Aviv Centers for Living is proud to announce that its skilled nursing facility, the Jewish Rehabilitation Center (JRC),   has received a perfect, deficiency-free rating from the  Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). DPH surveys skilled nursing facilities to assess compliance with federal  and state standards such as adequacy of staffing, quality of care, safety, dining services and cleanliness of facilities.

The perfect rating as a result of the State’s rigorous examination is one of the single best published indicator of excellence.  “I was overjoyed to receive the letter noting our perfect rating. I attribute the flawless survey to the tireless devotion of the staff of Aviv Centers for Living. We have a great team that delivers compassionate and quality care to our residents and clients 365 days a year.The Aviv team at the JRC earned a five star rating for quality, compassion, and care.”” said Stephen Neff, Aviv Centers for Living President and CEO.

Jeff Gopen, Executive Director of the JRC, also applauded the Aviv team noting,”I felt a real sense of pride and excitement that the staff was able to accomplish this achievement. It is especially gratifying that the health care professionals conducting the rigorous survey felt, observed and acknowledged  the top notch care our residents receive on a daily basis,” said Gopen.

Excelling in meeting all requirements, the JRC received the deficiency free survey.  The skilled nursing facility continues to provide excellent care its residents, and hopes to achieve another five star rating next year at its new location at Aviv Center’s for Living expanded campus at 240 Lynnfield Street in Peabody.

Aviv Centers for Living has been providing excellence in senior care since 1945 . Services include assisted living, skilled nursing, adult day health, care management and home care. To learn more about Aviv’s continuum of senior care and exciting expansion plans visit  www.avivliving.org.

Aviv Centers for Living is encouraging members of the community to be proactive about memory health by taking advantage of free, confidential memory screenings at 330 Paradise Road in Swamspcott on Tuesday, November 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The event is part of National Memory Screening Day (NMSD), an annual initiative that the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) holds each November during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. More than 2,000 sites across the country will be participating.

Qualified healthcare professionals administer the screenings, which consist of a series of questions and tasks, and take five to ten minutes. Screening results are not a diagnosis, and individuals with below-normal scores or who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam.

Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat one of these conditions.

“We want to encourage everyone who has concerns about memory issues to take advantage of this free memory screening. Early detection and diagnosis is critical to everyone’s long-term mental and physical well-being,” says Janice Glick, Director of Social Services at Aviv. Call 781-598-5310 x1561 to schedule a screening.

Aviv Centers for Living Director of Social Work Services Janice Gick and Assistant Director Melissa Brady will present seminars at Salem State University for the New England Consortium of Graduate Social Work Field Education Directors.

Brady will present “Teaching Students about Social Work with Older Adults” on Friday, October 21 from 9 a.m.-12 noon. The workshop offers three different perspectives about working with seniors in the social work field. Participants will get a glimpse through the lens of the student, the field instructor and the classroom instructor.

Glick will present “Working with Interns When Addressing End of Life Issues” on Friday, February 10 from 9 a.m.-12 noon. The seminar will provide training and information to assist participants who are working with interns  address end of life issues in their work.

“At Aviv Centers for Living, we are committed to educating students about the myriad benefits of working with seniors in the social work field. We have a robust internship program and many of our staff teach at universities in the area and attend conferences throughout the nation to talk on this subject,” says Janice Glick, Aviv Centers for Living Social Work Services Director.Both Glick and Brady are adjunct professors at Salem State University.

Janice Glick, Aviv Centers for Living Director of Social Work Services

Janice Glick, Director of Social Work Services at Aviv Centers for Living, recently spoke at the Jack Satter House about “Communicating Effectively with Your Health Care Professional.” The presentation focused on equipping elders with a toolbox of tips and skills to help them feel empowered when visiting their health care professionals. Along with sharing tips on how to get organized and prepared for a visit, Glick gave suggestions on how to broach difficult subjects and have seniors advocate for themselves when visiting a health care professional.. “It is imperative that elders be active participants in their healthcare and understand that quality care is a result of a partnership between physician and patients,” said Glick.  If you would like more information or to schedule Glick to speak to your organization, call Janice at 781-598-1810 extension 1561 or e-mail her at jglick@avivliving.org.

Jenna Alexander, Robyn Mintzer and Julie Warner have joined the Short-term Rehabilitation team at Aviv Centers for Living’s Jewish Rehabilitation Center. “This trio of professionals adds to our team who create customized and comprehensive rehabilitation plans for each patient, and build close working partnerships among the patient, family, and staff in order to ensure the best possible outcome,” says Megin L.Hemmerling, OTR/L, Director of Rehabilitation Services.

Jenna Alexander joined the Short-term Rehabilitation team at Aviv Centers for Living’s Jewish Rehabilitation Center as a Physical Therapy Intern from MGHInstitute of Health Professions. Prior to her internship, Alexander gained geriatric clinical experience at Spaulding Outpatient Center and Prescott House-Genesis Rehabilitation Services. “I love working with the geriatric population. They have so many life experiences to share. We can learn so much from them. I feel fortunate to have a positive impact on their lives by improving their functioning skills,” says Alexander.

Alexander is also interested in the early intervention field and participated in clinical field work at Harbor Area Early Intervention. She received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in January 2012. A resident of Beverly, Alexander enjoys bike riding, hiking and traveling. She is a student member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Robyn Mintzer joined the Short-term Rehabilitation team at Aviv Centers for Living’s Jewish Rehabilitation Center as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Mintzer completed The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at North Shore Community College that provides active classroom instruction and extensive field experience in the theory and practice of occupational therapy with individuals and populations across the life span within various service delivery models. Mintzer received her Bachelor of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. “I wanted to join a field where I was making a difference in people’s lives.“I enjoy working at Aviv because of the patient’s that I treat and the talented rehab team” saysMintzer. ,” says Mintzer. She is a native and resident of Swampscott with her family.

Julie Warner joined the Short-term Rehabilitation team at Aviv Centers for Living’s Jewish Rehabilitation Center as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She brings four years of outpatient and home care experience to her new post. Warner received her BA in Athletic Training at Salem State University. “I love the team here,” says Warner. An avid figure skater, she resides in Lynn.

For more information, call Megin L. Hemmerling, OTR/L, Director of Rehabilitation Services at 781-973-1565.

Aviv Centers for Living’s Jewish Rehabilitation Center (JRC) will participate in the 2011 National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration. The JRC is joining the National RehabilitationAwareness Foundation, sponsor of the event, and facilities nationwide in observing the weeklong awareness campaign running September 18-24.

“We are thrilled to partake in the national celebration of Rehabilitation Services. Along with a staff luncheon and various programs throughout the week, we are really hoping to raisepublic awareness of our dedicated staff and outstanding services,” says Megin Hemmerling, JRC Director of Rehabilitation Services.

This week is designed to focus on the incredible capabilities of individuals with disabilities, share their stories and accomplishments, commend the efforts of the professionals providing care, and commit to remove barriers to fulfill the needs of individuals with disabilities. The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation was established by Allied Services in 1996. Its mission is to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation; develop programs which aim to increase opportunities for the nearly 50 million Americans with disabilities, and help them live up to their fullest potential through rehabilitation.

Aviv Centers for Living released the first interior image of the Waldfogel Health Center which showcases the household model. Aviv’s household design represents the new trend in senior living. The Aviv care delivery system includes high staff-to-resident ratios, community spaces and a warm and engaging atmosphere. Each of the neighborhoods will have 12 private and 2 semi-private rooms and a parlor.  This real-life photo illustration provided by Merllino Design Partnership, Inc., illuminates the home-like ambiance where residents dine, relax and enjoy activities together. “We are thrilled to unveil this photo illustration to the public to begin visually telling the story of how the Aviv campus, including the Waldfogel Heath Center, will revolutionize senior care on Boston’s North Shore,” said Stephen Neff, Aviv Centers for Living President and CEO.

Visit the Expansion page to learn more.