Inside This Issue

Did You Know?

LETTER FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our 30th Anniversary Issue.  Thirty years ago on August 1, 1978 West View accepted their first residents and as they say the rest is history.  In my five years here absorbing some of the history of West View it is very evident that West View has experienced a rich tradition of caring for thousands of Rhode Islanders with a high degree of quality and love.

The residents of 30 years ago are markedly different than the nursing home residents of today.

Innovations in health care, the addition of more and better trained staff has made West View one of the leaders in long term care in Rhode Island.

This would not be the case if it were not for the staff that have given so generously of themselves over these 30 years, if it were not for the leadership over these 30 years and very importantly if it were not for the ownership and their commitment to quality.  Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Guerra and now Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Guerra are responsible for setting the operational tone that has created a high quality nursing home.

There have been many staff who have contributed but none more than the following individuals: 

Cheryl Edwards - 30 Years, Claire Mackey - 30 Years, Joan Swiencki -30 Years, Madonna Hockousen -30 Years, Cathy Violette -30 Years

There are 145 staff here that are committed to delivering the best care possible everyday.  These people listed above are in a class by themselves.

Please take a moment to congratulate and recognize their contribution to West View's success.

August again looks packed with activities please come and enjoy.  Special note that our next outdoor concert is Wednesday August 20th.  This will be a cookout and concert, please bring a lawn chair.

Special congratulations to our Whatever It Takes "Winners" for July, Courtney Vasques and Amanda Mourato, both CNA's were nominated for their exceptional care and TEAMWORK caring for the residents on their neighborhood.  This is the first time we have awarded a tandem award.  Congratulations to both winners.

Thank you all.  Happy Anniversary to staff and residents.

Here's to another 30

Best wishes,

Hugh J. Hall

Resident Spotlight:  Antonia E. Dubuque

Antonia Dubuque was born to parents Lucienne and Felix Picard on August 31, 1903 in Canada.  She had 7 sisters and 4 brothers.  Antonia went to school only to complete the 4th grade                                                         

Toni 's mom was 100 years old when she passed away.

Toni moved to the United States where she worked as a housekeeper and later in a mill as a spinner.  She met and later married Hector Dubuque.  Toni and Hector never had children.  Toni enjoyed baking especially pies.  She retired at the age of 65.  Toni loved to drive and did so until the age of 95.  She was once pulled over for speeding but the nice officer let her go without a ticket.  (Lucky Toni!) Toni has been a resident of West View since February 6, 2001.  She enjoys social events and bingo and watching television.

Toni is fluent in English and French.  Toni will be 105 years old this August 31st.

ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHT

MADONNA HOCKHOUSEN

Our spotlight this month is on Madonna Hockhousen.  Madonna is an RN and has been with us for 29 years.  She was born and raised in Warwick, R.I.  She is single and currently lives in West Warwick.  She graduated from Prout High School and Rhode Island Junior College of Nursing in 1976.

Madonna is an avid tennis fan.  She has attended 8 Wimbledon's as well as attending the U.S. Open for the last 30 years.  She also enjoys hockey and is a member of the Providence Bruins Booster Club.  She has enjoyed trips to Ireland and Scotland.  On the home front she enjoys scrapbooking as well as the company of her three lovely cats.  Madonna's sister Barbara can always give her advice in that department she is a professional animal trainer.  Some of her dogs have been on TV as well as being featured in magazines.  She also has nine nephews and nieces that keep her real busy!

Madonna stated that she met a lot of wonderful people at West View over the years.  She still keeps in contact with a lot of families that she has met.  She feels that West View has been her extended family and such an important part of her life.

THIS WAS THE YEAR...1999

U.S. President & Vice President:  Bill Clinton & Al Gore

HEADLINES:  President Clinton acquitted in Impeachment Trial - 13 Killed at Columbine High School massacre - John F. Kennedy Jr. killed in private plane crash - World prepares for predicted Y2K Disaster.

TIME MAGAZINE MAN OF THE YEAR:  Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com (Designation changed from Man to Person)

COST OF LIVING:  NEW HOUSE $131,710 - NEW CAR $21,022 - GASOLINE $1.22 GAL. - AVERAGE INCOME $40,816 - AVERAGE RENT $645 - MOVIE TICKET $5.06

MUSIC:  Baby One More Time, Believe, Genie in a Bottle, I Want It That Way, Kiss Me, Last Kiss, Livin' La Vida Loca, Mambo No. 5, That Don't Impress Me Much

MOVIES:  American Beauty, Boys Don't Cry, The Matrix, The Mummy, Runaway Bride, The Sixth Sense, Notting Hill, Wild West, Message In A Bottle

SPORTS:  Champions include the NY Yankees (baseball), Denver Broncos (football), Dallas Stars (hockey), and Payne Stewart (U.S. Open Golf), Associated Press Athletes of the Year are Tiger Woods (golf) and the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team.

Did You Know......

As a Nursing Home Resident you have the right to have a family pet come visit you in your West View Home?