Let Us Help
The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) answers questions and counsels Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns.
Marcie Davis, Business Office Manager at Autumn Care of Saluda is a certified SHIIP Counselor. She is available to assist resident families, as well as seniors in the community, with insurance related matters.
Texas Hold'em Tournament
Winner
Congratulations to Jerry Skipper, the winner of Autumn Care of Saluda's first Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament!
As the tournament winner, Skipper wins dinner at a restaurant of his choice. "I tried to choose one in California," Skipper said, "but they say there was fine print in the rules preventing that." Instead, Skipper will be heading off to a steak dinner at the Lone Star in Asheville.
Sweetheart Luncheon
The dining room was packed "to the gills" on Monday, February 14th for Autumn Care of Saluda's annual Sweetheart Luncheon.  Over 50 family members shared lunch with their loved ones, enjoying a special menu while surrounded by hearts and roses in multiple shades of red and pink.
The menu for the event included Rib eye Steak, Baked Potato, Salad and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. Following lunch, residents and their sweethearts could have pictures made in the "love nest" set up by the Activities Department.
 Thanks to the Dietary and Activities Departments for making Valentine's Day extra special for everyone this year.
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Autumn March Madness
As if Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's day weren't enough to celebrate in March, it's time for our annual Autumn March Madness Basketball Tournament!
The Team Draft Period will run from March 2-9th. Team must be composed of one staff member and two residents. Teams should register their members and team name with the Activities Department.
Pre-Tournament practice sessions will take place from March 10-18th.
Teams should schedule their practice time with the Activities Department. "Pick-up Games" are encouraged during this period.
Tournament games will take place beginning March 21st. Games will be scheduled according to the needs of the team captains.
The Tournament Final Four will play on Monday, March 28th at 2:00 pm. The Finals will take place on Tuesday, March 29th at 2:00 pm. "The big question this year is can Audrey Haynes' team pull off a "three-peat," said Glenn Pierce, Tournament Director. "We'll see who's up to the challenge!"
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Capps Recognized
Jessica Capps, Saluda's 2010 Employee of the year, her guest Desiree O'Sullivan and Administrator Glenn Pierce traveled to Rocky Mount, NC on Tuesday, February 22nd for the 32nd Annual Autumn Corporation Employee of the Year Banquet.
The day began with a tour of the Corporate Office. Attendees were then transported to the Rose Hill Inn and Conference Center for the evenings events. As part of the recogniztion event, each facility winner was introduced by Gerald Cox, CEO and Owner of Autumn Corporation. Mr. Cox shared information on each person, highlighting winning attributes..
Following dinner, the Autumn Corporation Employee of the Year winner was introduced. The 2010 winner was from Autumn Care of Marion.
"It's always hard for Gerald and me to pick just one winner," Steve Haggerty, Vice President of Operations, told the guests. "All of our employees are great, making it a tough decision."
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Mardi Gras Parade
 | | Who's the mystery lady? |
Plan now to be here Tuesday, March 8th at 10:00 am to participate in Autumn Care's annual Mardi Gras Parade.
"Everybody gets into the act," according to Activity Director, Joyce Coggins. "I'm not sure whether it's the costumes or the beads!" she added with a smile.
"Activities like our Mardi Gras Parade would not happen without the support of every department in the facility," Coggins said. In many facilities, Coggins noted, it can be a struggle to have large group activities due to lack of staff support. "At our facility, staff members are the first to volunteer to help. They also work to make sure residents are up and dressed so they can participate in their favorite events," she said. "We appreciate their dedication to making sure our residents have the fullest quality of life possible." |
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What is "Palliative Care"?
Palliative care is comfort care whose main goals are relieving suffering, and preserving or improving quality of life - so both Hospice Care and Palliative Care are considered "palliative" in nature.
Palliative Care programs are intended to meet the needs of people with serious illness whose prognosis does not meet hospice criteria, or are not eligible for hospice for some other reason. Since it focuses on pain and quality of life issues, many residents may benefit from the program depending on their situations.
What does palliative care do?
Palliative care has three main focuses:
� The Palliative Care Team can make suggestions on symptom management to your family members physician and - if appropriate - to the facility.
� The team is available for discussions with residents and family regarding prognosis, goals of care, decision making and advance care plans.
� The team can assist with transitions such as nursing facility to home or palliative care to hospice.
Our Partners
Autumn Care of Saluda partners with Palliative Care of the Carolina Foothills to offer palliative care services to residents in our facility.
The Foothills Palliative Care Team consists of Dr. Andrew Kamell, physician, Jean Carter, nurse practitioner and Meg Hoke, social worker and program manager. Autumn Care staff makes referrals to the team based on input from a variety of sources in the facility.
Once a referral has been made, members of the team see the resident for an initial consultation and then follow up with facility staff and the resident's physician on any recommendations they might have. Follow up visits are made with the resident on an ongoing basis. Team members are also available to meet with family members to discuss issues and share goals.
What you need to remember
� Palliative Care is appropriate for residents with "advanced disease" issues.
� The Palliative Care Team members are medical specialist consultants who work to improve residents' comfort levels and quality of life.
� Residents may be receiving any type of care and in any location as long as they need assistance with comfort and quality of life issues.
� The Palliative Care Team is made up of a physician, nurse practitioner and social worker.
� The team does not provide medications, equipment of direct services.
If you feel that your family member may benefit from palliative care services, please contact Lesley Jones, Social Worker, or Alethea Capps, Director of Nursing.
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Historic Saluda turns 130!
 On Feb. 1, 1881 the town of Saluda was granted a charter by the North Carolina Legislature. The railroad had made its way up the Saluda Grade and the first passenger train came into "Pace's Gap" July 4, 1879 with a great celebration.
To celebrate its 130th birthday the community is planning events all through the year starting with an Open House and Drop In at the Saluda Police Department and City Hall where historical pictures of Saluda were available for viewing. Members of the Historic Saluda committee were also on hand at City Hall to show planned restorations for this historical landmark in Saluda.
In 1881, there were only two houses inside what was to be Saluda city limits, one located on what is now Saluda School grounds and the other located east of the railroad bridge that belonged to a son of Burwell Pope Pace who had settled in the Mountain Page area shortly after 1800.
Andrew Tanner, one of the men who supervised the building of the railroad and was the first mayor of Saluda, built the first hotel "Mountain House" and also operated a commissary close to the railroad where the gardens are now located. The hotel was on the hill behind where the city garage is now. Word had gotten around about Saluda's cool mountain air and visitors flocked to the area in the summer beginning the migration that continues even today.
Fred Baisden, the present Mayor, thinks the year-long celebration of Saluda's 130th birthday will be a great opportunity for Saluda citizens and visitors to experience first-hand the many attractions that Saluda has to offer. "I hope everyone will take advantage of the various upcoming events that are being planned throughout 2011 and help us celebrate Saluda's 130th birthday. It should be an exciting time for us all," said Baisden.
(Reprinted from the Asheville Citizen-Times, Feb 5, 2011) .
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