I Prefer Rudolph to Caroline!

Everyone is in a good Holiday mood and I’m getting a kick out of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Song is catchy and Rudolph is getting allot of love. In my view, Rudolph is deserving of my gratitude for offering me a brief respite from “sweet Caroline” whose ode to music is less than endearing. In fact, the sweet Caroline song has me thinking she may not be as sweet as she purports to be. That’s just my opinion though. Who is this Caroline anyway? She doesn’t serenade me, so why should I engage in a one sided relationship?!
No, I greatly prefer (and welcome) Rudolph, red nose and all.

I was in Manhattan last night. Walking through Times Square in N.Y.C. was a complete assault on the senses. I was overwhelmed by the blinding lights and people everywhere.
Families were out and about and it was nice to see people enjoying each others company.

I feel this acutely at our Regency Facilities during this time of the year.
We invite and encourage families to be present in our building at all times in order to bond with their loved ones.
I love watching these gatherings knowing that we are facilitating such lifelong memories to cherish and preserve.
We are after all, “The Place Where the Caring Comes to Life!”

Rocking at Regency!

With the Holiday fast approaching there is a sense of excitement and anticipation at Regency Nursing Centers!!

Did I ever tell you that we rock?

Yes, I’m sure I did!

REGENCY ROCKS!

From our beloved Founder, all the way down, we are all awesome BECAUSE WE CARE DEEPLY!

We care for our families and we care for their loved ones – our patients and residents.

We are compassionate, dedicated and devoted!

But you know what, our families ROCK TOO!!

………………………………

Hey, did I show you a picture of the new Christmas tree we just placed in one of our beautiful dining halls?

Take a look:

The tree is glowing!
The tree is glowing!

 

What about the new gift I purchased for myself (hope my wife doesn’t see it on my credit card). I love fish aquariums. They are therapeutic and calming. so I ordered a betta aquarium online for me to display on the desk in the admissions office where I hang out and families are already loving it! (Betta seems happy too! We named him “deficiency free” in honor of or recent 5 star survey!!)

Take a look:

 

"Deficiency free" swimming around in his new home!
“Deficiency free” swimming around in his new home!

 

Hey, I even received this gift a few moments ago from a thrilled family member who is eternally grateful that we welcomed her aunt into our family for long term care, all of the way from Texas!!! (that’s right, they want in to our program from states all over the country)

 

I'll open it at home. I've got no time now.
I’ll open it at home. I’ve got no time now.

 

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK!

 

Have a superbly fabulous weekend!

 

 

Medicaid Program Incentivized This Couple To Marry!

Just when you thought things couldn’t possibly get crazier, here is this news flash last night from The Blaze via The Seattle Times.

A Washington couple got married recently so they could avoid Medicaid expenses being billed to their estate.

By marrying, Sofia Prins and Gary Balhorn, both 62, now earn a combined income that’s too high to qualify for Medicaid, but low enough to qualify for Obamacare tax credits, the Seattle Times reported.

The Affordable Care Act states that if an individual qualifies for Medicaid, they can’t qualify for tax credits to enroll in Obamacare.

Let’s Talk Healthcare Not Fish!

“Different strokes for different folks” – an idiomatic expression I think of quite often.

A friend of mine who I periodically run with similarly works in the Healthcare industry as I do (albeit in a different capacity than myself).

This morning, he excitedly informs me of an article he came across regarding an enormous HUGEongus (I just made up the word) fish called the arapaima or pirarucu which lives in the Amazon River in the heart of Brazil.

In this lusciously green nature reserve, men in canoes club these supersize fish with wooden bats then lug them back to their homes to eat and trade.

I mean, honestly, should I care?! This is what drives you (I thought to myself)?! Let the fish live and let live. Of what significance is this factoid to me at this moment?!

The Amazon River
The Amazon River

This guy works in the healthcare industry, so why couldn’t  we discuss our own business?!

Back in school, we’d have dubbed a guy like this, “king of all useless information.”

So I ask you facetiously if this is what you folks would like for me to talk and write about?

I mean, I’d much rather be passionate about healthcare and Regency Nursing, as we are immeasurably enriching the lives of our residents and their families.

Shall I write about fish instead?!

I was actually reminded of the long standing feud between radio talk show hosts Mark Levin and Michael Savage that began over a dispute in ratings– both claimed to be the third most-listened-to conservative radio talk show host, behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Mark Levin
Mark Levin
Michael Savage
Michael Savage

 

So when Savage recently held forth on his show regarding meatballs and sausages and how they should be cooked and what sauces and spices to use, Mark Levin invoked him on his own show and asked his listeners in mock wonderment whether they preferred for him to discuss ‘meatballs’ on his political talk show?!

I’ll cede the point that I will sometimes engage in light banter and many of you have happily acknowledged this to me in private communications.

But let’s focus on Regency Nursing and the unrivaled measure of excellence we bring to the senior healthcare world, shall we.

Oh, and because I know how curious you are to read the article (with awesome pictures) regarding the funky fish in Brazil, you’ll find it right here!

Now take on the day!

Christmas Carols at Regency Park

Keyport’s First Baptist Church arranged for a group of carolers to come to Regency Park to sing Christmas carols for our residents. To our surprise 30 singers showed up!
Our awesome Recreation Staff escorted them througout the facility where they conducted traditional carols and received applause and, surprisingly, reactions from
residents who seldom react! Thank you, First Baptist Church!!

B Hess and chorus

3west 4

2 west residents

 

A Dear Friend of Regency Celebrates Hanukkah at The White House!

I am so very proud to inform you all that Regency feels a special connection to the recent Hanukkah celebration at the White House!!

At the White House’s recent annual Hanukkah celebration – attended by more than 400 people – officials used a Hanukkah Menorah from the collection of our esteemed Cardiologist, Dr. Aaron Feingold, who is credentialed at our Regency Jewish Heritage Postacute Center in Somerset, NJ!

Dr. Feingold is a dear friend of Regency Nursing Centers and actually houses a portion of his magnificent Menorah collection in a dedicated Museum located in the lobby of our facility and visible to all who wish to enjoy it!

President Obama noted “[America is] a place where no matter who you are you can always celebrate your faith. And that same spirit is reflected in the menorah that we’re about to light. It was designed by Manfred Anson who was born in Germany in 1922. And as a child he lived through the horrors of Kristallnacht, and later lost a brother to the Holocaust. But Manfred escaped…he sought a place where he could live his life and practice his religion free from fear. So for Manfred and millions like him, that place was ultimately America. And Manfred passed away last year, but during his life he designed this special menorah, with a model of the Statue of Liberty at the base of each candle…a reminder that our country endures as a beacon of hope and of freedom wherever you come from, whatever your faith.”

Anson created this Hanukkah menorah in 1986 in honor of his adopted home. The Statues of Liberties that top this ritual object are each marked with important dates in Jewish history from the Exodus from Egypt to the founding of Israel. The statuettes were case from a souvenir that Anson, an avid collector of Americana, had acquired.

To see the lighting of the Anson Hanukkah menorah and the ceremony, please view this film.

This Hanukkah menorah was donated by Dr. Aaron Feingold in honor of Zara Feingold and Rachel Feingold and can be found in the Museum’s permanent exhibition again on Dec 20.

And now some photos!

THE PRESIDENT HELPING OUT WITH THE CANDLE LIGHTING
THE PRESIDENT HELPING OUT WITH THE CANDLE LIGHTING
THE INVITATION
THE INVITATION
OUR DEAR FRIEMD, DR. FEINGOLD
OUR DEAR FRIEMD, DR. FEINGOLD
image-pres5
HISTORY OF THE MENORAH USED IN THE CEREMONY
THE BEAUTIFUL MENORAH AFTER THE LIGHTING!
THE BEAUTIFUL MENORAH AFTER THE LIGHTING!
PRESIDENT AND FAMILY LOOKING ON...
PRESIDENT AND FAMILY LOOKING ON…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessed Snow and Joy at Regency Senior Rehab Centers in NJ!

This morning I left the house early for a brisk 3 mile run. Lo and behold about a mile into the run it started to snow! Blessed snow! The first such storm of the winter! By the time I got home, I was coated and my glasses were rendered useless.

I was energized and pumped for another day at our splendid Regency Nursing Homes!

The snow really has a way of bringing out the Holiday spirit!

Our very own Frank D. of Regency Park in Hazlet certainly agrees!

Here he is knee deep in the joyous task of applying the finishing touches to the 2 west dayroom tree.

He looks enthused and so are we!

Frank D. looks pretty happy about the tree on 2 west!
Frank D. looks pretty happy about the tree on 2 west!

 

You know, last winter I posted a blog and picture of Regency Park during the first snow of the winter.

That was right here.

Well, here we are in the thick of the first storm of this winter and I’ve got an identical photo for you!

Take a look:

Snow at Regency!!
Snow at Regency!!