Last Updated on February 21, 2025
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 GS Comment Forms on ME to report on your service call from GS, and staff are handing out QR forms as they complete their tasks for easy usage. Please, please return wheelchairs and shopping carts to where they belong! There is a strong rumor that they may be able to be tracked to your apartment.
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, February, 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 Resident Life Assistant, Deanna Booker, at Ext. 601-8230.
4. ccicharlestown.org: The next Tech Bar is 2/26 at the Fireside from 10-2 PM. The IT Glossary has been updated. The Charlestown Continuing Care Monthly Newsletter for February has been posted. 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. Join us for the next Website Subcommittee meeting Monday, March 24, 2025 at 1 pm VIA Zoom! Contact Hope for the address.
5. BCF: The Treasure Sale was a huge success, bringing in $46,677.02, the 3rd highest ever! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped! 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 Treasure Sale will be May 8-10, 2025, and there is an ongoing litany of volunteer needs for many Treasure Sale tasks. Check the Sunburst for a list of TS volunteer opportunities. You can contact Casey Bassler in the Philanthropy Office for more information at 410-737-8892. The Pickup Line is open. The Treasure Chest and Ladies Boutique are now open, with the Pink Dot sale continuing into March. Treasures Unlimited is closed and will reopen when inventory is replenished. Anyone interested in joining the BCF committee should contact Virginia Antevil, the Chair, to attend a meeting. The next Memory Walk will be held on May 13, 2025, and memorial Bricks and Benches are available for purchase now. Contact the Philanthropy Office for more information.
6. Community Resources: Is planning a Spring Arts and Crafts Sale on 3/28. 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.
Resident Life: Marie Skane leads the monthly Dine Together Program for new residents and wishes to thank the staff at the Shortline, along with Brittany, for their excellent support for the program. The next Dinner is Monday, Mar. 3. The Tapestry Program will continue in 2025 with events on March 25th & April 1st. Merci seeks residents to be identified who would welcome the Low Vision Reading Brigade service. The Low Vision Group is sponsoring a presentation by the Hadley School for the Blind in the Gallery on March 20 at 10 AM, focusing on tapes and other audio visuals available.
7. Medical Center: Stay healthy by washing hands—keep others healthy by not going out if sick. Call the medical center if not feeling well. 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 an Electronics Recycling Day in April 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. The Preserving Independence presentation by Kristen Aybar on home safety, Home Safe Home, is on ME under Special Presentations.
Extras: Welcome to the CC new Assistant Administrator, Ryan Gorham, and Tynisha Mosley is the new Assistant Director of Nursing for Skilled Rehab and Long Term Care. Brittany is looking for backup Birthday Angels in all the buildings and volunteers to color birthday cards. Archives is looking for volunteers who are interested in history and/or preserving Charlestown history and photographers to cover our events and a coordinator who may or may not be a shutterbug; contact John Yoder. The Medication Disposal events are 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 on the 2nd Monday of each month, the next being March 10th at 2:45 PM in CTS Classroom 216 Breakout Room.
The Resident Council Nominating and Elections Committee is seeking nominees for our Residents’ Council for a three-year term to help navigate our continued way of life in our great Community. Please consider running for a seat at the table in the room where it happens!
Charlie Eichenlaub
Communications Committee