Merrill Gardens at First Hill: 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Check out our December 2015 Calendars here! (Click Link Below)

http://www.merrillgardens.com/p/senior_living/events_5385/seattle-wa-98101/merrill-gardens-at-first-hill-5385

Monday, November 30, 2015

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Friday, October 2, 2015

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Tommy's Quick Notes

TEAM Member Updates

Mark Ibsen - Community Relations Director

I’d like to welcome our new Community Relations Director, Mark Ibsen. Mark brings a long history of experience to First Hill. He hit the ground running on September 14^th. If you get a chance, stop by the Marketing Office and say hello. Mark’s email is address is MarkI@merrillgardens.com.

Lisa Strube-Kilgore is leaving us for a new position that will advance her career. Lisa has been with us for over six years. We will all miss her organization, smile, and utmost professionalism. Thank you, Lisa!

Shelli Aquino has also accepted a new position. She has left our reception desk to seek greater challenges. We will miss you, Shelli.

Grace Baluso, LPN - Garden House Supervisor

We are pleased to welcome Grace to our TEAM, as she brings years of memory care and assisted living experience. Grace’s email address is GraceB@merrillgardens.com.

Dr. Smith Visits

Dr. Smith will be here October 3^rd, November 14^th, and December 5^th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you are one of his patients, please schedule a visit with the nursing office.

Flu Clinic

Our annual flu clinic will be held Oct. 7^th. Please see the front desk if you need to fill out paperwork or have questions. The clinic is open to the public, staff, residents, families. Please see the front desk for the necessary forms.

Podiatrist

The next visit from Dr. Bacerdo, out community podiatrist, will be on Wednesday, November 11^th. If you are a new patient and would like to be seen by the doctor at that time, please make sure to fill out the new patient paperwork, available at the front desk.

Town Hall Meeting

Our first Town Hall meeting will be on October 15^th at 6:30 p.m. All residents and families are invited. This is your chance to meet and greet new staff, get updates on future plan, ask questions and share ideas.

Elevator Floor

The elevator carpet will be removed and flooring will be replaced. Please look for flyers and scheduled dates and times.

Carpet-to-floor transition strips

We are improving the carpet to floor transition strips to the dining room, the lobby area and the activity area. Be patient as we improve the overall appearance and safety of your community.

Welcome New Residents!

John Calhoun

Rudy and Ester Barizo

Kay Sarich

Constance Gillispie

Front Desk Reception

We are seeking a new receptionist for the front desk reception. As we go through this process there may be temporary staff at the front desk; please be patient. The front desk will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. going forward.

If there are any questions please see me, call (206) 624-7637, or email me at TommyT@merrillgardens.com.

Bus Announcement

October's Active Living Calendar

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October's Garden House Calendar

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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Good Friends, Great Neighbors!

Dear Friends and Families,

Making new friends is great. Living near your old friends is even better!

If you’re enjoying Merrill Gardens at First Hill, why not invite your friends to share your good fortune?

If you provide us a friend’s name who could use some information on our community you will get a $25 gift certificate to your favorite store! If your friend moves to Merrill Gardens, additionally, you’ll get a rental bonus of $500!

We will provide gift certificates and bonuses to you if your family member refers someone as well!

Contact the front desk, Mark Ibsen or Tommy Tomlinson with your friend’s information today!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Flu Shot Clinic at First Hill

Friday, September 11, 2015

Community Update from Tommy

September 11^th, 2015

To: Residents and Families of Merrill Gardens at First Hill

From: Tommy Tomlinson, CALA

General Manager

Merrill Gardens at First Hill

Hello,

I would like to introduce myself. I am your new General Manager, Tommy Tomlinson.

I come to Merrill Gardens at First Hill (MGFH) with over 20 years of experience in the senior care profession. I am a nationally accredited Assisted Living Administrator with a degree in Organization Management. I have worked for Merrill Gardens previously and also at First Hill when it was Faerland Terrace prior to 2010. I was really pleased to see staff and residents that have remained through the transitions over the years. It feels like home.

I realize change is hard on everyone and good communication is key to ensuring that any change is conveyed. I will put out periodic memos and have also scheduled a Town Hall Meeting for residents and families on October 15^th at 6:30 p.m. This will give us a time to chat and get to know each other. In the meantime please feel free to stop by my office, email me at tommyt@merrillgardens.com, or give me a call at (206) 624-7637. If you would like to meet with me privately, let me know and we can schedule a time. I look forward to getting to know all of you and am very excited to be home again.

Quick updates

Podiatrist Dr. Hoy has discontinued his services at First Hill. However, we are proud to announce a new partnership with podiatrist Franco M. Bacerdo, DPM, who will be providing services at our community going forward. Dr. Bacerdo has been serving the Lynnwood and Fremont areas for over 20 years. He is a familiar face at many of our Merrill Gardens communities and we are pleased to have him join us at First Hill. Podiatrist appointments are available starting at 9:00 a.m., and he accepts many types of insurance. Please contact the front desk for more information, to sign up for appointments, and to obtain new patient paperwork for Dr. Bacerdo.

During our most recent Resident Council meeting the residents stated that their number one concern was laundry. With that as a goal I am looking to hire additional housekeeping staff and will assign a team member to assist with the laundry. I hope all will see an improvement soon. Please realize that our standard is to return laundry within 24 hours. If you don’t currently have a Merrill Gardens mesh bag please let us know and we will issue one to you.

Books of postage stamps will now be available for purchase at the front desk.

During my walk about the community I have noticed several apartment doors propped open. Please do not prop your apartment doors open. Propping apartment doors open is against fire regulations. Staff will close any door that is propped open after notifying you.

Unfortunately Craig Martin, our Community Relations Director, has left us to seek new opportunities. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

New team members

Our new front desk team member is Taite Montgomery. Taite comes to us with great experience in senior living, business and support. She will be at the front desk Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please stop by the front desk and introduce yourself.

Our new Assisted Living Supervisor is Rose David. She comes to us with a long history in senior care, and has been in the community over the past few weeks giving us temporary help. As of August 20^th she is permanently on staff in the Assisted Living Supervisor position. Rose will supervise and oversee all Assisted Living services staff.

We also have some wonderful new hires in our Lifestyle department! Leo Leone has joined our Active Living team as Assistant Active Living Director, and Danielle Bacque will be joining us in Garden House as our full-time Personal Pathways Coordinator.

Please welcome all of our new team members.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Pool Table Grand Opening Party!

Our residents welcomed the end of summer with a different kind of "pool party." This one celebrated our community's newest acquisition: a regulation size pool table for our 5^th floor Game Room! Chef Thomas showed off his skills - as well as a pool cue used in the movie "The Color of Money." We are looking forward to many years of great games!

Click here to view more full-size images!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

2015 PNW Walk to End Alzheimer's

The 2015 Pacific Northwest Walk to End Alzheimer’s was a resounding success, with over a quarter of a million dollars raised to fund Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Merrill Gardens alone raised over $2,000!

We are so proud to be leading the fight against Alzheimer’s!

September's Active Living Calendar

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September's Garden House Calendar

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Downsizing Seminar with Meg Pasquini

Join us at Merrill Gardens at First Hill for a downsizing seminar presented by Meg Pasquini of Before & After Personal Organizing. Meg will provide tips on how to make downsizing fun and how to go from cluttered to comfortable. Light refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited, so RSVP by August 24^th!

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Hawaiian Party Photos

A great big "Mahalo" to Makani E, who brought the spirit of the islands to our Hawaiian Party on August 4^th!

Click here to view many more full-size photos!

Kitchen Kudos

Our dining staff is amazing, and we're not the only ones who think so! Chef Thomas recently received the following e-mail from a resident commending his crew for their excellence:

Dear Chef Thomas, the birthday lunch was perfect. Christopher did a great job for us, with Carlo's help. The cake was spectacular - looked beautiful and tasted delicious. Thank you again for all you do to make the food service here the best it could be. You always come through for us.
Sincerely, Jeanne R.

We love celebrating our residents' milestones and special occasions, and we love working with such awesome team members!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Join us for a Hawaiian Party!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Merrill Gardens is Ending Alzheimer's - And You Can Help!

We are walking to help reclaim the future for millions. By participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's^®, we are committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

We need your support to do our part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.

Thank you for joining the movement! The end of Alzheimer's disease starts with US!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Bastyr University Seminar: “The Benefits of Acupuncture for Seniors”

Please join us for a fascinating free seminar entitled “The Benefits of Acupuncture for Seniors.” This event is presented by Dr. Skye Sturgeon, associate professor and chair of the Department of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine at Bastyr University, who will share information about the healing powers of acupuncture.

Space is very limited, so please act soon and call us at (206) 624-7637 to RSVP by Monday, August 17^th. We look forward to seeing you!