Meet Our New Executive Director, Chuck Crush |
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Chuck M. Crush has been in Healthcare Leadership for over 24 years and has led Skilled Nursing Facilities, Hospices, and Assisted Living Communities in Virginia, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Most recently, he has been the Executive Director of Ashland Farm at North Andover, Massachusetts and has also served seniors in other Benchmark communities for almost seven years. Chuck holds a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and is a graduate of various leadership programs including the Geisel School of Medicine Leadership program at Dartmouth College as well as the Disney Institute Leadership Excellence program. He holds the prestigious certification of a (CDAL) a Certified Director of Assisted Living and is also a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Massachusetts. ( LNHA)
Chuck is a former member of the Concord New Hampshire School Board and is a volunteer with The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics. He lives in Concord, New Hampshire with his wife Amy Girouard and her children Joshua and Allison whom he has raised since they were young. Joshua is completing his sophomore year at Clark University and Allison is in her eighth year at Randlett Middle School. Chuck’s son Matt lives in Washington D.C. and is Director of Business Development at Resonate.
Chuck enjoys spending time with his family, good wine, spirituality and reading.
Q&A
1) Can you tell us about your upbringing – where are you from; where you live now; and your family?
I was born in Virginia and attended school and college there. In 2001 I wanted a change and moved to New England and have lived in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since then. For the last 11 years I lived in Concord, NH with my wife Amy who is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and advocate. My stepson Joshua is a sophomore at Clark University, and my stepdaughter Ally is in eighth grade. My son Matt lives in Washington DC and works for Resonate as Director of Business Development. We also have a rescue White German Shepherd named Geno and a seventeen-year-old cat named Mr. Whiskers. Our family was formed through unique circumstances, and we jokingly refer to ourselves as the “family of second chances.”
2) What is it about working with seniors that has interested you throughout your career?
I started off working as a social worker in a small nursing home where I became fascinated with the residents’ stories. I wanted to be able to impact their stories in a positive way in this chapter of their lives. My mom was a nurse who had a rich and interesting life story. In 2009 I lost her to Alzheimer's disease. This made the stories of the residents we care for resonate deeper with me, and it made me realize that the stories of every resident are like a colorful tapestry that make up our community.
3) What have some of the challenges been running a facility during COVID?
There have been many challenges during COVID. One of the main challenges has been that the life and vitality of the community has been curtailed for needed resident safety. It was sad to see residents missing their families despite our best efforts to connect them. It was also difficult to not see residents engaged in the dining room or in an activity. These meaningful moments are just as important as the care we provided during this time.
I also think a challenge has been rapidly changing best practices and CDC guidance. This was frustrating for leadership, staff, residents, and families. I feel everyone was doing their best, but it was so much evolving information that made it hard to manage and communicate the changes.
4) What are some of your goals for NEHD?
That is a great question. I have a million ideas in my mind, but I really need more information before I can even say if they are feasible. My goals initially are to develop relationships and be very curious about the stories of NEHD. I also would like to learn and hear about the goals of the staff, the residents, families, Friends of NEHD and the community at large. I also want to learn as much ASL as possible to better communicate with our community. I am very goal directed and --after hearing from all stakeholders-- I am confident that we will develop strong joint goals to serve the NEHD community.
5) What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?
I love my family very much, and I am very family motivated. I love playing chess with my stepson Josh and swimming with my stepdaughter Ally. I also like to travel to Washington DC to visit my son Matt and love walking my dog Geno. My escape is spending time with Amy whether it is traveling, eating at a nice restaurant with a good glass of wine, or going for a walk; this is where I find my peace and center. I am a very optimistic and spiritual person who loves to celebrate his family.
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Staff Highlight: Monique Bailey |
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Monique has been a valuable presence in NEHD business office for 8 years. So who is Monique? She moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts from Brazil when she was a little girl. She first came with just herself and her mother. The purpose of coming to America was to obtain a better education for Monique who is Deaf. Monique was mainstreamed in public schools all the way up until high school year when she was transferred to American School for the Deaf for a better education and sports. Prior to becoming a senior at ASD, she learned that she had Ushers Syndrome. Ushers is a genetic condition that involves hearing loss and vision loss since birth. The vision loss is the result of eye disease called retinitis Pigmentosa. Having this disease never stopped her from chasing her dreams of going to Gallaudet University.
Monique attended Gallaudet University, in Washington D.C. She majored in graphic design and graduated with a bachelor’s in science degree. While job seeking for Graphic Design a job opening at the Learning Center for Deaf children got her attention. Although it was not graphic design related, she decided to take it due to her interest in involving with the Deaf community. She took a job as a teacher assistant having always had a passion in human services. After working there for three years, Monique decided to take a year off to travel in 30 different states throughout the country; both on the road and flying.
Upon returning to Massachusetts from California, where she lived for a few months, she met her husband Erik. While residing in Salem, Monique took a job at North Shore Arc as a House Manager. After three years at NSARC Monique took an administrative support position at New England Homes for the Deaf where she is still working today!
When asked what Monique enjoys most about her work here, she responded, “working with people who make her feel appreciated and make her feel like this is her second home”. She loves making residents happy by listening to their stories and sharing values for Deaf Culture and Community.
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IrisVision - Smart Wearable Low Vision Glasses for Visually Impaired
New England Homes for the Deaf has been fortunate to acquire a grant from (PAIGP) The MassHealth Provider Access Improvement Grant Program leading us to the purchase of a pair of “Iris Vision” glasses.
Iris Vision is a remotely connected smart, wearable visual assistive device for people with low vision to not just see but to connect with the world. Iris Vison projects a real time view of the world onto the part of the eye that is still functioning well. Training was completed with the new technology with the Director of Rehabilitation and the Director of Activities. With assistance from these staff, residents choose/ touch to find the software lens or make the adjustments they need.
Residents with certain low vision diagnosis such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy and others; can see faces, read, watch TV and online videos clearly again.
Iris Vision is a class 1 registered medical device and the only wearable low-vision aid that is clinically validated and developed in collaboration with world-renowned vision scientists at Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and UPMC Pittsburgh – and the only device of its kind backed by a research grant from the National Eye Institute.
One of our residents recently worked with our occupational therapist and activities director and was able to view photographs of family members and correctly identify individuals. The resident was emotional as she has not been able to see a photograph of her deceased mother in over five years. The device has certainly increased her quality of life and helped to reduce isolation and loneliness during the pandemic.
Another resident was able to identify staff members’ faces, which he had been unable to do for more than one year, and recognize personal family photos, leading to reminiscing and sharing feelings. A magnification device no longer worked for him as vision declined.This resident had always loved to read the New York Times but for the last year he was unable to until he was assisted with the Iris Vision glasses.
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NEHD and Covid-19, One Year Later
It has been just over a year ago since COVID -19 took over our lives across the world, all across the nation, and of course, at New England Homes for the Deaf which was impacted on several fronts.
The administration’s goal has been throughout to keep residents safe and connected to their loved ones, even when they could not be together physically.
Our dedicated staff are to be recognized and commended for working through their own personal concerns for their health and the health of their families, bypassing their vacation time, working long
hours, wearing full PPE gear day in and day out, and so much more! The word ‘Heroes’ should not be taken lightly, as the reality of COVID was up close and personal.
New England Homes for the Deaf earned the National Covid-Ready Caregiver Certification, to protect “you and your loved ones”.
Every day we took our guidance from the Department of Public Health and Executive Office of Health and Human Services, to ensure strict adherence to their outline as it unfolded, altered, tightened and readjusted on a daily and weekly basis. We embraced those guidelines and collectively felt and shared the joy when restrictions lifted slightly for visitation, and community dining, and activities. Even during those times of full quarantine for the residents, our staff created programming that was delivered to the residents’ doorways. Everything from donations of arts and crafts items, bingo, “Monstah “ truck ice cream , and the popcorn machine.
Staff were tested for COVID per regulation, repeatedly. Sometimes 3 times a week. Currently, even though the county percentage is low at approximately, 2%, we still test staff weekly and test vendors and visitors alike.
Today we continue to wear the required PPE, quarantine those returning from their 24 hours stay from the hospital or are newly admitted. Social distancing and disinfecting are part of the daily fiber on our campus.
Although there is battle fatigue, at times, our staff soldier on. Our residents are understanding and cooperative of their limitations on their lives, and grateful when piece by piece those limitations are lifted. We are looking forward to the Spring, with its flowers and warmer breezes.
Nearly everyone was vaccinated when the opportunity finally arrived! COVID-19 has not darkened our doorstep for nearly a year now. We are both grateful and vigilant.
NEHD has had annual staff recognition ceremonies for years of service. This month we recognize our staff for their years of service and certainly for this past year’s amazing journey.
Thank you to our staff and managers from our residents, families, Board of Directors, and to each other from each other; for bravery you continue to exhibit and your strong sense of responsibility and caring that accompanies you day after day.
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New England Homes for the Deaf has a Fabulous Fundraising Cash Calendar for June 2021
Each day of the month has a great prize including Market Basket, Barnes and Noble, the Paper Store, Amazon gift cards and more. The calendars are $10 each. More chances to win if you purchase more calendars. All money raised goes right back into the NEHD community for Resident funds.
Calendars can be purchased at NEHD 154 Water Street, Danvers or see our Facebook page or website (www.nehd.org ) starting in April. Purchase a calendar, and your name will be entered to win.(purchase 3 and your name will go in 3 times, etc) Purchases can be made in person, through our Donate button on the NEHD website, or mail a check for the amount of calendars you wish to purchase. Be sure to include your contact information name, email, and phone number if you are paying online so we can reach the winners!
Second Wind Dreams
New England Homes for the Deaf works with “Second Wind Dreams”® an award-winning Dreams Program that sheds light on the positive aspects of aging. As each Dream comes true, a ripple effect spreads as the impact of the dream goes from the elder to everyone who helped make it a reality. They have sponsored several recent dreams for our residents ranging from Art materials to a special makeover for someone in need. Visit them on secondwind.org. For more details of recent dreams go to NEHD’s Facebook page (and “like” us). 😊
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New England Homes for the Deaf, founded in 1901, is a life plan community that offers a continuum of care to Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing seniors, including independent living, rest home, skilled nursing community, Deaf senior centers, short-term rehabilitation services, respite care services and hospice care.
The New England Homes for the Deaf mission is to provide long term healthcare, housing, recreational activities and social support for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing individuals in an accessible, barrier-free and culturally-sensitive environment with optimal communication and architectural resources.
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