In 2014, Ann’s Choice placed first when measured against other Erickson communities in several areas of operation:
#1 – Our Medical Center’s resident satisfaction scores ranked Ann’s Choice as overall number one in resident satisfaction compared to all other fully developed Erickson Living Community Medical Centers!
#1 – Ann’s Choice had the highest Erickson Advantage membership of all the Erickson Living communities!
But our achievements didn’t stop there.
- We earned recognition as a “Healthiest Employer” by Philadelphia Business Journal.
- Rose Gardens was named as a “Best Nursing Home in America” for the second year in a row by U.S. News and World Report.
- Our Staff Appreciation Fund campaign reached its highest dollar amount in the history of our community, distributing over $400,000 to eligible hourly employees at the end of the year.
- We set a new record during our annual July collection for the Bucks County Housing Group’s Food Pantry: 3,297 pounds of food and household items donated by residents and staff.
As is always the case at Ann’s Choice, there were a lot of improvements to enhance campus life.Probably the most appreciated one this year was TELEVISION!In October we successfully transitioned to cable service provided by Comcast, adding lots of new high definition channels plus “On Demand” to our viewing choices.Some of us may have struggled to master those new remote control devices, but overall the transition went smoothly as the Comcast technicians worked apartment-by-apartment, building-by-building to install the new equipment and teach us how to use it.
Hand-in-hand with that was the upgrade of our own Ann’s Choice television studio to high definition broadcasting.Our channel numbers changed (goodbye, Channel 5 – hello Channel 977), but now our broadcasts look as good as all of the other available channels.
We started 2014 in the deep freeze - it was actually warmer in Antarctica than it was here.Strong winds and single digit temperatures produced wind chills below zero.The term “polar vortex” became a regular part of our vocabulary.Our General Services staff was busy with weather-related building emergencies and snow removal.February didn’t get any better, with over eight inches of snow and an ice storm early in the month.Then, as the year was drawing to a close, we were surprised by a Thanksgiving week snowfall.The good news (for our Grounds Department staff) was that we had a non-white Christmas!
What else happened in 2014?
- George Comfort joined our management team as Associate Executive Director.
- Gloria Arrowood, a “fixture” in our Administration Office, retired.
- The Wellness Center got new equipment and upgraded locker rooms.
- “Food for Thought,” a weekly fee-for-service lunchtime program in support of residents with some degree of memory impairment, was implemented.
- An online ordering option for carry-out dinner meals in the Signatures and Garden Room restaurants was created by our resident website team (now called the “AC Websters”).
- We applied for Medicaid eligibility.
- We accomplished additional “green” initiatives on campus including LED exterior pole lights around Rose Gardens.
- Eighteen staff members joined the Ann’s Choice 10-Year-Club, recognized for their service to our community.
- A 15 mile-per-hour speed limit on all campus roads was implemented.
- We became a tobacco-free campus.
- Keystone Clubhouse received a “makeover” (life cycle renovations).
- “The Fitness 2000 Club” recognized long-time Wellness Center users (an incentive for the rest of us?).
- 119 homes (one new and 118 resale units) were settled by our Sales Team.
- 93 of the 132 apartments released were upgraded with granite counters in kitchens and baths, Dura-ceramic flooring, recessed sinks, upgraded faucets, flat top ranges and other features in selected units.
- 86 staff members signed up for a “Biggest Loser” contest. Total weight lost: a whopping 468 pounds!
Here’s a small sample of the special events residents enjoyed this year:
Bucks County Women’s Chorus Concerts
Bollywood Dance Performance presented by residents from the Villages of Flowers Mill
Candidate Expo sponsored by the Political Interest Group
Health and Safety Expo
Heritage Festival sponsored by the Unity in the Community Committee
From “Age-ing” to “Sage-ing” workshops sponsored by Pastoral Ministries
6th Annual Scholars Golf Outing
Ann’s Choice Players presentation of “Fiddle Skits”
Archaeologist Dr. Stephen Phillips’ presentation, “I Want My Mummy,” sponsored by the Speakers Bureau
Annual Dining Expo
“A Night on Broadway” starring Tim Connell (son of resident Gerry Connell)
Fox Chase Cancer Center’s presentation “Trends of Aging: Cancer, Geriatrics, and You”
The Yale Spizzwinks a cappella group concert
Transportation Department-managed trips to Woodloch Pines, Bermuda, QVC Studios, Ocean City (MD), Scotland and Ireland, and more
Flu Clinics conducted by our Medical Center
“Lunch, Lyrics & Laughter” Luncheon with the Society Music Makers Big Band
A Christian Women’s Spiritual Retreat Day sponsored by the Protestant Council
“George Burns” and Friends show
Picnic on the Green
A presentation by WHYY’s Willo Carey
10th birthday party for Rhett, our much loved Rose Gardens dog
“From Here…to There…Negotiating Transitions” presented by our Social Work Department
Arts and Crafts Sales – spring and fall
Breakfast with Santa in Banners Café
Community Forum # 11 on “Diversity – Understanding…Accepting…Embracing” with Yvonne Kaye, Ph.D. as keynote speaker
Red Cross Blood Drives
TV and media personality Larry Kane’s appearance
And let’s not forget the weekly Sunday Night Movies (sponsored by the Ann’s Choice Garden Club to benefit our funds); the numerous card games that materialize, so it seems, wherever there’s an empty table; worship services sponsored by our faith groups; adult education opportunities coordinated by the Ann’s Choice Lifelong Learning volunteers; the Senior Olympics; our great Prospect Hill Library, where there’s always something new to read or watch; resident gardens to work in or just to enjoy during an evening stroll… and on it goes. Let’s face it – if you were bored in 2014, you clearly weren’t taking advantage of all of the great programs, fitness opportunities, and good times available on our campus. With nearly 150 clubs and organizations, there were many ways to have fun and contribute to our community.
Resources:
Ann’s Choice Annual Report, 2014 Prospect Hill Library Archives
Erickson Tribune
Print 