Last Updated on December 28, 2024
1. The General Services Call Center’s phone number and current hours are listed under General Services Communications on our website. If you need something fixed or repaired, call, or for non-urgent requests, residents may utilize 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 GS Comment Forms on ME to report on your service call from GS. Please return wheelchairs and shopping carts to where they belong!
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are listed on our website under Campus Info>Getting Things Done and Getting Started. The Organizational Chart has been updated. The monthly Neighborhood Chat schedule is published in the Sunburst under Campus Connections. Our website’s Council Communication Form icon alerts 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, December, can be obtained by asking at lobby desks. The only E-directory is on My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE, 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: The Tech Bar on 12/3 was a huge success; thank you, IT Team! Our Organization Chart and Board of Directors photo have been updated under “Getting Things Done.” The video of Dr. Kevin James on Falls and Their Prevention is available under Health News. The Care Path Program information has been updated under Health/Fitness Medical Center, and the Companion Care/Home Support Brochure has been posted under Health/Fitness Home Care. 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. Look for an updated Glossary of IT terms in January on the website.
5. BCF: “Leave your legacy at Charlestown” by designating the BCF in your estate plans or as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of the entrance deposit to ensure the promise of a “Home for Life”. The next TS will be February 6-8, 2025, and there is an ongoing litany of volunteer needs for many TS tasks; contact Casey, at 410-737-8892. The LADIES’ BOUTIQUE will reopen on 12/31. The Treasure Chest and Treasures Unlimited are closed and will reopen on 1/7. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Virginia Antevil, the Committee Chair, to attend a meeting. The next Memory Walk will be in May 2025, and memorial Bricks and Benches are available for purchase now. Winter Putterland will take place February 18th-February 22nd are is seeking leaders from each building for teams to compete for an Intra-community Tournament benefitting the BCF.
6. CR: Share your expertise with your treasures or hobbies, and captivate an audience with our display cases. There is availability in multiple displays in 2025! If you would like to display items, please contact Amber Parks at ext. 601-8172. Jennifer Tillets’ January “Arts Alive at Charlestown” newsletter is now available on My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE under Resident Resources. Register with Allison or Ellie DiPietro, to be a 60-minute volunteer to visit residents in Caton Woods. CC is seeking magazine and coffee table books for Memory Care and prize donations for CC Bingo. Volunteers also remain needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players. Also, register with Allison for the Volunteer Program. Winter Putterland will take place February 18th-February 22nd and volunteers will be needed.
Res. Life: Stephanie Leddy reports that the Dining Ambassadors Program is overall very successful in meeting new residents. Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents and can use more volunteers as Hosts, the next is Monday, Jan. 6. The Tapestry Program will continue in 2025 with dates forthcoming with John Remias and Moffett Churn as Co-chairs. The Low Vision Group is presenting “Library Resources for Residents with Low Vision” on Thurs., 1/23 at 1 PM. The MD State Library for the Blind, local libraries, the Charlestown library, and the Lighthouse for the Blind will be present, Peggy Reiber is the contact. Merci seeks residents to be identified who would welcome the Low Vision Reading Brigade service.
7. Medical Center: We welcome our new addition, Dr. Ashley Kinder to the Medical Team. The New COVID-19 vaccine and Flu shots are still available if you have missed the Clinics. 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. The Move-out Process at the End of Life helpful article posted on our website in the Blog area and was in the August Sunburst. As the posting states, BCF is asking us to inform families that we offer our volunteers to pack up any donations left behind in loved ones’ apartments and that there is no charge for removing approved larger items left for donation to the Treasure Sale. Our volunteers work quickly because they realize time is of the essence, call Casey Bassler, Coordinator – 410-737-8892.
9. Housekeeping is having a Dumpster Day on 1/6 and look for an Electronics Recycling Day in February TBA. The Committee asks if you see something that needs clean-up attention, say something, please!
10. Home Care info is listed on our website, describing their services under Health/Fitness. Home Support is offering $150 off if residents sign up before 1/31 and the Companion Care/Home Support Brochure has been posted on our website. Check your long-term care policies coverage for paying for Home Support services. The next Preserving Independence presentation planned will be by Kristen Aybar on home safety in January or February. The last, on Dec. 18, is being shown on Channel 972 periodically.
Extras: Welcome to our new Finance Director, David Schneyer! Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives need photographers to cover our events and a coordinator who may or may not be a shutterbug; contact John Yoder. The Medication Disposal next events will be on February 24, May 19, Aug 25, and November 24 from 1-3 pm in Cross Creek and Fireside Lobbies. The resident run Cancer Support Group, led by Ann MacKay, will meet Jan. 6th at 2PM in CTS Classroom 116. There is an Ellic class on January 7, at 10 AM, on the Benefits of Low Vision Occupational Therapy, presented by Michelle Bianchi, Lead Low Vision Occupational Therapist at GBMC. RIP Bob Socher, Ellic leader and supporter.
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy New Year!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee