Happy Holidays!

Hi Everyone!

I didn't bring my keys with with me and so far I have remembered all my different passwords to different accounts, Facebook, here, etc.  Hurray!

We have had so many parties lately it has been a whirlwind!  Why just this week, we had our BIG holiday party in the dining room,  a Hanukka celebration in the foyer, a van trip to see the lights and a birthday party for the whole house is today!

Someone just stopped in to show his daughter the community he thinks his mom is coming to and they were so apologetic for "just popping in again".  I was THRILLED!!!!  It is so nice to see supportive family members! This adorable girl (same name as I) just wanted to see if the place her grandmother was coming to live seemed OK.  LOVE IT!!!

You know, the holidays are so meaningful to your elderly relatives.  Many have had huge losses; spouse, home, and car to name a few.  Memories flood and any extra support is appreciated.  They need and deserve it! 

I hope you have happy holidays and our best to your family.

Sincerely,

Emily

Craft group

Hi Everyone!

 Happy December and Happy Monday!  The office has been non-stop busy this morning, and we have a brand new resident downstairs, enjoying coffee and company in the dining room.  I try to drop what I'm doing when a resident is new here because there are usually many questions to be answered!

Here's something fun!  Look what the craft will be tomorrow:

A seashell pin!

If you have been thinking about coming over to see us why not drop by at 2:30pm on Tuesday December 6th.  While you are here you may want to make a seashill pin for a holiday gift, or for yourself.

Off to (hopefully) get some paperwork completed!

Have a great day!  Emily

Thanksgiving

Hi All! 
It's holiday time and we are raking up the leaves on our lawns, residents are riding  the Canterbury van to the grocery store and our cook is cooking up a storm in our kitchen because TONIGHT we have a BIG Thanksgiving dinner in our dining room!
Come on over to our sing-a-long in between!  We also have a Wii game planned for 3:00PM and chair exercises at 4:00PM.
We are grateful to have each other and our residents are grateful for our services and for the activity-filled days they have here at the Canterbury.
Hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Monday!  Also, If I don't get back here again before Thursday, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It is a time to connect with people we don't usually see and to appreciate. 
Be well,
Emily

Step up.

Hi all! 

 Did you vote yesterday?  Our van ride to the polls was at 3:00PM, after we returned from Hometown Buffet and the Grocery Store.

Did you call CL&P when your power went out? 860-947-2000. Once I knew Canterbury residents were safe and sound, I volunteered for a town Emergency Operations center.  We were almost in constant touch with a CL&P representative, who explained that the workers get in their truck and look at their screen and go to where they see a cluster of calls coming from.

I found a random paper that had me pondering about good deeds.  Then storm Albert hit Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and some of New Hampshire.

The coming of winter usually brings prospective residents to visit. Usually it's our busiest time, as people ponder another season of shoveling, or moving here to easy living.  While Canterbury plays a vital role in the community, when a storm of Albert's magnitude hits, this home can be life saving.  I am from the "City of Good Neighbors" Buffalo, New York.  We are friendly and we know we have each other during our big snow storms.  Similarly, Canterbury residents who didn't have family available to help them could rely on someone here to help meet their needs during storm Albert.

The Holiday next door, and their cook Norma, made us three meals a day (and so much more) for six days, as we dealt with the inconveniences to our modern conveniences (WOW!). So many people stepped forward and did something to improve the lives of our residents, and several staff members came in and volunteered just to help us out.

We have a "thank-you note table" in our lounge and our residents are writing to the many individuals who helped out during the storm.  In this time of crisis people showed true compassion and selfless service, and it made a difference.  These storms can bring up people's vulnerabilities and fears.  "What's winter going to bring for my single elderly mom"? one asks.  We here at The Canterbury witnessed so many people, government officials, town and Cl&P workers, property managers, family members, employees...the list is endless....step right up.

A BIG THANK YOU!

Fondly, 

Emily

Policewoman and ER Nurse

Hi Everyone-

Our two residents got together in the dining room (after the van ride to Wood N' Tap restaurant in Farmington Ct.) to plan a gathering to welcome all the new residents who have recently joined us at The Canterbury.

Isn't it nice to know these retired professionals, one a former ER Nurse and the other, a former Policewoman, are still keeping busy and active at The Canterbury.


That is all I have time for today.  The rain outside made the office busy inside!  Lots of people came around to chat.

Have a good evening and if you are looking for things to do at The Canterbury, check out our clubs photo albums on facebook.
Emily

Time

Hi everyone!

Time flies!  Again it has been too long!  I was helping my own dad recently and I have a new appreciation for nurses and nurses aides, and for my dad!  Everyone wants to be comfortable, including our resident bunny rabbit.

Timothy the Rabbit is getting ready for winter with his new blanket, and his "mom" Marna brought pictures to share of his "fixing" his new blanket to his taste.

Housaekeeping can help Timothy as they wash Linens and towels for Canterbury residents once a week.

It's great to be back at Canterbury, the best kept secret in West Hartford.
If you have any questions about our services give me a call at 860.232-4833 or email me at
canterburyretirement@yahoo.com

Also, Happy New Year (belated) to our Jewish friends.

Emily

Friday to Tuesday, Example number two

Hi All-

Well Friday turned to Monday and Monday went to Tuesday just as quickly.  I hope some of you are waiting for example number two!

Please, especially those of you in India who are following this blog, press "follower" to the lower right.  Don't be shy!
Thanks!

Okay, here it is, example number two of our caring:


For years we have worked with a few different cooks.  We have a lot of residents who are excellent cooks themselves.  When they take a break from that (we have full kitchens in our apartments) they expect a meal prepared well.

After a while, I summed up our needs to the people we chose to have cook for us:  I told them, it matters to me that the residents preferences matter to you.

Well, our cook asked me to print something for another cook filling in for her.  Without namimg anyone, let me share a few remarks she made.  They show how she DOES know the residents AND care!  I was tickled!  No wonder there are no complaints coming to the office about the meals!

First:  "There will be anywhere from _ to _ people"  (she is prepared for anyone deciding last minute-nice!)

"best to leave Mr. and Mrs. _______in the fridge with a note if they do not come to the dining room.

"_______ and _______ usually call later in the afternoon to see if there's room...I bought enough for them too..."

"Mr. and Mrs.______ friend, _____ usually joins them for dinner but has missed the last few, so he's a maybe/maybe not.  Again, plenty to go around."

"Knock on _____ door around 5:00 with a t-minus 30 minutes 'til dinner advisory"

"_________side of horseradish, _________side of white vinegar"

So...you get the idea.

This really made me SMILE!  She really cares for the resident needs :D

Thanks for listening :D
Emilycanterburyretirement@yahoo.com