535 E. North St., Suite E

Bradley, IL 60915

815-935-1992

www.gardant.com

At A Glance

Microwave Bell Peppers

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Managed by

MAY 2019

From the Desk of the CEO

Rod Burkett

This month marks the 20th anniversary that our property

management company was founded. The company was

developed in direct response to the creation of the Supportive

Living Program, newly authorized to cover assisted living

services for eligible seniors on Medicaid; approved by the Illinois legislature

in 1997. Our main purpose in creating the company was to increase

accessibility and affordability in the assisted living sector.

To be fully transparent, in the beginning stages, we didn’t exactly know what

we were doing. We felt that the Supportive Living Program would be a great

way to bring housing and care to a very deserving population, and we were all

dedicating our talents, energies and efforts to this cause. Like many small

companies, we were severely underfunded in the beginning… so much so,

that we came close to disbanding the company in the 2nd and 3rd years of

operations due to lack of financial resources. Fortunately, we endured.

Somehow we “scraped by”, as our expansion revenue finally caught up with

our expenses, and we connected with like-minded financial partners. We

quickly learned that while we had to cover all the basics of running a

business, our real business was “people caring for people”!

We didn’t have a specific vision on how big the company might become. We

started out market by market, developing the best assisted living property we

could in that specific community guided by a focus of positively impacting

the lives of seniors, their families and our employees. While we didn’t

establish a specific goal of how many properties to manage or how much

revenue to create, we have always been open to opportunities and have grown

to a management portfolio of close to 60 communities as we recognize our

20th anniversary.

As I look back over the last two decades, I am very grateful for the multitude

of employees and financial partners (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

CAMBRIDGE CALLER

Cambridge House of O’Fallon

844 Cambridge Blvd., O’Fallon IL 62269

(618)624-9900 / www.gardant.com/cambridgehouseofallon

IN THE NEWS (Continued from Page 1) that have joined us in our purpose and have further connected us to our mission of

positively impacting the lives of our residents. Like most endeavors, we’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve

realized many challenging and rewarding experiences, all while looking forward to what comes next. In fact,

that is the essence of our company’s name…Gardant is a term that exemplifies a ‘forward facing’ attitude, one

that is looking to the future. Therefore, as we recognize our 20th anniversary and enter our next decade, we

rededicate ourselves to the mission of increasing accessibility and affordability in the assisted living world and

touching the lives of so many more to come.

Take Aways from Episode One of the Human Longevity Project

Rick Banas

A little while ago, I had the opportunity to watch the first episode of a documentary series called the Human

Longevity Project. The mission of the project is to look at what we need to do to create a brighter future,

especially for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, in light of the dramatic rise in chronic

diseases that we are experiencing.

The Human Longevity Team travelled to regions of the world where individuals routinely live into their 80s,

90s and 100s, virtually free from chronic disease. The project team was looking for answers as to how we can

live longer, happier and more fulfilling lives.

As host and director Jason Prall explains, what started out as a 60-minute documentary expanded into a nine-

part series. The series features interviews with more than 90 health experts and insights from some of the

world’s healthiest and longest-living individuals.

The focus of the first episode in the series is “The Truth about Aging: Can it be Slowed or Even Reversed.”

Here are my biggest take-ways from Episode One:

For the first time in the history of the United States, experts predict that the current generation of

children will live shorter lives than their parents.

Our health care system does a fantastic job of taking care of acute health care problems but is not

equipped to properly handle chronic disease.

We need to take personal responsibility for our health. We control the foods we eat; when and how we

move our bodies; the things we think about and how we think about them; who we hang out with; and

how much sleep we get.

For more information on The Human Longevity Project, you can visit

https://humanlongevityfilm.com/thlp-2019-a/

PAGE 2

WELLNESS Physical Activity Month

Stephen Harris

Gardant Management is supporting the President’s Council on

Fitness, Sports & Nutrition in honor of National Physical Fitness and

Sports Month. During the month of May, we challenge all adults to

get 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Did you know that

regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer,

healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart

disease and some types of cancer.

As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most

important things you can do for your health. It can prevent many of

the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your

muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day

activities without becoming dependent on others. Not doing any

physical activity can be bad for you, no matter your age or health

condition. Keep in mind, some physical activity is better than none at

all. Your health benefits will also increase with the more physical

activity that you do. If you're 65 years of age or older, are generally

fit and have no limiting health conditions, you can follow the CDC

guidelines listed below:

Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity

each week. Moderate activity includes things like walking

fast, dancing, swimming, and raking leaves.

Do muscle-strengthening activities – like lifting weights or

using exercise bands – at least 2 days a week.

Physical activity is for everyone. No matter what shape you are in,

you can find activities that work for you. Together, we can rise to the

challenge and get more active during the month of May!

Recipe Corner

Microwave Bell Peppers

8oz lean ground beef/turkey

1 medium bell pepper

1/4 cup tomato soup

1/4 cup diced onion

1/8 cup parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp granulated garlic

1 1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions Mix the seasoning, meat,

onions and parsley in bowl.

Cut pepper in half and de-seed

it.

Microwave the pepper in a

bowl with a little water to

steam it, so it gets soft (about

1 1/2 minutes).

Stuff the peppers with the

meat mixture and microwave

on a plate for about 4 minutes

or until the meat is 165

degrees.

Once the meat is fully cooked,

you can add any extra sauce

you like and sprinkle with the

cheese. Microwave until

melted (about 30 seconds)

PAGE 3

LIFESTYLE

Events You Don’t Want To Miss!!

Event Name: Celebrate Mom with Jeremy Wright

Date: Friday, May 10, 2019 Time: 2:30 p.m.

Details: We are starting Mother’s Day early with a celebration of

Mom. Come on in and join us while Jeremy Wright sings and plays

his guitar for all our Mothers. Please invite your family and friends.

Refreshments will be provided and it is free & open to the public

Event Name: Tips and Tools for Seniors to Avoid

Financial Exploitation

Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Time: 2:30 p.m.

Details: Megan Rector, Financial Wellness Relationship Manager

from Regions Bank will give her presentation on Tips to Help

Avoid Financial Exploitation.

Ice Cream will be served.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

Resident Birthdays:

John C. 5/5

Mary T. 5/11

Larry W. 5/15

Ladona M. 5/16

Lois C. 5/20

Mary S. 5/30

Bernice L. 5/31

Shirley D. 5/31

Welcome Home

New Residents:

Ruth D.

Karleen W.

A Note from the Administrator

Scott Douglas

As you read this, we have just finished celebrating another

Supportive Living Facility (SLF) week in our community. The last

week of April we saw staff and residents dress up on theme days,

such as western day and 50’s day, having entertainment come in

and sing along with snacks and various games. Many residents

participated this year, making this one of most successful

celebrations to date. This was a week where we observe the (SLF)

program, which provides quality assisted living to people of all

incomes. Although this has been a week of celebration, I want to

pass along we really celebrate all year long as we consider the hard

work of our staff members to provide services, along with all the

wonderful residents who call Cambridge House home. You are

truly appreciated and loved, and I hope the rest of this year is as

exciting as the SLF week we just observed.

PAGE 4

SPORTS & GAMES Horoscope

Aquarius (1/20-2/18)

Time to focus on family and your

home. Other things can wait.

Pisces (2/19-3/20)

Relax and don’t overthink!

Aries (3/21-4/19)

Widen your social circle. Your

success will diminish without the help

of other people.

Taurus (4/20-5/20)

There will be an improvement in the

interaction of family members

Gemini (5/21-6/20)

Don’t hesitate to put your feelings out

there. Be honest.

Cancer (6/21-7/22)

You’ll have to cooperate and

collaborate in order to get through

difficult situations

Leo (7/23-8/22)

Exercise patience and breathe

Virgo (8/23-9/22)

Laughter will take precedence over

any sadness that may try to creep into

your home

Libra (9/23-10/21)

Help others when you can

Scorpio (10/22-11/21)

You’ll have to make choices that will

help you develop positively

Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)

Be careful when making decisions.

Take your time.

Capricorn (12/22-1/19)

You are not willing to back out no

matter what. Fighter!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Residents at our communities love to dance! From happy hour

celebrations to line dancing lessons and dance-offs, dancing is

everywhere. The latest dance challenge from the Illinois Affordable

Assisted Living Coalition has had us showing off our moves for

everyone to see. We have been so impressed with the quality,

creativity and fun that came from our communities that we have

posted their videos online. Thousands of people have already tuned

in to watch. To dance along with us, search #gardantgrooves on

Facebook. This will pull up all the videos from our communities.

Have fun dancing along with us!

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

SUPPORTIVE LIVING FUN Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

On Monday, April 22, we started our Supportive Living Facility (SLF) week activities with a visit from

Fredbird. He brought along lots of smiles to share with the residents.

SUPPORTIVE LIVING FUN II Dance, Dance, Dance and Bingo!

We continued our SLF week with lots of music, dancing and a BIG Bingo!

PAGE 7

LOCAL NEWS Rotary Wheels:

Rotary Wheels is a great program for the people of O’Fallon. It provides transportation to those who

can’t drive for a minimal fee and for seniors it is free. They drive all around O’Fallon and takes a trip to the

Mall on Wednesdays.

You must sign up with them before hand, then you can get a ride with a 24 to 72 hour notice. You just

have to call. If you have an appointment with Rotary Wheels and need to cancel please call them as soon as

you can, so that they can avoid making a unnecessary run to Cambridge House.

We have recently received a call from Rotary Wheels letting us know that we have some of our resi-

dents who are abusing the Rotary Wheels system. They are making appointments and then refusing the ride

once the driver is here for pick up or they are not down in the lobby in time for their ride and the driver has to

wait. When you’re late you may be making the driver late to pick up someone else. Once they start getting be-

hind it is hard to make up time.

We need to remember that the Rotary Wheels program is financed through grants and donations. The

grants are predicated on the number of actual rides they provide and if you refuse a ride that is fuel used for

nothing ($$$), and time wasted that they could have taken someone else. Rotary Wheels has the right to refuse

rides to residents who continually make appointments and then refuse the ride after the driver has arrived. So,

please call to cancel and don’t just leave them hanging.

Remember the Rotary Wheels is a great service and we don’t want to lose our privileges by misusing

that service.

Thank you.

Mary Chamberlin, RSC

Dietary:

Please bring back any and all dining room dishes to the kitchen. Remember if you decide to take some

of your meal back to you apartment for later you should bring along something to store it in. We do not pro-

vide storage containers and we need the dining room dishes to stay down here. It take all of our dishes to feed

everyone for all three meals every day. Please return our dishes!

Thank you.

Tammy Markus, Dietary Manager

PAGE 8

Trash:

I recently spoke with a new resident who asked, what they should do about trash removal. They said

that they had asked other residents and got many different answers.

Here is what you do. Housekeepers will remove trash when they clean your apartment, and if you

generate more trash and would like them to pick up more often than talk with your housekeeper to set up a

schedule for extra pickups. But if you just occasionally have a bag to take out please call your CNA for a

trash pickup. They will happily take it out for you.

If you are able and wish to, you can take it out for yourself and put it in the trash bin in the trash clos-

et on your floor. But if you find it difficult to manage the trash bag and your walker please ask for help. If

you can’t get in touch with a CNA call the front desk and we will send help. Please DO NOT put trash in the

hall outside your door. We have people going up and down the halls with walkers, wheelchairs scooters and

emergency gurneys at all hours of the day and night. If they hit a trash bag it will be everywhere. They leek

and smell. Just call your CNA.

It is everyone’s responsibly to keep our House clean.

Thank you.

Mary Chamberlin, RSC

MORE LOCAL NEWS

Privacy:

We understand that it might be easy to catch the nurse when you see her in the hall or in the dining

room but that is no place to talk to her about your health condition. If you have to discuss your medications,

doctors’ appointments, or the rash on your big toe, you need to go to the nursing office to talk with the nurse.

She cannot talk about this stuff out in the open where others can hear. She has to always take your privacy in

to account when taking about your health.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Nursing Office.

PAGE 9

MAY ACTIVITIES New Activity:

Grillers Club: During the colder months we have our Soup Group where we make big pots of soup togeth-

er to take it back to our apartments to enjoy. But in the summer it is too warm for soup and we would like

to spend more time on the patio, so we are going to start the Grillers Club. We will choose a meat to grill

on the patio and each person may take it in to have for supper. In May we will be grilling Homemade

Hamburgers, there will be cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion available. Please sign up at the front desk if

you are going to participate in this activity so that I can estimate how much meat to buy.

Mamma Mia:

The Looking Glass Playhouse will be Presenting “Mamma Mia” on Wednesday May 1, 2019. We will

leave at 6:30, get there about 7:00 and the play starts at 7:30. We will probably be home around 10:00 to

10:30. This performance is FREE to us.

If you would like to attend please sign up at the front desk.

The DMV:

We will go to Nashville Illinois to the DMV again this month, to help those residents who had problems get-

ting their ID’s last time. This time it will be a DMV trip only we will not stop for lunch. We will leave here

at 9:30a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. and be home in time for lunch.

Please bring all of your information.

This includes :

A current Drivers License, or your Birth Certificate,

your Social Security Card

2 proof of residency, like your Rent Statement and your Lease (you can get copies of these documents from

the front office.)

We will not be making this trip again until October this year so please make sure that you have all of your

documents.

PAGE 10

Dinng Room Meal Times

Breakfast 7:00 AM—9:00 AM

Lunch 11:15AM—1:15PM

Dinner 4:15PM—6:15 PM

Hearing Aid Care

Rita Fleshren, hearing specialist form Hear-

ing Health Care Center of Illinois, will be in

on May 16th at 9:00am to clean and repair

hearing aids. She also does hearing tests by

appointment.

The Beauty Salon Hours:

Wednesday 9:00—2:30

Thursday 8:00—2:30

Please sign up on the appointment sheet at the

front door of the beauty shop.

Hands to Help Massage with Nancy:

Monday, May 6, 2019

10:00 a.m. in the Beauty Salon

Please sign up at the front desk for your free chair mas-

sage

Laundry

Please set your dirty laundry outside you apartment door

on the day that your laundry is schedule done.

Esther the Comfort Dog

Esther the Comfort Dog will visit in the

lobby on Tuesday, May 7th. She and her

handler will be here at 10:00am and will be

visiting for about 45

minutes. Come on

down and see sweet,

sweet Esther!

IN THE KNOW

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WORD SEARCH

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