A Message from our CEO/Executive Director
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Hello Friends and NEHD Family:
In a few days I am presenting to a group that I am a part of that focuses on healthcare disaster and safety coordination in the Commonwealth.
I was asked to present on the impact of Covid and lasting and impactful aspects that remain in Long Term care facilities because of Covid and the global pandemic.
While I could speak for hours on a variety of topics all the good, bad, and ugly I will share one thing briefly that is lasting at NEHD, and I suspect in many nursing homes.
Creativity and entrepreneurship are both very much alive at NEHD. Whether being creative with staffing, creativity with activities to meet Covid requirements or whether being entrepreneurial in obtaining supplies. We “no longer think that is how we have always done it.” We are now in this semi- post-pandemic world we constantly challenged to think about how we can achieve this goal to benefit our residents. We no longer “think outside the box” we live outside the box in a vibrant community of creativity that serves our residents and staff in a meaningful way…. This has been a bright star of the Covid period.
Thank You,
Chuck
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We are very excited to welcome Amy, our Social Worker Intern, to New England Homes for the Deaf. Amy came to NEHD this August 2021 and is in the process of obtaining her licensure. Once completed she will be named Director of Social Service.
Amy grew up with her family living in Framingham, Massachusetts, and became deaf at the age of 15. Having no earlier exposure to the Deaf community, she attended Gallaudet’s summer camp for new signers and was so pleased that the Deaf community accepted her and welcomed her with open arms.
She attended her Junior and Senior years of high school at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham.
Amy is an undergraduate of the University of Massachusetts in Boston where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. After graduating and working as a teacher’s aide, she felt “pulled to Social Work” and went on for her Master’s degree in social work at Salem State University.
Her passion is advocacy and social justice. She is “super motivated” to empower people and provide a culture of inclusion for all, including gender, race, sexuality, and disability.
Amy has worked in Greater Nashua Mental Health Center where she was a therapist and Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital where she was a Rehabilitation counselor. While interning at Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing she was encouraged to check out various Deaf agencies to continue her work. She visited NEHD and the rest is history.
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Lorna Lake started her healthcare career as a CNA for a high school program when she was 16 years old. She began working at NEHD as a CNA on our long-term care unit in the fall of 2011. She quickly began learning American Sign Language. She provided great care to all her residents on the second floor. She was then trained to pass medications on the Rest Home and eventually became the Rest Home Supervisor in 2014. NEHD encouraged Lorna for several years to attend nursing school because she is a bright young lady and we knew that she would be an amazing nurse for our residents. In September 2020, Lorna started the Licensed Practical Nursing Program (LPN) at North Shore Community College in Danvers. While attending school, Lorna continued to work at NEHD around her school schedule. Lorna completed the LPN program in June of 2021 and passed her NCLEX exam on 9/1/2021. Lorna is officially Lorna Lake, LPN! Congratulations Lorna! NEHD is very proud of all your accomplishments and for the care and compassion you show to our residents each day!
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We are excited to share our happenings as we begin the expansion of our outdoor recreation for all residents, especially the Deafblind. We have taken the first step towards integrating the TH (Thompson House)and NEHD campus. Where did we begin? Well, thanks to the support of an anonymous donor, the first step was to add a rail on the existing walkway between the TH and NEHD. Now, NEHD residents, TH tenants and all others who are not confident walking without aid are able to use this walkway. Our future plans include benches, additional landscaping and access to the current Gazebo where all can sit and relax while enjoying the environment and chatting with family or friends. This has been a long time coming and it is the start of a larger plan which will lead to a more accessible integration of the two locations. We encourage you to be on the lookout for more exciting news of this endeavor! NEHD is very grateful for all of our generous donors and welcome you to donate to this project.
Please click on the link below to make a donation:
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HOW YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Recently our NEHD rest home resident Norma Lynch, and her family, donated a beautiful wooden bench that has been placed on the campus to overlook our view of the Danversport Marina.
One family member said: “Since 2018, when my Mom moved into NEHD, all of my family members have felt a tremendous sense of relief. The transition for her to assisted care was emotionally charged and laced with numerous questions about how well she would be cared for in this new home.
Throughout her time, she has received excellent healthcare, has been able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, and has had consistent communication access in sign language. Because NEHD is such a special place with wonderful and attentive staff, my Mom and my family wanted to honor the staff that has worked so diligently during these unprecedented times.
The recent stimulus money given to the residents, including my Mom, had created a wonderful opportunity. After her immediate needs were addressed, we were unsure how some of her money could be shared to benefit her and possibly others.
To us, the bench is a symbol of the stable and comfortable home that NEHD embodies. Over the years, my Mom has always commented on the boats along the Danvers River and has loved the view off the dining room. It seemed only fitting for the bench to be placed there for her, the residents, and the staff to enjoy for now and years to come.”
The Lynch family’s donation will make a difference in the lives of our residents by being able to safely be seated and enjoy the view of the water and the boats in the marina. The inscription on the bench reads: “With love and appreciation Norma Lynch”
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Deaf, Deafblind, Late Deafened and HOH Awarness Day at Fenway Park
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Deaf Awareness Week is a national week of celebrating deafness. It is observed annually throughout the last full week of September. This year we celebrated from September 18-26th. The week focuses on promoting the positive aspects of deafness, encouraging social inclusion, and raising awareness of the organizations that support those who are deaf.
5 NEHD residents, accompanied by 5 staff members attended the special event Sunday the 19th.
It was a glorious sunshine-filled afternoon, with a special Red Sox win thrown in as a bonus!
Everyone had a great time at Fenway Park celebrating Deaf Awareness Day. Shelley Bevins is a lifelong Red Sox fan. It was the first time she’s ever been at the park. She was hugely appreciative of the staff helping navigate around a 109-year-old building with the wheelchair.
Robert Fetterman has fond memories of playing baseball with his father and used to play in the Bronx. He supports the Oakland A’s. He had a great time rooting for the Red Sox who wore yellow and blue uniforms in support for the Boston Marathon.
April Brown is a Yankee fan. She’s been at the old Yankee Stomping ground at the Bronx four times. Her brother also a Yankee fan warned her to not “smile” for the Red Sox. However, she was smiling all day at Fenway. Being surrounded by Deaf people reminds her of the field trip she took at school.
Kevin Keefe is a devoted die-hard Red Sox fan. He follows every game very closely and gives staff updates on the Red Sox. He shook hands with old retired Red Sox Pitchers Luis Tiant and Dennis Eckersley in the past. His love of the game came from playing with his whole family. Kevin loves the fingerspell Red Sox shirt NEHD gave out for the special day.
Marianne Hajjar another hardcore Red Sox fan had a great day. She went to the game often, however it was her first time she sat out in the right field. Marianne has a better understanding how hard it was for the right outfielder to catch the ball in the blazing sun in his face. She saw the infamous Pesky pole.
The Fenway ushers were wonderful. They were aware up to 500 Deaf people were going to the game. They learned a few gestures to help people navigate to their seats. They even allowed Marianne to sit up front so she could feel the red clay that dotted around the baseball field.
Attendees received braille calendars and the Hard of Hearing were able to use special headphones during attendance.
Baseball has particular significance in Deaf history as William Ellsworth Hoy, who became deaf at the age of 3 due to meningitis, became a professional baseball player in 1886. The invention of baseball hand signals came out of necessity for this young man who loved the game. Hand signals are a long-standing testament to the ingenuity of a young boy who loved baseball.
Interviews of residents contributed by P.J. O’Neil
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What are some of the key reasons to get a flu vaccine?
- Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
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Flu vaccination also is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
- While some people who get vaccinated still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness.
- Flu viruses are constantly changing, so flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests will be common during the upcoming flu season.
- Your protection from a flu vaccine declines over time. Yearly vaccination is needed for the best protection.
- This information is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)
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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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