August 2020
Welcome to the Weinberg Campus newsletter, dedicated to sharing news
and information with employees, residents, families and special friends.
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Message From The President |
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August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day, a day created in 1988 when President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847.
In his proclamation, President Reagan stated: “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older – places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”
Weinberg Campus has been this kind of community for over 100 years. Since 1915, hundreds upon hundreds of individuals have called Weinberg home after serving their communities and our country in myriad ways, bringing their life stories with them. One such story – the amazing story of Dosberg Manor resident, Albert Dorer – appears later in this newsletter. We consider it a privilege that Albert and all our residents call Weinberg Campus their community.
On another note, did you know that Buffalo hosted major league baseball from 1879-1885? For seven years the Buffalo Bisons were once part of the National League. Now, for the first time in 135 years, major league baseball is back in Buffalo, as we are the “home” for the Toronto Blue Jays. Sadly, no one can see the games in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, the pandemic has thrown a lot of curve balls to communities like Weinberg Campus, one of which was the New York State Department of Health’s restriction on visitation to assisted living and nursing home communities. As you know, these restrictions have been lifted, but with strict guidelines and limitations designed to protect residents, family members, and employees.
Regardless of the restrictions and the ever-changing circumstances surrounding them, it has been a delight for many of our residents and their families to see each other face-to-face for the first time in over four long months. Please know that we continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus.
I want to thank everyone – residents, family members, and our dedicated staff members – for your understanding, cooperation, and support as we have worked together to manage the impact of the pandemic on Weinberg Campus. It has been a team effort. We have performed well despite many obstacles and in the face of a lot of uncertainty.
If you have questions or comments, I encourage you to reach out to any member of our leadership team, or contact me directly at (716) 639-3311 ext. 2468 or [email protected].
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Celebrating National Senior Citizens Day
Remembering World War II, Clark Gable,
and the Eiffel Tower
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Pictured above: Albert Dorer, Dosberg Manor resident, serving in the United States Army during World War II.
In honor of National Senior Citizens Day we took a moment to speak with Dosberg Manor resident, Albert Dorer, to reflect back on his time in the United States Army – an experience he says is his biggest lifetime accomplishment.
Albert Dorer, 97, recalls his time in World War II like it was yesterday. The year was 1943 and the raging war overseas needed his services. So, without hesitation, he responded to the draft and was sworn into the United States Army. He received his basic training stateside and by September he had shipped off to England, a seven-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
While serving in England, he went for a walk one day and came upon a small hotel where he met a gentleman, a major in the Army Air Force. They saluted each other and, immediately, Albert knew he was saluting Clark Gable.
“[He] talked to me for a few minutes and asked me for my name – he wrote it down. He said I was handsome and, if we both made it through the war, he wished to see me out in Hollywood, working with him at Metro Goldwyn Mayer. He said he’d put in a good word for me,” reminisces Albert.
Soon after meeting Clark Gable, Albert was shipped to Belfast, Ireland, where he drove a laundry army truck with clothing and blankets for seven months. He recalls knowing his way around Northern Ireland just like he knows his way around Buffalo, and, that he was the best dressed soldier!
He soon moved on from Ireland to prepare for D-Day. They never explained what D-Day was, everyone just knew something big was about to happen.
"We kept practicing getting on and off ships and landing crafts. We went back to England at a port. I crossed the English Channel, and then from a large ship rope ladder, climbed down in a landing craft and landed on Utah beach on D-Day in Normandy, France. Then we made it into Paris," Albert recalls. Albert managed to make it to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower – but he wasn’t on vacation, they were fighting a war! The sightseeing didn’t last long, but he was able to check the experience off his bucket list.
Albert was on leave at the border of Germany and Belgium. He got caught in the Battle of the Bulge hauling gas all night long, as the Germans were firing, and screaming mimis were everywhere. That’s when he called out to hit the road with other convoys. He was proud to serve his flag and his country.
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Towards the end of his time in the Army, he was ordered to drive a high-ranking officer to Brussels, away from the front lines. He recalls this as a huge honor – there were some close calls along the way, but they both made it back safely. His tenure ended with a plethora of medals – some he received 72 years after the war! |
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In honor of National Senior Citizens Day, we asked Albert what advice he would like to offer to the younger generation. He said, “Use common sense throughout life. Take advice from the older generation. Go to school and get a good education. Take heed and follow through on your promises and you can live a long time. Look at me – I’m 97, and I am in pretty good shape!" |
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Reunited and It Feels So Good! |
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Below is the restricted visitation set up at a few of our communities. We continue to follow the protocols and guidelines set forth by the New York State Department of Health to ensure we are keeping everyone safe. We thank our residents and their loved ones for their patience while we are required to enforce these necessary measures. |
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The very first socially distant Dosberg Manor visit, including a furry friend! |
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The first visit at Garden House was a joyful reunion! |
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Social Worker, Njegos Petrovic, welcomes visitors to socially distant tables, which are cleaned between visits. |
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Those who come in at a pre-scheduled time for a visit can expect COVID-19 screening questions and a temperature check at our welcome station. |
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During this time of the resurgence of COVID-19 across the country, Weinberg Campus continues to take every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus in our communities.
- Employees are screened daily and tested weekly.
- Every staff member wears a mask.
- We follow frequent hand washing and social distancing practices.
- We follow Sodexo’s seven-step cleaning program using hospital-grade disinfectants approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- For the past few months, we have also been using a Solaris UV Disinfection machine, a cutting-edge technology used in many acute care hospitals and healthcare settings to prevent the spread of illnesses. This technology helps to eliminate coronavirus and other germs from surfaces in seconds with proven pulsed UV light.
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COVID-19 and Social Stigma: Is It Your Fault If You Catch It? |
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In addition to reiterating the measures we are taking to ensure the safety of all parties, we also want to stress the importance of reducing stigma surrounding COVID-19. According to the CDC, stigma is associated with a lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spreads, a need to blame someone, fears about disease and death, and gossip that spreads rumors and myths.
No single person or group of people are more likely than others to spread COVID-19. Public health emergencies, such as this pandemic, are stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who become infected. Like certain strains of the flu, COVID-19 is very contagious. It’s important to follow preventive measures to stay healthy. At the same time, be careful about placing blame on individuals and assuming the worst about how they became infected.
How can we collectively prevent and address stigma in this situation? The CDC has provided a great resource with tips, which can be accessed here or on the CDC.gov website. We’re all in this together!
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M&T Bank Leaving Weinberg Campus |
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Services continue to be available through remote banking and nearby branches
M&T Bank will be leaving the Weinberg Campus on September 25, 2020. A decision was made by the company to consolidate offices with the nearby M&T Bank North Forest branch, which is located 2.5 miles away at 740 Maple Road in Williamsville, NY.
The branch, which has been temporarily closed since March for the safety of residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, is not expected to reopen before September 25 at this time.
Residents, employees and family members who used the M&T Bank Weinberg Campus branch can do their banking at the North Forest branch, or at any other M&T branch or ATM, via their Telephone Banking Center (1-800-724-2440), online at www.mtb.com or via their mobile apps. In addition, M&T bankers are also available to meet virtually with customers.
To make an in-person or virtual appointment at the North Forest branch, visit mtb.com/schedule or call 716-688-9336. Their bankers will prepare documents in advance to make the appointment go smoothly and quickly.
They’re also willing and able to give tutorials on how to use their secure online banking or mobile apps, which allows customers to view account balances, pay bills, locate ATMs, transfer funds and even deposit checks all while on the go, 24/7. If you can’t get to a branch during service hours, online banking gives you alternative ways to handle your banking needs.
Not currently enrolled in online banking? They can help with that too. You’ll need some information at your fingertips, including your account number and some other identifying information, so M&T can tell it's really you signing up for your account. It’s a process that, in many cases, takes only minutes.
We’ll miss having M&T on campus, but are glad they are staying in the neighborhood.
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...from a Dosberg Manor family member |
"The whole staff at Dosberg Manor is wonderful, and if anyone asks, I would highly recommend you. The nurses and the aides, like Grithly, are outstanding! Please thank everyone for us." |
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Njegos Petrovic, Social Worker, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Faith Stoll, RN Supervisor, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Santina McDuffie, CNA, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Mia Cassella, Receptionist
Tyshera Barner, PCA, Dosberg Manor
Alyssa Fitzgerald, Activities Director, Dosberg Manor
Debborah Genco, LPN, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Keyerra Walker, Resident Counselor, Greenwood
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Meet Alyssa Fitzgerald, Activities
Director at Dosberg Manor
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We’d like to welcome our new Dosberg Manor Activities Director, Alyssa Fitzgerald! Alyssa grew up in Lockport and comes to us from Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. She received her associate degree in human services from NCCC and continued her education at Empire State College, where she studied human services and community relations. Alyssa is most excited about getting to know all the residents and their loved ones, and eventually, taking them on fun outings! In her spare time, she enjoys acrylic painting and spending time with her three cats. Welcome, Alyssa! |
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Healthy Fruit Pizza Recipe |
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Mix up your summer menu by introducing this fresh and tasty fruit pizza! Good for a snack or a dessert, this recipe is sure to please.
Oatmeal Cookie Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup of almond flour
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- 3 ripe, mashed bananas
Fruit Dip Ingredients:
- 1 (32 ounce) container low-fat vanilla yogurt
- 1 (8 ounce) container lite Cool Whip
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box dry instant vanilla pudding mix
Fruit:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Kiwi
- Any of your favorite fruits!
Directions:
- Combine: Oatmeal, Mashed Bananas, Almond Flour, Honey
- Spread evenly on a pizza pan and bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. The cookie should not be under-cooked so watch it the last 5 – 10 minutes and add a few if needed.
- While the cookie is baking, combine the ingredients for the fruit dip. Let the Cool Whip get to room temperature so that your dip is a smooth consistency.
- Spread dip on cooled off cookie.
- Top with your choice of fruit. If you want to make a design start from the outside first. Have fun and enjoy!
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Sundaes on Sunday, July Birthdays, and
Why Residents Love Living Here
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Healthcare Heroes Wanted! |
Hats off to our HR team for hosting the following virtual and outdoor hiring events over the last month:
7/16: Virtual Hiring Event | Food Service
7/30: Virtual Hiring Event | Assisted Living
7/31: Virtual Hiring Event | Environmental Services
8/11: Socially Distant Hiring Event | Open Interviews - ALL Positions
8/13: Socially Distant Hiring Event | Open Interviews - ALL Positions
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Have you checked out the new campus photo tour on our website? Click the video to the right to view, and please feel free to share with family and friends! |
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