Pleasant Thoughts

DORCHESTER COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE AGING, INC.

April / May 2018

Volume

The Activity Calendar and newsletter are found on-line at www.pleasantday.com.

Volunteer Appreciation Day

Pleasant Thoughts Page 2

Pleasant Thoughts Is a publication of

The Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc .

for the general public and members of the

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care Center

“A Place Like Home”

2474 Cambridge Beltway ~ Cambridge, MD 21613

410-228-0190/410-476-3100

www.pleasantday.com care@pleasantday.com

Edited by Andrew Todd editor@pleasantday.com

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Volunteer Appreciation Day

April is National Volunteer Month. And each year Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care celebrates Pleasant Day Vol-unteers. Staff organize it, set it up, get the food, decorate, do whatever needs to be done so the volunteers come and en-joy. The only volunteer that does any part of the work is our volunteer “Volunteer Coordinator” Jane Hessler who calls and in-vites the volunteers. Andrew Todd calls and invites the entertainers and all those who are on our daily programs. Missy LeCompte designs the tile, the participants paint the tile, and no two are alike. As they leave, volunteers choose a tile as a token thank you. Some hang them on their wall, some put them in their yard, and some have every tile since Laurie Rippons designed the first one in 2011. Pleasant Day has a tile for each year framed and hung.

Pleasant Day counts 200 (+/-) volunteers through the year; some are monthly, some weekly, some once a year. Some come in and talk to the participants, some teach a class, some entertain, some speak about current events, some help with mailing Pleasant Thoughts, some fill in for the receptionist, some bring their dogs to be petted and loved on, some help on trips, some help in the yard, some teach flower arranging; some prepare items for crafting; some are medical professionals, doctors, phar-macists and nurses who speak about health issues, what-ever all the volunteers do, they do out of the goodness of their hearts.

So while we have never had 200 invited volunteers show

up, usually 50 to 75 take time to let us say “Thank You”.

To all of you who weren’t able to attend, please know

and accept our heartfelt thanks for all that you do.

THANK YOU!!!

Jackie J. Vickers

There’s always one who thinks the rules do not apply to them.

It is time for an update on Pleasant Day’s One Vet One Day Program. In answer to one question that I have re-ceived recently, a resounding “Yes, the program is alive and well, Yes, donations are still needed and Yes, Pleasant Day Veterans are enjoying the extra day a week and the help they re-ceive during these extra days”. While I explain that a $75.00 do-nation will provide one extra day for one Veteran for one week, we certainly appreciate a donation of any amount. It takes about $1,000.00 a week or 14 checks for $75 to provide one extra day a week for each of our Veterans. I am going to thank you in advance for any check in any amount you give to the One Vet One Day Program.

Just like all Veterans, our Veterans have some interesting

stories to tell about their service days, some serious and

some funny anecdotes. Andrew Todd who puts the news-

letter together, with a lot of help from all of the staff, sug-

gested this and it really is a good idea. Andrew will be

interviewing the Veterans and writing up the interview.

After the Veteran has the opportunity to read and approve

the article, one interview will be published in each future

edition of Pleasant Thoughts. So watch for upcoming

articles.

One Vet One Day

Hubert Trego, Jane Hessler, and Jackie Vickers at the Volunteer Appreciation Day.

Page 3 Pleasant Thoughts

The Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc.

Board of Directors

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care Center

Hubert Trego, President

Wendy Conn, Vice President

Barbara Marsh, Secretary

Howardene Brem, Treasurer

George Ames

Steve Disharoon

Jane Hessler

Laura Higgs

Kathryn Hubbard

William Jarmon

Barbara Schneider

Philip D’Adamo - Honorary

Helen Combes - Honorary

Evelyn Robinson - Honorary

Leonard Smulowitz - Honorary

Nurses Corner

Flag Donation

THANK YOU for your donations in March-April

Ray Lowry

Betty Ruark

Elsie Jones

Evangeline Quarles

Nancy Jackson

Marie Perry

Lelia Thompson

Dolores Adams

April Howard

Barbara Marsh

Howardene Brem

Lisa Lewis

Jeannie Whirley

Holly Kulikowski

Peggy Coffman

Dave Ryan

Connie Blades

Kelly Hunt

Diane Godfrey

Debbie Collison

Ron Crismond

Joyce Horsey

Deb Yost

Susan Bareis

Jean Daffin

Simone Turnell

Charlotte Lankford

Jackie Vickers

Fannie Wallace

Amyia Johnson

Crystal Travers

Missy LeCompte

Shirley Dail

Dot Bradshaw

Myrtle Crider

David Krom

Wendy & Tom Wilson

Hubert & Starr Trego

Family of Philip Brooks

Family of Joseph Jordan

Thomas Funeral Home P.A.

Anonymous Donors

Article by Tish Wallace, LPN

Springtime Tree deco-rated by Roz Wallace.

This article will focus on vitamin D deficiency, common causes and how we can correct the de-ficiency. Vitamin D is an element found in the body that helps with bone structure, and help with regulation of the immune system, digestive system and neuromuscular system. Low vita-min D levels can cause weight gain, depression, hair loss, fatigue, and heart palpitations. The most common causes of vitamin D defi-ciency is diet and not enough sunlight.

In case you’re wondering about good vitamin D rich

foods here are a few; wild caught fish (salmon, mackerel), mushrooms, cheese, eggs, and all milk are fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight is the most effective source of vitamin D. Studies show that you should receive at least 20 minutes per day,

If that’s not an option, there’s always over the counter supplements that can be taken such as vitamin D3. Don’t start taking over the counter vitamin D3 without consult-ing your doctor first! If your deficiency is severe, the doc-tor may prescribe vitamin D in larger dosages with in-creased frequency. I hope everyone has a lovely spring with lots of sunlight. :)

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care proudly displays the American flag and the Maryland flag. Unfortunately flags, unlike what they represent, do wear out. When new flags are needed, our delegate is contacted. Delegate Johnny Mautz, representing Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and Wicomico in District 37B, was “Johnny-on-the-spot” delivering both flags. He presented the flags to Pleasant Day Veterans. The new flags will be hung proudly 24 hours a day.

Pleasant Thoughts Page 4

Each year, Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care was pleased to welcome Medical Services I students from the Dorchester Career Technology Center (DCTC). The stu-dents were at Pleasant Day in January and February to get their clinical experience. They will graduate from Cam-bridge South-Dorchester High School as a Certified Nurs-ing Assistant (CNA), ready to take the Maryland State Board of Nursing test to receive their Certification to work as a CNA. It is such a pleasure to watch students grow and often go on to continue their nursing career.

Doctor’s Day

Have you seen that bright blue van running around town? That’s the new Pleasant Day Dodge Caravan with a beautiful, full body decal applied by Mid-Shore Graphics.

DCTC Nursing Students

Dr. Ira Kurz

Dr. Carey Willey

Dr. Stephen Wilkinson

The Cambridge South-Dorchester Student Nurses, led by their teacher Kasteen Farmer, shared their

presentations with Pleasant Day participants. The students talked about proper skin care, and the importance of exercise and hydration.

Dr. Eugene Newmeir & Assoc. Dr. Shariff & Assoc.

Every year for Doctor’s Day, Pleasant Day visits neighboring offices and thanks them for their dedication and care of their many patients. A special gift basket is given to them with sweets and treats.

Far Left: Was this photo taken atop a roof or perhaps a helicopter above Cambridge? No! It’s a picture of the Pleasant Day bus on Pleas-ant Day’s very own train garden! Painted by Editor Andrew Todd, this Matchbox miniature is a striking resemblance of the real thing, com-plete with blue seats and name on the sides.

Dr. Leona Odemena

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Happenings at Pleasant Day

May 6th-12th is National Nurses’ Week. This year’s theme is “Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.”

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and the blue represents awareness to the disease. Pleasant Day wore blue to highlight the importance of regular screenings for colon and colorectal cancer. Tamika Watson, LPN, and Millie Morales of the Dorchester County Health Department stopped by to educate everyone on routine screenings and how to receive help if you cannot afford them.

In a special St. Patrick’s Day themed presentation, Maxine & The Showtime Entertainers performed for Pleasant Day participants.

March was Social Worker Appreciation Month. As a way of saying thank you for all of her dedication, Julia Farrow was presented with an appreciation bag of goodies and treats. Left: Connie Erdell, Auxiliary President

of VFW Post 5118 of Easton, MD, made a donation to the One Vet One Day program.

Right: Following up, Royce Ball of the Mid-Shore Recovering Vets Group donated to the One Vet One Day program as well.

Dr. Carey Willey of Cambridge Family Eye Care, LLC, spoke to Pleasant Day participants about vision health, proper care for your eyes and common problems that occur as we age.

“BK” Eschette of the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health gave a presentation on diabetes and its risks to the participants of Pleasant Day. Marlene Meninger of the Nation-

al Outdoor Show made a dona-tion to Danny Seabrease, Facili-ties Safety Manager, for the use of Pleasant Day buses for the event. Pleasant Day buses were used to shuttle attendees to and from their vehicles.

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More Happenings at Pleasant Day

Employee Spirt Week The Easter Bunny holiday brought eggs and candy to Pleas-ant Day. Eggs were hidden around the center for participants to find. Inside the eggs were jellybeans for some, numbers for others! The numbers were later redeemed for other goodies and there were even prizes for most eggs found.

Ray Chaplain, mem-ber of the Sunshine Boys, donated five guitars, cases, and amplifier to Pleasant Day to benefit the participants. Thank You!

Brian Stevanus of the Dorchester County EMS gave a presentation on 911 for both Pleasant Day staff and partici-pants. Everyone also received tote bags and helpful information cards to help guide you during an emergency.

Exercise is an important facet of life and as you age it becomes even more im-portant. Gail Benjamin, pictured right, with partici-pants Jaime Thomas and Elway Taylor visits Pleas-ant Day every Monday to lead the participants in exercise.

RED, WHITE & BLUE

Pleasant Thoughts Page 7

For “Everybody’s Birthday”, held on the last Friday of every month, Shelley and Anita entertained Pleasant Day participants with music and karaoke.

The Cambridge South-Dorchester High School Vikings Cheerleaders visited Pleasant Day participants to raise their spirits and cheer to-gether. Go Vikings!

Pleasant Day buses were used by the Blackwater National Wildlife Ref-uge to be used during the 18th annual Eagle Festival. The buses ferried attendants between attractions and points in the refuge.

Pleasant Day staff and participants pose in green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Monnie Whaples, HR/Acct. Manager and a MAADS (Maryland Association of Adult Day Services) Board Member, meeting in Annapo-lis, MD. Also stopping into the meeting was Maryland State Delegate Johnny Mautz.

Have you ever heard of such a thing as Fly Swatter Art? By using household fly swatters and dipping them in plates of paint, participants were able to make unique pieces of art that were hung in the main hall.

Pleasant Day partici-pant Shirley Stanley visited Maple Elemen-tary to read to fourth grade students during a “Read-A-Thon.” Pleasant Day partici-pants have been invit-ed to return and read for students in the future.

A Sweetheart bowling tournament was held at Choptank Bowling Center to benefit Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care. Members of the Eastern Shore USBC Executive Board presented Missy LeCompte, Activities Coordinator, with a donation to Pleasant Day’s One Vet One Day program.

Thank you to all who donated in memory of Eleanor D’Adamo. These donations are be-ing used toward continuing Pleasant Thoughts newsletter, one of her favorite reading materials.

Registered Charity Identification Numbers: 501(c)(3) Maryland Charity- #91 Maryland Charity Campaign- #2415

Return Service Requested

2474 Cambridge Beltway

Cambridge, MD 21613

Dorchester County Commission on the Aging, Inc.

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care

“A Place Like Home”

Find the hidden frog!

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care Center PLEASANT DAY is:

MEDICAL Attendance is prescribed by your physician

Nurses are on duty 100% of time

Nurses provide medical services and treatment

Nurses are in contact with your doctor

Nurses administer medications & observe for effects

ADULT Any adult who needs regular medical help

DAY Opens at 8:00 - Closes at 4:00 - 5 days a week

No beds - No one stays overnight

CARE Help with toileting, bathing, eating, walking

Providing support, stimulation and exercise

Nurturing staff who are State certified and licensed

CENTER A fresh, clean, home-like setting providing coordinated care so that:

You continue to live in your home or with family

You don’t have to go to a nursing home

You attend as many days as you like

You help your loved ones to help you

This is not the hidden frog

Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care

“Your Care is our Business”

Place

Label

Here

What’s Up with Missy?

Article by Missy LeCompte, Activities Coordinator at Pleasant Day

Did you know … Easter has not been celebrated on April 1 since 1954? This year April came and went but, that didn’t stop us from celebrating. Colored eggs, a super egg scavenger hunt, Minute-To-Win-It egg

roll game, and hot cross buns just to name a few, started April in the right direction. Other festivities included: Doggie month and visits, Volunteer Appreciation, decorating, straw hats, frogs,

defeating diabetes, haiku, superstitions, and crafting with wood. Trips included, bingo at the Empowerment Center and a Delmarva Shorebirds baseball game.

In May, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day have planned celebrations. As well as, May Day, the St. Paul’s Flower Fair, the Anniversary of V-Day, clothespins, the rooster, advertising slogans, Star Wars, nylons, flowers, herbs, buttons, Stevie Wonder, hamburgers, and Graduation. A trip to Long Wharf has been scheduled Memorial Day recognition.

Please mark your calendars of the upcoming events and as always… Thank you and have a Pleasant day!