Weinberg News - March 2019

March 2019

Welcome to the Weinberg Campus newsletter, dedicated to sharing news

and information with employees, residents, families and special friends.

Message From The President

Nineteenth Century America witnessed a great migration west. All of us are familiar with the images of wagon trains crossing the mountains and prairies as people searched for adventure and new places to settle and call home; new places to put down their roots, as they said back then. Lots of new communities developed along the wagon trails and the people who built these new towns were eager for others to join them. So when wagon trains passed through their towns residents would greet them with gifts and supplies in the hope of convincing them to stay and become their neighbors.

This is the origin of the term “welcome wagon,” a phrase all of us are familiar with. Many communities in the United States have welcome wagon programs designed to make people moving into a new town feel welcome. It’s a wonderful neighbor-to-neighbor program.

Because of the rich history and ongoing popularity of welcome wagon programs, I was delighted last summer when our staff members recommended that we develop a Weinberg Welcome Wagon to greet newcomers in a warm, friendly way.

Weinberg Welcome Wagon is a partnership between staff and residents that has three purposes: to welcome new move-ins, welcome visitors who are considering moving to Weinberg, and provide neighbor-to-neighbor resources for newcomers. The program kicked off in August and takes place in Dosberg Manor, Forest Creek, Meadows, and Rosa Coplon Living Center. Weinberg Welcome Wagon provides welcome signs for new residents, delivers welcome baskets, hosts new resident cocktail parties, and introduces our new neighbors to existing residents who can answer their questions and help them out in a variety of ways.

I am so pleased with the enthusiastic response we got when we asked for resident volunteers and it has been gratifying to see our staff members and volunteers working together to make Weinberg Welcome Wagon a success. It’s a perfect example of what I think of as the “Weinberg Way” – creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone who has decided to “put down their roots” here at Weinberg Campus. Many thanks to all of our Welcome Wagon members!

Weinberg Welcome Wagon directories are available from each community manager and the Sales office. Additional questions or comments? Contact [email protected] or (716) 639-3311 ext. 2468.

What's New

Weinberg's Art Collection Has "Wow" Factor

The Amherst area’s best kept secret is the treasure trove of local artwork at Weinberg Campus. Approximately 2,400 works adorn the walls in the main building of the 70-acre retirement community on 2700 North Forest Road.

While the genres and mediums vary, a majority of the collection was acquired to beautify the residential common areas soon after Weinberg Campus was built in 1993. Some themes depict the Buffalo community while others connect historically to the Jewish community.

“The connection to the local community that these pieces represent holds a good deal of meaning for the artists and the residents at Weinberg Campus,” says Megan Barr, Collections Consultant at Defining Objects. Megan is responsible for cataloging, handling, storing and installing the works around Campus.

Several pieces are from well-known Buffalo-based artists with international recognition, including the newest addition to Weinberg’s art collection—a beautiful wall mural (pictured above) created by award-winning artist Irving Mink (1927-2014), who was a member of the Buffalo Society of Artists and Western New York Artists Group. The piece formerly hung at the Temple Sharrey Zedek in Buffalo, and was donated to Weinberg Campus by the Temple and the artist’s son, Daniel Mink. The piece can be found in the Adult Daycare Conference Room.

Other popular works include four pieces by renowned print artist and University at Buffalo Art Faculty Member Emeritus Harvey Breverman. His works are currently displayed in the main entrance and the Weinberg Campus Deli. These pieces were recently swapped with some of Breverman’s older works, which are now on exhibit at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College.

“I recall when Breverman visited the Campus. He walked the halls reminiscing about his time with his mother when she was a resident at Weinberg Campus,” says Megan. “Many of the staff came to greet Breverman as he perused the works of art,” adds Megan. “I recall that he smiled as he viewed every work, and shared stories about each artist. It was a special moment that reminds me not only of why these works are so important, but also why I do what I do. Artwork and significant objects serve as anchors for our cherished memories.”

Update On Transition To Elderwood

In February three out of six Certificate of Need (CON) Change of Ownership applications (nursing home, certified home health agency and licensed home care service agency) were approved by the New York State Department of Health's Public Health & Health Planning Council.

Since then, we are in a holding pattern until the remaining three CON Change of Ownership Applications for Dosberg Manor, Garden House and Meadows receive administrative approval by the Department of Health. These CONs are currently under review, though the timetable for approval remains uncertain.

The next step after all six CON Change of Ownership applications are approved is to seek other required approvals, including the New York State Attorney General's office and the Town of Amherst.

If you have questions about the sale or the process, please contact Bob Mayer, President & CEO, at [email protected] or (716) 639-3311 ext. 2468.

March Into National Nutrition Month 2019

By Emilie Schachtner, M.S., R.D., Weinberg Campus

Choosing nutritious foods and getting enough physical activity can make a real difference in your health. For National Nutrition Month® 2019 , in March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages people to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and activity habits.

Each March, the Academy focuses attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition Month®. "Through the campaign, we share good eating tips such as how to keep nutritious meals simple, the importance of making food safety a part of your everyday routine, the value of preparing meals with foods you have on hand to avoid wasting food, and how to select nutritious food options when dining away from home," says registered dietitian nutritionist Robin Foroutan, a New York-based spokesperson for the Academy.

What is a Registered Dietitian?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential:

Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a food service corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.

Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Weinberg Campus offers twp Registered Dietitians and one Dietetic Technician to help residents meet nutritional needs. For more information, please call (716) 639-3311 ext. 2405.

Source: www.eatrightpro.org

Safety Corner

Virtually every organization uses chemicals, whether for cleaning, outdoor buildings and grounds maintenance or for first aid purposes. The way these and other chemicals are handled can make a huge difference in safety for employees, facilities and the people the organization serves.

That’s why Weinberg Campus maintains a comprehensive and compliant Hazard Communication Program in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, including the use of a Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of labeling chemicals. GHS is an internationally agreed-upon standard that includes classification criteria for health, physical and environmental hazards. Chemicals are identified as follows:

HazCom Labels

Every chemical container must be labeled.
Product must be identified and supplier ID must be present.
Labels include signal words – either danger (more severe), or warning (less severe).

Pictograms

Pictograms may include health hazard, flame, exclamation mark, corrosion, exploding bomb, gas cylinder, crossbones and environment.
One or more of these pictograms must appear on a chemical label. Example – windshield washer fluid will have the crossbones pictogram because it is extremely toxic.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

These sheets inform employees about chemicals in the workplace.
16 sections include product ID, hazard identification and first aid measures.

In addition, Weinberg Campus supports that "You have a Right to Know" about chemicals in the workplace. Our "Right to Know" station is located in the basement and includes a binder with SDS sheets for chemicals.

Four Hazard Communication Educational Sessions are available for employees in March. Remaining classes are available March 14 at 9:30 a.m., March 21 at 1:30 p.m. and March 25 at 9:30 a.m. All classes will be held in the theater.

For more information, contact Joe Iarocci, HR Manager and Safety Officer at [email protected] or (716) 639-3311 ext. 2331.

Preserve Your Memories With Pixstori

Attention residents! Do you have family photos with stories behind them that you'd like to share?

We are partnering with University at Buffalo students who are recording the stories behind your pictures as a way to preserve memories.

Students will meet with residents to look at photos and record their stories. Each story will link to a photo and can then be shared with family and friends. Residents interested in participating in the Pixstori project may contact Debbie Schultz at (716) 639-3311 ext. 2473 or [email protected].

Thank You, Blood Drive Donors

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Thank you to all employees who helped to support our area's blood blanks.

Weinberg's winter's blood drive through UNYTS resulted in: nine collected units (whole blood + double red cell), four first time donors and six repeat donors with Unyts. We appreciate your support!