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Fun & Messy! We had a great time decorating cookies with a Tie-Dye theme.

“Bunnies are those adorable little furry creatures that manage to make anyone smile with their cute tail, and twitchy nose. These adorable creatures are one of the best friends a human can have.” – Kidadl Team. We love when bunnies come to visit, and it certainly puts a smile on everyone’s face!

While researchers continue to search for a cure and better treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease, it’s of vital importance to learn to better support those living with dementia. In the words of educator Teepa Snow, “Until there’s a cure, there’s care.” Teepa Snow is an internationally renowned leader in dementia care who is working to change how people interact with people living with any type of brain change. Snow, a graduate of Duke University who received her MS degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, has over 30 years of experience in the field, including working as the OT director in a head injury facility, a clinical specialist in geriatrics for a veteran’s administration medical center, and a restorative care coordinator. She has also served as the director of education and lead trainer for the eastern North Carolina chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. With her education and experience, she has developed a dementia care philosophy that is filled with humor and the idea that being educated on the science behind the changes we see in loved ones will allow us to be more patient and understanding. Her no-nonsense teaching style integrates easy-to-understand facts about the brain and how it changes with aging with her trademark energetic and enthusiastic teaching style, which makes those in attendance at her lectures feel free to laugh and enjoy the learning process. She also offers free videos and online training courses so that family members who wish to better understand and care for their loved ones can access her wisdom. Teepa’s training organization, Positive Approach LLC, provides training in what she calls the Positive Approach®. Rather than focusing on statistics, this approach helps people learn how to interpret behavior, react in real-time in a way that puts people first, and encourages people to focus on current abilities instead of what has been lost. Some Tips from Teepa: Respond to a person’s change in cognition and abilities in a way that is not hurtful or offensive. With practice, common reactions to the person living with dementia can become thoughtful responses that improve quality of life. Recognize that the person living with dementia is doing the best they can, and that dementia can often rob a person of the impulse control we often take for granted. If things are going wrong, step back! Take a moment and let both parties collect themselves. “Dementia doesn’t rob someone of their dignity; it’s our reaction to them that does.” ~ Teepa Snow

Thank you to Susquehanna Valley Baptist Church for bringing their Junior Church Class to perform their Christmas scripture and song program for our residents. The children enjoyed popcorn treats after the program.

The smell of fresh baked Gingerbread cookies filled the air as we decorated our Gingerbread men.  Fun was had by all as we used icing to bring festive cheer and color to these delicious cookies.

Below are the words of Cindy Geesaman as she reflects upon her parents, Warren & Esther Miller, and how her mom loved to play the piano. Cindy has generously donated her mom’s baby grand piano to our Cottage where it will be cherished and fill the air with music. “ As a girl, my mother was a gifted pianist.  She took lessons and practiced diligently.  Her sheet music from those days reflects her love of all kinds of music; classical, show tunes, hymns, and country music too.  In those days there was always a piano in our home.  When Mom was in her early twenties, and I was about five, it was discovered that she had a brain tumor, an acoustic neuroma.  Although benign, it had become quite large.  The surgery to remove the tumor caused extensive damage to Mom’s right side functions: hearing, eyesight, handedness, and balance.  It also robbed her of the ability to play piano like she had as a girl.  Mom worked side by side with Daddy in their joint endeavors throughout their fifty-three years together.  They built a new home in 1972 and again had a perfect spot for a beautiful piano.  In 1975 Daddy bought this piano for my mom.  It has been in their home since that day.  As we move this piano from their home to yours, we hope it brings your residents the same joy that it brought my Mother and Father.” Special thanks to our friend, Russ Sowers, for coordinating the donation of the piano to its new home!

The words no one wants to hear are, “You (or your loved one) have the beginning stages of dementia.” Whether it's Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it’s a terrifying and overwhelming diagnosis. However, with all the research and advancements available, steps can be taken to prepare for—and even lessen—some of the symptoms and changes that come with Alzheimer’s disease. Explore treatment options with your physician and seek referrals for dementia experts and support systems. Although currently there is no cure for dementia, some medications have been proven to minimize symptoms. Develop a plan of care. Identify community resources and people who can offer advice and support to help with practical matters such as: Conduct a home safety evaluation and make modifications as needed. Consider home alert systems for summoning help, such as life alert necklaces and ID bracelets. Introduce a system of memory aids for appointments, phone numbers, addresses, and family contact information. Implement a medication organization and administration system to ensure medications are taken promptly and accurately. Preplan meals. If feasible, provide a cell phone with information and applications plugged in to help with memory support, including smart home appliances. Evaluate driving skills and be prepared to conduct regular evaluations for safety. Determine alternative transportation. Very importantly, get legal and financial affairs in order. Determine who will be responsible for managing health care and finances. Establish a living will and durable powers of attorney (POA). An attorney specializing in elder law may be helpful. Maintain a lifestyle that is as mentally and physically active as possible. A healthy diet, ongoing opportunities for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and a focus on happy times and abilities, not disabilities, are crucial. Resources Alzheimer's Diagnosis: What Next? Next Steps After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis First Steps for Families After Diagnosis

As we sat here and thought of what to write there were so many things that came to mind. We found this in our thinking process: This Christmas, mend a quarrel, seek out a forgotten friend, write a love letter, share some treasure. Give a soft answer, encourage youth. Keep a promise, find the time, forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong, think first of someone else, be kind and gentle. Laugh a little, laugh a little more. Express your gratitude, gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love, speak it again, and speak it still once again. (Anonymous) These words spoke so loudly as we think of things that have transpired this year, we can safely say that we have had a year of recovery, and hopefully more of a “normal” world. We are simply thankful for the support of our families, friends, outside providers and most of all our residents and our amazing team. Each one of you is such an amazing part of this journey. We must take a moment to thank several folks for their unconditional support, Ed Hudan and his team over at the Medicine Shoppe for taking such wonderful care of us and our residents. From COVID clinics to flu shots! Caring Hospice, Holistic Hospice, and Tower Health Hospice, Rehab 1, Accent Care, Tower Health Lab, Dr. Kirk, Dr. Pearlstein, Eucabeth Oma, CRNP and Alessia Stanizzi, SW. Your care and love for our residents is a true testament to each of your organizations.  To our Regional Team, for always being there for the added support and dedication. There is no way that we could do this without the families of our residents, their unwavering support and dedication to our mission and to their loved ones is second to none. Last but certainly not least. Robin and I are beyond blessed to have an incredible team, they have proven over and over again that it takes a special type of person to do what we do. You are the most amazing humans we know, thank you for always being here, being willing to take overtime and for the countless hours of laughs. In our parting words, as this holiday season begins, take a moment to spread some extra love and cheer along with a deep cleansing breath and recognize you, your accomplishments, and the kindness of your heart. Robin and I wish you the all the best throughout this blessed season.

Remembering Courage, Honoring Sacrifice: Irving Berlin introduced “God Bless America” sung by Kate Smith on November 11, 1938, at the New York World’s Fair. Together on November 11, 2022, the Residents and Staff joined in song singing “God Bless America” as we recognized and honored our Veterans: Robert Swartz, Arthur Hall, Philip Comito, Donald Tinsman, John Scrimgeour, and George Hirschmann. Thank you to Veteran and HCP Account Executive, Michelle Gutshall, and Cassy from Susquehanna Township High School for partnering with us in this special event.

Columbia Cottage would like to give thanks for our wonderful residents and family members. We had a delightful evening decorating our Thanksgiving tree and giving thanks for our bountiful blessings. Thanks to all who participated in the food drive for the PA food bank.

We had a fun time painting pumpkins for our not-so-scary Halloween decorations.

We would like to invite the Residents and their family members to enter our Door Decorating Contest! Please “deck the door” (The Residents Apartment Door) to be entered into our contest. The doors must be completed by Monday, December 12 th at noon. Winner will be announced at the Christmas party on December 13th. Please do not use fresh greens or electrical decorations as these items would be a fire hazard. Happy Decorating!