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“But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.”

Khalil Gibran

The above quote was posted today by Susan Thomas for St. John’s “Eden Quote of the Day”, in honor of the first three Elders moving into our community Green Houses in Penfield, New York. This is the culmination of an incredible journey for St. John’s Home.

It has been exactly a decade since I went to hear Bill Thomas give a talk in Utica about his latest thoughts about Elderhood. At that talk, Bill described his concept of “doing vs. being”, and his visions for “Eldertopia”.

In 2003, the first Green Houses opened in Tupelo, Mississippi. Our CAO, Veronica Barber went to visit them, and on her return she told our CEO, Charlie Runyon, “We have to do this.”

Then about four years ago, with the encouragement of former DOH Dormitory Authority Director Tom Jung and Assistant Health Commissioner Mark Kissinger, we decided to take one more very big step: we decided to bring Elders back to true community engagement, by moving off campus and integrating our Green Houses into residential communities.

This set off a series of twists, turns and setbacks that pushed us back a few years in our timeline, but what we learned in that process about our vision, our strengths and challenges, and about our Eden journey was priceless.

And today is the payoff as, for the first time in our nation, the first pioneering Elders move to a pair of small houses 11 miles away from the main campus, nestled in the multigenerational Arbor Ridge community. Guide Rebecca Priest has been the lighthouse for this journey and her group of shahbazim, nurses and other supportive care partners is truly incredible. Very soon after, the remaining 17 Elders, people with diverse needs and abilities, will follow.

So many people have put their hearts and souls into this journey that it is impossible to mention them all. In addition to the visionary leaders mentioned above, I must make a special note of Joanne Brauenle, our Project Manager, who formerly worked on NASA contracts and showed us that culture change really is rocket science! The builders at Pride Mark, architects at SWBR, and our pre-design work with Emi Kiyota all made incredible contributions to the beautiful, warm and functionally versatile houses we open today.

And of course, a huge thank you to The Green House Project, especially Robert Jenkins and Susan Frazier for their guidance and tireless advocacy, and to Bill and Jude Thomas and the Eden Alternative, who have helped shape our new vision of Elderhood that will truly be a game-changer in providing living options for Elders with skilled needs across the nation and beyond.

Way to go, St. John’s; my hat is off to you!!

Green House homes are opening, and I would be remiss not to capture the air of excitement that has filled the lives of those who will be working there.

Last week, after an emotional roller coaster of a pre-opening survey we thought a move this week was unlikely, continued discouragement based on a progressive floor plan and looming construction questions.

Late Friday afternoon, we received documentation confirming approval to move elders into the Green House homes.

Today I have busily fielded staff, families, and elders seeking more information, three families in disbelief, and three elders who have been waiting for nearly seven months to live in a new environment, one without the institutional trappings of the medical/ hospital inspired operation they have been living in.

It seems somewhat surreal, this journey of mine, which has been over two years, but started before me with many great visions and passions almost five years ago. It is becoming a reality tomorrow as three people move in! The emotion of the occasion is at times overwhelming. For employees who have shed personal and professional blood, sweat, and exacerbated tears over this operation, this is like a dream come true.

That said, the nerves of a once-in-a lifetime occasion – I can feel those as well. One thing remains true. When you believe something is right, you stand up and fight for it, when you believe something is wrong, you stand up and fight against it, and when you go to bed at the end of the day, and the world is a little more right, and a little less wrong because of the efforts you made, you can be pretty proud.

Be proud, St. John’s, and NYS. The world of long term care is a little more right because of you!

It might have been dreary outside most of the week, but the sunshine and warmth are abundant in the lobby. On Monday, we celebrated Chinese New Year. What’s nice about working and living in a multi-cultural setting, is you get to learn and appreciate different things from different cultures. The 4- Reservoir neighborhood celebrated with a Chinese luncheon in the Hastings fireplace area. You could smell the scent of ginger, egg rolls and fried rice in the air. It really looked yummy.

The most talked about topic this week in the lobby is Kodak. I have several retired Kodakers who visit the lobby regularly. They worry about their pensions and health care. It is surprising to many of the older adults that Kodak is filing for bankruptcy. Let’s hope for the best and believe that Kodak can make things work and make a come back. Xerox did.

The Day Break adult day program kicked off their new fresh dining experience on Wednesday. Casa del Sol, House of the Sun, is the name participants and staff adopted to capture the warmth of dining together and the good, fresh foods they see prepared before them. Their choices are many. I have to confess that Monday and Tuesday, the lobby gang volunteered to be taste testers for the cooks. Yum, yum, the samples were delicious

Although we didn’t have any sun this week, Friday we had Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative, visit us. He always brings sunshine with him. He teaches us to honor our elders and respect them for how they have lived and for what they can still give us. When we honor our elders, their wisdom blooms. What a beautiful way to end our week.
Hopefully we can blog about some sunshine next week!
‘Til then,
~The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger

Well, this week started out another week of warm, snow-free weather. I did feel sorry for all the snow lovers in Rochester and the skiers too! I personally, and many of the elders here have been loving the “no snow” winter. It’s easier for them to go out with loved ones with nice weather.
On Tuesday night, the St. John’s Band hosted a coffee hour. The turn out was phenomenal. Many elders and family members attended and really enjoyed the 50′s & 60′s music.

Wednesday the Meadows residents reconnected with the elders at our home who use to live at the Meadows. These relationships continue thanks to the efforts of dedicated workers from the Home and the Meadows who arrange the reunion. It’s nice to see your former neighbors don’t you think?

Ok – hold on to your hats! Friday the 13th brought us the long over due snow and high winds. I can tell you we had plenty of parking that day!

We observe many things in the Hastings Lobby. I have to share with you something that made me smile. A male employee was in the lobby when another male employee came through the main doors. They stopped and began discussing an item one of them brought in. I heard them cooing over a restored antique shaver. It was so precious to me. Two grown men sharing their passion for this beautifully restored shaver. They had such emotion in their words. I guess this is something we don’t often see between men. It again shows how we embrace relationships and how these two employees discovered and shared this interest they both had.

We end the week with the snow flying, blowing and not many visitors. Stay warm and safe.
~The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger

“Jingle bells, jingle bells…” We are living good here at SJH and most of us around here have had too much sugar! As we get closer to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, the excitement is in the air. Carolers made up of staff and residents, travel through our neighborhoods singing joy and love to all who live and work here. The many out-of-town visitors visiting Grandmas and Grandpas. The weather is certainly cooperating for those out-of-town travelers.

Friday, Santa (Elder Carl Grant) greeted everyone coming into our home giving out candy canes. What a joyful delight to children and young at heart grown ups. Truly a person who has Christmas in his heart all year round, Carl was a perfect Santa. Thank you to him and thanks to all who make our home a loving and caring place.

The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger is wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
(The Blogger will be on vacation till 2012.)

What a beautiful start to our week. Sunshine is plenty. The Auxiliary gave every single elder (resident) in our home a sun catcher for his or her window today. Isn’t that the nicest thing? What a perfect day to do it, with the sun shining through the window on them.
Last year they gave everyone warm, toasty, footsie socks. You can still see the elders wearing them today. The Auxiliary has been around a long time and they do wonderful things for the residents. God bless them.

The week continues with holiday parties all over and merriment throughout our home. It’s wonderful to see the children, relatives and out-of-town company come in to visit. It is a very special time of the year and our elders feel it too!

The Happy Hastings Blogger

Sunday’s Illumination of Love in the courtyard was so breathtakingly wonderful. It makes you feel like a child on Christmas Day. The big count down 3, 2, 1 – then bravo – beautiful lights everywhere! So majestic and illuminating. The elder who turned on our lights, Anne Giglia, was featured in the D & C on November 30th by Jim Memmott. (Take a look at the story in the “In the News” section of our site.) He captured her essence just perfectly. What a joy she is and how she enjoyed the celebration. It brings warmth to our hearts.

There are no fewer than four holiday parties here this week. Each neighborhood has their own party and it’s usually whatever and however they want to do it. Because I have a family member here, I was lucky enough to attend one such party this week. Besides the delicious food, we had great entertainment and fun with those sitting at our table. It’s fun meeting new people and sharing stories.

One of the many nice things about working at St. John’s is that throughout the year we have “Chats with Charlie.” This is time that the CEO talks to the employees about what’s going on with our organization. I appreciate knowing our “state of affairs” and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s a nice way for the boss to connect with the employees and it’s the employees opportunity to clarify and ask questions about what’s going on. Wouldn’t you agree that’s pretty special? How many employers do that for their employees? So thanks, Charlie, for giving us the scoop about what’s going on.

I’d like to close this week with a story my mother-in-law shared with me. A four-year-old boy, whose neighbor lost his wife, was weeping in his back yard. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, and climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing. I just helped him cry.” It brought to mind how sometimes we can just be and find comfort.

The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger

You can tell we’re gearing up for the holidays! Christmas trees began to spring up around the Home Monday. The Auxiliary works hard decorating the common halls and lounge areas. They make it look so festive. I have to admit, without snow it isn’t feeling much like the season. Here we are in one of the warmest Novembers on record.

This week we had visits and photos with Santa. He arrived here on Wednesday and many of our elders enjoyed having their picture taken with him. The Brighton Symphony Orchestra also played that evening. A nice way to kick off the holiday season. They are one of the largest groups to perform in our auditorium. Their performance here is one of several and a good example of how we interact with and appreciate community talents. They sound great and play loud -a nice feature for our elders.

The SJH Auxiliary started the holiday parties on December 1st. Linda Taggert performed a historic and musical performance explaining the hammer dulcimer. This was quite interesting.

The lobby has been busy with residents loading up on the bus and heading to the mall for Christmas shopping. It’s so delightful to see the residents excited about the holidays. A lot of hussle and bussle going on. You’ll notice no one around here is singing, “Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow,” but I am hopeful!

EnJOY the season!
The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger