Beatitudes Community

State of the Campus: March 5, 2021

After Wednesday, March 10th, Assisted Living/Early Memory Support residents will be able to start walking outside on campus. On Tuesday, March 9, we will be reopening our amenities for Independent Living residents – Backstreet Boutique, Gift Shop and the Salons. During two staff and resident testing sessions, we received all negative results! We will continue testing staff in the near future, as testing is key in mitigating the spread of the virus. We have no new cases of COVID-19 on campus as of March 5th.

A Shopper’s Paradise

Need a great greeting card for 10 cents, a couple of wine glasses, maybe a change of linens or a designer dress for $8? How about a small end table or holiday decorations? You can find what you are looking for at the Backstreet Boutique. Located at the east end of the campus, the Boutique is open for business on Thursdays. The Boutique offers a great place to find very reasonably priced items and to donate what you no longer need. Think that the Boutique may a bit too far to walk? We have free transportation on Thursdays by just calling us at ext. 18463.

The Boutique was established by the Beatitudes Auxiliary soon after the campus opened, to assist residents in disposing of belongings as well as offering easy to obtain goods. As the major income producer for the Auxiliary, your shopping dollars go right back to the campus! Proceeds from the Boutique have been directed to very worthy programs – this year we helped fund 3 new vans for resident travel, employee appreciation fund and the Resident Assistance Fund.

Open to residents, staff, family, friends and campus visitors, the Boutique has become a great venue to visit with fellow shoppers. We do have “our regulars” who wouldn’t miss a week, but invite those first-timers to join us. As one shopper said last week, “I hate to miss a week since there are always new items for sale!”

We also carry small furniture items! We welcome small furniture pieces that can be lifted and transported by one person, such as small tables and chairs, TVs, storage units and small desks.

Donations are always welcomed. You can call or leave a message at x18463 for pickup requests. Messages are picked up Tuesdays and Thursdays. If we can’t use the item, we re-donate it to another charity. We don’t accept boxes of books, bed pillows and mattresses.

The Boutique is run totally by a dedicated team of volunteers. Consider joining our volunteer team. We are always looking for residents, family and friends with skills in staging, sorting, pricing, moving boxes and furniture. You also may want to drive our shuttle. You can work a couple hours or more and be a part of a great group of dedicated workers.

When you read this article, we will be nearing the end of our summer season, featuring 75% off on all merchandise! The Boutique will be closing July 19th for renovation and reopening Thursday, September 5th.

Unfortunately while we are closed, we cannot receive and donations. This fall we have great shopping experiences planned – September will mark Native American week with many western and native American items for sale. Of course the holidays feature decorations and gifts.

So welcome to the Boutique—we look forward to seeing you!

Community Town Hall Recap – June 2017

Rev. David W. Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services

David Ragan (@dragan), Sr. Vice President of Independent Living opened the meeting at 2:15PM with a forecast of truly melting weather.  Close to 100 residents braved the heat to attend the meeting and find out “what’s new” at Beatitudes Campus.  There were no new residents at the meeting, but David intends to corral all the new residents in September and bring them to the meeting.

First on the agenda was a heartwarming story of a grandmother who could not afford the birthday cake her little granddaughter had picked out at the grocery store.  The young man in line behind them bought the cake and convinced the grandmother to accept it as he had been the recipient of a similar kindness when he was seven years old.  When the little girl showed her grandfather the cake and a message that the young man had given her, it became apparent that the grandfather was the man who had bought the cake for the seven year old boy many years ago. The story summed up by saying that a simple act of care creates an endless circle.

Or as David put it—you never know what impact the little things you do today might have and the blessings that come back to you in so many ways.

Remember the Welcome Coffee coming up this month on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:00PM in the Life Center.  Come and meet your new neighbors!

Michelle Just (@mjust), President and CEO, complimented Mim Hoover (@mimhoover) and Dosia Carlson (@dosiacarlaol-com) (pictured at right) on the wonderful job they did in their Lifelong Learning Program Workshop at the Annual Meeting of LeadingAge Arizona, an organization of not-for-profit senior living communities.  They were the only resident presenters at the meeting, and their presentation generated interest in starting similar programs at other communities.  Michelle also celebrated two awards that were presented to Beatitudes Campus by LeadingAge Arizona. The first was for Innovation in Environmental Design and it went to Patty’s Garden, the healing garden honoring and named for Harriet Ivy’s mother. Beatitudes Campus  was fortunate to be chosen to receive funding for this garden.  Tena Alonzo (@talonzo), Director of Comfort Matters, noted that the garden provides a sensory experience for residents who may not think like they once did, but retain their feelings. The garden has a positive impact on their quality of life. It was built using solar power, LED’s, low water usage, color that does not attract bees and overall low maintenance. The second award went to the Success Matters Program, led by Jessica Meyer (@jmeyer), Director, and Josephine Levy (@jlevy), Resource Navigator. There is nothing else like this program in our peer group here in the Valley.  The program seeks to keep residents independent as long as possible and make the most of each resident’s individual potential.  They strive to make each resident’s quality of life as great as possible, and perhaps make life greater than when the resident moved to our community. Mim Hoover said she was given the confidence to feel that she could still do things as well as feel that life is still good. Michelle asked that residents join her in celebrating the Success Matters and Comfort Matters teams.  She is incredibly proud of these two Innovation Awards.  Congratulations also go to Tara Bethell (@tbethell),  Sr. Vice-President of Human Resources and Risk Management, who was named to the Class of 2017 Forty Under Forty by the Phoenix Business Journal. She finished in the top ten!!

Herb Komnick, Residents Council President

Herb Komnick (@hkomnick), President of the Residents Council, reported on the May Residents Council Meeting.  David Ragan welcomed everyone to the meeting, congratulated the Lifelong Learning Program and announced that Mim Hoover and Dosia Carlson would be speaking at the Arizona LeadingAge Workshop, and Success Matters is receiving the Innovative Health and Wellness Program Award.  The Security-focused Town Hall was a success with residents learning firsthand about emergency procedures here on campus. Holleran 2017 Resident Engagement Surveys should have been completed and turned in between May 12th and May 27th. The Community Channel is now available to all residents on channel 1966. Pat Dellisanti, Dining Services Committee Chairman, announced the Luau which was held on June 8th as part of the Marketing Program. New menus are being prepared for the Health Care Center, Plaza View and Buckwald’s. A Lifelong Learner’s class will be offered to include kitchen tours. Sunday Pizza will return when the football season arrives. Barbara Carpenter, Interim Chairman of the Employee Appreciation Committee, outlined several Committee activities including letters to new residents, all residents, groups who use campus facilities and friends of the campus; relocated Tip Boxes; possibly adding a statement on menus; and a dinner being planned for August 17th. Gerald Roseberry, Environment Committee Chairperson, reported that leak testing for all resident buildings except Plaza View and the Health Care Center has been completed with the information provided to Scott Mardian (@smardian). Roger Benson, Facilities Committee Chairman submitted a report stating that Mitch Bradshaw (@mbradshaw) had been informed of complaints about the area around the dumpster at the Northeast corner of the campus. Roger was advised that vehicle traffic between Central Park North and the Garden Apartments was necessary for resident moves and appliances stored in the Garden Apartments. Kim Shull, Grounds Manager and Color Coordinator, has resigned.  Residents are requested to help keep the campus looking neat by straightening chairs, etc., that are disarranged and calling in work orders for any obvious problems they observe. There was no unfinished business.  Under New Business, a motion to appoint Sue Lefebvre as Parliamentarian was approved; the Holleran Resident Engagement Survey forms were given to Council members for distribution; and Don Tamuty reported he had received a request to keep the 17th Drive gate open for a longer period of time during the summertime (Herb reported that since the meeting, he has been informed that because of Security concerns, this request was denied.) Bette Henriques, Senior Area Representative for Central Park North and Patio Homes; Don Tamuty, Senior Area Representative for Plaza South; and Sybil Eppinger, Senior Area Representative for Central Park South reported on the various activities that have taken place and those that are planned for their buildings.  Residents asked questions concerning window washing, use of plastic bags in dining venues, recycling procedures, and locating recycling containers near dining venues.  Jeremy was complimented on his excellent work in emptying the recycling bins.  Residents were reminded not to feed the feral cats.  The next Residents Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 14th in the Luther Life Center at 2:00PM.

Rod Bailey,
SVP of Sales & Marketing

Rod Bailey (@rbaileybeatitudescampus-org), Sr. Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, reviewed the referral award program in which residents can earn up to $3,750 for bringing new residents to the campus—people who have not been in the system or contacted previously.  He also unveiled a new summer program that will be available through September 30th.  Residents who just fill out a referral card will receive a dinner for two at Buckwald’s.  If the referral card results in a move-in, the resident will receive three different dinners for four at Elaine’s Fine Dining in addition to the monetary award.

Congratulations were extended to Michelle Just for being elected to the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. The Beatitudes is the only senior living organization that has a presence at the Chamber.

Ruth Crowley, Residents Council Chairman of Health and Wellness Committee

Ruth Crowley, Chairman of the Health and Wellness Committee, noted that the response had been so positive in the spring that three additional workshops have been planned to expand on the topics presented earlier.  The first workshop, “What’s in Plaza View” was held on Thursday, June 15th at 3:00PM in the Life Center.  Cheryl Knupp, Sr. Vice-President of Health Services, and her team from Plaza View, focused on assisted living at Beatitudes.  It was suggested that you review your contract with Beatitudes prior to the meeting so presenters can provide more specific information in answer to your questions.  In July, a workshop on Dementia and Skilled Nursing is planned, and in August there will be a workshop about the services available in independent living to help residents stay in their apartments when health issues arise.

Jessica Meyer, Director of Success Matters at Beatitudes Campus

Jessica Meyer (@jmeyer) announced that the Success Matters team is hosting a farewell for Rich and Mitch.  They will be finishing their clinical rotation on June 23rd and residents can thank them for their contribution to the Beatitudes and wish them well in the Bistro on June 22nd from 12:00 to 1:00PM.  Free cake as well!

Jon Schilling, Director of Life Enrichment at Beatitudes Campus

Jon Schilling (@jschilling) advised that planning is underway for the 2017 Active Aging Week. Residents interested in helping plan for this event should contact Jon at x10333.  Jon reported that Anthony Farias, formerly in Transportation, is now working as a Life Enrichment Specialist in the Health Care Center.  Jon reminded residents to bring suggestions for activities on campus and off campus to the Life Enrichment Committee.  The Life Enrichment Team does their best to make things happen for residents. Mike Smallwood (@msmallwood), Fitness Specialist, provided a fitness report on the BrainSavers Class which is in the 6th week of the 12 week Quarter.  Mike has made some significant adjustments to the program and has received positive feedback from the residents.  Angie Moore, Manager of the Program, observed the class last week and approved of the adjustments that were made to accommodate the needs of seniors.  The second Quarter is scheduled to start the 1st week in August.  Starting Monday, June 12th and continuing through October, there will be Indoor Morning Walks in the Life CenterResidents were reminded of the importance of staying hydrated during these hot summer days.  Residents were also reminded of the many fitness classes available, including Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Zumba Gold, Zumba Exercises, Memory Maker Yoga as well as Fitness Foundations, Functional Fitness, Water Exercise and Sit and Be Fit. The June B-Fit Winner of a $50 gift card is Tom Denny.  Winners have not been present at many of the Town Hall Meetings, and Mike suggested that you might have a better chance of winning if you don’t come to Town Hall!

Monica De La Rosa, Life Enrichment Specialist

Monica De La Rosa (@mdelarosa), Life Enrichment Specialist, reminded residents that there are suggestion boxes in the Life Center Lobby and the Information Station in the Plaza Bistro.  Please use them to call attention to events, performers and off campus activities that are of interest to residents. Wednesday, July 5th is the last day to sign up for the Wednesday, July 26th baseball game between the Diamondbacks and the Braves.

New menus for Buckwald’s, Plaza View, and Elaine’s Fine Dining will be out in July. Look for the changes on the Community Channel, in the restaurants and in the Roadrunner. David assured residents that hot dogs and baked potatoes will not be taken off the menu.  Apparently, keeping them available was a lesson learned the hard way.

David noted that the Beatitudes Auxiliary Backstreet Boutique is in need of volunteers who can help in the Furniture Annex, moving furniture, etc.  The Annex plans to reopen in September.  Talk to your children, grandchildren and friends about this rewarding volunteer activity.

The Community Channel #1960 is now available across the Campus.  Make sure you tune in and see what is going on.  Through this Channel, residents will receive updates on last minute changes as well as ongoing information in an emergency.  If you have input to make the channel better, let David or Korry Nelson (@knelson) (x18493) know about it.

There will be a Hootenanny every Wednesday night, beginning at 5:45PM. Tell your neighbors and enjoy the enthusiastic music.  It’s free!  Wednesday, June 20th, from 2:00 to 4:00PM in the Bistro, enjoy another freebie, a frozen yogurt sundae.  Just come for the treat or share your thoughts with Dave every third Community Wednesday.

David reminded residents to take staying hydrated seriously, and to have a great June.  He looks forward to seeing residents at all of the events.  There will be no Town Hall in July and the next Town Hall will be held at 2:00PM in the Luther Life Center on August 2nd.

Community Town Hall Recap – May 2017

Below is a summary of information and news discussed at the May Town Hall meeting.