UMH honors Wesley Village employees for excellence and longevity

From left: David Lawlor (President & CEO, UMH), Andrea Winchester (Director of Human Resources), Lori Bauer, Marianella San Diego, Shelby Wenz, Dawn Supranovich, Jessica Scaife, Andrea Petillo, Hailey Monroe, Ali Alshabbah, Gracey Chamble, Bianca Turcotte-Reome, Lori Pisani, and David Fife. 

SHELTON - Members of the Wesley Village senior living campus recently gathered for United Methodist Homes’ annual employee recognition celebration at The Waterview in Monroe.

The event was hosted by UMH, the senior living provider organization that manages the campus. It featured a presentation of the organization’s “Values in Action” award and recognition for service milestones of five to 30 years.

Honorees from each Wesley Village community at Bishop Wicke Health Center, Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, and Lifestyle Transitions were recognized with the Values in Action award, which is given annually to employees who reflect the organization’s five core values of Respect, Spirituality, Excellence, Collaboration, and Stewardship in an extraordinary way. 

Values in Action award winners are considered for their commitment to the Mission and Values of UMH and selected based on a peer nomination and leadership review process. Over 100 nominations are typically received each year from across the organization. 

Six outstanding team members at Wesley Village were selected to receive the award for 2024.

Recipients were nominated for their flexibility, dependability, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to supporting Wesley Village communities and the health and well-being of each resident.

Wesley Village is well-known for continuing UMH’s long legacy of caring in the community, and the longevity of the campus team reflects that. This year, eight team members were honored for reaching impressive milestones of twenty years or more. Thirteen team members were recognized for 10- and 15-year milestones and another 10 employees celebrated five years of service with the organization.

United Methodist Homes Director of Human Resources, Andrea Winchester and President and CEO David Lawlor shared words of thanks with the team before the award presentation. 

“So proud of our honorees and to see how our teams support one another in achieving great things,” said Lawlor. “It is a true reflection of a mission that is alive and well after 150 years!  We are so excited to carry this mission forward as we join forces with Masonicare to reinvent mission-based care for Connecticut seniors!”

About Wesley Village: The Wesley Village senior living campus is at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, five-star skilled nursing care, 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.

Wesley Village in Shelton to host program on Parkinson's Disease

SHELTON - Wesley Village will offer a community education program on the topic of Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease at 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wesley Heights Independent and Assisted Living Community. 

The program will be presented by Dr. Kathryn Zuchowski, a board-certified neurologist, and a clinical fellow in movement disorders at Yale Health, Department of Neurology. This event will be hosted in cooperation with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA CT).

“This program is a collaboration between Wesley Village, Yale Health Neurology, and APDA CT to best serve the community by providing a best-in-class education program. Those impacted by Parkinson’s can gain a better understanding of the intricacies of managing their symptoms by consistently staying up to date on the latest education and research. We aim to be a reliable source for education programs and support for the estimated 12,000+ CT residents diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” says APDA CT Program Director Holly Seymour.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Lisa Bisson, Wesley Village Director of Community Outreach at lbisson@umh.org or 203-225-5027. 

The program will take place at Wesley Heights Independent and Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village senior living campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. Guests may enter using the Wesley Heights entrance and parking area. Light refreshments will be served.

The APDA Connecticut Chapter offers a wide range of Parkinson’s disease programs, resources, education, and support throughout the State of Connecticut. To learn more, visit www.adpaparkinson.org/CT, email apdact@apdaparkinson.org or call 860-996-4276

About APDA: The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the more than one million people in the US with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $282 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through a network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as a national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit www.apdaparkinson.org

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton and offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization with a 150-year legacy of caring. 

To learn more about the Wesley Village campus communities of Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact Rhonda Stasulli at 

203-447-5454 or rstasulli@umh.org.

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.

 

Crosby Commons in Shelton to host healthy aging presentation Sept. 25

SHELTON – Crosby Commons senior living community will host a community education series this fall, beginning Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. with “Healthy Aging: Lessons from Those Who Live the Longest,” presented by Neil Anand. 

Anand, owner of ComForCare Homecare, will sponsor the event along with Valley Regional Adult Education. 

Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community is on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave.

Attendees will gain valuable insight and wisdom from individuals who have achieved longevity and learn about the unique qualities of their living environments. 

For more information about the program, or to RSVP, contact Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach at lbisson@umh.org or 203-225-5027. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about senior living options at Crosby Commons, contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-447-5454 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Crosby Commons in Shelton to host healthy aging presentation

SHELTON - The event will be held at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community, located on the Wesley Village Campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. 

Attendees will gain valuable insight and wisdom from individuals who have achieved longevity and learn about the unique qualities of their living environments. 

For more information about the program, or to RSVP, please contact Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach at lbisson@umh.org or 203-225-5027. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about senior living options at Crosby Commons, please contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-447-5454 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

About Crosby Commons & Wesley Village: Crosby Commons offers independent and assisted living options at the Wesley Village senior living campus located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton. The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization, and offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, 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.

Crosby Commons residents in Shelton enjoy variety of summer activities

Residents Eileen Keogh and Jon Krijgsman

SHELTON - Summer may be winding down as the new school year starts, but Crosby Commons residents are making the most of it and enjoying summer bucket list favorites both indoors and out. 

With trips to the shore for lunch, entertainment on the patio, Chef Hector’s famous smash burgers off the grill, yard games, and ice cream truck visits, Crosby residents had no shortage of opportunities for classic summer fun. 

“Residents love our annual outings to Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport and Riley’s By The Sea in Lordship for a glass of wine and a fresh seafood lunch outdoors on the patio,”  said activities director Lauren Donovan. “We have several residents from Stratford who love heading to Riley’s and stopping at Boothe Memorial Park rose garden on the way back.” 

“We also make a trip to Pepe’s in Fairfield every year for the fresh tomato pie, which is another resident favorite. It wouldn’t feel like summer without visits like those.”

Resident Steve Pecylak and Director of Spiritual Life Crista Hernan (with Boo) enjoy a Midsommer celebration.

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The senior living community, part of the Wesley Village campus, also hosted a few unique summer socials, including a strawberry festival, a Swedish Midsommer celebration, and a “Party Like a Pineapple” day. 

The festival featured homemade strawberry pie made with the Jones Family Farms' strawberry festival recipe, homemade strawberry shortcake, live entertainment, and an array of berry-themed treats. 

For the Midsommer celebration, resident Rita Lund made traditional Swedish cookies, the Crosby chefs prepared a Swedish meal, and residents crafted seasonal floral crowns. “Party Like a Pineapple” day was a celebration of all things summer, with reggae music and dance, a Dole Whip culinary demonstration, homemade pineapple upside-down cake, pineapple salsa, pina coladas, and a visit from “Little Miss Pineapple,” two-year-old daughter of Executive Director, David Fife.

The summer’s outdoor entertainment series included favorite performances by the bands, Over Easy and the Boogie Boys, as well as a performance by professional musician and vocalist Stephen Bennett, the son-in-law of a Crosby Commons resident. 

Patio entertainment came with an ever-changing menu of summer cocktails and mocktails such as strawberry-basil lemonade and root beer floats, and sing-a-longs around the campfire with homemade s’mores.

In early September, a week-long celebration in honor of National Assisted Living Week is planned. The week runs from Sept. 8-14.

“Our summer programming is always well-received,” said Donovan. “Crosby residents look forward to sharing their interests, ideas, and requests for favorite trips or events, and everyone comes together to enjoy them.” 

For more information about life at Crosby Commons, please contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-225-5024 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

About Crosby Commons & Wesley Village: Crosby Commons offers independent and assisted living options at the Wesley Village senior living campus located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton. 

The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization, and offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, 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. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Crosby Commons in Shelton to host 'Taste of Italy' open house

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village senior living campus. The property can be accessed via Asbury Ridge Road off Long Hill Avenue. However, the exact location is 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Wesley Village in Shelton partners with Plumb Memorial Library to promote reading

Joseph Cappella from Plumb Memorial Library helps resident Ed Nobile look up information about the fire department on the computer./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body,” English writer Joseph Addison said.

“Exercising the mind is as valuable as exercise is for the body,” said Lauren Donovan, activity director at Crosby Commons. 

“At Crosby Commons, you will find the library across the hall from our Wellness Center, a fitness and therapy space available to residents,” she said.

Donovan and resident library manager Audrey Kaszuba contacted Plumb Memorial Library to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Crosby Commons is now a pilot project for the library, based on an expansion of its Homebound Program.   

Representatives from the library will visit Crosby Commons once a month to share resources, book recommendations, and upcoming program ideas.

“We have residents who love nothing more than to cuddle up with a book,” said Kaszuba. “The project was designed to help engage those folks with a program tailored to their interests.” 

Recently representatives from the Lions Low Vision organization visited Wesley Village to share information and resources available to individuals with limited or no vision.  

“The library has apps to download free audio books,” Donovan said. “Accessibility to these resources is important and may help rekindle someone’s love of books. We’re very proud of our Crosby Commons library; its a valuable resource offered to residents in the community.”

Residents recently visited Plumb Memorial Library. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is an architecturally distinguished Richardsonian Romanesque building. 

Built in 1895, the library was named in memory of David Wells Plumb, a local businessman and philanthropist who spearheaded the initial concept and subsequent vote to establish a public library in the winter of 1891. 

Along with a review of the library’s books and resources, residents learned more about upcoming library-sponsored educational programs, movie nights, book signings, and more.  

For more information about Plumb Memorial Library visit www.sheltonlibrarysystem.org.  

For more information about the benefits of reading for seniors, see “Rediscovering the Benefits of Reading with your Aging Loved One” or visit our website, www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. 

About Wesley Village: 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.

 

Wesley Village in Shelton hosts monthly support group for caregivers

SHELTON - There are 80,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Connecticut and twice as many caregivers, many unpaid family members, and friends. 

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be challenging. Changes in the person’s behavior as the disease progresses can lead to frustration and anxiety. We [at Wesley Village] are here to help.

In collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, Wesley Village hosts a support group at its senior living campus, 580 Long Hill Ave., on the second Tuesday of each month. 

The group is free to attend and specifically designed for those caring for someone with any form of dementia. 

The next meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Alzheimer’s Association® support groups, led by trained facilitators, are a safe place for care partners to develop a support system, exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions, talk through issues and ways of coping and learn about community resources.

"When caring for the most important people in our lives, it can seem selfish to carve out a small amount of time for our own well-being,” said Ann Panagulias, Activities Director at Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights, a memory care neighborhood on the campus. Panagulias, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, co-facilitates the group at Wesley Village with the Alzheimer’s Association.  “One member of our group often reminds us what flight attendants advise before every take-off: ‘Put on your oxygen mask first, then assist others.’  A key to good caregiving is being a healthy caregiver.  Our inspirational group provides a safe space to talk, listen, breathe, cry and even laugh. "

Those interested in participating in the group may contact Ann Panagulias at 203-447-5407 or apanagulias@umh.org.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, support groups or any of the Alzheimer’s Association education classes, contact the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900, the Connecticut Chapter main office at 860-406-3040 or visit www.alz.org/ct. 

Reach out. You do not have to go through this alone. 

About the Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia - by 

accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. 

Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton 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.