Events

The Nutcracker Floats on Pine Run Stage

The Nutcracker Ballet has entertained generations of families since 1892, and the amalgam of children, toys, and sweets along with the memorable Tchaikovsky score appealed to audiences for two shows at Pine Run Retirement Community on Saturday, December 10. Presented by Dance Elite of Horsham,
“The Nutcracker in a Nutshell,”
showcased dancers aged six to adult in fourteen scenes interpreted from the popular ballet.

Suspense and awe held the audience from the early battle scene between the
Mouse King
and the
Nutcracker
through the crescendo of performances of the dancers from China, Russia, and Spain. The final dance by the
Sugar Plum Fairy
, rendered by 14-year old Katherine Barkman, was a beautiful
‘en pointe’
conclusion to the seasonal delight.

The program was made possible by Delana W. Blore, Executive Director of Dance Elite, in honor of Pine Run’s 35th Anniversary celebration. Dance Elite offers professional instruction in ballet, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary dance. The studio also offers certified Zumba classes.  Mrs. Blore’s husband, Dr. James P. Blore, is the medical director at Pine Run. For more information, see
www.danceelitestudio.net
.

Songs to Soothe the Soul

Virginia Smith spent the last months of her life sitting expressionless in her bed or on her sofa.

But when members of the Doylestown Comfort Choir went to her Northampton home one evening to sing to her, daughter Sherry Smith said, “Her face just lit up and glowed. She smiled. She actually tried to sing along with some of the songs.”

Virginia Smith, who died in January at the age of 90, had always loved music and sang with various choirs throughout her life.

Smith doesn’t know what kind of memories the songs brought up for her mother, but she knows the “sing” buoyed her mother’s spirits for that day. “Music kind of revived her,” her daughter said.

That was just what the Comfort Choir had hoped to do.

Choir members believe that music can comfort and heal the soul, and they sing at the bedside (or chairside) of the elderly and infirm.

“I find and, actually, research shows, that music can be so soothing,” said Betsy Payn, one of the organizers of the choir. “It can reduce stress and pain levels. It’s one more way to reach people. If we’re singing to somebody who truly might be on the threshold of passing, we’re hoping we’re reaching them.”

Payn said she also believes music brings comfort to family members.

Payn, Ginny Reilly and Yvonne Lorenz, all of Doylestown Township, started the Doylestown Comfort Choir early in 2010. Reilly had read a magazine article about a woman in California who started an organization there called the Threshold Choir.

The Threshold Choir sings for people who are at turning points in life — in comas, recovering from comas or dying — to help calm and comfort their spirit through the transition.

Reilly wanted to start something similar to the Threshold Choir and asked Payn, who is the hospice liaison for Doylestown Hospital, to help her get started. Reilly had sung with Lorenz in a choir in the past and asked her to help direct the Comfort Choir. She also reached out to other women she had sung with over the years, and almost 30 women said they’d love to join the group.

Lorenz chose the music — songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “All Through the Night.” She said she and Reilly wanted to use songs that were “maybe familiar and some that were not familiar, but had comforting words about peace and love.”

The full choir met once a month to practice the music, and divided into smaller groups of six to visit hospice patients at Pine Run, Neshaminy Manor, Golden Living and Heritage Towers.”

What we found is you couldn’t just walk in there and sing to a hospice patient because the other patients would want to listen,” Payn said.

The choir started singing to other residents of the nursing homes. The residents then started making requests; they wanted to hear patriotic songs and songs from their youth.

So the choir expanded its repertoire and its mission.”

I think what we want to do is bring comfort to people,” Reilly said. “And we have seen it happen.”

The choir visited one woman who was very agitated and didn’t want to go to bed. The women sang a lullaby and the woman calmed down and went to sleep.

When the choir visited 97-year-old Josephine Craig at Pine Run skilled nursing center last week, Craig closed her eyes, let the choir’s song wash over her and relaxed. Another resident sat up in her chair with a big smile on her face and rocked back and forth as the choir sang to her.

The choir members then walked down the hall to the dining room, where they sang to a group of residents, some of whom sang along to “Jingle Bells” and other Christmas carols.

Many people sing along with the Christmas carols and songs from their youth, like the Pine Run residents and Virginia Smith did. Lorenz said, “They may not remember what they ate for breakfast or who visited them, but they do remember those words. It sparks some memory in them.”

The choir members love seeing how hospice patients and nursing home residents react to their songs.“

We get as much, if not more, out of the sings as the people we sing to,” Reilly said. “Most people in the group would describe it as a blessing.”

Pine Run Education Director Zeroes In

Pine Run Health Center is a care-intensive skilled nursing environment serving more than 65 new patients a month, many recovering from joint replacement procedures, open heart surgery, and other serious conditions. Busy days for caregivers in the zero-deficiency facility are made even more challenging by new medicines, technologies, and the range of emotions experienced by patients and their family members.

In this current climate, practical hands on training and engaging education for caregivers makes the difference in bringing the employees’ talents and skills to the job in ways that also win the hearts of the customers. Zeroing in on optimum caregiver performance is Mary Beth Baringer, director of education at Pine Run. She believes that education is the most powerful tool available to improve the quality of care.

“The more we connect the caregivers to the patient experience, the better it plays,” says Baringer, who enlists the help of physicians at Doylestown Hospital, as well as former patients to conduct training sessions. A variety of hands-on demonstrations, games, and multi-media presentations keep associates informed about advances in geriatric medicine, orthopedic treatments, nutrition, and safety. Baringer especially looks forward to Enrichment Day, an annual training in June covering mandatory topics, but one that is also fun and rejuvenating for associates.

“It is a big job.” says Anne Bobek, senior director of human resources, “We have more than 400 staff matriculating through Mary Beth’s programs. We have been fortunate to have her for 20 years.”

Needs for the burgeoning senior population continues to grow, and, according to the latest data posted on the Bucks County Workforce Dashboard, more than 45,000 jobs are available in the health care and social assistance sector in our area.

Owned by Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run employs a total of 445 men and women. The community is a not-for-profit provider of independent living cottages, personal care suites, Alzheimer’s care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. To find out more about working at Pine Run, see our
careers page
.

“I remember who he is”


Memory Care at The Garden at Pine Run

Personal Care at The Garden – memory care that highlights the individual through a unique portrait approach.
Only at Pine Run.

Familiarity means everything when Alzheimer’s and related dementia is the diagnosis. Routine comforts and familiar joys reassure and help make each day a good day for residents and their family. Learn more. Recognize the significance of crisp table linens, flowers and unconfined space. Appreciate the framework supporting your loved one where the best care feels like home.

For more information call: Melody Moore, R.N. at 215.340.5233.

Meaningful. Life at Pine Run.

Keep your passion and commitment to causes and endeavors that matter most. Years of volunteer work and community service are a contribution residents of Pine Run are intent on continuing. Stay involved from your Pine Run cottage or apartment home. Make your choices count for the future in a place rich in spirit and community service.

Pine Run Community.


A not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community owned and operated by Doylestown Hospital. Health and wellness centered for an enriched life with provisions for the future. Pine Run Lakeview for personal care. Pine Run Health Center with a full rehabilitation center, skilled and memory long-term care.

Holiday Respite Stay at The Garden

at Pine Run

Are you a caregiver for a loved one who has memory impairment? Are you wondering how to juggle the demands of the Holiday Season? Here is a safe, supportive, FUN environment for your loved one, providing a reasonable alternative and peace of mind when your calendar is overflowing. Consider a short-term/respite stay at The Garden,  a secure memory care neighborhood at Pine Run.

Special Rate through Jan. 2012.

Dining with friends. True family-style dining and a casual Bistro for refreshing snacks, coffee and tea.

In place are family oriented events, volunteer program and support group. Status reports offered daily by phone at your convenience.

Active, happy days bowling, baking, current events, scenic tours and nightly cinema.

Call Melody Moore, R.N. at 215.340.5233.

Having the Time of Our Lives

Making Their Day



Meet four of over 425 dedicated team members who thoroughly enjoy making every day a great day at Pine Run Retirement Community.

Mary Litschauer, CNA, Health Center

Susan Pagan, RN, Special Care

Ryan Sussman, Dining Host

Roxana Molina, Concierge

Good Taste and Talent



Written by Mary Clark




Guide to Retirement Living Winter 2011/2012

Each year before the onset of winter, there is a group of individuals that takes in the golden hues and crisp air of autumn while enjoying a cherished tradition. Always a crowd pleaser, Pine Run’s Fall Festival triumphed again in 2011. All that creative energy came together on a Saturday to entertain and delight friends, family and Doylestown neighbors who count on it for gift items, delicious baked goods, quality art and crafts, and a chance to discover something wonderful.

Talented residents focused their efforts, creating an assortment of gifts and original art work for purchase. Unique designs, often a collaborative effort between designer and craftsperson, made shopping easy. Inspired by Doylestown’s historic Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the tiles designed and made in the Pine Run Craft Barn are artistically sensitive with a graphic quality.

So many different techniques and approaches to clay are thanks to ceramics instructor Sylvia Roman, a Pennsylvania Craft Guild artist who clearly enjoys teaching and is known for her Raku firing mastery. “There is a lot of creative energy here,” she said. “Everyone knew what they wanted to do.”

Peggy Judd found what she wanted to do after moving to the community. “My life had changed and I came here on the early side my children thought, but I wanted to get situated for my future.”

“Pine Run was my decision,” she continued. “I liked that it didn’t require a large up-front commitment.” The continuing care retirement community offers a flexible and affordable, fee-for-service program. Owned and operated by well-regarded Doylestown Hospital, its full range of care continuum includes a culture of informed wellness, a popular Fit for Life program, a regionally strong Rehabilitative Center and senior health care.

Peggy’s early move to the community was fortuitous. Shortly after settling in, she faced a sudden health emergency that was met quickly and professionally. The quality of the care through her healing process got Peggy up and going again with a greater appreciation for all that comes with being a Pine Run resident.

“It was completely unexpected. I can’t imagine how it might have turned out if I hadn”t been here,” Peggy confided. “Here I am. The fitness program absolutely changed my life. I do that and I discovered a love for ceramics. It’s great to be the student again, pursuing my own interests.”

Peggy, a retired elementary school teacher from the Upper Dublin School District, selected a garden cottage as her home at the community. Apartments with many custom features and direct garage access are also a popular option. A low cost, one-time entry fee and an equity saving 90 percent refundable program are both available.

“Some very gifted artists live at Pine Run. They are drawn to and inspired by the naturally beautiful surroundings,” Peggy noted. Gardeners appreciate the lovely Bucks County setting as well. Mature plantings, flower gardens and “Back-Ache-ers”, the community vegetable garden, are happy evidence of that.Pine Run’s active population pursues many interests and is part of the fabric of life in Doylestown. Many different committees and volunteer interests keep everyone out and about. Travel is also a popular past time; the community offers a convenient “away credit” to accommodate vacationing residents. It would be safe to say, however, given Peggy’s newfound interests and the opportunities for individuals to share their creativity, that life at the community is a vacation in itself.

Doylestown Cottage at Pine Run

All new and very exciting the Doylestown Cottage at Pine Run offers a new floor plan full of air and light and extra space. Built for new residents, Chris and Jane Ball, it suits them to perfection and makes the most of a beautiful Bucks County setting.

Worldwide travelers Chris and Jane realized that they weren’t using most of their house. Their lives had changed and their energy was focused on enjoying their grandson, keeping up with friends and business contacts and pursuing personal interests. The pair applied their analytical skills to their own situation and decided that moving to Pine Run was the answer.

“I won’t have to get dinner anymore,” explains Jane.

“And I was looking for,” Chris added after a slight pause, “more variety in the menu.”

The new Doylestown cottage was sized and suited for keeping their busy lifestyle up to speed. It was how they wanted to live that brought them to Pine Run Retirement Community. Caring for an aging home isn’t how they wanted to spend their time. Something sized and planned to accommodate their interests was paramount.

“It was all about suiting us,” says Chris Ball.

Of all the new homes they have enjoyed, this was the first time they have been so involved in the construction. Coordinating all of the couples’ carefully chosen details between the architect and builder was remarkably smooth. Chris and Jane claim it was all thanks to the assistance of Barbara Bortner, Pine Run’s detail oriented move-in coordinator, who brought her special expertise to the creative adventure.

“We have favorite pieces collected from everywhere that we wanted to highlight. We both needed our own office space, lots of skylights and open space. We were trying to be realistic and fit into the natural setting,” adds Chris looking at his wife, “and still ended up with two chandeliers.” The Doylestown Cottage delighted them with wonderful cross-ventilation, clever dormered windows set into lifted ceilings, framing views of treetops and sky while adding more light.

Not having lived in a retirement community before, the Balls didn’t know what to expect.

“Everyone was more cosmopolitan than I anticipated, so many fascinating interests and experiences, broad based and from all over really,” says Chris. “Hurricane Irene was our final straw as home owners, we won’t miss the worries.”

Husband and wife looked at each other remembering that terrible week. Chris added, “One really benefits from being proactive about a retirement move. Home ownership and moving is stressful enough, you should do it before you’re too old.”