Hye Doun

A Publication of the Armenian Nursing And Rehabilitation Center, Inc., Emerson, NJ

Jan/Feb/March 2010

Lhado Youseff meets a new friend (See Page 10)

The Presidents Message

Board Of Trustees
ANDREW TORIGIAN President of the Home and Chairman of the Board of Trustees VATCHE BAGHDIKIAN Vice President DAVID ROWAN Treasurer BERGE TALANIAN Assistant Treasurer KHOREN NALBANDIAN Recording Secretary ANNETTE TAMALIANALMOND Corresponding Secretary H. CRAIG FROONJIAN, DMD TED TAKVORIAN, Esq. JOHN VANISKHIAN Board Members MATTHEW RUSSO, LNHA Administrator JAN MRANI, M.D. Medical Director

Good News
Andrew Torigian ur patience, hard work, good planning, and due diligence is beginning to reward the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (ANRC). The reason for this optimism is that the ANRC Board has indicated that at the March Board meeting it will direct our architectural firm to proceed with the plans of our new projected building which will be at our present location.. This is a very big step because the Board is committing a large sum of money to begin the process which will entail creating and presenting the plans to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for their comments, revisions, and approvals. The timetable of our schedule will be presented in the next issue of the Hye Doun because by then we will have a better idea of how fast the State will direct us. In the meanwhile, we want to thank all of you who had faith that the new ANRC complex would indeed be built. Your faith was well founded and it will produce a State-of-the Art Home incorporating the mandated green requirements of the State. Our passion at the ANRC is to serve our residents in the best suitable surroundings, and this new facility will do exactly that. The ANRC already provides the best care in Bergen County having again been given a four-star rating for the care we give our patients. This of course is a tribute to the magnificent staff we have at the ANRC led by our Administrator, Matt Russo, our dedicated nursing staff, our hard-working office staff, our wonderful volunteers such as the Friends of the Armenian Home, and of course our focused ANRC Board of Directors. We will in the near future reach out to our public supporters to come forward and help us as we begin our fundraising activities later this year. Please ask us how you can help the ANRC. Your help and support is urgently needed to fulfill the promise of a new Home. We know we can count on you. It would indeed make this an even more glorious Easter for all of us. Qristos \ar;au i m;5;loz4 7rfn;al h |aroujiune Qristosi! Kristos haryav ee merelotz. Orhnyal e haroutuneh Kristosi! (Christ is risen from the dead. May His resurrection be blessed.)
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.

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

2 HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010

From the Administrators Desk

The Need
for
Matthew L. Russo, LNHA Administrator

Change
his past week, along with a couple of our key department managers, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar regarding the new revised New Jersey Medicaid rate setting methodology. This new methodology has been endorsed by the Health Care Association of New Jersey for quite some time and will replace the current and outdated Medicaid payment system. The new system is embarking on a July 1, 2010 implementation and will focus the most money to the facilities that care for the sickest people. However, a small nuance to the methodology will negatively impact the oldest facilities significantly. The new Medicaid computations will be comprehensive, but the days of re-imburse-

ment equally across the board for building renovation and maintenance are over. Newer buildings will receive higher pound-for-pound re-imbursement and conversely older buildings will receive pocket change for not updating and/or building. There are a number of new rate components that address all provider costs from direct care services to capital. But the old building component sticks out like a sore thumb. We must adjust to the new system or face lower re-imbursement. The ANRC, along with other long term care providers, is in the midst of one of the most difficult times in its history. We do know that government funding at the state and federal level is not going to increase significantly. We do know that the demographic for our elderly generation in New Jersey is growing but for us there are other alternatives for consumers to choose from. We also know the length of stay in long-term care facilities is dropping. Evidence based health care will be our best proof that we are a high quality provider, and the ability to measure our facilitys productivity will be what the consumer is looking for. The bottom line is that no matter what happens on the state and national scene in the next year, the ANRCs ability to manage itself, prove its market value, retain a highly trained workforce and move forward with capital improvements will be essential. q

he ANRCs Haiti Earthquake Relief campaign collected over $2,636.00 to donate to the American Red Cross. Pictured with great thanks are ( L. to R.) Administrator Matthew L. Russo, Haitian C.N.A.s Marlene Fonvil, Vienne Thermitus, Rose May Beauvais, Marie Voltaire, and Armelle Heriveaux, Director of Nursing Shakeh Bautista, and Patient Care Coordinator Maggy Petrosian. Thanks to all of you who gave to this worthy cause. (not pictured: Marie Lucie Suffrard).

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010 3

Health

Safeguarding

Health Care
Desions Through
Beth Aymar MSW, LSW

Nutrition
Shakeh Bautista, RN, Director of Nursing utrition and diet is a very important factor in skin integrity. All residents are screened for nutritional problems upon admission and with each status change. Our registered dietitian visits weekly and conducts a thorough nutritional assessment including diet, weight loss, food preferences, meal consumption, fluid intake and blood work. Special meals may be ordered by the doctor for those residents who cannot be on a normal diet. Some residents because of the way they were brought up may show a preference for certain foods and a dislike for others. The IDC team meets weekly to discuss residents care plan. Nursing, dietary and the activities staff collaborate together to achieve the best nutritional goal possible for our residents. Another cause for pressure ulcer development is a compromised nutritional status, such as poor appetite, low protein, low albumin, dehydration, and impaired ability to eat. Therefore, when a resident is identified to be high risk for pressure ulcer he/she is referred to registered dietitian, and our occupational and speech therapists for evaluation and treatment. In addition a specialty bed, nutritional supplements, appettie enhancers along with vitamins and minerals are provided. These preventative measures among others will keep and maintain the skin integrity and prevent skin breakdown. A healthy well balanced diet supplemented with loving and supportive care provided by our staff is the best preventative measure of all. q the patient. Finally, a common form of advance directive is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. This is a document signed by both patient or surrogate and the physician that requests the withholding of any resuscitative attempts once breathing or heart rate has ceased. Any and all first responders to an emergency have the responsibility to honor this order, as long as both required signatures are obtained. All available copies of any advance directive are kept in the patients chart and should be reviewed by those who are involved in the care of the individual in order to ensure that his wishes are carried out. We all have the right to make our own decisions in relation to our medical plan of care and advance directives are a way of safeguarding such wishes and making them known to others in the event that we are unable to express them ourselves. q

Advance Directives
s a patient, we have the right to make our own medical decisions in relationship to our care. With the guidance of our physician, we can determine what are acceptable and unacceptable treatments and procedures and make informed choices on how to handle certain situations or conditions. We carry this right until we no longer have the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of our choices and therefore, are unable to make a clear and informed decision. It is at this time when we rely on our family members or appointed responsible parties to act on our behalf in regards to our medical plan of care. This can prove to be a difficult responsibility for others to take on but we can take steps in order to ensure that our wishes are honored even after we have the ability to express them ourselves. A common practice among the aging population is the implementation of an advance directive. Generally, an advance directive is any statement made by a competent person stating his wishes regarding health care should he become incapable of expressing them himself. There are several types of an advance directive. First, there is what is called a living will. This document is written by the patient and outlines specific instructions for his medical plan of care should they become incapacitated and unable to participate in treatment decisions. For example, a patient may determine that he objects to any artificial life-sustaining treatments such as a feeding tube or ventilator. Should the need arise; he requests the withdrawal or withholding of such interventions. A living will can express various wishes and contingencies and should be honored by those involved in the patients care. Another type of advance directive is a health care proxy which appoints a competent individual to make health care decisions on ones behalf should he be unable to do so himself. This person, known as a surrogate, is responsible for making health care decisions that act in accordance with the patients wishes as outlined in the advance directive or otherwise made known by the patient. This person can be a family member, close friend, or attorney and should be someone that is trusted by 4 HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010

The Story of Rose Ghelibolian: A Culture Reunites

Maggy Petrosian, RN, Patient Care Coordinator

his is the story of Rose Ghelibolian, a resident of the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Rose was born on July 14, 1920, in the town of Gazvin, Iran. She came to the United States in 1937 and settled in New York City. She also resided in Maplewood, New Jersey until 1946, at which time she then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she met and married Norayer Ghelibolian, a native of Greece. She and her husband moved to Caracas, Venezuela, where they resided for 40 years. After her husband passed away Rose returned to the United States. She lived in the Senior Housing in Leonia, New Jersey, in 1999 and eventually came to live in the L to R Miriam Kachaturian, Nooshin Moghaddam, Armenian Home in 2007. and seated is Rose Ghelibolian Rose met one of our employees, a CNA named Nooshin, and through conversations both Rose and Nooshin discovered they were born in the same city, in the same country. Needless to say, both women developed a special bond, as they both spoke Farsi (Persian) which is the native language of Iran. Nooshin invited Rose to a Persian restaurant where Rose and her roommate, Miriam Kachaturian, enjoyed Persian food. Rose was elated since she had not eaten Persian food since 1937. It was evident that she was very pleased to be at the Persian restaurant, enjoying her native dishes and speaking her native language. I bring Roses story to light in order to show an example as to how the ANRC and its staff will extend special care and experiences to our residents. If at all possible, we will go the extra mile in order to bring smiles to the faces of our residents. Rose and Nooshin continue to enjoy their special bond. This is the spirit of the Armenian Home and also that of our employees. A special thank you goes out to Nooshin, as her caring ways made this story possible. q

UPCOMINGEVENTS
28 - Palm Sunday Dinner 31 - 11 am Visit from Archbishop Choloyan

March

6 - Korean Dancers 24 - Genocide Memorial Service 25 - Maranatha Hearts of Worship Music Ministry 29 - Volunteer Party

april

5 - Cinco De Mayo Celebration 9 - Mothers Day Luncheon 12 - Call Us Clowns will be perfoming 31 - Memorial Day Celebration

May

14 - Flag Day Celebration 18 - Beach Party in honor of summer 21 - Fathers Day Luncheon 30 - Mock Wedding

June

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010 5

Activities

n January 26, 2010 Officer Ryan from the Bergen County Sheriffs Office K9 Unit came to the home to show our residents the tactics and procedures used by the Offices K-9 Unit. Lucky the dog is a decorated officer at the Sheriffs department and he specializes in bomb and narcotic sniffing. The residents loved having Lucky visit for the day and we appreciate the efforts of the Sheriffs Department bringing this function to our home.

n January 31, 2010, the St. Leons Youth Group came to the ANRC to sing and play bingo alongside our residents. We are especially thankful for all that St. Leon Armenian Church in Fairlawn, NJ provides our home.

n January 28, 2010 the local Emerson Girls Scout Troop visited our Home and brought arts and crafts for with our residents.

any thanks to the ladies at the Armenian Relief Society for donating a large number of lap blankets and their personal time to make our residents lives more meaningful. The ARS visited our Home on December 5, 2009.

Archbishop
Visits the ANRC

Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the

Armenian Church (Eastern)

rchbishop Barsamian graced the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) by visiting and administering communion to the residents of the ANRC during the Armenian Christmas week. There was a joyous and exciting air, as the Primate along with Rev. Father Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Armenian Church,Hayr Sourp Vaskin Karalian of Holy Martyrs Church, Deacon Hacik Sarminasyan, Deacon Sebuh Oscherician, Der Tiran Petrosyan (from Armenia) conducted the Liturgy. Archbishop Barsamian has always been setting aside a special time to visit the ANRC during the Armenian Christmas season. Members of the Staff and members of the Board greeted His Eminence and his entourage with joy and delight. The residents of the Home were uplifted and very pleased to see his presence. Archbishop Barsamian encouraged the residents on their recovery and said God always has you in mind. You are not forgotten. After the proceedings, a reception was held for the Archbishop expressing thanks to him for annually visiting the ANRC.q

Archbishop Barsamian and the clergy conducting the Liturgy.

L to R Vahagn Azizyan, Rev. Father Diran Bohajian, Linda Amerkanian, Recording Secretary of Friends of Armenian Home (FAH), Deacon Hacik Sarminasyan, David Rowan, Board Member and Treasurer of ANRC, , Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Andy Torigian President of the Home and Chairman of the Board, Hayr Sourp Vaskin Karalian, and Matt Russo, Administrator of the ANRC.

Der Stepanos and the students from St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY, visited the home on January 6, 2010 to serve communion and celebrate Jesus birth on the traditional day of Armenian Christmas. We are always thankful to the clergy of St. Nerses as they have been bringing spirituality to our home for many years.
8 HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010

During Christmas week of 2009, Der Hovnan from Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Ridgefield, NJ was brought the Good News to our residents while blessing and sharing communion with all.

In the Kitchen with Chef Alan

ello everyone: It seems like it was just yesterday that I was writing about the holidays, and here we are again. This is always a busy time at The Armenian Home. Late this month we celebrate two of the most important holidays in two of the major religions of the world, Passover for the Jewish religion and Easter for the Christian religion. We have many events planned for Easter and Good Friday including a visit from the Archbishop to bless all the residents. We also have special menus for the residents. Some of the items on the menus are stuffed Flounder, baked Mahi Mahi, Shepherds Salad, and Baklava. Its a very busy time for the dietary staff, but to see all the smiling faces of the residents at all these functions, makes all our hard work worthwhile. The following are a few of my goals for the coming year: A few friends who understand me and remain my friends; A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer; A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed; An understanding heart; A sense of humor; Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God; The patience to wait for the coming of these things, With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday. q

ANRC Annual Christmas Party

FAH Members Seated L to R: Armine Pechdimaldji, Elbiz Baghdikian, Bertha Vaniskhian, Linda Amerkanian, Ann Takvorian, Alice Philibosian. Standing L to R: Nancy Burdman, Seta Boudoughian, ANRC Administrator Matthew Russo, Armine Norian, Zivart Balikjian, and Marilyn Bedigian

ANRC Staff Members standing L to R: Maggy Petrosian, Shakeh Bautista, Faye Yu, Julia Hamza, Matthew Russo, Beth Aymar, LuVern Senior, Donna Stellatos. Seated L to R: Rose Najarian Lisa King, Howard Torossian, Mari Camcikyan, Diane Pasquale

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010 9

Received with Thanks

Donations for the ANRC Ms. Arax Aslanian Mr. & Mr. Michael Azarian Mr. Ernest Basmajian Mr. Haig J. Boyajian Mr. Noubar Kazarian Mr. Vartkes Mardirossian Family Foundation Inc. Nazarian Ms. Annette Ohnikian Ms. Maral Stepanian Ms. Nevart Stepanian Mr. & Mrs.Ted Takvorian Ms. Rose Tanielian Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Torigian Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Vartanian In Memory of Leonore Mochert Ms. Gertrude Mockert In Memory of Yegsapert Koc Mr. Krikor Prigian Total Donations $1695.00 Haiti Earthquake Relief Lisa Anastasio Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Aslanian Ms. Mariam Attarian Mrs. Libby Avakian Mr. Charles Babikian Jaculyn Brown Mr. Peter Budakian Marie Camcikyan Poornima Chauhan Maria Colina Sandy Cortelyou Ms. Antoinette Cosimano Blanca Daaling Ms. Arouss Darpinian Marco Davi Mrs. Diane Droste Johanny Echavarria Bovel Egbuchulam Monica Foster Christian Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Luis Gonzalez Paulette Green Ms. Concetta Greenwood Julia Hamza Mr. & Mrs. Harold Henwood Nooshin Maoghaddam Mr. & Mrs. Asbed Marashian Mr. & Mrs. Onnic Marashian Mr. & Mrs. Aram Mardekian Susamma Mathew Piedad Maxi Ms. Barbara McGoldrick Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Mirijanian Paulette Morris Ms. Laura Neeter Luis Peralta Maggy Petrosian Mrs. Alice Philibosian Hajnal Ratz, Ms. Margaret Reardon Automotive Specialists LLC Richs Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Russo Norma Santos Christian Sebecke Darryl Sebecke Lavern Senior Mr. Levon Soorikian Donna Stellatos, Ms. Mary Swajian Mr. & Mrs. John Takoushian Mrs. Annette Venanzi Chandra Wade Mr. & Mrs. James Yost Mareafe Yu Ms. Silva Zadourian Mr. & Mrs. Doug Zoraian Total Haiti Donations $2,636.00

ill Stewart and his traveling Exotic Bird Show made its way through the ANRC this past quarter and the residents loved the show. Many different exotic birds were on display and many of the residents were able to hold them. Bringing the residents a complete therapeutic program is the main goal behind our Activities Department!

10 HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010

Friends of the Armenian Home

Poon Paregentan

Celebration

t was that time again, just prior to the commencement of the Lenten season when Christians around the world celebrate the coming of Great Lent with a day of parties and fun. On Friday, February 12, Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin of St. Marys Armenian Church in Livingston and Deacon Hachik Sariminasyan of St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn performed Bardarak in the Great Hall. Resident Isabel played our Hayr Mer on the piano, and resident Rev. Fr. Vahrich Shirinian accompanied as vocalist. Poon Paregentan is Mardi Gras as celebrated in the Armenian tradition. It is enjoyed each year at the Hye Doun, thanks to the efforts of the FAH ladies. This years chairladies, Anita Temiz and Talene Tchorbajian brought party hats, noise makers, balloons, and other goodies. The residents were provided with a show of singing, dancing and much cheer. The revelry of music was graciously performed by Ara Dinkjian & Noubar Boyajian while song and dance was provided with the assistance of the FAH volunteers. After the singing and dancing, the FAH ladies offered a spread of choreg, cheese, cookies and fruit to everyone in attendance. A good time was had by all. q

1. Residents adorned in their crowns and beads 2. FAH Ladies from L to R Linda Amerkanian, Talene Tchorbajian. Armine Pechdimaldji, Ann Takvorian, MaryAnne Bonjuklian and Seta Boudoughian 3. L to R Deacon Hachik Sariminasyan and Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin celebrating the Badarak for the residents

HYE DOUN | Jan/Feb/March 2010 11

Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

70 Main Street Emerson, NJ 07630

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

Some of ANRC Board members and their wives at the Annual Christmas Party (Seated L to R) Craig Frounjian, DMD, Berge Talanian, Vatche Baghdikian, Andy Torigian, Khoren Nalbandian, John Vaniskhian, Ted Takvorian, Esq. (Standing L to R) Renee Frounjian, Adrienne Talanian, Elbiz Baghdikian, Rose Torigian, Bertha Vaniskhian and Ann Takvorian