We are a vibrant community, always brimming with activity and achievement. Please visit us here regularly to learn about upcoming events and developments at the Mercy Community.
Kuhlor Named Vice President of National Nursing Administrators Association (PDF)
The Mercy Community is proud to announce that the Board of Directors of the National Association for Directors of Nursing Administration Long Term Care (NADONA/LTC) has appointed Aysha Kuhlor, Director of Nursing/Clinical Services at Saint Mary Home, Vice President.
Saint Mary Home Consulting Pulmonologist Dr. John W. Rodgers Appears on NBC30 January 19
The Mercy Community Signs Partnership with Trinity College (PDF)
Trinity College in Hartford to offer classes to Residents through ‘The Academy of Lifelong Learning’
Saint Mary Home Attending Physician Dr. Barrak Receives “Physician of the Year” Honors
William J. Fiocchetta, left, President and CEO of The Mercy Community, Dr. Bechara J. Barrak, center, and Patricia Hamill, administrator of Saint Mary Home.On Wednesday, January 11, Dr. Bechara J. Barrak of Avon was presented with the inaugural “Saint Mary Home Physician of the Year” award for 2011. The award was given as a surprise to Dr. Barrak by Saint Mary Home’s Medical Director, Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires, with input from the clinical team. According to Dr. Gil-Pires, Dr. Barrak was selected for this honor based on his “compassion, dedication, service to the community, responsiveness and ability to interact successfully with colleagues.”
Dr. Barrak has been an attending physician at Saint Mary Home, part of The Mercy Community, in West Hartford, for more than 10 years. He is also a doctor of internal medicine with Saint Francis Care in Hartford through Collins Medical Associates. A Board-certified physician, Dr. Barrak received his medical degree from Saint Joseph University. He completed his residency at University of Connecticut School of Medicine from 1990 to 1993.
“We are very fortunate to work with a physician of Dr. Barrak’s calibre,” said Aysha Kuhlor, director of nursing and clinical services at Saint Mary Home. “He is attentive to our residents and their families, and very collaborative with our nursing and therapy teams as well.”
Holiday Wishes
On behalf of all of us on the Board of Trustees of The Mercy Community and at The McAuley and Saint Mary Home, I wish you and those you love a Christmas rich with blessings and a new year that brings peace, joy, and good health.
Sincerely yours,
William J. Fiocchetta
President and Chief Executive Officer,
The Mercy Community
The Mercy Community Remembers, Recognizes Homeless on Longest Night of the Year
On December 21 — well-known as the first day of winter and longest night of the year — The Mercy Community joined with organizations and spiritual communities around the United States in commemorating National Homeless Persons Memorial Day. Father Norman Brockett, chaplain for The Mercy Community, led an interfaith prayer service in the Archbishop John F. Whealon Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy. “Even in today’s society,” Father Norman said, “there are still people living on the streets. We are here to become more aware about homelessness and its severity. As we begin this celebration, let us focus our attention on the readings, reflections and music chosen as we pray together as a community of believers.” David Dyson of West Hartford performed on the violin and piano during the service.
In concluding the prayer service, Father Norman anointed the winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, hygiene products, stationery, games, and warm clothing collected by residents of The McAuley and Saint Mary Home between November 28 and December 21. The blessed items were then distributed to Mart’s House, Mercy Housing & Shelter and Marshall House in Hartford before Christmas. “Each Advent season, we invite our residents, clients, colleagues and visitors to donate these goods to those in our community who are less fortunate,” explained William J. Fiocchetta, president and chief executive officer of The Mercy Community. “As part of our Mercy Giving Tree Program, we make collection baskets available at each entrance to Saint Mary Home and our McAuley ‘A’ Building. Despite the fact that so many of our own families and residents are struggling in these economic times, we receive more generous donations every single year. We were overwhelmed by the support we received this season, and are very proud to be able to give so much to some of our region’s most needy shelters and transitional homes.”
Saint Mary Home Presents December 1 Community Roundtable: Issues in Aging
Saint Mary Home will introduce the newest members of its team and the newest initiatives in its spectrum of senior health care services with a Community Roundtable to be held in its Auditorium at 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. “I am very proud to have the local community get to know who we are and get to know all the ways we can serve our clients and residents,” said William J. Fiocchetta, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Mercy Community.
Among those Mr. Fiocchetta will introduce are The Mercy Community’s new Medical Director, Elisa Gil-Pires, M.D., and Saint Mary Home’s new Consulting Pulmonologist, John W. Rodgers, M.D. “Both Dr. Gil-Pires and Dr. Rodgers come to us with an impressive breadth of experience in geriatric care, which brings so much value to those entrusted to our care,” Fiocchetta said. Dr. Gil-Pires is the newly appointed Section Chief of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care at Hartford’s Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. She recently served as an attending physician in geriatrics at the Connecticut Geriatric Specialty Group, P.C./Hebrew Health Care in West Hartford and was Chair of the Department of Education and Director for Interns and Residents at Hebrew Health Care. Dr. Rodgers is a board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary medicine at Prime Healthcare, where he served as President from 1979-1998. Dr. Rodgers also serves as a Medical Consultant for United Healthcare and a Physician Consultant for Metropolitan Life Insurance; he holds active hospital appointments at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Hartford Hospital.
Patricia Hamill, administrator for Saint Mary Home; Aysha Kuhlor, its director of clinical services; and Eileen Cleary, director for dementia education and programming will also address topics related to aging and skilled care.
Refreshments will be served. To register in advance or for more information, please contact Christine M. Looby, director of community relations for The Mercy Community, at 860.570.8305 or clooby@mchct.org. Walk-ins will be welcome to attend this free program.
The Mercy Community Welcomes Patty Cook, RSM for “A Good Cup of Tea”
Please join us Friday, November 11 at 3:00 p.m. in the Saint Mary Home Auditorium for Sister Patty Cook’s presentation on Catherine McAuley and the Mercy ministries. This event will commemorate the 170th anniversary of the death of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy and is free and open to the public.
The Mercy Community to Host November 13 Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
To mark National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November, The Mercy Community will hold an inspirational candle lighting ceremony on Sunday, November 13, 2011. The community event is part of the 9th annual National Commemorative Candle Lighting sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).
The Mercy Community will hold its ceremony at Saint Mary Home’s Archbishop John F. Whealon Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy, 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford beginning at 10:00 a.m.. The Candle Lighting Ceremony will be incorporated into a special Liturgical Celebration of the lives of all members of the Mercy Community who have died since January 1, 2011.
“This November, our Mass of Remembrance falls on the same date as our annual commemorative Candle Lighting event. We have invited members of our own community to be with us to remember loved ones they have lost recently, but we also invite those members of the wider community who wish to honor those presently affected by Alzheimer’s Disease or those who have lost their struggle with this debilitating condition to join us. All are certainly welcome,” said The Mercy Community’s President and Chief Executive Officer, William J. Fiocchetta.
National Commemorative Candle Lighting is one of AFA’s ongoing national initiatives to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. Eric J. Hall, AFA’s president and chief executive officer, said the event has gained ground each year since AFA introduced it in 2003. “Unfortunately, this is a sign of the times. As our population ages, more and more Americans know a loved one, a friend, a neighbor or other community member with Alzheimer’s disease,” Hall said. “The disease takes an enormous emotional toll on families so events like this that let them know they are surrounded by love and care are extremely meaningful.”
Hundreds of other organizations across the country will similarly light “candles of care” on the same day or throughout the month. AFA also invites the public to light virtual candles and record the names of loved ones in the Book of Remembrance on AFA’s National Commemorative Candle Lighting Web site, www.candlelighting.org.
Alzheimer’s disease, which results in loss of memory and other intellectual functions, is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It affects as many as 5.1 million Americans and its incidence is escalating in line with a growing older population, including baby boomers who began turning 65 this year. Advanced age is the biggest known risk factor for the brain disorder.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, based in New York, is a leading national non-profit organization that unites more than 1,600 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a toll-free hot line, educational materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers and professional training. For more information about AFA and its November events, call toll-free 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
The Mercy Community to Offer Free Memory Screenings
The Mercy Community is encouraging residents of greater Hartford to be proactive about memory health by taking advantage of free, confidential memory screenings and information about successful aging on November 15, 2011. The event is part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative that the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) holds each November during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. More than 2000 sites across the country will be participating.
The Mercy Community will provide the memory screenings at The McAuley, 275 Steele Road, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity must schedule an appointment within that time frame by calling Eileen Cleary, director of dementia education and programming, by calling 860.570.8335.
“By providing a secure Alzheimer’s/Dementia Special Care Community at Saint Mary Home, memory care for our residents there and at The McAuley, and monthly support group meetings for family caregivers, we demonstrate our daily commitment to those afflicted with and affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Participating in the National Memory Screening Day is just one more way that we can bring awareness to these diseases and be of service to the local population beyond our own residents and clients,” said William J. Fiocchetta, president and CEO of The Mercy Community.
Qualified healthcare professionals administer the screenings, which consist of a series of questions and tasks and take between five and 10 minutes. Screening results are not a diagnosis; individuals with below-normal scores or who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam.
Some memory problems can be readily treated, including those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, like Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat one of these conditions.
Eric J. Hall, president of AFA, said the continuing growth of National Memory Screening Day reinforces the need for this service. “Community memory screenings are a vital resource to begin a dialogue with a healthcare professional and to learn more about brain health. They prompt critical next steps,” he said.
AFA encourages anyone concerned about memory changes, at risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to family history or who wants to check their memory now for future comparison to get screened. Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion over daily routines, and erratic mood swings.
Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The incidence is rising in line with the swell of aging baby boomers. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years beyond age 65.
For more information about National Memory Screening Day, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org or call 866.AFA.8484.
The Mercy Community Celebrates National Pastoral Care Week
The Pastoral Care Team at Saint Mary Home and The McAuley share just a few of the reasons why they love their work with residents and clients who represent a broad spectrum of spiritual and religious beliefs. We share their perspectives as a means of celebrating National Pastoral Care Week, October 23-29, 2011.
Mercy Community to Raise Awareness on Alzheimer's Disease at October 1 & 2 Event in Hartford
As a part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, The Mercy Community, which offers an integrated continuum of care and services for seniors, will be presenting the inflatable interactive medical exhibit, MEGA Brain® at this year’s NBC Connecticut Health & Wellness Festival. This will be the first time the nearly 20-foot-long, walk-through human brain replica has been exhibited in Connecticut.
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are conditions that increase loss of brain function which gradually get worse over time. The conditions affect memory, thinking, language and behavior, and are more and more prevalent in seniors. The cause of Alzheimer’s and Dementia is not entirely known, but it is thought to include both genetic and environmental factors.
The 2011 NBC Connecticut Health & Wellness Festival will be held October 1-2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Downtown Hartford. The event, which is sponsored in part by The Mercy Community, will feature interactive exhibits, free health screenings, tests, products and services, and a chance to receive information from community health organizations from around the state.
For more information about The Mercy Community, or about our residential Alzheimer’s & Dementia Special Care Community, please contact Christine M. Looby, Director of Community Relations, at 860.570.8305.
To learn more about the Health & Wellness Festival, visit http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/about-us/Health-Wellness-Festival.html.
Mercy Week Begins September 19
The Mercy Community will celebrate its founders and sponsors, The Sisters of Mercy, with a weeklong series of events at The McAuley and Saint Mary Home. All are welcome to attend:
Monday, September 19
- 2:30 p.m. Callaghan Conference Room, Saint Mary Home
Sister Ellen Flynn from the Pastoral Care Team at Saint Mary Home will share highlights from her years of service in Haiti.
Tuesday, September 20
- 2:30 p.m. Callaghan Conference Room, Saint Mary Home
Sister Dolores Liptak, historian and archivist for Connecticut’s Sisters of Mercy, will share the story of the religious women who founded Saint Mary Home in 1880.
Wednesday, September 21
- 2:00 p.m. Callaghan Conference Room, Saint Mary Home
“Exploring the Mass” Father Norman Brockett, Chaplain at Saint Mary Home, will present the first of five sessions on the New Roman Missal
- 4:00 p.m. The McAuley Auditorium
Sister Dolores Liptak, historian and archivist for Connecticut’s Sisters of Mercy, will share the story of Sister Frances Warde, tracing her path from Ireland to the United States. The Frances Warde Towers Apartments at Saint Mary Home are named for this Mercy pioneer.
- 6:45 p.m. Saint Mary Home Auditorium
“Irish to the Last Drop” Sit back, relax, and join in a musical rendition of popular American and Irish ballads. Local quartet “Irish to the Last Drop” are back by popular demand!
Thursday, September 22
- 6:45 p.m. Saint Mary Home Auditorium
Enjoy an always-delightful performance by step dancers from the Griffith Academy of Irish dance.
Saturday, September 24
- 10:00 a.m. The Archbishop John F. Whealon Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy, Saint Mary Home
Join us for a Liturgy honoring the many gifts bestowed on The Mercy Community and communities around the globe by the Sisters of Mercy.
For more information, please contact Christine M. Looby, director of community relations, at 860.570.8305 or clooby@mchct.org.
Saint Mary Home is located at 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford; The McAuley is located at 275 Steele Road in West Hartford.
The Mercy Community’s Living Library Project Featured on ‘Better Connecticut’
WFSB TV Reporter Olessa Stepanova visited The McAuley to learn from Mercy Community President and CEO William J. Fiocchetta and resident Betty DeNoyon about the Living Library Project.
View the current selections in the Living Library.
The Mercy Community Tackles Topic of Children, Teens & Alzheimer’s Disease on July 28
West Hartford, Conn. – (July 07, 2011) — Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Qualified Dementia Care Specialist Eileen Cleary, RN, CRRN, MA, NHA will address common reactions and feelings of children and teens dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia in a presentation at Saint Mary Home Thursday, July 28. Cleary, director of dementia education and programming at Saint Mary Home, will facilitate “Children and Teens Enrich the Lives of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease” at 4:30 p.m. in the Center 1 Dining Room. The event is free and open to the public.
This one-hour discussion is a special session of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregiver Support Group: an ongoing initiative of The Mercy Community. In addition to showing segments from The HBO Series THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT film “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” with Maria Shriver, Cleary will share testimonials from children and teens who have experienced what it means to be a child or grandchild of a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease. As always, she will share suggested strategies and resources with family caregivers.
Because refreshments are served, advance registration is requested. To register or learn more about this event, call Eileen Cleary at 860.570.8335 or e-mail her at ecleary.smh@mchct.org. Walk-ins will be welcomed.
Howard Baldwin Named 2011 Circle of Mercy Golf Outing Honorary Chairman
The Mercy Community Announces New Partnership with CT Whale’s Howard Baldwin
West Hartford, Conn. – (March 30, 2011) — The Mercy Community, which offers an integrated continuum of care and services for seniors, is pleased to announce Connecticut Whale Chairman and CEO Howard Baldwin as the 2011 Circle of Mercy Golf Outing Honorary Chairman. The Circle of Mercy Golf Outing, now in its eleventh year, is The Mercy Community’s annual charity tournament benefitting the people it serves and the programs that it delivers.
A West Hartford resident and Connecticut mainstay, Howard Baldwin has always shared a passion for the community and sports. In 1979 Baldwin was the man behind bringing the WHA’s New England Whalers to a merger deal with the NHL, thus creating the Hartford Whalers. Baldwin has been the driving force behind professional hockey in Connecticut for more than 30 years. During his time at the helm of the Whalers, Baldwin spearheaded one of the most successful community relations programs in professional sports. He established the Whalers Foundation for Giving and a Whalers Teaching Chair in Pediatric Oncology at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
The ‘Whale’ and Whalers namesake, colors, and logo had been absent from Connecticut since the team left Hartford in 1997. In 2010, Baldwin announced that he would take control of the marketing and business operations of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack franchise, the top affiliate of the New York Rangers. In 2010, the name was changed to the Connecticut Whale, to pay homage to the great hockey history and tradition that exists here in Connecticut. Today, Mr. Baldwin’s commitment to the community still holds as true as it did more than 30 years ago.
“I’m so excited to be partnering with an organization like The Mercy Community. The work that the folks at Mercy do each and every day with the residents and clients there is simply remarkable. The compassion they show for every individual that they touch is inspiring, and something that the Connecticut Whale and I want to be a part of for a long time to come,” said Baldwin.
“The commitment of Howard Baldwin to serve as the Circle of Mercy Golf Outing Honorary Chairman exemplifies the mark of a truly great man, and a great Connecticut organization that shares our values of bettering the community,” said Mercy Community President and CEO, William J. Fiocchetta. “Howard is an outstanding person, and we couldn’t be happier that he is involved in our charity tournament.” says Fiocchetta.
The tournament, which is a scramble format, will be held Monday, June 13, 2011 at The Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford. Registration for the event is $275.00 per individual golfer and $1,100 per foursome. The day of golf will also include a buffet lunch, cocktail hour, dinner, awards, and a silent auction. The Circle of Mercy Golf Outing is a JetBlue Challenge Tournament, awarding vacation packages and other fabulous prizes.
Sponsorships, at a variety of levels, are also still available for organizations that wish to support the residents, clients and programs of The Mercy Community. Sodexo Senior Living will serve as Title Sponsor for the third consecutive year.
For more information about The Mercy Community, The McAuley, Saint Mary Home, or the 2011 Circle of Mercy Golf Outing, please call Christine M. Looby, director of community relations, at 860.570.8305 or visit www.themercycommunity.org.
“Spotlight” Shines on the Mercy Community
In recent months, the Mercy Community has twice been featured on the NBC30 “Connecticut Spotlight” segment of their 10:00 a.m. news broadcast. In October, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen T. Surprenant discussed the benefits of living in a retirement community, giving a comprehensive description of The McAuley’s programs and services. On December 21, President and Chief Executive Officer William J. Fiocchetta appeared on “Connecticut Spotlight” to share the ways Mercy Community colleagues, residents and clients reach out to the economically disadvantaged in greater Hartford. He described the Mercy Giving Tree program – The McAuley’s and Saint Mary Home’s annual collection of warm winter clothing, hygiene products, stationery and other items – and how it culminates in the blessing of items at the interfaith prayer service held on the first day of winter and longest night of the year.
New Year Brings New Support to Family Caregivers
During the month of January, 2011, the Mercy Community will offer three distinct opportunities for family members caring for a loved one afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia. On Tuesday, January 11, spouses are welcome to attend the first caregiver support group of the new year. The session will take place in the Fitzgerald Unit Café at Saint Mary Home, 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
All family caregivers are welcome to attend the Thursday, January 13 support group meeting, which will take place in Saint Mary Home’s Center 1 Dining Room from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Whether you wish to share your story or simply listen for helpful hints and resources, you are welcome to join us.
In addition, AFA Qualified Dementia Care Specialist Eileen Cleary, RN will present “Demystifying Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” on January 27, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in the Center 1 Dining Room. This event –like each of the support group meetings—is free and open to the public.
Those who wish to attend any of the three events are encouraged to call in advance so that we may offer enough refreshments for all. Please contact Eileen Cleary, director for dementia education and programming, at 860.570.8335 or ecleary.smh@mchct.org.