. For example, we have a man that comes in to sell shoes for people with diabetes, a woman who sells cakes, and we even have some staff from the local dollar store who bring products so we save the seniors a trip. Since Julia Diggs is on a trip today and we have a vendor coming in, I’ll make sure they’re all set up and have what they need.

Throughout the day, when I have the opportunity, I’ll focus on completing paperwork, which covers several areas. One of the areas that is so important is writing applications for funding. This can be a lengthy process and I’m really grateful to have the support of people at Liberty Lutheran and here at The Center. The other aspects include writing reports to demonstrate we’re in compliance or to earn accreditations from outside organizations.

On a normal day, The Center closes at 4:30 pm, and I’ll probably be here with staff until 5:30 to 6:00 in the evening either completing paperwork, planning for a trip or major event, or setting up for the morning programs and breakfast. This also includes preparing for our weekend events, which I usually attend.

Today, because we have a trip, I need to make sure that the SEPTA bus services shows up in the evening to take our members home. If they see the lights out in The Center, they’ll stop the route. Because our groups get back late, such as today, I’ll probably be here until they arrive home to make sure everyone gets their ride.

I have been in the senior services industry for over 25 years. I am so happy to be at The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center. Throughout my career I’ve worked to make sure that I’m meeting and anticipating the needs of older adults, especially those who may be underserved. I’m very thankful to have a great team that enhances the quality of life of our members. That’s incredibly important for the community we’re in. It’s absolutely rewarding and gratifying.

To learn more about The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, please visit LibertyLutheran.org/west-philadelphia-senior-community-center.

For more information about our In-Home Support Program, please visit LibertyLutheran.org/lcfs-in-home-support-program.

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

 

The Stories and Stars of the Liberty Lutheran Communities

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In every Liberty Lutheran community, conversations between residents and staff often reveal hidden gems of past virtuosity, or even current talents. There are thousands of stories to tell and share with the world.

One such story is that of Marion Stein. At 102, Marion is the poet of Paul’s Run. When Patty, director of advancement for Liberty Lutheran, heard about Marion’s talent for writing poetry, she knew Marion’s story needed to be told. Action News, from 6 ABC, interviewed Marion in her apartment where she shared her original poems and artwork. You can watch the interview here.

 

Some stories involve multiple members of the community and outside guests. When the Phillie Phanatic was paying a visit to the Artman Men’s Group, Henry, personal care administrator, made sure to document the moment through photos that later appeared in the print and online editions of The Ambler Gazette.

 

 

 

Jenna, a member of the Paul’s Run community life team, had a conversation with then-new resident Fred about his past as a way to make him comfortable in his new home. Through the conversation, she found out that Fred had played for one season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. With the Eagles just days away from their historic Super Bowl win, Fred shared his prediction of an Eagles’ victory with the world. NBC 10 even did a live broadcast at Paul’s Run where Fred was honored by the Eagles front office during a pep rally. You can watch the pep rally and interview here. The NFL even caught wind of Fred’s story and shared it with football fans around the globe.

 

At the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, staff noticed how member Jessie Howard transformed herself by using the community’s fitness center. All told, Jessie lost over 130 pounds through her workouts. Finding inspiration in her story, Action News met Jessie and personal trainer Daniel to capture her workout and tell her story. You can watch Jessie’s Art of Aging segment here.

 

These are just a small sample of the delightful narratives found throughout Liberty. When one resident shares his or her story with the world, a sense of pride rises in each community. Seeing friends and neighbors featured on television, web and in print brings the community together in celebration for the achievements of their peers. And while every story may not get the spotlight it deserves, the sharing of stories between friends, members, family and staff will continue to inspire even if those stories do not reach beyond the walls of the community.

In-Home Support Program Offers Hope and Independence to Seniors

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West Philadelphia Senior Community Center’s In-Home Support Program is an initiative that helps homebound seniors—either because of illness, disability, or extreme weather—to regain control of their lives, maintain their independence, and remain safely in their homes. 

As part of Liberty Lutheran’s A Day in the Life series, Andragina and Wanda share how they travel the neighborhoods of West Philadelphia to bring hope, fellowship, and safety to homebound seniors—many of whom might face dire conditions without their care and support.  In their own words, here are some of the joys and challenges Andragina and Wanda find along the road.

Andragina
This is the first time I’ve ever worked with seniors. My inspiration to do this work came from a scary situation I had with my elderly aunt who is very dear to me.  My brother and I went over to her home for our usual Sunday visit and discovered she had suffered a fall four days earlier. She was virtually helpless for four days! That just horrified me and made me realize there needs to be more people to be able to check on our seniors, especially those who don’t have anyone. I kept thinking suppose no one went to see her—that was a defining moment for me.

Wanda
I am passionate about what I do. I get up with such zeal because I feel like somebody is going to get blessed today that may have been feeling hopeless. While they think I may just be setting them up for home-delivered meals or transportation, I may notice they don’t have gas or running water, or they have a leak from a ceiling that’s going to fall down. When I point it out they usually respond by saying something like “there’s nothing I can do—I can barely afford my medication.”  They’re not even thinking of getting help for the lack of utilities or the structural disrepair in their home, but I have the resources to help this situation and then they get so excited. I get so filled up when somebody gets a blessing like this. It’s like Christmas for them!

For instance, I was helping a woman who was a very responsible person but had fallen behind in her bills due to depression from grieving the loss of her daughter and son. She didn’t have any heat in her house so I was able to refer her to a resource that would come and give her a heater. Also, she was so afraid to be without medical insurance, which cost more than $500. I talked to my supervisor and we were able to pay that for her. Additionally, at one point she called me and said she hadn’t eaten for a couple of days. I can’t imagine how it feels to be hungry—I was beside myself. My coworkers saw how filled up I was and started gathering all types of resources so that I could get food and necessities to her. The teamwork was so awesome that I was able to purchase food and provide her with groceries and other nutritional items. As we sat and talked she began to cry because she was so deeply moved by our outreach and concern. This is what I mean when I say somebody is going to get Christmas today—it’s what we do!

Andragina
A lot of the seniors we serve are blind. Quite a few have been exploited in some way and many are truly lonely because they are separated from family or have no family. We also encounter older adults who may have limited mobility, take multiple medications, need dialysis three times a week, or have mental health issues.

Despite these circumstances, many of the older adults we serve are so grateful for the smallest thing we can give them. Recently, I was able to provide for one of the seniors in my care a nutritional supplement that she had been awaiting for a couple of months. She was so very thankful.  We’re able to visit someone and provide for them some of the small things we take for granted that they don’t have. As Wanda says, it’s like Christmas for them.

Like when I was working with an older woman whose eyesight and legs have been failing. She has steps and couldn’t get outside and really wanted the pleasure of once again being in her garden. We were able to get contractors to build her ramps and give her a sense of independence.

I’m also reminded of another woman I was helping who needed extermination for mice, roaches, and bedbugs. She was horribly dismayed about her situation because she had always kept a clean house. But, the problem was stemming from the two vacant houses on either side of her that were overrun with pests. I didn’t even pull off her block before I was on the phone with our extermination service. In the end, we were able to get her place exterminated and some of the clutter under control. Now her whole spirit is totally different—she is just so happy.

Wanda
I love feeling like somebody is going to get Christmas today and being able to make that happen! When we visit a senior we ask them what we can do that would make them more comfortable in their home. We let them know we can provide meals if it’s difficult for them to cook. Or sometimes, someone may be challenged by getting back and forth to the doctors because it costs $4.50 one way to go by paratransit, which is a lot for a senior who’s on a restricted income—but we come in and say you don’t have to bear the burden of payment because we can help you. We can help to obtain a household cleaning service, take care of a shutoff notice, or even provide funds that may be needed for movers if a senior is relocating to another address.

Andragina
The difficult aspect of  our job is to visit a senior who doesn’t have the basics of food or they don’t have family or support systems or no one really comes in to see them…and  of course when they pass that’s devastating to all of us because we know them and have worked with them.

Wanda
For me, a difficult aspect of the job is that I want to be effective and impactful when I go to an older adult’s home but it can sometimes be so overwhelmingly. Sometimes people have extreme clutter or they’re in situations where they’re being neglected in their home. If someone needs to leave their home it’s usually because of structural deficiencies…it’s hard because many have been in their home more than 50 years but the conditions may be so deteriorated that they need to get out for their own safety.

I once visited an older woman in her home who clearly needed to move. I knew she could quickly qualify for senior housing because of her situation. But, this woman just didn’t want to leave. She said she had an application in with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. Fortunately, because of that, I was able to get PHDC to expedite repairs for her home and also get her windows fixed. She was so elated. Afterward, she sent me a modest box with a pair of white gloves, a pair of stockings, and a card. I’ve kept all of those items because you could tell that was all she had but it was her way of thanking me.

Andragina
None of what we do would be possible without the help and support of our director, supervisors, and our colleagues on the IHSP team—all whom empower and support us in providing the best care to those we serve. Liberty is truly a family that is concerned about us as employees and not just production and paperwork.

The care and comfort that Andragina, Wanda and their co-workers provide for homebound seniors in Philadelphia is invaluable. Their commitment is a shining example of The Liberty Way. If you know of someone who can benefit from our In-Home Support Program, please visit click here.

Liberty Lutheran Promotes Growth from Within

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At Liberty Lutheran, our culture of leadership, caring, compassion, and at its core – excellence – is embodied in the everyday employees in our communities. They are driven by our mission and our commitment to the people we serve.

It is always refreshing and rewarding when a company has the ability to promote from within and can rely on an internal talent pool that is prepared to meet new challenges. At Liberty, we are proud to announce the following staff changes and promotions:

– Dana O’Donnell, currently the Executive Director of Liberty at Home, will assume the role of Executive Director at The Hearth at Drexel.

 

– Annamarie Daley, Director of Home Health Care for Liberty at Home, will assume the role of Liberty at Home’s new Executive Director.

 

– Susan Rothenberger, currently the Home Health Clinical Supervisor for Liberty at Home, will assume the role of Director of Home Health Care.

– Rose Richardson has been given the title of Executive Director as a result of her remarkable leadership and work to build the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center’s programs and membership.

 

– Dana Guyton, currently the Support Services Director for Paul’s Run, has accepted the position of Personal Care Administrator.

Also, Liberty Lutheran would like to recognize the dedication of Linda Curto, Personal Care Administrator for Paul’s Run. Linda will retire in May after 25 years of service to Liberty Lutheran. The talent, skills, and knowledge she has shared with residents and her colleagues at Paul’s Run for the past two and a half decades has been a shining example for our entire family of services.

These changes are examples of Liberty’s commitment to investing in the future and success of those who share their talents and skills with our residents, members, patients, and clients on a daily basis. We are dedicated to providing opportunities that lead to professional development and advancement across our family of services.

To view current positions available at Liberty’s family of services, as well as the benefits of working for Liberty, please visit LibertyLutheran.org/careers.