Imagine being 104 years old!

At St. Ann Center we are privileged to share some of our days with Mary Huth – who celebrated her 104^th Birthday with us on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

Mary’s great-grand son usually brings her to St. Ann Center every other Tuesday, to have a bath in our comfortable whirlpool tub and to get her hair done in our full service hair and nail salon. She has been having her hair done by Carol in our Beauty Salon for at least the last six years. Mary’s family said, “We are lucky to be a part of your center."

Mary pictured with Carol her hair stylist

If you have the pleasure to meet Mary you would be impressed immediately.  This centenarian is full of spark and shares a beautiful smile with everyone she meets.

Of course we had to ask her “what’s the secret to a long life?”    She responded, “Laughter …and a Coke soda each day!”  We teased her about her “Coke” habit - she laughed and shared with us her glorious smile.

In an article from American Statesman Staff, Helen Anders, said Mary is among approximately 104,099 Americans, by U.S. census count, who are 100 or older. People are living longer because technological advancements and drugs cure illnesses that once ended lives. By 2050, the government projects, there will be 601,000 centenarians. A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet goes even further, suggesting that most babies born after 2000 in developed countries will live to be 100.

We are so very happy to spend such a wonderful day with Mary!  Happy Birthday Mary – Well be waiting to celebrate your 105^th with you!

Lonely Heart by Sr. Clara Styger, OSF

One day my heart felt
very lonely
like Jesus when in the
Garden of Olives
Life in a way was almost too much.
My whole being was crying out -
I longed to find peace within.

I cried out to Jesus,
"Where are You?"
Then among tears of frustration
I felt His respectful presence
around me.
No voice but eyes so pure and
filled with love,
I felt strength and became
very peaceful.
I did not feel alone any more.

Easter is a time of deep hope
A gift of our Father's Love through
His Son Jesus, our Jewish brother,
Lover and true friend.
He came to give us Life and
Show us the way.

Will I and will you truly let
Easter Peace happen in our hearts?
Burst forth in joy-filled praise
For we are the most gifted, hope-filled
Children of God.
Alleluia! Happy Easter to you.

-Sister Clara Styger, OSF

Learning about Grief

This actually sounds like it might be a really nice seminar!


Putting the pieces of your life back together may be difficult after experiencing loss. Adults who are grieving the death of a loved one weeks, months or years ago are invited to a free Seminar at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care on Saturday, February 18, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. St. Ann Center is located just off Kinnickinnic Avenue, at 2801 East Morgan Avenue. 

“Understanding Grief…Putting the Pieces of Your life Back Together” is a community outreach program to help grieving adults understand the common and unique effects of loss, the process of grief, and the journey toward healing, offering hope for the future. This gathering is for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. The goals of this seminar are to share information regarding grief and healing, to empower those gathered, and to provide them with grief support resources in the area.

Grief affects every part of our lives. During the seminar some topics of discussion will include; learning tools for how to put the pieces of your life back together, learning about how to heal, the difference between cure and heal, and many others.

For planning purposes only, pre-registration is requested (but not necessary) by calling 414-977-5000 or by e-mailing petereinl@churchandchapel.us. This free seminar is Co-Sponsored by AseraCare Hospice, Church and Chapel Funeral Homes, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and Synergy Home Care.

Sr. Edna's Creations

Check out this wonderful Video showcasing Sr. Edna's Creations!

Sr. Edna's Creations

Respite is Care for the Caregiver!

Anyone who takes care of a loved one knows what it means to get a welcome break – no matter how dedicated they are!

This is what we mean by respite-supporting the person who gives care as much as the one receiving it.

We’d like our community, especially the many dedicated caregivers, to know about our 24 hour overnight respite care center.

St. Ann Center offers this care (from 1-20 days) to frail elderly and adults with disabilities. This gives caregivers a chance to take a few days off, go on a vacation, or maybe stay at the hospital worry free while their loved one is in good hands.

We often say St. Ann Center is someplace you have to see to believe, from the beauty of the center to the care shown to the clients. The nine bed respite center is set up like a European village with each private respite room decorated to look and feel like a bed and breakfast room. The bed and breakfast feel lets the clients who stay in there feel like they are on vacation, comfortable and surrounded by beauty.

St. Ann Center currently has room in its respite center and is always accepting new clients. Even if you don’t need respite – you might know someone that does. We are happy to answer your questions or offer you a tour any time, just call Sarah at 414-977-5033.

Below is a testimonial from the family of a respite client.

“What can I possibly say to express the refuge that I have found at St. Ann Center over the past few weekends? I even think that I could do a commercial testifying to the personal care and concern that you and your staff have shown to my dad. Checking once and sometimes twice for accuracy of the meds dispensed, to the gentle care in the respite center only confirms all the wonderful things I had heard prior to his stays. Thank you and St. Ann Center for an outstanding care center.” Kathy Anderson

St. Ann Center is open to the public 6:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m. Monday – Friday.

Infant Massage at St. Ann Center

Who doesn't like a massage?

I wanted to share with you some photos from our recent Infant Massage workshop.  Sandy Anderson, CMT, is sharing her techniques with some students.  The babies in the Ladybug room just LOVE the massages, they coo, smile and calm down. 

 

With the best interest of parents and caregivers in mind, Sandy Anderson, CMT, provides workshops throughout the year.  Participants learn the nurturing hands-on techniques of infant and child massage.  The workshops are designed for parents, grandparents, caregivers and siblings.  Within the 1-2 hour workshop individuals will discover how a caring touch can enhance the bond between child and caregiver.

Why Infant Massage?  The benefits are more far reaching than they may at first seem. Massage is a tool for maintaining health and well-being on many levels for both caregivers and children.  It helps parents and caregivers feel secure in their ability to do something positive for and get a positive response from their baby.  This special bonding time between parents and their babies teaches parents to read baby's cues such as body language and types of cries.

Infant massage provides psychological and physical benefits to the baby too.

Physically, infant massage can;
Accelerate development of premature babies
Increase circulation.
Strengthen the immune system.
Aid the digestive system and can help calm some of colic's characteristics.
Calm the nervous system by stroking which may lead to better sleep times.

Psychologically, infant massage can:
Promote parent and baby bonding.
Provide stress reduction for the baby.
Help babies develop body awareness.
Create a positive reaction to touching.

Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant.  Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins Dr. Frederick Leboyer

One-on-One Music Therapy

Do you know what Music Therapy is?

Music therapy is the use of music to reach goals that are tailored to each specific client. Music is a non threatening entity, and has characteristics that allow it to be especially useful with clients who may not respond to traditional therapies. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses, create goals, and design music sessions appropriate for the individual.

Some common goals of music therapy can include the following: sensory stimulation, interaction with therapist, developing decision making skills, increasing expressive communication, learning a leisure skill, such as adaptive piano lessons, and different relaxation techniques.

A few of the different techniques and methods a music therapist may use can include, music improvisation, song writing, lyric discussion, learning through music, and music performance.

When clients who are currently receiving one on one music therapy were asked what they liked about music therapy, they said “I like learning how to play the piano.” “I like singing songs together with you.” “I like learning songs I haven’t heard since my childhood.”

St. Ann Center offers one-on-one music therapy that is available to anyone, not just St. Ann Center clients.