Five Residents Celebrate their 100+ Birthdays at Pines

Five residents of Pines of Sarasota celebrate their centennial and post-centennial birthdays this April:

Lauretta Antonucci, who has been at Pines for almost 4 years, celebrated her 100^th birthday at the beginning of this month. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Lauretta is the proud matriarch of a large and loving Italian family.

Valia Tomsons came to the U.S. from Latvia in Russia, and turned 104 in early April. Her experiences during the depression and wars are forever documented as her daughter, a published author, sought inspiration from her mother’s stories for many of her works. In “Battered Heart” she describes her mother as “a supreme survivor who has taught me how to live with a joy that embraces a profound knowledge of pain”. Valia still smiles and enjoys life at 104.

Emergency Responder Seminar at Pines to support those that “Serve and Protect”

Sarasota, FL - A recent altercation between a police officer and a 66-year old man with dementia in Melbourne, FL, has left communities in shock. The officer stated he acted in self-defense, thinking he was going to be attacked by the gentleman.

“Not being able to recognize symptoms of dementia and knowing how to interact with a person with the disease easily leads to misunderstandings that could be considered a threat by an unknowing police officer,” JoAnn Westbrook, Director of Education at the geriatric-oriented Pines Education Institute of S.W. explains.

President of Florida Orthopedic Society to give lecture at Pines

Sarasota, Fl - Pines Education Institute of S.W. Florida will host a seminar by Dr. Adam Bright, president of the Florida Orthopedic Society and partner at Schofield, Hand & Bright Orthopaedics, LLC, on Thursday, February 23^rd from 4-5pm.

The seminar on “New Advances in Treatment of Arthritis of the Hip and Knee” will offer attendees insight into the benefits of rehab before and after surgery, different options and treatments, and offer an opportunity to bring questions for Dr. Bright to answer.

For more information and complimentary registration please visit www.arthritis.eventbrite.com or call the Pines Education Institute at (941) 365-0250, Ext.1114.

2012 Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiver Conference at Pines

Sarasota, Florida – Pines Education Institute of S.W. Florida, the education department of the not-for-profit Pines of Sarasota, announces this year’s Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiver Conference.

Scheduled for March 19-21, 2012, this series of seminars addresses the ever-growing need for hands-on caregiver training.

Key note presenter and nationally renowned Dementia Caregiving Expert Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, will teach attendees techniques to ease dental care. Another seminar will give tips and advice on how to handle end of life care.

Pines of Sarasota Board of Directors Elects New Officers

Sarasota - Pines of Sarasota announces the election results of its recent Board of Directors annual meeting: 

George Manser, who joined the Pines Board in 2008, was elected to serve as the new Chairman. In a recent interview Mr. Manser stressed the reasons for his continued support of Pines: “Sarasota has many great institutions, and they’re all deserving of support. But in my mind, the Pines is a higher priority. We change lives here. These folks save lives. They work diligently, whether it is in the Assisted Living facility, the nursing facility, or the Alzheimer’s unit – they make a difference to people. And that is truly meaningful.”

Pines of Sarasota Foundation Board of Trustees Elects New Officers

Sarasota - Pines of Sarasota Foundation announces the election results of its recent Board of Trustees annual meeting:

Michael R. Pender Jr., Partner and Certified Public Accountant of Cavanaugh & CO, LLP, was elected to serve as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The new Chairman commented: “Pines of Sarasota is known for superior senior care in our community.  I am privileged to chair its fundraising arm, the Pines Foundation.  Our foundation is successfully funding enhanced resident care and upgraded facilities.  My late partner and friend, Gerry Cavanaugh, served on the Pines board for years.  I and my company are committed to following in Gerry’s footsteps.”

New Approach to Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiving Reaches Global Audiences

A new approach to Alzheimer’s/Dementia caregiving, focused on a patient’s perception of his/her surroundings, is impacting audiences worldwide. Nationally renowned Dementia Care Specialist Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, and the non-profit Pines Education Institute of S.W. Florida collaborated to produce a series of five highly useful, hands-on caregiver training DVDs. Recent sales to countries like Canada, Australia, England, Germany, and Finland, in part to due to video excerpts on the Pines' YouTube channel, speak to the necessity of instantly useful information for caregivers.

Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s “Wit & Wisdom of Aging” Luncheon raises record number

Sarasota – Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s recent Wit & Wisdom of Aging luncheon raised over $163,000, more than double of last year’s luncheon’s proceeds.

An anonymous donor, brought forth by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, challenged the Pines Foundation Team to raise $10,000 the day of the luncheon. If successful, the generous donor promised to add $20,000 to the fundraiser’s total.

Couple donates $1 million to Pines of Sarasota

Sarasota - The Pines of Sarasota intends to extend a big thank you Friday to a local couple who has given its foundation $1 million — the largest donation it has ever received from private individuals.

The $1 million contribution from George Manser, who joined the board in 2008 and serves as vice chairman, and his wife, Jeanne, will add a 4,000-square-foot building to The Pines' therapy facilities for the 660 inpatients and outpatients treated there annually.

Read full Herald Tribune article

Pines of Sarasota Foundation announces annual Wit & Wisdom Benefit Luncheon

Sarasota, Florida – October 25, 2011 – Pines of Sarasota Foundation announces the 2011 Wit & Wisdom Benefit Luncheon, to be held on November 2, 2011, at Michael’s On East.

Diane McFarlin, President and Publisher of the Herald Tribune Media Group, will moderate an engaging panel discussion on the wit and wisdom of aging. Hon. Durand Adams, retired judge and award winning film maker, Ginny Daly, media and marketing consultant, writer and one time Clairol model, as well as 9-time Stanley Cup Winner Scotty Bowman will share stories and experiences of their life journeys.

South Sarasota Kiwanis Club gifts 92 bathrobes to Pines of Sarasota residents

Sarasota, Florida – September 1, 2011 – Members of the South Sarasota Kiwanis Club visited Pines of Sarasota on Tuesday to gift 92 bathrobes to residents. This marks their second donation of robes to residents in Pines’ Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities.

The brand-new cotton robes, gift wrapped by Kiwanis members with materials donated by Bealls Department Store, brought smiles to their recipients. The robes will keep residents warm and comfortable during evening and bath times.

FHCA Recognizes Rosemary Carbonelli of Pines of Sarasota ALF as 2011 ALF Administrator of the Year

Tallahassee, FL - More than 600 long term care professionals from across Florida were on hand to applaud Rosemary Carbonelli, administrator of Pines of Sarasota ALF, as she was honored by the Florida Health Care Association as the 2011 Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year.

The award was presented by FHCA Mulitifacility VP Marilyn Wood during the Association’s Annual Conference in Orlando and is the pinnacle of recognition for assisted living facility administrators in Florida’s long term care profession.

Read full FHCA article

Jane and Bob Waechter give $25,000 to Pines of Sarasota

Jane and Bob Waechter have gifted $25,000 to Pines of Sarasota. This generous donation, made through the ”Enterprise Zone”, will support the renovation of the Pines entry way and facilities.

The Waechters have a long-standing relationship with Pines from the time Bob Waechter’s mother, a long-term volunteer, became a resident at Pines. Bob Waechter has served as board chair, and the family continues to entrust Pines with the care of loved ones. Their support and belief in the organization has helped provide excellent, dedicated care for many local seniors.

Read full article

Grant to Pines by Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice

Pines of Sarasota received a grant of $30,000 from Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. This funding will support online marketing efforts of media tools for professionals and family members caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Pines Education Institute of Southwest Florida, the educational department within Pines, offers a variety of informational and hands-on training DVDs to provide caregivers with effective tools and knowledge to ease daily caregiving tasks and increase quality of life for patients.

Pines of Sarasota Honors Volunteers

Sarasota, Florida – April 12, 2011 – Volunteers of all ages gathered Tuesday to be honored for their invaluable services and contributions in 2010 at Pines of Sarasota. Active in almost all of Pines’ departments, particularly in resident activities and the Fabulous Finds thrift stores, the group put in an astonishing total of over 18,200 hours this past year. 

Each attendee received a Pines Volunteer lapel pin upon entering the resplendently decorated Cullers Hall. Flowers graced the tables as guests mingled and dined, accompanied by live jazz piano tunes from noted pianist Steve McCoy.