new Choice Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has a new program called Thrivent Choice, which is replacing the GivingPlus program that previously matched members’ gifts to charitable organizations. Thrivent Choice can


also result in charitable gifts to Good Samaritan Society – Osceola if eligible members choose to direct their Financial Choice Dollars to the center. Thrivent will designate


Choice Dollars to eligible Thrivent members monthly, quarterly or annually, depending on the products they own. Eligible members can then


go online or call the Thrivent service center to direct their Choice Dollars to an autho- rized Lutheran not-for-profit organization, such as Good Samaritan Society – Osceola. Thrivent will deposit chari- table funds into Good Samar- itan Society – Osceola account monthly, via electronic funds transfer. ✞


Thrivent offers


T echnology helps residents stay in touch with their families


By Mary Nelson Activity Director


D


uring the holidays, many people look forward to spending time with


family. However, with families living far apart and as tools for communication change, it can be difficult for residents at Good Samaritan Society – Osceola to stay in touch with their loved ones. Many residents have not learned how — or are unable — to use a cell phone or computer. This Christmas, you can help bridge the gap and communicate regularly with your family and friends at Good Samaritan Society – Osceola by taking advantage a program the center uses called Caregram. The Caregram program allows


residents to send and receive e-mails without using a mouse or typing on a keyboard. Each resident receives a personal e-mail address to which their friends and family members can send messages and pictures. The computer scans for new messages every 10 minutes and automatically prints them. Every printed message also includes a piece of stationery with a unique code at the bottom that identifies where the response should be sent. To reply to the e-mail, residents can use the stationery to write a note by hand that is scanned in the Caregram system and automatically e-mailed back to the sender as a PDF file.


The system allows us to easily promote


Resident Mary Rose Girard and her granddaughter, Director of Nursing Michelle Merry, bond over a meal.


communication between families. It only takes a few seconds of staff members’ time and does not require managing e-mails or typing residents’ replies. Resi- dents can receive regular communication from their family without having to use a computer, and family members will receive handwritten notes from their loved ones. All a family member needs


Caregram allows residents who may not know how to use a computer to easily send e-mails to family and friends without using a mouse or typing on a keyboard.


We invite you to keep in touch with your loved one through the Caregram program, and to tell other family members and friends about the opportunity. For more information, call Mary Nelson at (402) 747-2691.


to use Caregram is their own personal e-mail address. Residents say they appreciate knowing their loved ones are thinking of them and sending them their love. The Care- gram program also offers an opportunity for residents to sharpen cognitive and fine-motor skills as they write their responses. For more information about how to


use Caregram with your loved one, please call me at (402) 747-2691. ✞


The Compassion Life Times


6 0


December 2010 January 2008


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8