Last Updated on April 19, 2024
1. The General Services contact instructions are on our website, with the current hours under General Services Communications. If you do need something fixed or repaired, call, or for non-urgent requests, residents may fill out a Request a Service Work Order online under the ME icon forms. If there is an emergency after hours, or on weekends, call Security for help. There are now GS Comment Forms on ME to report on your service call from GS.
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are listed on our website under Campus Info>Getting Things Done and Getting Started. Note that the monthly Neighborhood Chat schedule each month is published in the Sunburst under Campus Connections. The Council Communication Form icon on our website can be used to alert the Council to a problem. Also, the Administration welcomes comments, please send them to ccifeedback@erickson.com.
3. Resident Directory Info: The latest printed version, April, can be obtained by asking at lobby desks. The only E-directory is on My Erickson, which is password protected. Changes to both directories should be referred to the Res. Life Asst., Deanna Booker, at Ext. 601-8230.
4. ccicharlestown.org: Our Tech Bar on April 9 was again a success. Please read the Residents’ Council President’s Report for April 2024 under News. The Med Center’s Specialty Suite doctors has been updated. 2024 Maryland Bills tracked can be found on our website under Search. Articles by Dr. Stephen Schimpff are now available on our website. Hope is creating a team of residents to assist other residents with the use of computers, those interested in helping can reach out to her. Questions or suggestions for the website may be submitted on the Home Page. Check the current Covid-19 Continuing Care Visitor Guidelines under News on the website before you visit there.
5. BCF: The next Treasure Sale is scheduled for May 2-4, and Volunteers are needed. There is a litany of needs for all sorts of TS tasks in the April Sunburst, page 12, please contact Emily, ext. 8892. Not all TS stores are open, but the Cross Creek Display will be selling purses in April from the Ladies Boutique. The Memory Walk is on May 7, and Emily is looking for a pianist for the ceremony. The next “Scoop” event will be May 13 in the Black Swan lounge. There is an Essentials of Tax and Estate Planning Gifting Strategies Legacy talk, on 5/10, at 11am in the Auditorium and seating is limited. Contact Bette in Philanthropy to RSVP by May 1.
6. Res. Life & CR: The 2024 Resident Handbook is now available at the front desks. Volunteer Pins will be available, on Thurs., 4/25 at Cross Creek and Fri., 4/26 at Fireside, 10-12 Noon, The Summer Solstice Spectacular is scheduled for Fri., 6/14 from 4pm and everyone is invited! CC requests volunteers to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Allison is looking for prize donations for CC Bingo. Register with Allison to be a Volunteer! Amber Parks is the new member of the CR team. Res. Life’s Nature Fest is in the Conference Center on Thursday, 4/25 from 11 am ’til 2 pm. The next neighborhood Tapestry gathering is early June in the Chesapeake. Participants will include residents of Herbert’s Run and Brookside. There is an Ageism/Ableism article posted in the April Sunburst. Merci requires volunteers for the Low Vision Reading Brigade. David Graham and Nancy Fayer have begun a Low Vision Group Development Team and brainstorming meetings have begun.
7. Medical Center: The New COVID-19 vaccine is still available if you missed the Clinic on Thursday, call the Medical Center. Results from the Holleran Survey indicate that the Medical Center continues to improve their services. CC Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines are posted on our resident website each week under the News icon on the Home page. Individuals should discuss the RSV vaccine with their physician. A Mask may be required at the Medical Center if a resident is symptomatic. New residents need to sign up for the Care Path Program, even though you may have your doctor off-campus, in case of emergencies, so they have your particulars. If you are going to the hospital on your own (i.e., elective surgery) please let security know. All hospital stays should be followed by a transitional doctor visit to help prevent readmission.
8. Move-out Process at the End of Life article is on our website in the Blog area. There was an informative Workshop on 3/26, about our Residence and Care Agreement with Charlestown, that is now on ME videos. Then on Tuesday, April 9, there was an Estate Planning and Probate Law session from the Baltimore County Register of Wills that is also on the ME videos.
9. Housekeeping: The Annual Housecleaning Special continues thru 9/27. Home Care: Home Support info is listed on our website describing their services. Kristen Aybar reports that in 2023, Charlestown readmission rate to a hospital was 8.9% compared to the national average of 15%, 20% of Medicare patients. This is due in large part to the services of Certified Home Health Care. A chart explaining the difference between Home Support and Certified Home Health is on our website. Also, Home Care will be at the Well-being Expo next week on 4/23 with interactive activities. The Health Services Committee, as well as the Safety and Security Committee, will have tables at the Wellness Expo.
Extras: The annual Charlestown Scholars’ Fund Campaign ends April 30, so please give generously! The Medicine takeback is on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 1-3 in the Cross Creek Lobby and outside the Fireside Restaurant. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in the “numbered” Historic/Courtyard Crossing buildings and for volunteers to color birthday cards. Again, volunteers are needed for the Treasure Sale! The Well Being Expo is on 4/23 at CTS.
Remember to Register to Vote for the Primary May 14!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee
PS: Reminder that the Nurse’s Luncheon will be coming up, and please encourage anyone who was a nurse to attend. Before the Scholarship Campaign ends 4/30, if you would like your contribution to go to nursing or health care in general, that can be noted on the contribution form. Also, if you have a cap and/or pin from your School of Nursing that you would like to share in the Cross Creek lobby display in May, contact Roberta Poulton.