The Active Life
There is no shortage of things to do here, as Adeline Salvato would be the first to tell you. Although she’s only been with us for a few months, Adeline has jumped right in, filling her days with bingo, slots and even horse racing. She spends her winnings in the gift shop right on site, picking up items for her 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Of course, that’s not
all Adeline enjoys at the Cusack Care Center. In addition to going to Mass regularly, she’s taken up painting, and is getting to know the staff and other residents. “I’m very friendly,” she says. “If they say hello, I always say hello back.”
That friendliness is well-served at the numerous social activities here–
including monthly birthday parties celebrating residents’ milestones in grand style, with live entertainment and cake and ice cream for everyone. Adeline also enjoys our drinks parties, where she has been known to occasionally sip a Bloody Mary. In fact, the only thing Adeline, at 97 years old, doesn’t find time for is sitting around. “Everyone calls, but I’m never in my room,” she says. “They complain that they can never get me on the phone.”
Friendly Faces
Stuart Valentien starts every day with a smile–that’s because breakfast is his favorite time of day here. The tasty selection, from eggs to pancakes or French toast, always gets him going on the right foot. Of course, it helps that the people who serve his meals match his good cheer, says Stuart, who has been with us for seven years. “I’m very satisfied just being here,” he says with a warm grin. “The attitude here makes it special. The staff is always willing to help.”
At 87 years old, Stuart also finds plenty of
opportunities to pursue one of his favorite pastimes. “I’m a movie fan,” he says, admitting that he’s seen Casablanca eight times. “I like a good love story or a cops and robbers movie.” He’s also good at cards, getting together twice a week with the residents’ poker club–a mixed group of seven men and women. The stakes may not be high, but Stuart says the camaraderie is priceless.
Warm Welcome
Any worries Maxine Nelson may have felt when she moved here a year ago were washed away the minute she came through the door. “Everybody in the building came and greeted me,” Maxine recalls, noting that the staff even made a poster welcoming her to the Center. And that warm welcome didn’t stop at the door, Maxine says, pointing out that her dietary aide made sure from her first day that she got food supporting her special diet that tastes good too. Maxine knows she (like all our residents) is always the priority, especially on her birthday when staff took the time to serenade her and decorated her walker so everybody knew to offer well-wishes.
Maxine prefers more of the active pursuits here–and we have many to choose from. She fondly recalls a visit last summer to Liberty State Park. With the warm weather this year, she enjoyed spending time in our Peace Garden and trips to nearby Newport Center Mall. Residents also play a type of baseball–Maxine always tries for a home run. And at 86 years old, Maxine is trying her hand for the first time at many new crafts. She recently decorated her own sun visor–something bound to come in handy for those strolls around
our garden.
Our goal is always to make every day special for our residents, from beautiful meals in our brand new sun-filled dining room to activities that keep our residents smiling. But we can’t do it without your generosity. Please help us continue to make every day special for Adeline, Stuart, Maxine and all our residents.
| |
 |
|
| Adeline Salvato |
|
 | |
| Stuart Valentien |
|
 |
|
| Maxine Nelson | |
|
