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Phoebe Allentown Resident and Volunteer Receives Lehigh County Unsung Hero Award

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Category: Phoebe Ministries

Created on Friday, 17 May 2013 11:00

Allentown, PA - Margaret Teitsworth, resident of The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, was one of only 15 recipients recognized with the 2013 The Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services Unsung Hero award. Offered annually in Lehigh County during National Older Americans Month, the award pays tribute to people over 60 who display exceptional generosity with their time and talent to enhance the lives of others.

Teitsworth, 91, received the award for her work as an Abider Volunteer at Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center. As an Abider she provides a spiritual presence to persons who are identified as "actively dying" during the last days and hours of their earthly lives.

When she completed the Abider’s training in 2000, Teitsworth said she had been looking for a service opportunity in which she could utilize her years of experience as a psychiatric nurse, hospice nurse and minister’s wife.  “Becoming an Abider seemed like a natural step for me,” Margaret commented, “and to me, it isn’t depressing. Psychiatric nursing had been a wonderful challenge, and 16 years as a hospice nurse had been very gratifying.  When we volunteer, we receive so much more than we can ever give.”

“Thirteen years later, Margaret continues to be our go to person who we call when a resident is nearing death,” says Phoebe Allentown Chaplain, Rev. Corrine Dautrich. “Margaret often stops what she is doing so that she can walk across the street to the Health Care Center to be with a resident despite weather conditions.”

Margaret is faithful about a daily visit to that person until they pass. Not only does she abide with residents and talk with the family members who may come to visit their loved ones, but she also attends the bi-monthly memorial service that honors those residents who have recently died.

“If there are no family members in attendance, she will come forward and light a candle for that person for whom she has abided. Through the years, many families have commented about how special her ministry has been to them at their time of loss,” adds Dautrich.

Part of the joy of being an Abider is seeing the spirit set free, according to Margaret. “When the spirit leaves the body, we are no longer limited by the body.  A lot of people wouldn’t find joy in that,” she says, “but I am older, and my hospice experience helps. An Abider should be someone who can appreciate the joy of easing another person’s way into eternal life – someone who believes that we can trust God.”

This year, the award ceremony took place at the Lehigh County Government Center on Wednesday, May 15. The certificates were presented by Scott Ott, Vice Chairman, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners and Michael Schware, County Commissioner.

Dementia Specialist at Phoebe Provides Information on how to respond to a Dementia Diagnosis in the Morning Call

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Category: Phoebe Ministries

Created on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:50

Allentown, PA- On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, Kelly O'Shea Carney, Executive Director of the Phoebe Center for Excellence in Dementia Care was featured in an informational article titled, "Responding to a Dementia Diagnosis". Carney focuses on the new guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease pointing out the most notable change in the guidelines, early identification of the disease. Carney discusses the past, present and future of identifying and dealing with Alzheimer's in this article, along with vital prevention and treatment methods and what Phoebe Ministries provides in terms of Alzheimer's care and support.

To view Responding to a Dementia Diagnosis in The Morning Call, CLICK HERE.

Phoebe To Lead Community Dementia Education Workshops at St. John's United Church of Christ

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Category: Phoebe Ministries

Created on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 11:05

Fogelsville, PA – Phoebe At Home Services will provide a series of Dementia Education Workshops at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1027 Church Street, Fogelsville on three Saturdays in April and May. The cost for the series is $30 or $10 for individual workshops. Registration and refreshments begin at 9:30 A.M. and the workshop starts at 10:00 A.M. Time will be included for questions and answers before the program concludes at Noon.

Topics to be covered on the following dates include:
• Saturday, April 20th - Expressive Behaviors, Psychological Behaviors, and Activities 
                                   of Daily Living
• Saturday, May 11th - Activities of Daily Living, Home Safety, and Mobility
• Saturday, May 25th - Activities, Medication Management, and End of Life Planning

The series of educational workshops is open to the public but seating is limited and advance registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Joanne Marchetto at 610-398-7015 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or send a check made payable to St. John’s United Church of Christ to 1027 Church Street, Fogelsville, PA 18051.

Phoebe Ministries is a non-profit, multi-facility organization specializing in healthcare, housing, and support services for seniors. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Phoebe Ministries offers a full continuum of care to suit the diverse needs of senior adults. Located in six Pennsylvania counties and serving thousands of seniors annually, Phoebe features four continuing care retirement communities, eight affordable housing facilities, and a pharmacy. For over a century Phoebe's tradition of excellence and passion for caring have made us the leader in care for senior adults and their family members.

Rabbi to Speak at Beth El on Opportunities for Aging

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Category: Phoebe Ministries

Created on Friday, 15 March 2013 15:21

This article originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of HAKOL Lehigh Valley, The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community. It features information about Rabbi Dayle Friedman, keynote of The Phoebe Institute on Aging spring program, An Interfaith View of the Spiritual Aspects of Aging and Dying.

Rabbi to Speak at Beth El on Opportunities for Aging

By Jennifer Lader
Editor, HAKOL

Rabbi Dayle Friedman credits a college experience with setting her on the path to working with those “in the second half of life.” Friedman will share what she’s learned on this path and moderate a discussion set for April 10 at Allentown’s Temple Beth El and sponsored by Phoebe Ministries as part of the non-profit group’s spring conference on how the aging process can differ across cultures.

To view this issue of HAKOL and read the full article about Rabbi Friedman, click HERE and turn to page 20 of the publication.