Last Updated on October 26, 2024
Below is the list of reoccurring topics of interest I have taken the responsibility to maintain and update periodically or when timely. Some I submit after sending them to Managers to alter or add before re-submitting them to reappear on our website. Other topics I glean from minutes and reports from Committees. This complete report can be found on our website under News.
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 now GS Comment Forms on ME to report on your service call from GS. New Amazon Delivery Tips, suggested by GS, are listed under News on our website and the new Campus Delivery Map has been added to Campus Maps. Return your carts!
2. Recurring Opportunities for Voicing Concerns are listed on our website under Campus Info>Getting Things Done and Getting Started. 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, October, 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 League of Women’s Voters Voting Guide is posted for handy use. Updated Bingo info is listed under Card and Game. The Continuing Care Newsletter for October is under News. Learn how to join the re-named “charlestown-resident-hub@googlegroups.com” under News. 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. The ELLIC Fall Catalog is available on the website under Education. The next Tech Bar is Tuesday, 12/3 from 10 to Noon at the Chesapeake Restaurant.
5. Benevolent Care Fund: The Philanthropy Team welcomed Casey Bassler in time to assist in Benevolent Care Month, which brought in $240,162 in donations from 38% of residents. Residents can leave a legacy at Charlestown by designating the BCF in their 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 Treasure Sale brought in $48,141, a new October record, kudos to all our volunteers! 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 Treasure Stores will begin to reopen next weekend and the donation pickup line will reopen 10/28. The Committee will brainstorm new ideas to replace the Scoop of the Month events. Anyone interested in joining this committee should reach out to Virginia Antevil, the new Chair, to attend a meeting.
6. Resident Life & Community Resources: The Fall Fun Festival was a huge success, thank you to CR and our resident volunteers for their hard work. Next up is the Holiday Craft Fair on Nov. 15, in the Conference Center from 2-5 PM, and they are seeking resident artists and crafters; reach out to Amber Parks to register. Volunteers also remain needed in CC to share their talents for CC activities and card players, with Alli looking for prize donations for CC Bingo. Register with Allison to be a volunteer to help decorate Christmas trees this holiday season!
Resident Life: Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents and can use more volunteers as Hosts, the next is Monday, Nov. 4. Merci seeks residents to be identified who would welcome the Low Vision Reading Brigade service. The Tapestry Program will continue this fall, with events on Nov. 20 and Dec. 6 at the Chesapeake, both from 10 -11:30 AM. Audrey Trapp will be resigning at the end of the year, but John Remias will join Moffet Churn as Co-chair. Thank you for your service, Audrey. The Low Vision Physical Environment Action Group is pursuing various improvements throughout the Campus. A Low Vision Devices demonstration by a VA rep will be conducted in the Auditorium, from 10-Noon, on Mon., 10/28, and all are welcome. Thanks to the League of Women Voters of Baltimore County, all Front Desks have voter mail-in ballot forms and copies of The Voter Guide.
7. Medical Center: 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. If your Primary Doctor is at the Medical Center, you may receive a Medicare Press Ganey Medical Center Survey—which is random. Please take the survey if you are chosen. Dean thanks us for all the positive comments in support of the Medical Center on all surveys. Of the 14000 visits since Jan. 1, roughly 30% of all Medical Center visits are same-day appointments but call ahead earlier in the day than later.
8. The Move-out Process at the End of Life helpful article has been updated on our website in the Blog area and was posted 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.
Housekeeping: Sales are finished for the year. Home Care info is listed on our website, describing their services under Health/Fitness.
Extras: Applause to Sales for their efforts to lower the available apartments to 24 presently. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. The Film Library seeks projectionists for some Saturdays @ 7 pm and will provide training, contact Phil Benzil. The next Medication Disposal Day is 11/18, 1-3 PM at the Fireside and Cross Creek. Voters’ Guides are at the front desks now. We can meet all our elected officials on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 pm in the Auditorium. Weinkam & Weinkam, PA will provide Notary Services on the first and third Mondays of each month; Contact Emily Fowler at x601-3527 to make an appointment. Scholars’ Chair Mel Milio is looking for residents interested in being paired with a Scholar applicant in January for the Scholars’ Committee’s Coaches’ Program that began last year; Look for her article in the Nov. Sunburst for more info. Archives need photographers for our events, plus a coordinator who doesn’t have to be a shutterbug; contact John Yoder.
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee
PLEASE open your wallets to donate to the Staff Appreciation Campaign. The longer I reside here, the more meaningful encounters I have with these special people who help and serve us daily.