Volume 6, Issue 8 August 2020 · Eric Weller Director of State Homes Andrew Ruscavage _____...
Transcript of Volume 6, Issue 8 August 2020 · Eric Weller Director of State Homes Andrew Ruscavage _____...
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January 2021 Volume 7, Issue 1
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GOVERNOR
Tom Wolf
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PA Dept. of Military and
Veterans Affairs
Adjutant General
Major General
Anthony J. Carrelli
Deputy Adjutant
Major General (Ret)
Eric Weller
Director of State Homes
Andrew Ruscavage
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Southwestern Veterans’
Center
412-665-6706
Commandant
Richard Adams
412-665-6707
Deputy Commandant
Erin Rakow
412-665-6718
Medical Director
David Blinn, MD
412-665-6706
Director of Nursing
Ronna Stewart
412-665-6747
Admissions
Julia Myers
412-665-6782
Therapeutic Activities
Director
Christopher Veitch
412-665-6744
Volunteer Coordinator
John Ayers
412-665-6790
Director of Social
Services
Coleen Sady-Yesho
412-665-6732
Director of Dietetic
Services
Lynn Campbell
412-665-6752
Old Glory Editor
Natalie Fewell
412-665-6826
Grievance Coordinator
Coleen Sady-Yesho
412-665-6732
J. Laney
V. Schrader
C. Cotto
R. Norris
A. Brown
J. Stubenbort
J. Black
D. Smith
A. Moran
E. Brode
D. Brooks
D. Calfe
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FACT SHEET FOR RECIPIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
You are being offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. This Fact Sheet contains information to help you understand the risks
and benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which you may receive because there is currently a
pandemic of COVID-19.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is a vaccine and may prevent you from getting COVID-19. There is no
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Read this Fact Sheet for information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Talk to the vaccination
provider if you have questions. It is your choice to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a 2-dose series, 3 weeks apart, into the muscle.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect everyone.
This Fact Sheet may have been updated. For the most recent Fact Sheet, please see www.cvdvaccine.com.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET THIS VACCINE?
WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 disease is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This type of coronavirus has not been seen
before. You can get COVID-19 through contact with another person who has the virus. It is predominantly a
respiratory illness that can affect other organs. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms
reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to
the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches;
headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.
WHAT IS THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. There is no
FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
(This is just a small portion taken from the fact sheet)
Commandants Corner…
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On December 28th and December 29th Southwestern Veterans’ Center was one of the first long term care facilities in the state to start COVID19 Vaccination clinics in partnership with CVS Pharmacy. We received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was administered by a team of SWVC staff and 8 CVS representatives. CVS will be back onsite on January 18th and 19th to provide the second step of the vaccine.
It is NOT TOO LATE to receive your first step vaccine as part of the clinics on 1/18 and 1/19! If you are a staff member please reach out to Amanda Schwarz ([email protected]) to schedule an appointment.
if you are a resident or family member please reach out to Ronna Stewart, ([email protected]) Director of Nursing for information on vaccine consent.
Commandants Corner…
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Dear Residents and Families,
We are in the process of preparing for our 2nd on-site COVID19 Vaccination Clinic with CVS pharmacy on January 18th and January 19th 20201. A CVS representative, along with an SWVC staff member, will go room to room to complete resident vaccinations. Staff vaccines will occur on these days as well in a separate clinic setting.
If you or your loved one received the first dose, we will be providing the second dose of the Pfizer COVID19 Vaccine to them at this time. If you or your loved one did not receive dose 1, but are choosing to opt in now, we are providing you with all information needed to do so.
• We are again providing you with the FDA EUA Fact Sheet for the Vaccine to review.
• We are also again providing the COVID19 Vaccine Consent Responsible Party form if you did not provide this to us in time for the first dose of vaccine, or if you are newly opting into the vaccine.
*NEW*: The Bureau of Veterans Homes has drafted an additional consent for the COVID19 Vaccine to be completed – that is included at the bottom of this letter. This needs to be returned to us by all interested in obtaining the Vaccine, weather you are receiving dose 1 or dose 2.
If your loved one is unable to consent we ask that you complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Responsible Party form as well as the Bureau of Veterans Homes consent form that is below and email it back Attention Ronna Stewart, Director of Nursing, at [email protected] no later than 4 PM on Tuesday January 12, 2020.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the vaccine process, please reach out to me, Erin Rakow Deputy Commandant at 412-665-6718, or Ronna Stewart at 412-665-6747.
Sincerely,
Richard Adams, NHA
Commandants Corner…
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INVENTORY ITEMS…
When new items are obtained, please stop at our Security desk and
have a Security Officer complete an inventory form. Security will
ensure the items such as clothing & blankets get sent to laundry for
labeling. There are also other things that need inventoried such as
TV’s/radios and chairs.
Inventory is vital in case an item needs to be replaced.
**If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact a Social Worker for clarification.**
If any resident needs something notarized please
see your Social Worker.
Natalie Fewell is now the facility Notary if anything
is needed.
I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this Commonwealth. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including
immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.
No soy un abogado con licencia para ejercer la abogacía en esta Commonwealth. No se me permite redactar registros legales, dar asesoramiento sobre
asuntos legales, incluyendo inmigración, o cobrar una tarifa por esas actividades.
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Balloon cheer program sponsored by.
Grace Life church of Monroeville.
We continue to deliver Balloons and
Birthday signs to residents for their birthdays and
they love it.
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Grace Life Church Women’s Group of Monroeville donated their time and decorations to decorate a Holiday tree for the facility on 2S patio. Some of the residents were able to observe through the
windows and enjoyed watching the process. They also expressed their gratitude. The tree was themed with red, white, and blue decorations and stayed lit for all of the residents to observe from their windows
on the south back side of the building.
The Women’s Group also provided Christmas cards made out to the facility residents.
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This was a Christmas card from “our neighbor Kalyn Popalo.” Thank you so much Kalyn
for you generosity and the items you sent for our residents. You are appreciated.
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SWVC now has three IPADS for resident use! Our Regional Response Health Collaborative Program has provided us with three IPADS, and AARP has generously facilitated mobile hotspots through Computer Reach to be utilized with those iPads to provide internet access. We are excited to be able to enhance our residents access to technology and communication with their loved ones.
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Housekeeping Department:
If any resident family members are interested in putting your own labels on clothing prior to you bringing them in.
Please contact Natalie 412-665-6826 for more information.
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New Years Day, January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 18th
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REVENUE DEPARTMENT…
2021 Reassessment time is approaching, the Revenue Department
is requesting financial documents:
2020 December Bank Statement 2021 Social Security benefit letter for resident /spouse
2021 Railroad Retirement Benefit letter for resident/spouse 2020 Form 1099 for private pensions for Resident/Spouse
2021 VA Pension benefit award letter or VA compensation letter 2020 Form 1099 for IRA Income, annuity income, etc.
2021 Health Insurance Premium Statement 2021 Medicare Part D Premium Statement
Proof of Mortgage and/or rent covering 2021/ homeowner’s insurance 2020 Real Estate Tax Receipts for spouse
**If you have questions notify us at 412.665.6736 (Cheryl), or 412.665.6776 (Alicia),
or 412-665-6737 (Tina).**
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Happy Holidays from SWVC
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2 South tree decorating
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SWVC activities staff and traveling Christmas carols
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Bernie Zurawski from VFW Post 914 West
Mifflin, PA donated many items for monthly unit
based bingo games. The items included:
assorted chips, cookies, candy bars, pudding
cups, fruit cups and crackers. Toothpaste,
body wash and batteries were also
donated. The VFW provided Christmas cards
with a $20 bill inside surprising 10 of our
Residents for Christmas.
Marsha Miller and Daughter, Bethann
Jackson dropping off Christmas bags for the
Veterans to the activities
department. Marsha’s four great
grandchildren Kami 12, Kennah 9,
Christopher 10 and Skye 7 made up the
bags. Sweet treats and Christmas bags were
all donated by these generous elves. The
grandchildren wanted to do something
special for the Veterans this Christmas.
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SWVC’s hydration stations cart. Activities staff
turned the cart into Santa's Sleigh that includes lights
to add a little extra Christmas spirit throughout the facility. Beverages are served Monday through Friday and this includes various
flavors of eggnog.
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Below are Christmas Gift bags delivered from the American Legion Auxiliary
yesterday for each resident. The American Legion Auxiliary decided to go with
gift bags and put the items together off site being that the Santa’s Workshop was
unable to be held in the facility. Pictured are myself-Jackie Slinski and
Regina Hipple
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University of Pittsburgh Defensive Coach and Navy Veteran Randy Bates delivered
boxes and boxes of Pitt T-Shirts, Pins, Caps and other paraphernalia to bring
Christmas Cheer to our Resident Veteran Pitt Panther Fans!!
H2P for the annual support of our Veterans!!
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The Southwestern Vietnam Veterans Group and Auxiliary not only donated six
new Christmas Trees to be displayed all around the outside of the Southwestern
Veterans Center, they also came up to decorate the trees!! While they decorated,
they were entertained by Colleen Cairnes from the Activities Department playing
Christmas Carols on Bag Pipes!!
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The Girl Scout Daisy Troop #16144 of
Pittsburgh collected and donated 116
items that included hygiene products,
reading glasses, puzzle books, decks of
cards and other items as Christmas
Gifts for our Resident Veterans at the
Southwestern Veterans Center.
Pictured below are (left to right):
Nicole Cialone, her daughter Leah
Cialone, Nora Humes and
Amanda Humes.
Members of the Liberty
Presbyterian Church delivered
men’s and women socks for our
Resident Veteran to enjoy for
Christmas!! Thank You!
Pictured below (left to right):
Dorothy Wunderly and
Linda Moranelli.
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The American Legion Post #982 Unity
Township and the St. Stephen Orthodox
Church in Latrobe, PA donated
Christmas Gifts to the Resident
Veterans at the Southwestern Veterans’
Center.
Thank You So Much!!
Pictured below left to right are:
Charles F. Patchin, (Adjutant..Post
#982), Susan E. Patchin (wife of Charles)
and John R. Ayers, Volunteer
Coordinator, Southwestern Veterans’
Center.
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Thompson donated
more gifts from DAV#107 (Disabled
American Veterans)!! Last week DAV
#107 donated Christmas Bags of Goodies
to every Resident Veteran at
Southwestern!!
Thank You For The Extra Christmas
Gifts.
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Sylvia Barksdale (below left) donated
men’s clothing and books.
Donna Kaminski (right) and Robbie
Gooch (not pictured) both of whom
recently retired from Allegheny County
Port Authority, used their own money to
buy gifts for our Resident Veterans!!
Thanks to all three of you for supporting
our Nation’s Heroes!!
Carrie Nolan-Robson, Business
Community Liaison (left) and two
of her co-workers (far right) from
the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
across the street donated this
luscious cake to the Southwestern
Veterans’ Center!!
The cake was prepared at the
famous Oakmont Bakery and we
thank the Job Corps for this
delicious donation!!
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The Resident Veterans were very happy showing off their brand new sweat pants
and sweat shirts donated by Allegheny County Camp Cadets!! The Cadets
donate every Christmas to support our Veterans and we are extremely
appreciative!!
Pictured below left to right are:
Deputy Jason Tarap, Trooper Melinda Bondarenka (Cadet Coordinator), Chief
Deputy Kevin Kraus and John R. Ayers, Volunteer Coordinator, Southwestern
Veterans Center.
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Marine Corps League Pittsburgh Chapter President Tom Banta delivered Colorful
Socks, donated by American Eagle, to cheer up our Resident Veterans!!
Pictured Below left to right are:
John R. Ayers, Volunteer Coordinator (SWVC) and Tom Banta (American Eagle).
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SUDOKU
**Sudoku is a logic-based, number-placement puzzle. The objective of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits
so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.**
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SUDOKU
**Sudoku is a logic-based, number-placement puzzle. The objective of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits
so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.**
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November Answers
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November Answers Cont.
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December Answers
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December Answers Cont.
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In Memory of our Comrades-In-Arms
Herbert Kahrer Richard Kajut John Sakas
Charles Bowe Thomas Williams Jr.
Eva Turner
Family Members of Residents:
If you would like a copy of the newsletter via email or regular mail,
please contact Natalie Fewell, the Social Services Secretary at
[email protected]/412-665-6826 and provide your email or regular
mail address.