“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6 Columbia Cottage celebrated Resurrection Sunday with a Junior Church Easter Program from Susquehanna Valley Baptist Church, decorating eggs, filling eggs with chocolate, and hosting an egg hunt for the friends and family of our community.
While we were not in the path of totality, the residents and staff enjoyed watching this amazing celestial event!
Communicating effectively with a person with Alzheimer's disease can be challenging but also very rewarding. It’s always worthwhile to review some best practices. Simplify Your Message Use simple, clear sentences. Avoid complex instructions or questions. Break down requests into manageable, step-by-step tasks. This helps reduce confusion and makes it easier for your loved one to comprehend and respond. Embrace Nonverbal Communication Much of our communication is nonverbal. Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. A gentle touch, a warm smile, and sitting at eye level convey feelings of affection and reassurance more effectively than words alone. Listen Patiently Listening is just as important as speaking. Sometimes it’s more important. Give your loved one time to express their thoughts, even if it takes longer than it used to. Show that you are listening and trying to understand, even when the conversation is difficult to follow. Use Visual Aids Photographs, objects, and notes can assist people with daily living activities, especially in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s. Colorful sticky notes are good for labeling foods and household appliances. Motion-sensor lights can help light the way to important places like bathrooms. Do Something Interactions don’t require constant conversation. Try sharing and engaging in lighthearted activities like doing a puzzle or listening to music. Light conversation that isn’t about logistics or challenges is also welcome. Avoid Correcting It’s natural to want to correct misunderstandings or inaccuracies in memory. Instead, focus on the emotions behind the words and respond to those. For example, if someone says it’s nighttime when it’s noon, maybe they’re tired and want to nap. Try to think of the feeling that might provoke what a person is saying rather than relying on the literal meaning. Adapt When a person’s brain changes their perceptions, it’s up to you to try to enter their reality. Validating a person’s feelings, even if they aren’t positive, helps people feel seen and understood. This, in turn, may lessen anxiety and distress.
April 10 was National Farm Animal Day. Wendy decided it would be fun to celebrate this day by making farm animal cupcakes. Dottie and few of our lady residents had a great time piping the icing and decorating to make the cutest farm animals.
Creatures Great and Small once again came with their animals to entertain our residents. Naomi Nell enjoyed holding the soft bunny rabbit.
Dear Residents, As we fully embrace the heart of spring this May, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty and renewal surrounding us. Spring is not just a season; it promises new beginnings and vibrant days ahead. May is the perfect representation of this spirit. Nature's Palette: With flowers in full bloom and the greenery reaching its lush peak, May invites us to enjoy the outdoors. Our garden is a riot of colors, from the bold tulips to the delicate cherry blossoms, each contributing to spring's tapestry. Celebrating Together: May is rich with days to celebrate, from Cinco de Mayo's joyous echoes to the reflective Memorial Day commemoration. Each of these days brings us together in spirit and action, reminding us of the diverse tapestry of histories and cultures we share and honor. Health and Harmony: As May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a poignant reminder of the importance of caring for our mental and physical health. Let's continue supporting each other by sharing a conversation over a cup of tea or participating in our wellness programs. As we move through May, let us take every opportunity to engage with nature, each other, and the activities that fill us with joy and purpose. Here's to a magnificent May full of life, laughter, and communal spirit! Warm regards, Deena
Easter gave us reason to decorate our hallways with beautiful artwork. Residents painted masterful watercolor Easter eggs and created beautiful bunny signs. We also honored Vincent van Gogh’s birthday by learning about him and creating our version of Starry Night!
We had an egg-celent Easter season here at the cottage! We received a visit from the Easter bunny, who handed out treat-filled Easter eggs to each resident. On Good Friday residents were hoppy to participate in an Easter egg hunt, where they won cottage cash, prizes, and candy. Lillian found the grand golden goose egg 2 years in a row. Congratulations!
Anna Mae was born on May 21, 1936 to Samuel Graeff and Edna (Kauffman) Graeff. She is the youngest of 3 children. She had an older sister, Betty who was married to Vincent Riegel and an older brother, Earl Graeff who is married to Mildred (Smith), who was a sister to Anna Mae’s husband, Arthur. Anna Mae and Arthur were married on April 2, 1955 and were married almost 66 years. Arthur passed away on February 17, 2021. (Arthur passed away on Ash Wednesday and their 66th Wedding Anniversary would have fallen on Good Friday). Anna Mae has 2 children. Her son, Kevin Smith is married to Susan (Newell) Smith and they live in Idaho Falls, ID. Her daughter, Sherry (Smith) is married to Jeff Ricketts and they live in Bernville, next to Anna Mae’s former home. Anna Mae has 5 grandchildren: Kevin Jr, Zachary, Alexandra, Samantha, and Douglas. Anna Mae worked for the Tulpehocken School District for 25 years. She first worked as a cook in the kitchen at Penn-Bernville Elementary School and later as a custodian at Tulpehocken High School. Anna Mae and Arthur had a 55-acre farm where they raised beef cattle, chickens, ducks and even turkeys. Years later they downsized to a significantly smaller farmette. Anna Mae did a lot of gardening, so she was also very accomplished at canning fruits and vegetables. In later years, Anna Mae expanded to using a dehydrator, so there were always bags of dried fruit in the freezer!
We would like to take a minute to honor Antonina Muga (aka Hercules) for all of the determination she has shown us in the last year! He ability to smile through everything that is thrown her way is something that we all aspire to! She is an inspiration to her coworkers and anyone who is lucky enough to know her! We look forward to working alongside of her and learning from her for years to come! So proud to have you as a part of our family!
Baseball is back! The residents have loved cheering on the Phillies during their Spring Training and are looking forward to the new season! Check for upcoming games on the schedule posted on the corkboard in the Country Kitchen! Go Phils!
Fastnacht Day 2024 was on Tuesday, February 13th. This food holiday is also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, which is why the delicious treats are often referred to as "Mardi Gras donuts". Fasnacht Day is the last day before Lent, the 40-day season before Easter begins on Ash Wednesday. The term “fastnacht” (also spelled fasnacht, faschnaut, faschnacht ) comes from the German words “fast,” a shortened form of the verb “fasten” meaning “to fast,” and “nacht,” which means “night.” Tradition holds that on this day, households use up all the fat and sugar in the house before Lent began. This practice also gives Fat Tuesday its name. This year, Columbia Cottage enjoyed a variety of fastnachts from our local neighbors at Plum Creek Farm!
