Membership News
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”
–Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing, is absolutely one of my favorite books, ever! If you are looking for a great book to read as the days get shorter and the temperatures start to cool I can’t recommend this book enough. Delia Owens is one of the most descriptive writers I have ever read and the end of the book will make you sit up and say ‘WHAAT!!! Did not see that coming!”
Hard to believe that summer has come and gone, for the most part, and now we are entering, to me, the most beautiful time of the year in New England. Yes, it is short and what follows is not the easiest time of the year but as Henry David Thoreau wisely said, “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each.” In other words don’t fight what you can’t control, relax and enjoy the ride, and take care of yourself. Deep breaths and enjoy.
Mass-ALA Educational Trainings and Events
Remember to check out our events page to see all of the exciting events and educational trainings that we have planned for this year. Upcoming events are:
- Fall Conference and Trade Show – this annual informative event is scheduled for Thursday, October 6. It is being held at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, MA. To see this year’s exciting agenda and to register you can click here, Remember to sign-in so that you receive the member rate, which is $360.00. If you need assistance with your log-in information give me a call at 781-622-5999, ext. 110 or mchamberlin@mass-ala.org. All of us at Mass-ALA are looking forward to seeing you there!
- Boot Camps – We have one more of our popular Boot Camp trainings left this year. Registrations for this intensive six-hour, hands-on training on regulations and policies is limited so don’t wait too long to sign up. The last Boot Camp of 2022 is scheduled for November 30 and it will be a virtual training, which starts at 8 a.m. Click here, to register.
Be sure to log-in when you register for these events so you will receive the member discounts. If you need to know what your username and password are, please contact me at mchamberlin@mass-ala.org or 781-622-5999, ext. 110.
Want to be a Trainer?
We are always looking for people to be a trainer at any of our educational training events. If this sounds like something you would like to do and are comfortable with speaking to small and/or large groups, send an email to mchamberlin@mass-ala.org and I will be in touch. This would include our popular Boot Camps and the new QA/QI training program.
Mass-ALA Business Partners Updates
Mass- ALA currently has 72 local, state, and national business that are members of Mass-ALA. I receive information from these businesses that I like to share with all of you, so you know the good things they are doing for the assisted living industry.
- Hank Sarazin, CEO of longtime Mass-ALA business partner, Onsite Dental and Hearing Care, shared this wonderful interview that talks about how he got started with Onsite and plus some important information how the health of your resident’s ears can be an effective way to prevent falls. Be sure to visit their table at the upcoming Conference and Tradeshow.
- Traditions Home Health Services shared this great article on the benefits of music for elders and that music can improve cognitive function and memory. Ann and her husband Owen have signed up to be exhibitors at the Conference and Tradeshow. More information can be found here.
Assisted Living Communities’ Updates
Judging from ALL of the awesome photos sent into me, it definitely was a busy summer at our member assisted living communities. From trips for yummy ice cream and seafood, to different museums, all of you had super, fun summers.
I usually only include two photos from each community that sends them in but there were so many this time that I am going to put in three photos so that everyone can share in the fun of the Summer of ’22.
Providence House Assisted Living definitely has been having some fun events. From a Hawaiian Luau to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta to a Murder Mystery.
Providence House Assisted Living definitely has been having some fun events. From a Hawaiian Luau to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta to a Murder Mystery.
NewBridge on the Charles shared these very special pictures of recent newlywed Jeffrey Geissler, a NewBridge Community Life Health and Fitness Specialist, Leticia Prieto Alvarez, Therapeutic Program Manager for NewBridge Memory Support Assisted Living, Rabbi Karen Landy and their outstanding Memory Support Assisted Living team. Jeff and his new bride Becca reenacted their recent wedding with Rabbi Karen officiating and residents all dressed up for the occasion in attendance. For the residents, the ceremony was full of meaning, love, positive emotions, and renewed fond memories.
Armbrook Village residents had a great summer working with plants and getting to use the new multi-generational playscape installed on their property and traveling to Tanglewood and listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The Heritage Woods Senior Living community enjoyed an amazing looking lobster feast, a great vintage car show and a wonderful trip for ice cream!
Brightview Danvers said so long to the summer with a visit to Colby Farm to kick off their fall activities. The residents brought back beautiful sunflowers.
Heywood at Wakefield Commons residents have been getting out and about with a lunch at Kay’s a favorite local haunt for seafood and ice cream. They also went to Dunn’s Pond State Park for a picnic, a cornhole tournament and a lakeside hike under perfect September skies.
Maplewood Weston residents took part in daily music therapies which benefits dementia unit residents. Residents that can play instruments were motivated to lead some of these programs, to feel independent and value by performing. They also enjoyed a fun citrus art class, and that afternoon their residents enjoyed an outdoor lemonade social.
Village at Willow Crossings had special visitors from Farm Visits in Swansea. Their residents were able to hold baby bunnies, chicks, and a baby pig! On Twin Day residents chose staff members that they wanted to be twins with, (housekeeping in maroon, resident care staff in navy blue) There were laughs all around. The Village at Willow Crossing also hosted a celebration for Paul DeAngelo, winner of the Mass-ALA Resident Spirit Award at the recent Mass-ALA Awards Dinner! Congratulations again Paul, it was a well-deserved honor.
Sunrise at Gardner Park sent in photos of their recent Labor Day antique car show/BBQ. After enjoying a bite to eat at the BBQ, residents and their families were able to check out 20 antique cars while listening to hits from the 40’s 50’s and 60’s
The Cottages at Dartmouth Village held a “Woodstock Day. Staff and residents dressed the part, and enjoyed music, food, and their signature cocktail for the day, “Hippie Punch.” They also held their monthly “Women’s Luncheon.” The women really enjoyed this special time together!
Loomis at Lakeside Landing sent in photos of their Mardi Gras Party. The residents definitely “les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll.)
Atria at Longmeadow Place shared some great photos. Their weekly yoga class which gets them ready for a lunch tour of Boston Harbor and for making some beautiful hats.
Springhouse residents are treated to a monthly dinner trip Around the World, plus root beer floats. Then they worked off those calories at their Better Balance class.
Brookdale Attleboro sent in wonderful photos of some of their summer activities that included a Cape Cod boat trip and luncheon, a visit from the Flying Dog Show, and some of their residents enjoyed the weekly Thursday night concert at Capron Park.
NOTE – if your community is planning any fun events in the future, for your residents, PLEASE, PLEASE, be sure to send me photos and a short description of these celebrations so I can feature you in the next edition of The Voice. Fourth of July is coming as are trips for yummy seafood, or to outdoor concerts or just sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. As always, be sure to send me photos that have been approved by the residents and/or their families, for publication.
It has been a busy, exciting third quarter for members joining Mass-ALA. Our membership ranks have increased by 16!
Eight new businesses have joined Mass-ALA as business partners since June. They are:
- MeetCaregivers
- BluSky Restoration, LLC
- Curtin HomeCare
- Geriatric Medical
- KARE
- Menemsha Solutions
- Synchrony Health Services
- WellAware Care
WELCOME to our newest Business Partners!
Four new assisted living communities joined Mass-ALA as Pre-Providers. Pre-Providers are assisted living communities that are currently in construction. Once they have been certified by EOEA and they open their doors to residents they will move up to full provider status.
WELCOME to our newest Pre-Providers!
Also joining the ranks of Mass-ALA membership are:
- Three new Individual members – individual members are people such as family members, persons looking for employment in assisted living, or are just interested in the assisted living community. They cannot work for an assisted living community or for a business that provides products and/or services to assisted living organizations.
- One additional member – an additional member is someone who works for a Mass-ALA ALR member community or business partner who would like receive our important emails.
Welcome to our new members! We are excited to have you as a part of the Mass-ALA community!
I wanted to remind you of two important member benefits provided to you by Mass-ALA.
The first benefit is the Mass-ALA HelpLine to help you with those questions that pop-up about regulations or procedures at your community. You can reach the HelpLine by calling Mass-ALA at 781-622-5999 x103 and talking with our Director of Education, Laurie Cashman, or via email at lcashman@mass-ala.org, or please reach out to me at mchamberlin@mass-ala.org or 781-622-5999, ext. 110.
The second member benefit is our Job Board which can be found on the Members Only page of our website. Once you have logged in, click on the Career Center link at the top of the page and follow the directions to post a job at your community. If you need assistance with logging in or posting your job, give me a call at 781-622-5999, ext. 110. All jobs that are posted on our Job Board can be viewed by all job seekers by simply going to our website and clicking on Career Search at the top of the home page on our website, mass-ala.org.
As always, all of us at Mass-ALA thank you for all you do and your membership with Mass-ALA.
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