Monday, January 17, 2022

Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care team expands at Wesley Village in Shelton


Members of the team at Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care neighborhood at Wesley Heights pose for a group photo. (Not all team members are pictured.)

Lifestyle Transitions residents Barbara Hayes, front left,  and Barbara Zerjav, second from left in front, are pictured with the team. /Contributed photo

SHELTON - Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care, a neighborhood of 68 apartments at Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community in Shelton, is proud to welcome a newly expanded team for the new year. 
In response to the addition of several new apartments now part of Lifestyle Transitions, the new team members will provide a greater depth of support and services for residents and their families.

New additions to the team include:
Patricia Kopf, RN (Supervisor of Assisted Living Services-SALSA)
Karen Wlcek, RN (Assistant Supervisor, SALSA Designee)
Jennifer Hemstreet, MSW, EMT (Social Worker/Resident Services Coordinator/Emergency Medical Technician)
Ann Panagulias, MM, ADCMC, CDP (Activities Director, Certified Dementia Practitioner)

Patricia Kopf and Karen Wlcek

Kopf brings to the team 32 years of nursing experience and a background in assisted living services and home care.

Wlcek, who is new to senior living, brings 35 years of experience in skilled nursing care and home care. Both clinicians will be joining the existing team of longtime, award-winning staff at Lifestyle Transitions: Sheila Franco, RN; Christina Fraga, RN; Ilisa Eskenazi, RN; and 25 certified nursing assistants.

Jennifer Hemstreet

Hemstreet, a social worker, previously worked with the Department of Children and Families and as a local EMT, providing emergency support services, training, and intervention. She is new to senior living and excited for the opportunity to serve residents and families at Wesley Village.

Ann Panagulias

Panagulias has worked in senior living for 12 years as an Activities Director and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She brings a wealth of experience in engaging individuals with cognitive challenges and currently facilitates (in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association) an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group for those caring for loved ones with dementia. Panagulias is also a professional musician and accomplished vocalist with an impressive operatic career around the world. She and her assistant, Hailey Monroe, provide meaningful, purposeful engagement for residents at Lifestyle Transitions and offer activities, events, and programs seven days a week, including every evening and weekends.

The team will work under the direction of Benjamin Schiano, Executive Director of Wesley Heights and Lori Pisani, Vice President of Assisted Living at Wesley Village.

“What makes our Lifestyle Transitions neighborhood such a special home for our residents is our caregivers," said Schiano. “The entire team is a fantastic resource to residents and their families, and the commitment to caring is truly exceptional. I am excited to see our team expand and look forward to working with everyone.”

The team will also be working on the creation of a series of virtual caregiver events which will be available to the general public throughout the winter and spring. Details will be forthcoming.

Rhonda Stasulli, Director of Campus Sales, is excited about the expanded support which will be available to prospective families looking for memory care options for their loved ones.

“Finding the right memory care community for your loved one is not easy, and ensuring you have a qualified and compassionate team caring for your loved one is decidedly one of the most important factors to consider,” explains Stasulli. “Our approach to care prioritizes caring for the ‘whole person’ and each of these team members bring creative perspective and expertise to enable our residents to thrive.”

For apartment availability or to learn more about Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care at Wesley Heights, please contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-447-5454 or at rstasulli@umh.org.

Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 
The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 
To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203-225-5024. 
To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.



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