FALL 2019 - Lutheran SeniorLife Live An Abundant Life

IRISVISION BENEFITS VISUALLY IMPAIREDLutheran SeniorLife’s low visiondepartment recently purchased aninnovative piece of technology that isrestoring seniors’ vision and providingan Abundant Life .It’s called IrisVision – a visualenhancement system that uses virtualreality and a smartphone to helppeople with a wide range of low visionconditions.From reading at home to enjoyingoutdoor activities, IrisVision isallowing those with vision loss to seethe world through clear lenses.In as little as just a few trainingsessions, the user can fully operate thedevice with comfort and control.“We work one-on-one with IrisVisionstaff to tailor the device to eachperson’s needs,” Dieteman said. “Thisallows us to go through each of themodes and find what works best.”When he put theglasses on, he saidit was the best he’dseen in years. He sawhis family’s faces, hecould read small print;he could even seethe clocks across theroom.“Many of our patients have losttheir color receptors due to maculardegeneration,” Dieteman said. “So forthis device to let them see color againis just amazing.”Though a specific instance standsout to Dieteman when it comes toIrisVision’s success.“I’d been working with a gentlemanwho suffered from vision loss due tomultiple sclerosis, and when he putthe glasses on, he said it was the besthe’d seen in years,” Dieteman said.“He saw his family’s faces, he couldread small print; he could even see theclocks across the room.”Tales such as this one eventuallyresulted in Lutheran SeniorLifepurchasing the device once staffrealized the potential of IrisVision.“It eliminates the need for multiplelow vision aids, and that makes it agreat piece of technology,” Dietemansaid. “We have a lot of low-techitems, but we were missing thiscomprehensive piece that is a great fitfor any age range.”Approximately 20 people havetested IrisVision through LutheranSeniorLife’s low vision rehabilitationprogram since its initial trial began.Dieteman said future plans willrevolve around person-centered careto ensure each individual obtains thebest device for their visual needs.All in all, this makes the glimpse intothe future of healthcare an excitingone.“I have people in their late 90susing Amazon Alexa, and they areso enthusiastic,” Dieteman said.“They love having something to helpwith daily tasks, whether it’s settingreminders to take their medication ordelivering today’s weather forecast.”If you or a loved one are seekingan improved quality of life throughvisual retraining, please contact us at(724) 452-3492 or outpatienttherapy@lutheranseniorlife.org. vThe Commons at Stonebrook resident,Theresa Novelli (right), sees color forthe first time in many years with thehelp of IrisVision.4“The consolidation into one kitchenhas really allowed us to focusour resources in one centralizedlocation,” Dengel said. “Now wecan be more productive, havemore control over expenses aswell as improve the quality andstandardization of our meals.”enthusiastic about going out into anyneighborhood in Beaver County andour clients appreciate this.”You can help us reach more seniorsin need by making a referral toBeaver County Meals on Wheels.All in all, Dengel said Beaver CountyMeals on Wheels recipients aregracious toward the program.If you or someone you love lives inBeaver County and could benefitfrom Meals on Wheels, pleasecontact Michael Dengel at724-774-0292 or email Michael.Dengel@lutheranseniorlife.org. vHistorically speaking, most Meals onWheels volunteers were high schoolstudents known as “Platter Angels”and volunteers from local churches.Now, recent partnerships, such astwo formed with Community andResidential Empowerment Servicesor (C.A.R.E.S.) and McGuireMemorial, have improved workingefficiency.“Both organizations empower adultswith disabilities to connect with theircommunities and their volunteerinvolvement has allowed us toexpand our services tremendously,”Dengel said. “They are trulyABOVE: From left to right:Chaurice Smith, Diane Snyderand Mike Dengel stand as theonly three paid employeesassisting Meals on Wheels inRochester Pa.Abundant life“It helps people with all visualdeficits,” said Georgiann Dieteman,occupational therapist at LutheranSeniorLife. “There are so many modeswithin the device that there are reallyno limits to what it can do.”Some of the many modes includescene mode, which replicates vividcolor and RP mode, which recoversglaucoma and retinitis pigmentosapatient’s peripheral vision.DELIVERING MORE THAN 50 YEARS OFNUTRITION WITH A SMILE Continued from front coverRIGHT: Meals on Wheelsvolunteer, Bea, poses for aphoto with her two childrenbefore going out on delivery.HELPING SENIORS LIVE INPLACE AND EXPERIENCE ANABUNDANT LIFE LEFT: The Commons atStonebrook Village resident,Millie Williamson, trials apersonal amplifier which is astate-of-the-art listening deviceused to bring out sound.RIGHT: Lutheran SeniorLifeoccupational therapist,Gerogiann Dieteman,demonstrates a safety devicewhich prevents cooking fires byturning off the stove when noone is in the room.www.lutheranseniorlife.org / FALL 20195

SUMMER SPOTLIGHTBELOW: LIFE Armstrong County participants reveal theirartistry with these breezy, summer beach scenes.LEFT: Betty and George Petrellaenjoy the sunshine during Centerat the Mall’s annual Forever Young1 Mile & 5K Walk/Run at IrvinePark Gazebo in Beaver Pa.RIGHT: Overbrook Pointe resident,Millie SZYMANSKI, beams as sheholds a pup from the Butler DogTraining Association.ABOVE: Left to right: Resident coordinator,Samantha Morris, helps RoseCrest AssistedLiving resident, Marge Goetz, create beautifulartwork for their Alzheimer’s Associationfundraiser.Abundant lifeLEFT: St. John Specialty Care Centerdirector of recreation, Skyler Bartley(left), receives more than 200 carepackages from Henderson Brothers Inc.employee, Courtney Cleavenger (right).Both residents and staffenjoyed a variety of activitiesthroughout the LutheranSeniorLife Communitythis summer.ABOVE: The rain held off just enoughfor LIFE Butler County participant, GaryGregson, to enjoy a 4th of July picniclunch.ABOVE: Left to right: Participants Alan McLaughlin, Sonny Tackac andRoosevelt Suggs III relax under the palms during LIFE Beaver County’sHawaiian Luau Party.6VNA, Western Pennsylvania’s central intake team donatessnack bags to fellow staff as a special treat for all theydo. Left to right: Maria Sidora, Mary Ann Hazlett, DarleneDeemer, Angie Gaiser, Hilary Williams, Stacy Reges andTina Denardo.ABOVE: LIFE Lawrence County participant,Betty Isaac (left), is ecstatic as Elvis shares ahug post-performance.www.lutheranseniorlife.org / FALL 20197

HANDCRAFTED WITH HEARTLIFE Lawrence County participant,Warren Haskell, has held a verydiverse career.Haskell still has the first pen he evermade admitting each pen takes atleast a couple of days to complete.personal computer’s Microsoft Paintapplication, which he taught himselfto use.Starting in the steel mills, thenmoving into miscellaneous jobs uponits collapse, Haskell went on to finishhis profession in state construction.“It just depends because there areso many steps that you take whereyou have to wait for the wood inbetween,” Haskell said.“Sometimes I use Microsoft Word too,that way I can layout the gridlines andcopy it onto the wood,” Haskell said.Despite popular belief that steeland cement were Haskell’s favoritematerials to work with, it was his sidehobby of woodworking that filled hisdays with joy.Today, his carpentry talents havebecome hot commodities for theparticipants and staff at LIFELawrence County.“I’ve always been interested inwoodworking,” said Haskell. “I hada shop in my basement when I was akid, so I’ve worked with wood all mylife.”“I saw an ad one day for somebodywho could make pens,” Haskell said.“From then on, I started making smallthings like that out of wood because Ihad more time to do it.”The participants went wild.“Originally I said ‘Oh, I’ll just do aproject every other month or so,’” saidHaskell. “But everyone loved it somuch I’ve gotten to the point where Imake something for them about twicea month.”His projects have become so popular,recreation staff uses a sheet tokeep track of all theparticipants who wanthis wooden creations.“They all know about my projects sooften times they come up to me andask me to fix something,” Haskell said.Picture frames, planter boxes, andalphabetical coat hooks are just a fewthat come to his mind.“I enjoy using whatI love to do to helpothers. It makes mefeel good.”“I enjoy using what I love to do tohelp others,” Haskell said. “It makesme feel good.”Haskell’s next project will berefrigerator magnets for Halloween.“Lately, 27 or 28participants have signedup on a sheet,” Haskellsaid.Similar to the Christmas ornaments,Haskell will saw the images out andcreate the pieces for participants topaint.His most recent project,a wooden sign witheach participants namecarved out of wood,took hours.Thanksgiving and Christmas projectsare next.Amazingly, Haskelldraws out almostevery design on his“A lot of times when you have nothingto do, you sit and stew about how yourhealth is failing,” Haskell said. “Thisoffers me something worthwhile andthat means a lot.” vThe Foundation is responsible for raising funds for all of the programsoffered by Lutheran SeniorLife. This includes: Four LIFE Programs serving Armstrong, Beaver,Butler and Lawrence Counties Lutheran Service Society, which operates Mealson Wheels in Beaver County, two Senior Centers,an adoption agency, protective services andseveral senior housing complexes Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pa., whichprovides home health and private duty care,palliative care, and hospice services. Passavant and St. John Communities, residentialcampuses located in Zelienople and Mars,PennsylvaniaThe Foundation raises money for two purposes Specific projects and campaigns– Examples include: Passavant garden, BellevueSenior Center renovation– Funds are raised through solicitation as well asgrant requests General purposes, most widely known as beingbenevolent careThe Foundation records donations in two categories Designated or restricted funds - money that isgiven for a specific purpose and can only be usedfor that purpose– Could include funds given for benevolent carefor a specific entity Unrestricted funds - gifts that are made directlyto the Foundation or to an entity but are not for aspecific purpose– Could include funds given generally to theFoundation for the greatest need or generalbenevolent careAbundant lifeAfter retiring at the age of 55 yearsdue to a heart attack, Haskell sawa sign that he needed to pick upwoodworking again.“This all started the first fall I was herewhen I decided to make Christmasornaments for everyone,” Haskellsaid. “I cut out stars, snowmen, SantaClaus’ and nativity scenes with a scrollsaw and brought them in here.”Haskell’s skills not only create funprojects for participants to take home,they also allow him to help staffaround the center.WHAT ISLUTHERAN SENIORLIFE FOUNDATIONAND WHAT DOES IT DO?Ways to help support the Foundation and Lutheran SeniorLife Make donations through various appealsthroughout the year– Gifts can be made in honor or memory ofsomeone Make a gift designated for a specific purpose orspecial project Make a direct rollover from an IRA as a QualifiedCharitable Distribution– Must be age 70 ½ or older. Transfer up to 100,000 of tax-free gifts to charities annually.Couples can contribute individually, resulting inpotential annual gifts of up to 200,000. Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity, a largerdonation that provides fixed income for life, asignificant portion of which is tax-free.– Must be age 60 or older. Gifts can be made withcash, stock or other assets. Can be establishedfor one or two people. Ask for donations to Lutheran SeniorLife or oneof its entities in lieu of flowers and other gifts Leave Lutheran SeniorLife or one of its entities inyour will– Contact the Foundation for the language to usein your estate plan.Participant, Warren Haskell, stands in front of his wooden planterboxes outside of LIFE Lawrence County.8www.lutheranseniorlife.org / FALL 20199

IN TRIBUTEIN TRIBUTEThe following gifts were received between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019.IN HONOR OF:IN MEMORY OF:Mr. Richard C. AndrewsMr. and Mrs. Fred BartokMrs. Marie E. AldingerDr. and Mrs. Frank T. BakerRev. Joel Petruschke andRev. Kathleen BakerMr. and Mrs. Richard C. BakerMs. Madeline AmedickMrs. Marlene C. PorterMs. Mary Jane BendickMr. and Mrs. Richard F. CraigMr. Eugene M. FlinnMr. and Mrs. Gregory P. FlinnMr. Gregory P. FlinnMrs. Carol S. FlinnMrs. Elizabeth B. HaughinMr. and Mrs. Barry HaughinMrs. Margaret InnocentMr. and Mrs. Anthony D. InnocentMrs. Rosemarie M. BachoMr. and Mrs. Joseph M. BachoMrs. Joy KellaMr. Robert WoodburnMrs. Betty L. BaileyOrder of Eastern Star,Stoneboro Chapter 110Mrs. Mary Jean BeattieMr. and Mrs. Edward J. HaningtonMr. Darrel BehmMrs. Helen BehmMrs. Harriet CaldwellMs. Cheryl J. CaldwellMrs. Karen KoerthMr. and Mrs. Gregory P. FlinnMrs. Helen A. ColonnaMrs. Crystal B. ClearMs. Barbara K. RossMrs. Beverly E. MartincekMr. and Mrs. Alber

help of IrisVision. When he put the glasses on, he said it was the best he’d seen in years. He saw his family’s faces, he could read small print; he could even see the clocks across the room. HELPING SENIORS LIVE IN PLACE AND EXPERIENCE AN ABUNDANT LIFE LEFT: The Commons at Stonebrook Village resident, Millie Williamson, trials a