Holiday Decorating at Alois Alzheimer Center 2011

The holidays are upon us and the residents are busy with holiday decorating and creating beautiful peices for their rooms, doors and around the Center.

While creating these stunning Music Sheet Wreaths, residents laughed and listened to Christmas Carols and chatted with each other.

Therapy Dog Visits the Alois Alzheimer Center

Betty was reading the paper and an article about a grief therapy dog caught her eye. She was very curious about this Canines occupation and wanted to meet him. Betty's daughter, Janet arranged for Otis to make a personal appearance at the Alois Alzheimer Center to visit Betty and other residents.

"King Otis the First" was born on December 6, 2007. Otis was hand chosen by Gwen Mooney from a local breeder to be the Grief Therapy Dog for the Gwen Mooney Funeral Home located inside Spring Grove Cemetery. Otis is a Yellow Labrador Retriever with a certified Pedigree with the American Kennel Club. He helps some families find comfort in their time of need, and will sit for arrangements, visitations and funerals. Otis lives with Gwen and her family, and comes to work with Gwen each day. "He is an employee of our funeral home working for hugs, kisses and the occasional treat," says Gwen.

Gwen Mooney, Betty and her daughter Janet and Grief Therapy Dog "Otis"

Along with Betty, the residents and staff enjoyed meeting Otis and getting to know this special dog.

Alois Alzheimer Center on CET

The Alois Alzheimer Center provided the panel for the CET Television Show, "Focus" to be aired on Thursday, September 1st at 7:30PM and on Sunday, September 4th at 12:30PM.

Tune in for a better understanding of how Alzheimer's disease and dementia impact families and individuals. This distinguished panel, Executive Director Susan Gilster Ph.D, Marvin Knobloch, Director of Outreach and Activities and Brook Wilson BSW, Director of Admissions, will also be covering many aspects of the care and needs of the individuals and families living with this disease and how the Alois Alzheimer Center continues to set the standard in focused programs, education of staff and community and caregiver support.

The Panel stressed the importance of educated staff and program that focus on fun, friendship, joy and a sense of belonging and self-esteem. Life for individuals with memory loss can be full and enjoyable, despite the disease.

As Susan Gilster states, "Every person with dementia is the love of someones life, and that we must never forget."
http://www.cetconnect.org/focus

Alois Alzheimer Center Celebrates the Season with "Summer Fest 2011"

Residents enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at Summer Fest 2011! Games, prizes and Fortune Telling by our own "Madam Mari" were just a few of the highlights.

We would like to send our sincerest thanks to the volunteers from Day Spring Church. Their enthusiasm, kindness and encouragement were appreciated by the staff and residents.

We thank them for ensuring that all of the residents enjoyed each game and made the day a fun experience!

Summer Pond Project

The Alois Alzheimer Center has an island garden in the Courtyard/Woods garden area with a small pond that the residents have been nurturing this summer. Staff assisted with the clean-up and supervised the purchase of new Goldfish, Tadpoles and Aquatic Plants. Residents and family members have enjoyed watching the changes unfold and walk by often to observe the fish.

Staff enjoy this area as well and have helped to make it a peaceful, beautiful spot for all to enjoy.

Alois Alzheimer Center Employee of the Quarter

We congratulate Bobbie Butts, the Employee of the Quarter!

Bobbie was overwhelmed to receive this recognition. To be recognized by her co-workers and management for her abilities and job dedication is an honor.

When asked how she feels about her employment at the Alois Center, she replied, "It is a blessing to work at the Alois Alzheimer Center. In my eleven years I have experienced joy and laughter with the residents." Bobbie feels very fortunate that our family members know their loved ones are taken care of each day and it is her pleasure to care for them.

She is an asset to our staff and we all Congratulate her! Well done Bobbie!

Residents enjoy a BB Riverboat ride!

Residents boarded the BB Riverboat, the Bell of Cincinnati

for a fabulous day on the Ohio River.

Residents enjoyed lunch while cruising down the river. An overcast sky did not hamper the sight-seeing and beautiful views!

The Captain shared some history of the BB Riverboats and one lucky resident even sat in the Captain's chair to get a feel for the massive Riverboat!

Volunteering in the Community

Alois Alzheimer Center sponsored the Krohn Conservatory Butterfly show on Saturday, June 18, 2011. Staff members, staff families and resident family members greeted visitors, manned door stations and supervised the chosen craft of the day.

It was a pleasure to help support this highly anticipated family event at the Krohn Conservatory that has been sharing the beauty of nature for over 75 years with citizens and visitors to the Cincinnati area.

A Tribute to Veterans at Alois Alzheimer Center

With Memorial Day just behind us and our Service men and women on their minds, Vista Hospice and a Veterans Organization provided our residents and staff with a special program recognizing each individual Veteran and their service to our Nation.

Nineteen Veterans, representing EVERY branch of service including the Cadet Nurse Corp and the Army Air Corp were present for this special service.

Many sang with the patriotic music, waved their flags and kept their hand over their heart for the National Anthem. Each person clapped long and loudly as each Service Member was presented with a special pin and certificate. Our Service Members were proud, yet humble and some were moved to tears. It was a celebratory, moving, emotional tribute to those as a Nation we owe so very much too. We salute each and every member of our Nation's Armed Forces, past and present. Thank you!

Planting has begun at the Alois Alzheimer Center

Gardening at Alois Alzheimer Center

Garden grown tomato salads will be on the menu soon but, not soon enough for some resident's! Residents are anticipating a large crop of tomatoes as they plant the first vegetables and flowers of the season. Some residents are looking forward to checking the plants regularly and eagerly watching for the buds to bloom.

Alzheimer Disease On-Line Chat

Susan Gilster to participate in On-Line Chat about Alzheimer's Disease
Log onto Cincinnati.com at 12:00PM, Monday, June 13, 2011, to learn more about managing the care of adults affected by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Susan Gilster, PhD and Executive Director of the Alois Alzheimer Center will be available to offer information, support and advice for those caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Alois Alzheimer Center Outing to Krohn Conservatory

Krohn Conservatory was built in 1933 but has had greenhouses in Eden Park since the 1880's. The Conservatory celebrated it's 75th year in 2008.

Krohn Conservatory, located in Eden Park, showcases more than 3,500 plant species from around the world and during this time of year the atmosphere is even more beautiful by the addition of thousands of butterflies released in a themed garden area.

Alois Alzheimer Center Celebrates with Mary Finn, OHCA's May Hero!

Mary Finn

Mary Finn, Personnel Assistant at Alois Alzheimer Center, Cincinnati was selected by the Ohio Heath Care Association (OHCA) as its Hero of Long-Term Care for the month of May, 2011. The organization chooses one long-term care employee each month to honor for their service to long-term caregivers, residents and the community.

Susan Gilster, LNHA, Administrator at Alois Alzheimer Center, says that Finn is Passionate about serving the facility's residents and the facility.

"Mary Finn is a 'hero' each day here at the Alois Center." said Sharon Fender, Director of Human Resources. "Her ability, professionalism, compassion and kindness are witnessed daily by all those who enter the Center and meet our Mary!"

Mary will be honored at the Ohio Health Care Association's 2012 Annual Convention in Columbus, and was featured on the OHCA website during the month of May.

Alois Alzheimer Center Honors Volunteers

It is hard to believe that 19 years have passed since Ova and Norma walked through the doors at the Alois Alzheimer Center, eager to volunteer and offer their services. It has been our pleasure to get to know them and watch them share their time and talents with residents, staff and family members. Ova and Norma offer church services to the residents each and every Sunday.

On April 10, 2011 Marvin Knobloch, Director of Activities and Outreach, along with several Alois employees and a full congregation, gathered at The Friendship Baptist Church to present a plaque and Certificate honoring their dedication, commitment and service to the residents at the Alois Alzheimer Center.

Ova and Norma are the epitome of what Volunteers and Volunteering are all about and it is our great pleasure to recognize them and honor how much they mean to all of us.

Alois Alzheimer Center takes a tour of Historic Spring Grove Cemetery

The Gwen Mooney Funeral Home invited residents to lunch and a tram tour of the grounds at Spring Grove to enjoy the flowers and share a little history. They were also treated to a delicious grilled lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs and all the trimmings including beautiful, heirloom tomatoes.


Residents also enjoyed an exclusive tram tour of the grounds with a guide who shared information and cemetery history, which dates back to 1845.

We are grateful to Gwen Mooney and her staff for providing a very special afternoon.