A BEECHWOOD CONTINUING CARE PUBLICATION

A better way of caring. A better way of living.

FALL 2009

®

Did we have FUN last year?Auction Gifts Welcome!

Borrowing the famous line from the movie “The Wizard of Oz,” this year’sBeechwood/Blocher Foundation’s Auctionand Food Extravaganza promises to be full

of fun and surprises. “There’s No Place Like Home isa perfect theme to reflect the exciting changes we haveundergone here at Beechwood...changes that createhouseholds and an environment that provides a truehome for our residents,” said Cheryl Wasson, Directorof Development and Marketing.

The festivities will be held onSaturday, October 17th at 6:30p.m. at the Beechwood Homes,2235 Millersport Highway. Guestswill enjoy plentiful food stations aswell as selections of wine and beer.The atrium will be trans-

formed into the Emerald City and OZ charac-ters will be on hand to add to the festivities!Guests are invited to be creative and get inthe spirit of the evening. Ruby red andemerald green are the theme colors! Orcome as your favorite Oz character to joinin the fun!

Kevin O’Connell of WGRZ TV will return as our“Master Wizard” for the evening. All guests will be

entered into a special drawing for dinner andgetaway packages. Hundreds of silent and liveauction items will be available to bid on.Proceeds benefit the Welcome Home CapitalCampaign. Reservations are $60. For moreinformation or to donate an auction item,contact Eileen Lew at (716) 504-1887.

Pattie McKnight, left, and Nancy Barlow, Auction co-chairs.

14th Annual Auction and Food ExtravaganzaCelebrates an “Oz”Theme “There’s No Place Like Home”

Kevin O’Connell of WGRZ TVreturns as “Master Wizard”

MONTGOMERY EDUCATION CENTER

On Thursday, August 27th, Beechwood/Blocher Foundation recognized over 100of their major donors and friends at itsAnnual Special Friends and Donor

Reception. Held in the Beechwood Atrium, guestsenjoyed wine and food stations while viewing 12 newrecognition plaques which will be displayed in varioushouseholds and neighborhood centers honoringdozens of individuals, foundations and corporations.Guests were visibly moved as President/CEO BobMeiss shared heartfelt stories of how Beechwood’sWelcome Home initiative has impacted the quality oflife of its residents, their families and staff.

In addition, this evening was very special for a cou-ple who have literally helped change the lives of ourresidents through their generosity and passion.

When Beechwood Continuing Care made thedecision to take on the enormoustask of transforming its institutionalmodel of nursing home care, Boband Carolyn Montgomery werethere to lead the charge.Motivated by their personal experi-ence with Carolyn’s mother, they

too shared our passion that there “had to be a betterway.” Upon learning of pioneering nursing homesacross the country who had successfully transitionedtheir facilities to person-centered care. . .Bob andCarolyn traveled with Beechwood leadership and staffto Kansas and Wisconsin to see for themselves what waspossible. When approached to serve as our WelcomeHome Capital Campaign chair, Bob eagerly accepted.He and Carolyn’s commitment to Welcome Homehas been extraordinary, not only through theirvery generous leadership gift of $1 million, butmore profoundly by their fundamental belief in

the need to change how nursing homes providecare. They particularly loved the idea of an educationcenter that will provide specialized person-centeredtraining for not only our staff, but for any nursing homethat wished to begin their person-centered journey. Indedication to their overwhelming generosity andleadership, the center is now known as TheRobert & Carolyn Montgomery EducationCenter.

In accepting this honor,Bob exclaimed, “We arestunned that you were able tokeep this a surprise! We arealso very honored. WelcomeHome campaign moves closerto its goal each day. Phase I is complete, but there ismuch work to be done to fully realize Phase II.” Inclosing, he laughed, “We will happily hand over thishonor to someone who would like to make a very verygenerous donation to Welcome Home!”

A humble and true fund-raiser if there ever was one!

The Robert and Carolyn Montgomery EducationCenter Unveiled at Annual Donor Reception

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”— Mother Teresa —

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Bob Montgomery, left, Carolyn with daughter, Lisa Hill and grandson Alex.

SUMMERTIME!

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Summertime...Summertime...Sum...Sum...Summertime! Sort of !

Although Mother Nature played havoc on manyplanned summer events, Beechwood and Blocherwere fortunate to have warm temperatures and sun-shine on most of our planned festivities.

Nothing brings on resident smiles and laughter than spend-ing time with their families and children. And picnics with out-door fun is the perfect setting.

The Blocher Homes kicked off the season with a bang attheir annual Summerfest! The event included entertainmentfrom the Mark Mazur Quartet along with clowns and a magicshow, great food including Italian sausage, chicken and freshwatermelon.

Although Beechwood’s Annual Car Cruise was rained outthis year, the Annual Block Party had a beautiful sunny day toenjoy all the planned festivities! Held on Wednesday, August19th, hundreds of residents, families as well as staff and their fam-ilies joined in the fun...from the educational to the ridiculous.Face painting, hot dogs and games were available for all ages.John and Martha Sturniolo with horses,Vinney and Major, wereon hand from the Niagara County Mounted Patrol to hand outbadges to “junior deputies.” Fireman Pete Calandra and friendsfrom the Ellicott Creek Fire Department brought along their firetruck for all to see and passed out mini-firehats to eagerly wait-ing kids. Kids had a great time learning about the important roleof the deputies and firemen in keeping people safe.

WELCOME HOME CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

Thank You!

AAC ContractingAbraxis Pharmaceutical ProductsADP – Automatic Data ProcessingAIG ValicMrs. Ruth AllenAmherst Lions ClubMrs. Leonard AndersonMr. and Mrs.Thomas J.AndersonMr. Michael T.AnnunziatoAqua Supply & Irrigation Aqua Systems of WNYAquajet Sewer Service Corp.Estate of Arthur and Marion Arms Mr. and Mrs. Charles E.ArnoldArric CorporationMr. Ronald BabbRev. and Mrs. Calvin BabcockMr. and Mrs. Robert H. BahnBank of AmericaMrs. Ellen M. BeckMs. Penelope B. BellasMr.Andrew BellucciMrs. Christina M. BellucciMs.Arleen BenchMr. and Mrs. Lester C. BennettDavid and Susan BeyerMrs. Judith BlackBlackburns Physician Pharmacy, Inc.Mrs. Penny BlaskBlocher Homes StaffRev. Suzanne BlockBob’s Tree & Stump Service, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A. BoyMrs. Nancy BradyMr. and Mrs. Gary BraunMrs. Barbara J. BrenchleyHarold Brody, M.D., Ph.D *Brown & Brown InsuranceMr. Samuel Brown Buffalo Hospital Supply Company, Inc.Buffalo Overhead & Hollow Metal Door, Inc.Buffalo PharmaciesBuffalo UltrasoundMrs. Elizabeth BungerDr. and Mrs. Bruce D. BurrCHE Senior Psychological ServicesMr. and Mrs. Peter A. CalandraMr. Ralph J. CampDavid and Carol CarereMr. and Mrs. Bertron A. CarterMrs. Betty B. CaseTim Cashmore and Beth BuckleyRev. Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. CernyCity FenceMr. Donald H. CloudsleyMr.Tony ColicchiaMr. John ColucciMr. Mario ColucciColvin Draperies, Inc.ComDocComTon, Inc.Conroy CleanersMrs. Betty A. CoonDr. Marguerite L. CoppensCortese BrothersRev. and Mrs. Gregory L. Crispell

Mr. and Mrs. Richard CuttingCVM Electric, Inc.Mrs. Margaret C. DaleDamon & Morey, LLPMr. and Mrs. Herbert F. Darling, Jr.Mrs. Betty Jane DawleyMr. and Mrs. John P. DeeMr. and Mrs.William DelnickiMr. and Mrs. Eugene DemlerMr. Donald DemmerlyMr. and Mrs. Bill DeschenesMr. and Mrs. Ron DeschenesMr. and Mrs. George DeVinneyMrs. Mary C. DeyleMr. and Mrs. Homer H. Dick, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Frank DisingerMs. Deirdre DoranMrs. Mary E. DorrMrs. Carolyn DorsheimerDWC Mechanical, Inc.East Hill FoundationMrs. Janet S. EatonMr. and Mrs.William A. ElliottEstate of Darwin E. and Evelyn E. EllisMr. and Mrs.Warren E. Emblidge, Jr.Emerald Resources Healthcare, Inc.Emmanuel UMW, LockportEmmanuel UMC of Orchard ParkMrs. Barb EnoEnviro-CareEquality Club of BuffaloErdman & AnthonyMrs. Kathleen S. EschbornEvans-Devereux Memorial FundDr. and Mrs. Richard Todd EvansMrs. Donna W. FarleyMrs. Lynn FarleyMs. Nakia FearsMr. and Mrs. James M. FieldFirst UMW - PerryMr. and Mrs. Edward B. FisherMs. Patricia E. FitzgeraldMr. and Mrs. Robert D. FlickingerRoger and Carol FordenMr. Paul FrancoforteMrs. Nancy FredericksFreed, Maxick and Battaglia, CPA’s, P.C.Friendship Fund, Beechwood HomesMr. David R. FryMrs. Elaine H. FullerMrs.Anne GarvinMr. and Mrs. Richard E. GasiewiczMr. and Mrs. Charles E. GilbertGary and Barbara GorenfloMr. and Mrs. Mark GradyGreat Lakes Building System Greater Buffalo Savings BankDr. and Mrs. Bernard GrohMs.Arlene I. GrzechowiakMr. and Mrs.Arthur E. GundlachGypsum SystemsMr. and Mrs. Lloyd E. HahnMr. Matthew E. HainesMs. Cheryl A. HallMs. Gertrude R. HaltMr. Ed Harding

Mrs. Elaine M. HareMr. and Mrs. Harold HarlockMs. Kristin HarrisMs.Yvonne Harris Ms. Michele HawkHealth System Services Mrs.Theo R. HepburnMr. and Mrs. Richard HerbergerMr. and Mrs. Robert C. HerrMrs. Susan W. HerringHiscock & Barclay, LLPDonald and Joan HolzmanMrs. Mary Ann HopeMr. P.J. Hunt, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Stephen N. HuntMs. Karen E. HurleyMrs. H. Eleanor HuttonMr. Brian HyzyStephen C. Iglehart, Ph.D.Independent HealthIPLogic CompanyIrish Welding Supply CorporationJaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLPJames H. Cummings FoundationMrs. M. Elizabeth JamesMr. Mark JanikMr. Daniel JelonekThe John R. Oishei FoundationMr.Arthur JordanJosephine Goodyear FoundationMrs. Beverly A. KaczynskiMrs. Joanne R. KahnMr. and Mrs. John C. KillianMelanie Kirkpatrick & Jack DavidMrs.Virginia R. KirkpatrickMr. and Mrs. Philip KishDr. Joseph and Dr. Jane KiteMrs. Linda L. Klass *Mr. and Mrs. Joseph KlimekMrs. Juliana KlossMr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. KochMrs. Jeanne P. KocherJeannie K. Koenig, M.D.Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Kollatz, Jr.Mr. Kameron KontosMrs. Marilyn KoukalKraftwerks, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. KropidlowskiMrs. Kathryn A. KunzeMs. Rosemarie KusmierczykMr. Edward J. KusmierzLamparelli Construction Company, Inc.Lancer Door and GlassMrs. Carolyn D. LangeMs. Holly LangeMr. and Mrs. Peter LankesMs. Susan A. LattkaLawley Mr.Thomas LawtonMrs. Eleanor M. LenkeiMr.Albert M. LennardMr. Carl A. LewMs. Eileen M. LewDr. and Mrs. Frank LibertiMr. Robert LicataMr. and Mrs. Randall Lippold

WELCOME HOME CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

Your Support is Greatly Appreciated!

Michael and Elizabeth LombardoLorinda McAndrew Voelkle FoundationMr. S.Arthur LoweMr. and Mrs. Charles LumsdenM & T BankMrs. Judith MacGregorMrs. Louise MagnerMs. Barbara A. ManganManzella Marketing GroupMargaret L.Wendt FoundationMargaret S.Turner & AssociatesDr. and Mrs.Anthony MarkelloRoss and Grace MarkelloMr. and Mrs. Gerald MaroneyMr. and Mrs. Jay MartinMr. Balbir MathaunMrs. Natalie Matricardi and FamilyMr. and Mrs. Patrick R. McCannMrs. Margaret E. McGarveyMs. Shakina McGeeMedline Industries, Inc.Ms. Lorraine M. MeinkeMrs. Rita M. MeissRobert and Elizabeth MeissMr. and Mrs. Philip F. MerkelRev. F.Victor and Barbara MetivierMr. and Mrs. James E. MetzMicro EntreprisesMr. James C. MillerMrs. Diana L. MillerMrs. Miriam R. MinskerMs. Laurie MittlefehldtMr. and Mrs. Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.Mrs.Albertine MoranMrs. Susan M. MoranDr. and Mrs. Philip D. MoreyMrs. Janet C. MorganMorgan Linen Services, Inc.Mr. and Mrs.Theodore L. MuellerMrs. Joan MultererMrs. Susan L. MunozMrs. Cynthia M. MykinsMrs. Sheryl NealMs. Kelly NemetiThe Neureuter FamilyDoctors Howard and Karen NoonanMs. Pamela NormanNorth Tonawanda, First UMWMr. and Mrs. Harold NyquistJohn and Kathy NyquistOddo ConstructionMs.Tina Offhaus Mr. and Mrs. Robert OstrozynskiMs. Susan Owens Ms. Lisa PatelMrs. Connie Perna-PellegrinoPicone Construction CorporationRev. James and Sally Pollard Povinelli Cutlery ServiceMrs. Constance PriceMr. and Mrs. Michael PriceQCI Asset Management Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. RadelMr. and Mrs. Greg RainsteinMr. and Mrs. Charles RamsaySenator Mary Lou Rath & NYS Senate

Ms. Leslie ReimersMr. Steven P. RendeMr. John M. RepetskiPaul and Karen RisleyMr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. RideoutMr. Michael P. RippleMr. Donald C. RobelRoofmasters Roofing Co., Inc.Mrs. Elaine H. RoteMr. and Mrs. Brian D. RuskRuffo,Tabora, Mainello & McKay, P.C.Mr. and Mrs. Norman L. RussellEstate of Esther A. SalomeMrs. Mildred D. SanesMs. Susan M. SawyerMr. and Mrs.William SchallMr. and Mrs. James SchotzMr. and Mrs.William H. SchmidtMr. and Mrs. Edward J. SchwambornMr. and Mrs. Mark A. SchwartzRev. Dorothea SchweitzerMr. and Mrs. Richard G. SchwindMs. Marion A. SciortinoMr. and Mrs.William F. ShaverMrs. Patricia A. ShawMr. and Mrs. John H. ShellumMr. and Mrs. Edward M. ShentonMr. and Mrs. Daniel D. ShonnMrs. Kathryn SimmeSinatra’s Landscaping & LawncareMs. Susan Sinclair-SmithMrs. Michelle A. SinnottSmall IndulgencesDouglas and Debra SmithMrs. Michelle SmithMrs. Kathleen SnyderCraig and Cyndi Stonebraker

Mr. and Mrs. James S. StonebrakerMr. and Mrs. John A. SturnioloBill and Leslie SvenssonSWBR ArchitectsMrs. Nell P. SzywalaTender Loving CareMs. Cheryl TheilmannTodd Erection CorporationEstate of Laura TozerTrinity UMW of Grand IslandUnderberg & Kessler, LLPUpstate Farms Cooperatives, Inc.VNA of WNY, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood D.VanDeWarkMr.Tony VerdiDr. George D. and Rev. Joanne W.VineyardMr. and Mrs. Lester Wagner, Jr.Joseph and Linda WarthlingRobert and Cheryl WassonRev. and Mrs. James M.WeiszMr. and Mrs.William A.Wells, Jr.Dr. and Mrs. Robert WernerWillCare Home Health, Inc.William H. Prentice, Inc.Williams Mills Chapter NSDARMs. Jean Marie WitkaMr. Jeff Witka Mrs. Margaret E.Witzig *Mrs. Susan Smith WolfDr. Barry F. and Mrs. Jean M.WoodMr. and Mrs. Frederick S.WoodMr. and Mrs. Donald YearkeMr. Stanley ZagoraMrs. Patricia ZaleskiMr. James W. ZerbyAnonymous

GARDEN FEATURELloyd and Sylvia HahnMrs. Judith MacGregor

PARK BENCHJeff Witka and Jean Marie Witka

BEECH TREEJeff Witka and Jean Marie Witka

ORNAMENTAL TREEThe Cambi, Hill and Risley Families

LARGE PAVER STONEBlocher Homes StaffFamily and Friends of Carmella CalandraMr. and Mrs. Charles W. Kollatz, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. John H. ShellumStonebraker and Smith FamiliesFamily and Friends of Edith Theodor

MEDIUM PAVER STONEMs. Lorraine M. MeinkeFamily and Friends of Mary Rita MillerMs. Patricia Zaleski

BRICKMr. and Mrs. Robert H. BahnMr. and Mrs. Lester C. BennettMrs. Betty Jane DawleyDr. and Mrs. Richard Todd EvansMs. Patricia E. FitzgeraldMr. and Mrs. Charles E. GilbertMrs. Susan HarlockHerberger and Herr FamiliesMrs. Jeanne P. KocherMrs. Marilyn KoukalMrs. Eleanor M. LenkeiMrs. Louise M. MagnerMrs. Natalie Matricardi and FamilyMrs. Rita M. MeissMr. and Mrs. James E. MetzKloss and Mueller FamiliesPicone Construction CorporationMr. and Mrs.William H. SchmidtMr. and Mrs. Edward M. ShentonMr. and Mrs. Sherwood D.VanDeWarkThe Wasson FamilyWilliams Mills Chapter NSDARMrs. Susan Smith WolfMr. Stanley Zagora

WELCOME HOME LEGACY GARDEN ENGRAVED MEMORIAL AND HONOR GIFTS

*Deceased

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS TO THE BEECHWOOD/BLOCHER FOUNDATION

JULY 1, 2009 TO AUGUST 31, 2009

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BEQUESTS

Estate of Marion F. Jamieson

FOUNDERS ($1,000 TO $4,999) Arric CorporationBuffalo Hospital Supply Company, Inc.Lamparelli Construction Company, Inc.LawleyMr. & Mrs. Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.Mr. John M. RepetskiA Taste of BuffaloWNY Conference, United Methodist Church

SPONSORS ($500 TO $999) Hiscock & Barclay, LLP

PATRONS ($100 TO $499) Mr.Timothy BrassMr. and Mrs. Michael Bryant

Mrs. Betty B. CaseChrist UMWJ.H. Dodman Company, Inc.Kenmore UMWMr. and Mrs. Charles W. Kollatz, Jr.Dr. and Mrs. Samuel J. MarkelloMr. and Mrs. Richard McDonald, Jr.McIntosh & McIntosh, P.C.Media ProsMrs. Patricia S. NoyesMr. and Mrs. Norman L. RussellMr. and Mrs. John H. ShellumSmall Indulgences JewelryVNA of WNY, Inc.Ms. Judith Adams-Volpe

FRIENDS (UNDER $100) Asbury UMWMrs. Julia M. BauerMr. Robert V. Bindert

Mrs. Judith E. BlackMrs. Marie BrownRev. and Mrs. Frank J. CernyMr. George F. CharleyMr. and Mrs. Paul CostanzoCounty Line UMWMrs. Helen CurtisDr. and Mrs. Gerald M. HodgsonMr. and Mrs. Carl JenningsMrs. Margaret JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. KirschMr. Richard H. LaceyMs. Sue Anne LeflerPendleton Center UMWMr. and Mrs. Robert I. PomeroyMr. James PopeMrs. Mamie PratchettMr. and Mrs. Milton B. PunnettRosa’s Home Store

Doctors James and Nancy RussellMrs. Mildred D. SanesMr. and Mrs. Peter ShanleySt. James UMW of Niagara FallsMrs. Mary TherrienUniversity UMWMr. and Mrs.Vincent VaccarelliMrs. Mary F. VennemanMs. Dawn L.WeisansalMr. and Mrs. Raymond A.WilsonAnonymous

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Ms. Patricia GarinMs. Sally LoganMr. Michael LombardoMs. Nicole Peradotto

HONORARIUM/MEMORIAL DONATIONS

In honor of Beechwood Homes FNS StaffFamily of Theresa NuwerIn honor of Sophie KaznowskiMrs.Arlene MiodonskiIn honor of Rev. Michael KramerMrs. Carol M. KramerIn honor of Franklin NeureuterMrs. Marion WilcoxIn honor of Roselyn SmithsonMr. and Mrs. David WallerIn memory of Marjorie BrownMs. Carol BaudaMs. Karen HurleyMr. James A. LaunMr. and Mrs. John LindstromMs. Sylvia I. MayMr. and Mrs.Thomas WrinnIn memory of Rusty BungerMr. and Mrs. Mario AngelucciMr. and Mrs. James E. Bateman, Sr.Beechwood Homes Admission DepartmentBeechwood Homes Management TeamMr. and Mrs. Richard R. BoydMr. and Mrs. Paul D. CarrMs. Sally ConleyMr. and Mrs. Christopher E. DoolMs. Patricia E. FitzgeraldMr. and Mrs. Michael P. MagnerMr. and Mrs. Joseph W. NeulandGreg and Alicia RainsteinMr. and Mrs. Paul E. ShahanMrs. Dale StrubleMr. and Mrs. Jack ThomasMrs. Kathleen A.TowerMr. and Mrs. John C.TraversMrs. Lillian D.TursiMr. and Mrs. James H. Zugelder

In memory of David A. DickinsonMr. and Mrs. Robert A. DickinsonIn memory of Verna “Mickey” DukeMs. Lorraine M. MeinkeIn memory of Gertrude K. ElliottMr. and Mrs.William A. ElliottIn memory of Frances EmblidgeMr. and Mrs. George T. EmblidgeIn memory of James C. GerryMr. and Mrs.William A. ElliottIn memory of James GlasgowMs. Elizabeth G.ThieroffIn memory of Louis H. GlickmanPhyllis and Mel BalsomMs. Demetra CurtisMrs.Anne P. SarlesIn memory of James GolipMr. and Mrs. Glenn McIlraithIn memory of Marie HarlockMr. and Ms. Charles J. HolmesIn memory of Jeanette P. HaroneyMr. and Mrs. Philip A. HaroneyIn memory of Violet HemperlyMr. John H. HemperlyIn memory of Willliam HoffmannMiss Karen J. HoffmannIn memory of Herman J. HollerMr. and Mrs. Glenn PollockIn memory of Karen L. Lange,Past Regent Williams Mills Chapter NSDARNancy L. DickinsonIn memory of James McCordMs. Lorraine M. Meinke

In memory of Eva M. MinshullDr. and Mrs. Keith McBrideIn memory of Betty MorganMs. Lorraine M. MeinkeIn memory of Steven E. O’BrienMs. Iris C.WatersMs.Virginia WoodsideIn memory of Robert PhillipsMr. and Mrs. Hugo ForsterMr. and Mrs. James M. HilburgerMr. and Mrs. Richard A. LauxMs. Lori C. LearyMrs. Joan LindeMr. and Mrs. G. R. MittlefehldtMs. Barbara RosinskiMr. and Mrs. Richard J.VivacquaIn memory of Rosalind RoetzerMr. and Mrs. Paul D. BurkeMrs. Laverne EblingMr. and Mrs. Charles B. MercurioMr. and Mrs. Fred A. ParkerIn memory of Frances RosenMs. Lois D’ArcangeloIn memory of Leah SarlesMrs.Anne P. SarlesIn memory of Leonetta G. SteigerMr. and Mrs. Bradley D. SteigerIn memory of Beatrice E.VathThe Ducato FamilyThe Jurgens Family The Peters Family In memory of Johanna L.WittigMrs. Joan CaseyMr. Roger J.Wittig

WNY SENIORCARE AND TASTE OF BUFFALO

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More than 2,000 Western New Yorkers haveused the online senior care assessment toolhosted at WNYSeniorCare.org, a website

designed by Western New York Association of Homesand Services for the Aging (WNYAHSA) to help fami-lies of aging seniors in Western New York. BeechwoodContinuing Care is proud to be a part it its development!

WNYSeniorCare.org was launched in late 2006.Internet users from more than 228 zip codes rangingfrom New York, Pennsylvania and as far away as Texas,California and Florida have visited the site.

“Many families locally, as well as families who resideout of town but have an aging relative in Western NewYork, have found the web site helpful,” says MichaelHelbringer,WNYAHSA president. “It provides a valu-able reference point for families when an aging lovedone needs more care.”

In addition to the senior care assessment tool, visi-

tors to WNYSeniorCare.orgwill find articles on a variety ofeldercare issues, links to com-munity resources in all eightcounties of Western New Yorkand answers to frequentlyasked questions about seniorcare. Information about senior care providers in theregion – including home care, assisted living and skillednursing – are listed geographically by zip code on thesite.

WNYSeniorCare.org was developed by WNYAHSAmembers (including Beechwood), families and seniorcare professionals in the community. The project’slaunch was made possible through a generous grantfrom The John R. Oishei Foundation.

WNYAHSA is a network of 70 not-for-profit seniorcare providers throughout Western New York. Theyprovide nursing home care, assisted living, rehabilitationcare,home health care, independent living and associatedcommunity services.

WNYSeniorCare.org

Over 65 Beechwood volunteers manned the main ticket booth on Court Street for the “Taste of Buffalo”food festival on July 11th and 12th. As was typical thissummer, the weather was a mixed bag! Saturday was

wet but did not dampen the spirits of our volunteers. Our Sundayvolunteers were treated to record numbers of ticket sales as hungryattendees enjoyed terrific food and sunshine! To reward the hard workof all the charities whose volunteers worked the ticket booths,Beechwood received a very generous donation to our Beechwood/Blocher Foundation.

Beechwood Volunteers“Weather the Taste of Buffalo!”

WNYSeniorCare.org Reaches2,000 Senior Care Assessment Milestone

Volunteers Ken Wasson and Robin Coffeytake a quick break for the camera.

BEECHWOOD CONTINUING CARE2235 Millersport Highway ✦ Getzville, NY 14068-1297

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBUFFALO, NY

PERMIT NO. 1973

Our Mission:Based on Christian values,Beechwood Continuing Careis committed to offering dignified,holistic residential and health care to older adults in an environment that promotes life enrichment,independence, and meaningful living.

Beechwood strives to continually looktoward opportunities that will providecareer growth for our staff.Our NursingAssistants play a crucial role in providing

quality care to all our residents.We believe by offer-ing our CNA's an opportunity to expand theirknowledge, improve their skills and create a pathwayfor career advancement, our staff will choose toremain part of our Beechwood family as well asachieve professional growth. As part of our CareerLadder Program, Beechwood has created a nineweek leadership development course where partic-ipants experience hands-on learning and experien-tial training including lectures, work site visits andteam building. Course topics include person-cen-tered care, nutrition, spirituality, end of life issues,safety and wellness, as well as the importance offamily. “I enjoyed developing great team leadershipvalues on working with my co-workers and how toprovide genuine human caring for our residents.This class should be or everyone,” said SoniaGoodman, recent staff graduate. Funded by a specialgrant through the Foundation for Quality Care andthe Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation, this

program is just one educational opportunity new atBeechwood.

Additionally, in 2007 Beechwood was awardeda grant through the federal government HealthWorkforce Retaining Initiative (HWRI).As part ofour CNA Career Ladder Program, this grantenables staff to further pursue an advanced career innursing. Presently, five of our Homes’ staff are near-ing completion of their course work to becomelicensed practical nurses. Beechwood is currently inthe process of applying for another HWRI grant toallow additional staff to not only become LPNs, butRNs as well.

www.beechwoodcare.org

Educational Opportunities – Everyone Wins!

Editor: Cheryl A.WassonContributing Writers: Brenda Schwamborn

Foundation information contributed by Eileen Lew and Alicia RainsteinFor corrections, comments, or topic suggestions regarding Reflections, please contact Cheryl A.Wasson at (716) 504-1888.