The Courtyard Chronicles Courtyard Coordinators Tina Overton Manager manager1@courtyard-estates.net Heather Matson, RN Healthcare Coordinator Shana Plambeck, LPN Assistant Healthcare Coordinator Desiree Claypool Marketing Coordinator Polly Johnston, Life Enrichment Coordinator Heather Johnson Culinary Coordinator Mohammad Ghnem Maintenance Technician Saliha Ahmethsevc Housekeeping Coordinator 6132 NE 12th Avenue Pleasant Hill, Iowa 50327 Phone: 515-285-9108 Pleasant Hill Edition Managers Message As we prepare for the holiday season at our communities I would like to first take a moment to thank all of the families that came to our Thanksgiving dinner. We had a wonderful turnout at both communities. Our culinary staff did a wonderful job in preparing a special dinner for you and your families. After Thanksgiving we will be preparing for the Christmas season and with that our communities will start decorating for the holidays. The holiday season is about spending time with family. We need to remind ourselves and others just how important it is. The Christmas season always gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past year and appreciate the time we have been able to spend together. This time of year is filled with tradition, whether it be making sugar cookies with the grandkids, or decorating the tree, or maybe just sitting around the kitchen table talking about the good old days. But whatever your tradition is with your family, just being together during the holiday season is all that matters. This time of year we have more family coming in and out of the communities and we look forward to seeing all of you Tis the Season. Tina Overton Our mission is to provide an atmosphere of respect, comfort and grace, where quality of life is of the utmost importance. Page 1
Nurse s Station Quick Information about Cold and Flu Season With the cold and flu season in full force it is important for us to remember our first line of defense against germs and illness: HANDWASHING. The following steps are basic but essential in properly washing our hands: 1. Wet your hands using warm, running water. Add soap. 2. During the handwashing process, rub your hands vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds, paying special attention to the backs of your hands, wrists, in between your fingers and underneath your fingernails. 3. Rinse well while leaving the water running. 4. With the water continuing to run, use a single-use towel and pat your hands dry. 5. Turn off the water faucet using the paper towel covering your clean hands to prevent recontamination. A few helpful tips: 1. Hand sanitizers should not be used in place of handwashing. 2. Use hand sanitizers that contain 60-90% ethyl alcohol or isopropanol as an addition to proper handwashing only. Remembering Our Vets Thank you for your dedication, for your service, for your sacrifice. You worked hard and long hours for our country and spent hours away from your family. We truly appreciate all you have done for us. Thank you Jim for your service in the Air Force in Vietnam!!! Page 2
Additional News Polly s Corner I would like to thank all of the family members who came out for the communities Family Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a great turnout and the food was wonderful. December is a busy and exciting month. We will be having a couple of different schools coming to perform Christmas Carols to the residents. We will also be going to Jolly Holiday Lights. Our Family Christmas Party will be held on Saturday December 16th at 1:30pm. Santa will be coming and we hope you can make it too. This month we have the pleasure of having Allen and Allision from Senior Housing Management visiting out community on Tuesday December 5th at 10:00 am. We would like to invite all family members to come and meet them. Be sure to check the monthly calendar for our daily activities. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact me. Polly Johnston Get to know Desiree My name is Desiree Claypool, I am joining the Courtyard Estate teams as the new Community Relations Coordinator. I have lived in Bondurant with my husband for almost seven years. I am very excited to be a part of the community I am so devoted to. I have grown up in the healthcare industry, as many of my family members work in healthcare. However, I have been professionally working in healthcare myself for about 10 years. I started out as an Activity Director in a Long-Term Care Center and transitioned into Home Health Care. I most recently was the Marketing Director for an Assisted Living, Long-Term care, and Rehab facilities in Des Moines and surrounding communities. I will be splitting my time between our two community locations Bondurant and Pleasant Hill. Please feel free to stop by my office for a visit or just to hello. I have a true passion for helping others and I look forward to getting to know everyone. Page 3
Announcements and Events Alzheimer s Support Group Held every third Thursday of each month. From 6:00pm-7:00pm Walk-ins Welcome If you have any questions contact Polly @ 515-285-9108 Activities December Signature Activities Monday, Wednesday, Friday Live 2B Healthy Exercise Every Tuesday & Friday Music Therapy Every Wednesday Pet Therapy Culinary Kitchen Joy! Joy! Joy! The holiday season is here! We will be having a Family Christmas Party Saturday December 16th from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Snacks will be provided, Please join us, and come see Santa! We are looking forward to spending this time with you and your family members. Heather Johnson Culinary Coordinator Welcome To Cedar Pointe Jill Warrick Carolyn Hull November Birthday s December 18th - Diane Douglas December 18th - Yvonne Coe December 24th - Jim Hutchins THANK YOU! FOR ALL YOU DO!!! Adelphi Baptist Church Live 2 B Healthy Exercise Green Thumbs Massage Music Speaks Music Therapy Prairie City Church of the Brethren Altoona Christian Church Bob Merkley, Chaplin Therapy Dog Cooper Scott Wilson Cynda Schut Page 4
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