HYE DOUN

A Publication of the Armenian Nursing And Rehabilitation Center, Inc., Emerson, NJ Jan/Feb/March 2011

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian visits the ANRC: Details Page 9

The Presidents Message Board Of Trustees

ANDREW TORIGIAN President of the Home and Chairman of the Board of Trustees TED TAKVORIAN, Esq. Vice President PETER BONJUKLIAN Treasurer JOHN VANISKHIAN Assistant Treasurer KHOREN NALBANDIAN, RPH Recording Secretary ANNETTE TAMALIANALMOND Corresponding Secretary H. CRAIG FROONJIAN, DMD Ombudsman NORA ZABEL TOSSOUNIAN, MD Board Member MATTHEW RUSSO, LNHA Administrator JAN MRANI, M.D. Medical Director

Caring & Compassionate Every Minute of Every Day

Andrew Torigian

Hye Doun Editorial Board

Andrew Torigian Chief Editor Louisa Janbazian Editor Matthew Russo Advisor Howard Torossian Photographs and Ads Layout & Design by Caspian Seal Caspianseal.com Printed by PRINTSOLUTIONS Englewood, NJ 201.567.9622

f the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) were to have a motto it would be: We are always caring and compassionate every minute of every day throughout the year. Our dedicated Staff led by our Administrator Matt Russo and our selfless RNs, our LPNs, and our CNAs have this as their guiding principle. It is because of their devotion to the ANRC that we have once again received a four star rating from Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) after CMS made a surprise visit to the ANRC last month. In addition, the ANRC received a five star rating from Health Grades, a leading health care rating organization this month. For this wonderful performance of duty, we thank all our Staff members including our Office Personnel, our Maintenance Group, and our Kitchen Crew. See page 5 for a lovely letter written by the Calabro family, We also want to recognize the resignation of two of our longest serving Board Members of the ANRC. Dave Rowan and Vatche Baghdikian who for over ten years faithfully served the ANRC in a devoted and steady fashion. We thank Dave and Vatche and wish them well in their future endeavors. At the same time we want to welcome Nora Zabel Tossounian, MD as our newest ANRC Board member. She is currently the Assistant Attending at the Health and Wellness Center, Hackensack University Medical Center. Besides providing full-time outpatient care, she is very experienced in covering subacute rehabilitation similar to our ANRC. Our plans for the new ANRC Building are proceeding on schedule. We will be meeting again with the Emerson Planning Board to present our latest layout for the new Building. We had received their preliminary approval last year. From there our next step is to go before the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services for approval of our construction drawings.q
The Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sits on three spacious acres nestled in wooded, suburban Emerson, Bergen County, NJ. Our Address is: Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 70 Main Street, Emerson NJ 07630 Phone: 201.261.6662 Fax: 201.261.5509 You are invited to call and make an appointment to discuss the individual needs of your loved one. Directions: By Bus: Port Authority: Bus #165 to Emerson By Car: Exit #165 on Garden State Parkway. Right turn onto Oradell Ave. Left turn onto Kinderkamack Rd. Turn right onto Main St. Follow contours of road. Home on left. From GWB: Take Route 4 to Kinderkamack Rd. Right turn onto Main St. Follow contours of road. Home on left.

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From the Administrators Desk

All Hands on Deck

And Together!
Matthew L. Russo, LNHA, Administrator

When you make it to the top, turn and reach for the person behind you ~Abraham Lincoln

The best teamwork requires mutual help, within and across all hierarchal boundaries. Having fancy placed this quote from Lincoln under my credentials and a distincollege yearbook picture. Ive always had guished academic record a soft-spot for those who didnt get the op- is nice, having the comportunity to achieve what became available to mon sense to apply a remme many years ago. When I graduated college, edy to a resident problem I felt incredibly fortunate to attain something few while receiving hands-on people had. My thoughts were grounded on input across the board is better! When problems helping folks; I felt lucky, privileged and exclu- arise, mutual respect for anothers ideas is valsive. While the quote doesnt address helping ued and every opinion is given consideration. We our elderly residents, it does define the employ- have accepted recognition as a 4-Star facility from ees of our home. the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and now more recently, Healthgrades Inc., lists the Being in continuous contact with many em- ANRC as a 5-Star facility! This puts us in elite ployees who didnt company among the have the luxury I was homes in The best teamwork requires 300 nursing and it was afforded, I have been New Jersey humbled by their mutual help, within and across worthy of revelation in humanity. Some of the February edition of all hierarchal boundaries. our best ideas are New Jersey Monthly formed by our rank Magazine. I thank all and file employees and nothing makes me more employees for their continued support, their bright proud. The shared sensibility of our employees is ideas and working together to exceed the norm.q here and we are successful because we take our cues from each other. From this, our internal culture pushes high performance and finds solutions. We act as a cohesive unit that shares responsibility and does not place an obligation upon a single individual to handle the difficult tasks alone. Our residents today are in contact with many of our different disciplines and all our specialists work shoulder-to-shoulder with one another to accomplish our goals. Its the teamwork every nursing home Administrator hopes for.

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2011 3

Health

What Do You Do When It Snows

Maggy Petrosian, RN, Patient Care Coordinator

Maintaining Ourselves Through Our Past

Beth Aymar MSW, LSW

question that has been asked quite often by family members and friends of ANRC this winter is how we cope when it snows. We assure you our residents families and friends that our home is fully functional in snow, rain, electrical failures, and anything that comes our way. ANRC is in operation 24 hours day, 365 days a year! While the government might declare a state of emergency and tell you to stay off the roads, we cannot! We are considered essential personnel and can be out on the roads when our storms are at their worst! Our staff is trained to be prepared for all emergencies. Our Administrator, Matt Russo, keeps us updated as to weather reports. If the weather report predicts inclement weather, Matt does not hesitate to pick up staff members in order to continue to operate efficiently. I usually stay overnight to coordinate staffing by making telephone calls and lend a helping hand. This is done in order to be sure we are not understaffed in any emergency. There are mornings when it snows that I have had to call Matt at 5:00 a.m. and advise him of how many staff members need to be transported to work. Some of these staff members are not able to travel due to various reasons. The transportation issue takes much coordination by working out a route. It can be very difficult and time consuming since various towns have different snow plowing services. There have been times when some town roads are not being plowed at all. But whatever it takes, the ANRC is ready and fully functional. I am writing this to reassure those family members and friends of the ANRC that the dedication and caring for our residents continues no matter what the situation. Many of our dedicated Nursing staff also come prepared to stay overnight should they hear of bad weather reports. Now, thats dedication! The worst that could happen to our residents in an emergency situation is that the serving of our Armenian coffee may be late! But our dedication is right on time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank family members and friends of the ANRC of this concern. Your notes and telephone calls are most appreciated. These kind gestures have supported and encouraged our staff at the ANRC to go forward with continued dedication.q
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pon admission to any nursing facility, a standard practice is the obtaining of a social history from the patient, usually by the social worker. While at first glance, the importance of this practice may seem insignificant, it is one of the most useful tools for both patient and staff. It is widely understood that many of us define ourselves by the work that we do. When introduced to someone new, we often state our occupation. This is true of older adults as well. Even after retirement, we continue to identify ourselves by the work we retired from, and may find ourselves taking on volunteer jobs that reflect the roles we used to hold. This is consistent with continuity theory which states that as people age their basic personality does not change despite changes to their social role, psychosocial needs, and even physical bodies. Life-review, as performed during an intake session or social history assessment, is viewed not only as a way of gaining information, but also a way for an older person to maintain a sense of self. Reminiscing about the past allows for the adult to retrieve positive memories without the expectation of gaining insight, but rather to keep those memories alive and improve overall mood. As we age, we experience the loss of roles and relationships that once helped create our personal identities. As part of the process of putting meaning to their lives, reminiscence helps maintain the identity of older adults and can often increase self-worth and self-satisfaction. With this information in mind, family members can participate in reminiscence projects with their loved one during a visit. Just by encouraging the loved one to discuss their past accomplishments the family member is helping to restore that sense of self that is sometimes lost as we age. As Rene Dubos once said, I do not live in the past; it is the past which is alive in me. q

Health

Dental and Oral Care

Received with Thanks

Donations to the Armenian Home Ms. Arax Aslanian Mr. Vrage Boyajian Mr. Levon Chutjian Mr. & Mrs. Edward Devejian Ms. Virginia Hajeian Ms. Lily Jelalian Ms. Nancy Kandoian Mr. Jonathan Mardirossian Mr. Steven Minakyan Mr. & Mrs. Movsesian Ms. Sylvia Muserlian Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes Ohannes Mr. Hovannes Papazian Ms. Margaret Papazian Ms. Helen Ruis Mrs Sesetyan Jr., Mr. Toros Shamlian Ms. Mary Sheshedian Ms. Marel Stepanian Ms. Maro Takvorian Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Vartanian Mr. & Mrs. James Yost Total $2,190.00 In Memory of Mary Baghdassarian Mr. & Mrs. Vanig Hagopian Ms. Arax Sarajian Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sarajian Total $175.00 In Memory of Antoinette Calabro Mr. & Mrs. John Calabro Mr. & Mrs. John Frisone Total $125.00 In Memory of Leonore Mockert Ms. Gertrude Mockert Total $200.00

Shakeh Bautista, RN, ANRC Director of Nursing nfortunately, older adults besides having a lifetime of wear and tear on their teeth, have medical and mental conditions that may compromise their ability to practice appropriate oral hygiene. Dental changes seen in the elderly can be due to excessive use of teeth and exposure to substances that can cause damage. In general, men lose the enamel of their teeth more readily than women due to more forceful chewing. Those who grind their teeth and use them inappropriately will experience greater deterioration in their oral health. Poor oral hygiene is a major reason for periodontal disease and cavities. Oral health care is provided to prevent disease, maintain chewing and speaking ability and provide comfort and dignity. Without daily oral care, oral lesions and infections may occur more frequently causing discomfort and withdrawal from social activities. At the ANRC, we contract a visiting dental service to help our residents with dental functioning. They are called upon when necessary to allow the best possible oral health and life for our residents.q

February 23, 2011 To the staff at the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: The family of Antoinette Calabro would like you all to know how grateful we are for the extraordinary and outstanding care given to Antoinette for the last nine years. We are grateful for the Aids, especially Marlene Fonvil who took care of Antoinette for the last nine years. Marlenes extraordinary care and attention far exceeded the call of dutywords cannot express how grateful we are. We are also grateful to all the Nurses, the Activities Department, the Cafeteria and Dietary staff, the Cleaning staff, and of course the Administrative Staff. We know that Antoinette survived nine years because of your excellent and extraordinary care. We also thank you for the excellent care given to her sister Marie. You will all be remembered in our prayers Many, Many Thanks, The family of Antoinette Calabro

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2011 5

Friends of The Armenian Home

Poon Paregentan Celebration

by Linda Amerkanian

oy filled the air at the ANRC on Friday, March 4th. Once again, a great Poon Paregentan Celebration was hosted by the Friends of the Armenian Home. The FAH ladies prepared a delightful afternoon for the residents and staff. The festivities began with Fr. Diran Bohajian and Fr. Hovnan Bozoian blessing the abundant food table, singing prayers and explaining the meaning of Poon Paregentan in Armenian and English. Deacon Ryan Tellalian and Deacon Hachik Sariminasyan generously assisted. Anita Temiz and Talene Tchorbajian chaired this event with the assistance of MaryAnne Bonjuklian, Armine Pechdimaldji and Linda Amerkanian. Festive colored balloons, beads, crowns and hats were placed on our Medz Mayrigs and Hayrigs and were joyfully received. During the music a few of the residents even got up and danced and the first row of ladies held hands while swaying back and forth doing a seated line dance to the rhythm of the music. Our appreciation to Ara Dinkjian, Elias Sarkar, Noubar Boyajian and Charles Amerkanian, who donated their time providing the music, singing and energy for the afternoon. FAH thanks everyone who participated in making this a very special day for very special people. Please hold the date for a September 21, 2011 fundraiser at Neiman Marcus with further details to follow. q

Back Row L to R: Linda Amerkanian, Anita Temiz, Talene Tchorbajian, Andrew Torigian, MaryAnne Bonjuklian, Deacon Ryan Tellalian. Front Row L to R: Deacon Hachik Sariminasyan, Der Diran Bohajian ( St. Leon Church) and Der Hovnan Bozoian (Sts. Vartanantz Church).

Rosemary Phillips and Gilbert Gerard.

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L to R: Linda Amerkanian, Talene Tchorbajian, Anita Temiz and MaryAnne Bonjuklian.

Friends of The Armenian Home

Gregoriy Chuzhin, Luba Chuzhina, and Marksina Chuzhina.

Musicians L to R: Charles Amerkanian, Noubar Boyajian, Elias Sarkar and Ara Dinkjian, with Linda Amerkanian.

Miriam Khatchadurian, Rose Costanzo, Rose Ghelibolian and Alice Aginian. Elias Sarkar.

Linda Amerkanian and Miriam Khatachadurian.

ANRC Residents adorned in crowns, hats and beads.

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2011 7

In The Kitchen With Chef Alan

Hello Everyone:
Finally, I can see my front yard. All the snow is melted and the bulbs I planted in the fall are poking though the grass. This is a great time of year. The holidays are soon upon us, and we are getting ready for the Archbishops visit to the home. We have some new menus to help celebrate the coming holidays, including flounder stuffed with shrimp, mahi mahi, line caught cod, to name a few. Here is a recipe to help celebrate spring. It includes two of my favorite spring vegetables, ramps and fiddlehead ferns. You have to buy them fast, because the season is very short. This would be a lovely dish to serve during the holidays. Ingredients 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, well scrubbed and quartered 13 ounces butter (3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons), divided as called for 3/4 cup heavy cream Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound morel mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced in half lengthwise if large 1/2 pound fiddlehead ferns, rinsed 3 tablespoons minced shallots 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 1/4 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 cup dark chicken stock 1/2 pound crawfish tails 6 (6-ounce) salmon fillets 1/2 cup diced pancetta 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 1/2 pounds whole ramps, woody stems removed, rinsed Directions Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Return the potatoes to the saucepan. Add 4 ounces (1 stick) of the butter, the cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. With the heat on medium-low, mash and stir the mixture until well blended, about 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning, to taste, and cover to keep warm. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fiddlehead ferns and blanch until just tender, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels. Add the ramps to the boiling water and blanch until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over a medium-high heat. Add the morels and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic. Season with the salt and pepper, and cook until the mushroom liquid has been released, about 4 minutes. Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until the volume is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and stir well to mix. Lower the heat to medium-low, and gradually add 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) of butter several pieces at a time, stirring constantly to incorporate. Add the fiddlehead ferns and toss until they are heated through. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm. Season the salmon on both sides with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper per fillet. In a large skillet or 2 smaller skillets, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove from the heat. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown and some of the fat is rendered. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the ramps, and salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring, until tender yet still firm, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide the morel ragout among 6 dinner plates. Place a dollop of mashed potatoes in the middle of the plate and top with a salmon fillet. Spoon the ramps on top of the fish and serve immediately. q

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Archbishop Khajag Barsamian Visits the ANRC

rchbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) once again graced the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) when he visited the ANRC during the Armenian Christmas week. Archbishop Barsamian conducted the Christmas Liturgy along with Very Rev. Father Karayan,Pastor of Holy Cross Armenian Church of Union City, NJ; Rev. Father Diran Bohajian, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Church of Fairlawn, NJ; Dn. Ryan Tellalian of St. Leon; Dn. Hacik Sariminasyan of St. Leon; Dn. Sebuh Oscherician of St.Vartan Cathedral of NYC; Very Rev. Anania Tsadouryan from Armenia; Dn. Artur Petrosyan of the Diocese. The residents of the ANRC were uplifted and delighted as shown by their actions to touch and shake hands with Archbishop Barsamian as he gave communion to them. Archbishop Barsamian told all present that he was praying for their recovery and God loves each and everyone of them. A delightful feeling was felt by all. A luncheon was then served to His Eminence and his entourage where they were greeted by ANRC Board members and members of the Friends of the Armenian Home (FAH). Andy Torigian thanked the Archbishop and clergy for always remembering the ANRC and visiting us. q

L to R: Dn. Ryan Tellalian, Pastoral Intern at St. Leon Armenian Apostolic Church,Fairlawn, NJ; Dn. Sebuh Oscherician,Pastoral Assistant to the Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, NYC; Bertha Vaniskhian, Pres. of the FAH Ladies, Linda Amerkanian, Secty of FAH Ladies;Dave Rowan. Board Member of ANRC, Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese; Andy Torigian,President and Chairman of the Board of ANRC; Rev. Rev. Father Diran Bohajian, Pastor of St. Leon Church; Very Rev. Anania Tsadouryan, Staff Bearer of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II; Dn. Artur Petrosyan, Diocese Communication Dept.;Dn. Hacik Sariminasyan, St. Leon Church; Very Rev, Father Vasken Karayan,Pastor of Holy Cross Armenian Church,Union City, NJ.

Archbishop Barsamian gives a special blessing on resident Rose Tamalian.

Residents listening to the Badarak.

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2011 9

Fabulous News!
Sandy Cortelyou, ADC, Director of Activities

UPCOMINGEVENTS
April
22 - Coloring Easter Eggs 24 - Easter Sunday 24 - Genocide Remembrance

am extremely pleased to announce that there will be an early spring! Thats right! On Wednesday February 2nd, our friend and favorite groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. When groundhog Phil doesnt see his shadow, it means we will be having an early spring. This is the groundhogs 125th prediction as this is the oldest living groundhog ever. Since the groundhogs first prediction in 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times and has not seen it 15 times. Unfortunately there are some records that are missing. This is extremely good news for those of us at the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Residents, staff and visitors alike have experienced a most difficult winter here in Northern New Jersey. We are all looking forward to the days when we can once again sit on the porch, share good times and soak up the sun! We are in the process of planning our activities events for the upcoming spring and all of us hope Punxsutawney Phil is correct with his prediction! q

May
5 - Cinco De Mayo 8 - Mothers Day 8-14 - National Nursing Home Week 30 - Memorial Day

June
14 - Korean Dancers Performing 17- Ice Cream Party for Certified Nursing Assistants in Honor of Certified Nursing Assistants Week. 19 - Fathers Day Please call ahead of time if you would like to attend as dates and time may change at time of printing.

Chef Gerrome LeSane and Dietary Director Alan Fass whipping up another scrumptous lunch at the ANRC! Happy Birthday to Seran Kazazian who turned 99 years old on February 25, 2011! All of us at the ANRC wish Seran many more birthdays and we look forward to this time next year when she turns 100!

Residents take part in their physical and occupational rehabilitation on a daily basis at the ANRC. Irene Koth, William Tackett, Gregory Chuzhin, Alice Najarian,and Leonard Blumenfeld are getting their exercise in!
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any thanks go out to the Boys and Girl Scouts of America for bringing a helping hand to the ANRC on February 12, 2011. The scouts spent time with our residents during bingo and provided a youthful experience for our elderly residents! The Boy and Girl Scouts of America provide a program for young people to build character and train them in the responsibility as citizens. We appreciate their spending time with us!

Alan Boles visited the ANRC this winter and entertained our residents with songs from yesteryear!

Jermin Tirpan having another happy day at the ANRC! Jermin has been a resident of the ANRC for over 10 years!
HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2011 11

Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

70 Main Street Emerson, NJ 07630

U.S. Postage PAID Paramus, NJ Permit # 246

Jerry Belmonte celebrates another birthday at the ANRC with Marksina Chuzhina, Barbara Sofia, Alice Shnorhokian (far back) Barbara Boothby, and Muriel Yarock. Jerry turned 88!