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QUALITY CARE SINCE 19 83 VO L U M E II, Spring 2008
Published in Consultation with the Family Council
A Rabbi for All Seasons
Rabbi Alan Sherman enjoys a very they are going through an aging process and are dealing with
special connection to MorseLife in his their limitations,” he said. “They must initially adjust to living
role as Director of Chaplain Services here instead of home, and they have spiritual issues and fears
which he has held, with varying titles, that come into play.”
since 1983. He ranks as one of the Rabbi Sherman noted that he also arranges for non-Jewish
first staff members hired before the residents to meet with outside clergy so that the spiritual needs
doors at Morse Geriatric Center were of all of our residents are met.
ever opened 25 years ago. Chaplain Services employs a team approach. Rabbi Sherman
He is a man of many accomplish- is assisted by Rabbi Nason Goldstein, the mashgiach who oversees
ments and numerous awards for his Rabbi Alan R. Sherman the kashruth in the kosher kitchens and throughout the campus.
public service. His community involvement runs Also, Cantor Jan Courte officiates and conducts services, and
very deep — from interfaith and intercultural offers Jewish education programs.
dialogue, as a founding and interim rabbi of a The team’s goal is to meet the spiritual needs of the residents by offering
local synagogue, as a television public affairs co-host counsel, providing religious services and Jewish education, answering any
and newspaper columnist, to being an advocate religious questions or concerns from residents or their families, and by
for such causes as homelessness, mental health, providing the residents with opportunities to worship together as a religious
AIDS, Planned Parenthood, and end-of-life care. community. In addition, the team provides much
needed comfort during end-of-life challenges and
What you might not know about Rabbi
when there is a loss of a loved one.
Sherman is that he is a retired chaplain with the
“We realize that when you get older, religion often
rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States
takes on more importance,” continued Rabbi Sherman.
Army Reserves and a decorated veteran of Operation
“Residents are encouraged to participate in services
Desert Shield/Storm. He is also highly respected with aliyahs, candle lighting, reading of the Torah,
for being a co-founder of the Holocaust Survivors and wherever and whenever they are able.”
of the Palm Beaches, his work with Urban League Finally, his job is to inspire all of us to become
of Palm Beach County, and his role as Executive better human beings. He does this both through
Director, Chaplaincy, for the Jewish Federation of individual example and by sharing the knowledge “I have a great
Palm Beach County. he has obtained through the study of Jewish
Many of us think of Rabbi Sherman as someone traditions. Twenty-five years after he took up the deal of pride in
who conducts weekly Shabbat services; officiates at challenge of serving Morse Geriatric Center, he is the high quality
wedding ceremonies and funerals; leads the Passover still inspired by our residents.
seder; and delivers a sermon or two during the “I have a great deal of pride in the high quality of care that is
High Holidays. While he certainly does all of those of care that is provided,” Rabbi Sherman stated.
things, in reality he does and is so much more. “Thanks to the dedicated staff, MorseLife is truly provided. Thanks
He uses the wisdom of the Torah to guide the a wonderful institution, and despite the financial
residents of MorseLife and turns to the Torah and environment facing us over the years, MorseLife
to the dedicated
Judaism for answers. One of his primary goals is has never compromised on providing quality care.” staff, MorseLife
to show the residents how to bring more spiritual- If you would like to make an appointment to
ity into their lives. He instructs them in how to meet with Rabbi Sherman, he can be contacted at is truly a
infuse everything they can do with a spiritual (561) 242-6659. If you would like to volunteer your
purpose. time meaningfully with Chaplain Services, please wonderful
“Many residents face difficult health issues — phone Nadine Greenberg at (561) 687-5337.
institution.”
Morse Geriatric Center – Rabbi Alan Sherman,
On the Marilyn & Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus — 4847 Fred Gladstone Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417 Director, Chaplain
(561) 471-5111 • Fax: (561) 683-4556 • www.morselife.org Services, MorseLife, Inc.
MORSE MATTERS Spring 2008
Morse Geriatric Center
Council Advocates for our Residents
Like the Family Council, the Resident Council of
Who’s Who Morse Geriatric Center meets regularly as a proac-
tive means for residents themselves to bring issues
about care and service to the table and recommend
positive changes to enhance the lives of our residents.
EDWARDS 1 (561) 687-5783 Established by the Social Services Department at
DON* Leena Geevarghese
Unit Manager Juanita Dennis
Morse, it is led by residents Riki Galison and Roz
Social Worker Carolyn Beckford Abrams, who serve as president and vice president,
EDWARDS 2 (561) 687-5784 respectively. Both Riki and Roz work together with
DON Leena Geevarghese the group to serve as advocates to the nearly 280 individuals for whom we care
Unit Manager Rose Marie Guerrier for every day.
Social Worker Karen Symonette
Riki has served as Resident Council president since she moved to Morse
EDWARDS 3 (561) 687-5785
DON Leena Geevarghese Geriatric Center more than three years ago. According to Sue Dame, former
Unit Manager Natasha Doughney-Turner director of social services, staff and residents are grateful that she is here. “We
Social Worker Karen Symonette were immediately impressed by her outgoing nature and commitment,” Sue
RESNICK 1 (561) 687-5786 noted. “With the Resident Council needing a president at that time, she was
DON Diane Smeragliuolo
Unit Manager Nada Zoghindy the most ideal person considered and she does a wonderful job.”
Social Worker Sherry Apple Riki says she is glad to make an impact in this position. “I love the people
RESNICK 2 (561) 687-5787 here, and the goal that drives me is to make sure everyone is happy,” she said. “I
DON Leena Geevarghese learned a lot about advocacy from my upbringing — it’s important to step up
Unit Manager Kim Luaces
Social Worker Alison Black
in support of others.”
Besides being advocates for residents, the Resident Council also engages in
RESNICK 3 (561) 687-5788
DON Diane Smeragliuolo various projects that bring spirit and life to residents, staff and even the com-
Social Worker Alison Black munity. One of their efforts is donating funds to provide staff with gifts over
RESNICK 4 (561) 687-5789 the winter holidays each year.
DON Leena Geevarghese Lisa Simshauser, the new director of social services, notes that the Resident
Unit Manager Hyacinth Brennan
Social Worker Carolyn Beckford Council remains a vital part of the organization. “Our mission is to enable our
* Director of Nursing residents to live with dignity and respect, and receive care with the highest
ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
standards of excellence,” she said. “Who better than residents themselves to
Keith A. Myers (561) 687-5744 advocate for their own common causes and ensure that Morse Geriatric Center
President & CEO remains the ‘best of the best.’”
Morris S. Funk (561) 687-5746 Resident Council meets the second Friday of each month at 11 a.m. For
Senior Vice President of Operations more information, contact Carolyn Beckford at (561) 640-6235.
Carmen Shell, RNC (561) 687-4709
Vice President of Clinical Services
Alan Sadowsky, PhD
Senior Vice President of
Community-Based Services
(561) 687-5745
Spotlight on Lisa Simshauser
Lisa Simshauser (561) 687-5792 Lisa Simshauser, a 20-year employee at Morse, has
Director of Social Services
recently taken over the helm as director of social
Marty Katz, MA, RD (561) 687-5773
Vice President of Support Services
services, replacing Sue Dame, who is now manager of
Fran Kroitor, MSPT (561) 687-5793
our Nearly New Thrift Shop.
Director of Rehabilitation Born in Newton, MA, Lisa began working with
Medical Office (561) 687-5768 seniors nearly 30 years ago, initially working for a Rhode
Gift Shop (561) 471-5111 Island nursing home and later traveling throughout the
state assisting elders with various needs. When she joined
Morse, she worked in our Accounts Receivable Department, later joining the
Come to the Next Social Services Department.
Family Council Meeting! Lisa takes great pride in her new position. “I function as an advocate for the
residents and families, as well as being their main support system in areas of
Please join us for our next Family Council
Meeting. It’s a “Wine & Cheese” reception grievance resolution, coordination and coverage for services,” Simshauser notes.
on Tuesday, May 6, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. “My most important role is to assist residents and their families to identify
their options and provide them with critical information so that they can make
— Please RSVP to Helene Rosenthal at
(561) 839-1302.
decisions that best fit their goals and needs. I get a huge amount of satisfaction
by being able to resolve problems and help people in need.”
2 Spring 2008 MORSE MATTERS
Aren’t Medicare and Medicaid the Same?
Q: What is Medicaid? Q: How is Medicaid eligibility determined?
A: Medicaid covers long-term care (LTC) services A: In Florida, the Department of Children & Families determines eligibility
for certain low-income individuals who fit into for the institutional care program in nursing homes. For more information,
an eligibility group recognized by federal and call the toll-free telephone number: (866) 762-2237. There are eligibility
state law. Medicaid does not pay money to the rules and certain requirements that must be met, including age, income
beneficiary; instead, it sends payments directly and resources, and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted
to your health care providers. Its purpose is to
immigrant.
improve the health of those who might otherwise
go without medical care. Q: What happens to my nursing home bed if I must go to the hospital?
Q: Who pays for Medicaid and Medicare? A: Medicaid pays for “bed holds” up to eight days, but only if the resident
A: The federal government pays 100% of the is on Medicaid when they go to the hospital. After the eight-day period,
Medicare program, whereas Medicaid is a the resident must be discharged from the nursing home, unless payment is
partnership between each state and the federal made privately to reserve the bed. Residents who are being covered by
government. Medicare must be discharged once they are transferred to a hospital,
since Medicare does not pay for any nursing home “bed holds.”
Q: Who runs these programs?
A: The Department of Health & Human Q: Is a nursing home resident under Medicaid allowed any spending
Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid money?
Services (CMS), runs the Medicare program. A: The resident retains a $35 per month personal needs allowance from
Medicaid is a state-administered program, where his or her monthly income, which is routinely deposited in a long-term
each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligi- care facility’s personal trust account.
bility and services.
Q: How has the Medicaid program changed in Florida over time?
Q: How is Medicaid different from Medicare?
A: Florida implemented the Medicaid program on January 1, 1970, to
A: Medicaid is an entitlement program, while
Medicare is a federal health insurance program provide medical services to indigent people. Over the years, the Florida
for people who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Legislature has authorized Medicaid reimbursement for additional services.
Eligibility for Medicare is not based on a person’s A major expansion occurred in 1989, when the United States Congress
income or assets. mandated that states provide all Medicaid services allowable under the
Social Security Act to children under the age of 21.
Q: Does Medicare pay for nursing home stays?
A. After a 3-day qualifying hospital stay, Medicare
Part A covers days 1–20 in full. For days 21–
100, there is a $128-per-day co-pay; after 100
days, private pay or other insurance coverage
Wish List
must take over. Medicare Part B pays 80% of The following is our wish list for Morse Geriatric Center — items that we
“outpatient services” such as lab, x-ray and therapies would really like to purchase, but may not be able to budget for at this
(PT, ST & OT). Therapies have annual caps of time. If you can help fund the purchase of any of these items, or you
$1,740 for PT & ST combined, $1,740 for OT. wish to provide support in other ways, please contact
Medicare Part D pays for prescription drugs up Marilyn Blonder Opas, Director of Development, at (561) 242-1583.
to the limits of your selected policy. Dining Room Tables (80) with adjustable tilt tops with wheels: ....... $35,000
Q: What services does Medicaid cover? Dining Room Chairs ........................................................................ $50,000
A: Florida Medicaid pays the participating facil- Patient Lifts ................................................................................ $6,000/each
ity a daily rate determined in part by costs offset Vital Signs Machines ................................................................. $2,000/each
by a legal personal responsibility such as a Social Laptop Computers ..................................................................... $3,000/each
Security or pension funds payment. The Agency Large Plant Potting Stations ...................................................... $1,000/each
for Health Care Administration (AHCA) develops Sponsorship of various activities we provide in our Therapeutic Recreation Department
and carries out policies related to the Medicaid Weekly Thursday Shows .......................................................... $1,000/month
program. A description of the services offered Weekly Wednesday-Afternoon Tea Socials ................................. $800/month
by the Florida Medicaid program can be found Weekly Friday Shows After Shabbat ........................................... $400/month
in the Summary of Services, 2007-2008 [http://
ahca.myflorida.com/Medicaid/pdffiles/ In all cases, we provide recognition of support of all donors.
SS_07_070701_SOS.pdf ] - Updated 8/14/07.
MORSE MATTERS Spring 2008 3
Marilyn & Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus
4847 Fred Gladstone Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33417
Tel: (561) 471-5111 • Fax: (561) 683-4556
.morselife.org
www.morselife.or
www.morselife.org
RESIDENT ACTIVITIES
We have increased our “Showtimes,” “Piano Music,” and “Special Events.”
Sundays: 2 p.m., in the Auditorium Wednesdays:
Wednesdays: 2 p.m., Afternoon Tea with Piano Music
Thursdays: 2 p.m., “Show of the Week” Fridays: We always feature great entertainment following the Sabbath Service at 2:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 8 at 2 p.m. ~ The Club Singers Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. ~ “The Dream Team Dancers”
Friday, May 9 at 2:45 p.m. ~ Music with Larry Klass Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. ~ “Arabian Nights-Belly Dancing Troupe”
Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. ~ Mother’s Day with the Sunday, May 25 at 2 p.m. ~ Music with Edie DiCaro
Bob Roberts Orchestra Wednesday, May 28 at 2 p.m. ~ Music with Suzanne Waltzer
Monday, May 12 ~ Spa Day Thursday, May 29 at 2 p.m. ~ Music with John Clancy
Wednesday, May 14 at 2 p.m. ~ Music with Julie Lendon Friday, May 30 at 2:45 p.m. ~ Music with Bobby Osborne
May 15 at 2 p.m. ~ Swing Band 3 Music Thursday, June 5 at 2 p.m. ~ Show by the Hurricane Harmonizers
May 15 & 16, 11a.m.–5 p.m. ~ “Books are Fun” book fair Wednesday, June 11 (time TBD) ~ Special performance from “Israeli Scouts”
MORSELIFE CAMPUS EVENTS
Wednesday, May 7 at 2 p.m. ~ Drum Circle for all Staff Members
Tuesday, May 13 from 1:30–4:30 p.m. ~ Florida Comfort Wear: Clothing to purchase for staff and residents
We would like to hear from you.
Please send your suggestions and comments to morsematters@morselife.org.
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