Memory Cafe
In being mindful of keeping our residents, families and staff healthy,
Summerhill will postpone our Memory Café gathering until further notice.
We will post notices of future topics and dates.
If you wish to Face Time with a resident between 9-2 Monday through
Friday, please contact Jean K. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 924-6238
ext. 153.
We're all healthy and hope you are.
Take care and be well!
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
How to know which Assisted Living or Memory Care community is right for you or your loved one.
Join us to learn what makes Summerhill unique and get beneficial information on how to begin this journey.
RSVP is appreciated. Call 924-6238
Thursday, November 7, 2019 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Attorney Phil Runyon will discuss powers of attorney and health care directives to enable others to handle legal and medical affairs for seniors needing assistance.
He will also describe how assets may be passed on to family members without the need for expensive and time-consuming probate administration.
RSVP is appreciated. Call 924-6238
Thursday, October 3, 2019 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Join us to experience a day with Dementia symptoms
Walk with us in our shoes!
Summehill would like to afford you the opportunity to take a walk in the shoes of a person with Dementia symptoms.
We'll have hands-on presentations on memory, touch, hearing, visual, taste and physical concerns. We're here to support you!
Come to learn about day-to-day needs and helpful tips.
An RSVP is appreciated. Call 924-6238
Walk-in’s welcome
Thursday, June 6, 2019 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Female Hikers are Cool Crazy Women on the Road
Kin Shilling: Well known gardener, painter and social entrepreneur and Becky Dennison Sakellariou: Well known poet, writer, teacher and resident of Peterborough and Greece teamed up to hitchhike from Italy to Greece in 1965.
You'll hear about the amazing adventures of these two wild and creative friends going to Europe on a Spring vacation.
Times that change your life. Low budget touring at it's best!
RSVP is appreciated. Call 924-6238
Walk-in’s welcome
Thursday, May 2, 2019 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
DON’T LET YOUR ARTHRITIS SLOW YOU DOWN!
The warm weather is upon us and the urge to get up and move has arrived with it! We’ll help you put a spring in your step.
Join us as we discuss the every day impact of arthritis and learn self management techniques to improve your quality of living.
We hope you will join us for an informative conversation along with a question and answer time. Handouts will share helpful tips.
RSVP is appreciated. Call 924-6238
Walk-in’s welcome
Thursday, April 4, 2019 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Alzheimer’s Effects Everyone
Come learn how the Alzheimer's Association can support you, family members and friends.
Nicole Francoeur, Development Officer for the Alzheimer's Association of MA/NH will give an overview of the Association.
She will discuss their local educational programming and share updated research information.RSVP is appreciated
The Keene Alzheimer’s walk is in September
Thursday, March 14, 2019 Memory Cafe, (please note special date)
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
The Story Project
Martha Schaefer, Author and Palliative Care Giver
Join us for a fun session of exploring the power of storytelling! Martha is the author of Therapeutic Misadventures, a hospice and palliative care giver, and a passionate lover of storytelling.
Ms. Schaefer is launching a project whose mission is to take our fascination with stories, blend it with a love of elder care, share them with family, and when appropriate; the community. We all tell stories that have a moral, stories that entertain, and perhaps stories that enlighten and educate.
“Tell me a story…” A simple request from a child and the basis of our most human communication. The telling of a story, like a smile, rewards both the teller and the listener. Everyone has stories and every story is important!
RSVP is appreciated
Call 924-6238
Thursday, February 7, 2019 Memory Cafe,
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Medicine At Your Door
Dr. Safwan Kazmouz
Dr. Kazmouz, is a family physician with specialty training in geriatric medicine. He completed his Geriatric Medicine training at the University of Michigan in 1998 and has over 20 years of experience.
He founded "Medicine at Your Door", a medical practice devoted to provifing compassionate medical care to NH residents in the comfort of their own homes.
Dr. Kazmouz has extensive experience managing the health care needs of seniors. He also provides medical and hospice services to residents at several assisted living and memory care facilities.
Dr. Kazmouz will join the other supplemental service providers for the residents at Summerhill.
RSVP is appreciated, Call 924-6238
Walk-in's welcome.
Thursday, November 1, 2018 Memory Cafe,
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Age-Wise Tips for the Holidays Antidotes to Seasonal Depression
Dr. Owen Houghton, a caregiver and husband of a Summerhill resident, shares his views on aging wellness as the holidays approach.
He has written a column called Age-Wise for 20 years in the Sunday Keene Sentinel. Owen shares his positive insights of life and growing old gracefully on such topics as:
Friendships and relationships contribute to healthy aging.
The courage to grow old – hope and happiness.
Finding comfort with ups and downs of aging.
Becka Lyons, PT, DPT
Thursday, October 4, 2018 Memory Cafe,
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Learning To Manage And Move With Chronic Pain
Have you noticed that you are commonly finding yourself saying phrases like:
"Not today, I am in too much pain."
"Maybe later, I need to rest a while, my back is sore."
"How about another time, I am painful today."
Join us as we navigate through the components of pain, discover techniques to manage pain, and learn to move through life again!
RSVP is appreciated
Call 924-6238
Walk-in's welcome.
Mary Catherine Bateson
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 Memory Cafe, Monadnock Room
From 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Mary Catherine Bateson
"How is Increased Longevity an Evolutionary Step Forward"
Compare the impact of extended late adulthood with the extension of childhood, and embrace the opportunities in living longer.
Mary Catherine is a writer and cultural anthropologist, born in 1939. Currently living at Summerhill, with homes in Hancock, NH and Cambridge, MA. She has been a visiting scholar at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College.
She has written many books and articles, lectured across the country and abroad, taught at several prestigious New England colleges and in the Philippines and Iran.
Bateson's most recent book, Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom, discusses the contributions and improvisations of engaged older adults. Written to raise consciousness of the changing life cycle and to encourage older adults to clam a voice for the future, to extend American ideals and values and to protect ecological viability.
Limited Seating, please RSVP: Call 924 - 6238
Ann Finn-Waddell, Resident Care Director
Thursday, August 2, 2018 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Ann “Annie” Finn-Waddell, LPN, CDP
Nursing since 1998, Annie has specialized in geriatrics and moreover, Dementia and Alzheimer's care since 2009. She’s been involved with Assisted Living and Memory Care professionally and personally for the past 12 years. Annie was appointed to the NH Board of Nursing by Governor Lynch in 2012 and most recently by Governor Sununu.
As an advocate for residents, she believes they deserve the best care, 100% every day, in all areas of their lives, given with respect and integrity, while honoring their dignity. Annie has a high expectations of herself, staff and fosters team care, professionalism and humor.
Annie has two children, a son Robert, 28 who is a Nursing Home Administrator in the Boston area, and a daughter Julia, 26 who is an ICU nurse. They are the reason my heart beats.
"We are so pleased that our brother is happy, safe and well cared for at Summerhill!"
Thursday, June 12th and 14th, 2018 Memory Cafe
The warm, serene yet enjoyable atmosphere
lends itself to having wonderful comradery with other
residents and the staff.
There is a special group of menfolk who have fun adventures together.
It means a lot to truly enjoy this stage of life with people you feel good about being with and share enjoyable times together.
Joan Marcoux,
Communication Access Specialist
NH DHHS Office
Thursday, June 7, 2018 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Come Learn About New Technology
to Assist those with Hearing Loss and iPad apps for Communication
Joan Marcoux, Hearing, Vision, and Speech specialist promotes communication access for individuals who have hearing, vision, and speech challenges.
She will demonstrates apps that are available on the phone; to read what is being said by others, along with smartphone and tablets that can be used for communication including Assistive Listening Devices.
RSVP is appreciated
Call 924-6238
Walk-in’s welcome
Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Elizabeth "Liz" Marshall Thomas will read from her book about growing old. She finds the aging process interesting enough to be writing this book, tentatively titled ~
Old Age: A New Experience
Liz considers the poem by Dylan Thomas (alas, no relation), "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" with its phrase, "Rage, rage, against the dying of the light" with both interest and skepticism, because all of us elders see the "dying of the light" but "rage" may not be the best reaction. Humor and other reactions are but a great medicine to consider.
She will read a few sections of her book and discuss some of her own aging symptoms, along with how our cultural reacts to such symptoms.
As Liz says, "Aging isn't for the faint-hearted, so let stand together and make the most of it."
Thursday, April 5th, 2018 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Well ~ Science says with a healthy lifestyle, we can!
Summerhill believes in a well rounded approach to resident care. Studies show that the aging process slows down when the emphasis is on the well-being of the entire body.
Our staff focuses on encouraging exercise, cognitive stimulation and a healthy diet on a daily basis.
Come participate in the presentation and demonstration and taste some delicious foods created by Chef Aylmer Given.
An RSVP is appreciated.
Thursday, February 1, 2018 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
"It's not just about living longer, but living better for longer".
Sheilla Parkerson will discuss how exercise and the use of essential oils can enhance our health and wellness as we age gracefully.
Sheilla has a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from UMASS Amherst and has over 20 years of experience as a Fitness Professional. She is the Owner and Manager of QueViva Fitness LLC in Jaffrey and is also a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils.
There will not be a Memory Café in January
We look forward to seeing you in February.
Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Polly and Jim Curran will talk about their two years in Iran from June 1958 to June 1960. It was ruled by the last Shah, who was later expelled by a revolution in 1979. All the Iranians they met were friendly and well disposed towards the US.
Jim worked at the US Embassy in Tehran and Polly volunteered in a new orphanage, learned Persian while raising their five children.
Thursday, October 5th, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Pam Erdmann will discuss what Mindfulness is, its origins and current applications along with some of its benefits.
Pam has taught Mindfulness in correctional systems, hospitals, schools, corporations and the Univ. Massachusetts Clinic.
Currently Pam supervises MBSR teachers at U. Mass, Southern CA Univ. and the University of Wales.
Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Adam Hamilton from People’s Bank will speak about recognizing and reducing elder financial fraud. This will include how to guard against identity theft, planning for unexpected change in handling your finances and preparing for financial disasters.
An RSVP would be appreciated. Please call our concierge 924-6238 by May 30th.
Thursday, June 1st, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Yoga can be good for all of us, regardless of body type or level of experience.
Chris, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor, will talk about yoga as mindful movement. She will explain how yoga helps us stay in touch with our self and improves breathing, circulation, joint health, and balance.
Come join us as we stretch, loosen up, maybe even reduce a bit of stress and realize the benefits of feeling alive and healthy.
An RSVP would be appreciated. Please call our concierge 924-6238 by May 30th.
Thursday, May 4th, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Joan Bickford will lead this discussion to share how Life-Sustaining treatment is decided upon between conversations you have with loved ones and your medical providers.
The goal of POLST is to ensure that individuals make choices about the treatments they want and that these choices are honored and followed by medical providers. Learn how a POLST form is different from an Advance Directive or portable DNR form.
Joan Bickford, RN has specializing in hospice care for 13 years and is a hospice care consultant for Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care.
An RSVP would be appreciated. Please call our concierge 924-6238 by May 2nd.
Thursday, April 6th, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Unlike a legal will that transfers worldly possessions, an ethical will bequeaths values, ideas, and personal reflections to family members and other loved ones. Come learn about these documents that can be characterized as windows into the souls of those who write them, and how they can be cherished by family members for generations.
Rev. Barbara Harlow serves Summerhill as an interfaith chaplain, providing in-house spiritual care, since 2011.
DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, AN RSVP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. PLEASE CALL 924-6238 BY APRIL 4TH.
March 2nd, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00
Susie Hunter will share her experience of caring for her husband at home once he was diagnosed with dementia. She will also speak about the process of looking ahead to her future. In the last twenty-five years, Susie has re-invented her professional career several times, most recently as an eldercare provider.
Susie and her husband, Bruce were childhood sweethearts who raised two sons. Once the family was settled, she found a professional career in PR. This experience led to opening her own company, which provided special events support to corporations. Her clients included the Tufts Health Plan and the Moscow International Marathon. Since then while Bruce found his interest in renovating historical structures, Susie continued running, gardening and having a landscape design business.
DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, AN RSVP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. PLEASE ADVISE CONCIERGE OR CALL 924-6238 BY FEBRUARY 27TH.
February 2nd, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Ben Paquin will discuss how for many individuals, Cabin Fever is an unwelcome occurrence that happens around the winter months. Such malaise can be the result of getting less sunlight, inactivity, isolation, or even diet. You can experience it at a home alone or within a residential community.
Ben Paquin is partner and Director for the New Hampshire and Maine branch of Seniors Helping Seniors®, a Licensed Personal Care and Healthcare provider. Seniors Helping Seniors provides quality senior care services with a twist... Seniors Helping Seniors offer services for seniors BY seniors.
January 5th, 2017 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Nina Pollock RN, MS will discuss the difference between hospice and palliative care and how it has evolved in the last 10 years. She will give input on how this service can truly enhance life for a loved one and their family and friends.
Nina taught nursing at Ursuline College for 20 years. Currently she is a per diem Hospice Home Care RN for Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services.
November 3rd, 2016 Memory Cafe
From 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Louise and Bernie Watson have been playing the piano and singing for admiring audiences in the Monadnock area for many years. They often captivate listeners when sharing a bit of history about the classical and “Golden Oldies” music, triggering familiar memories for many.
Come sing along with this talented and fun entertaining duo.
October 6th, 2016 Memory Cafe
Mary Pat will introduce Pat O’Connell, RN, M. Ed, IBCLC Director of Resident Care at Summerhill.
Pat comes to us with many years of experience both locally at the Monadnock Community Hospital and in the Nashua area. She has implemented new programs and written articles in various medical publications. In addition to strong clinical skills, Pat excels in teaching and mentoring young health care professionals.
Please join us if you or a loved one are looking into choices for the future and have questions about assisted living or memory care.
September, 2016 Memory Cafe
This discussion is about the correlation between food and how it relates to the joy in our lives. The many ways that we recall special events in our lives and how often times the connection to that memory is in the tradition of foods that we enjoy with our family and friends. This in depth look at how foods trigger memories was the topic of a recent memory café hosted by Aylmer the Director of culinary Services at Summerhill Assisted Living.
As a result of this discussion and the enthusiasm that it created, Summerhill has embarked on a mission to create a cookbook filled with special recipes, and the stories behind them, from the residents that catalog and preserve some of these memorable family traditions, for years to come. We are asking all family to assist their Mom’s and Dad’s in selecting that one recipe that has great value to the family.
To take it a step further, every Thursday evening, throughout the winter months, in an event that we call “Wine & Dine” a recipe will be chosen, and prepared by our chef for the entire Assisted Living community to sample and enjoy. A photo will be taken of the resident holding a plate of the finished food.
So please, let Aylmer or Jean know if you would like to submit a special recipe, along with the story behind it. Hurry, the spaces are filling up fast, and we want to make sure we include your special family tradition.
August 4th, 2016 Memory Cafe
Many individuals may be considering comfort care that aligns with their goals of care rather than pursuing curative treatment. Learn about the hospice services, who is eligible, and how the services are covered. Dispelling common myths about hospice and when to consider hospice care will be addressed in this interactive session.
Joan Bickford, RN has specialized in hospice care for the last 13 years. Currently, she is a hospice care consultant for Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care.
July 7th, 2016 Memory Cafe
Maria Towers, RN, Resident Care Director and Mary Pat Jackson, Executive Director at Summerhill will lead a discussion and provide information on what steps need to be taken when considering memory care or assisted living communities.
Please join us if you or a loved one are looking into choices for the future.
June 2nd, 2016 Memory Cafe
Maryanne Ferguson, Community Wellness Manager at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene will share some small steps that create big impacts in our health and well-being throughout life.
She will also talk about social connections in relationship to our health and describe some "ageing-friendly" community concepts.
May 5th, 2016 Memory Cafe
Healthcare is unlike most other services we will access in our life time. We also don't always know upfront what our insurance (Medicare and Medicaid included) will and won't pay. Being an educated healthcare consumer can help reduce the surprise of an unexpected financial burden. This discussion aims to provide you with information about emergency medical services and how it is covered under Medicare to make you a more informed healthcare consumer.
Joshua Patrick is a Deputy Chief and Clinical Manager for Peterborough Fire & Rescue. He is also a critical care paramedic.
April 7th, 2016 Memory Cafe
As an aging wellness educator, Owen R. Houghton of Jaffrey has experienced many transitions, both in the lives of his clients and most recently in his personal life as his wife Norma joined the Summerhill family in the Memory Care unit. His reminiscence extends from boyhood in Woodstock, Vermont where he learned maple sugarin’ to his recent experiences following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis which required changes.
Dr. Houghton is Past Chair of the State Committee on Aging, a Vaughn Award recipient and a Monadnock at Home member. He has penned a monthly column since 1998 in the Sunday Keene Sentinel called “Age-Wise”, chronicling the Houghton’s journey in search of aging well in the Monadnock area.
March 3, 2016 Memory Cafe
Mr. Mark Bergin will be giving a talk about antique toys. He specializes in mechanical, wind up and tin toys.
Mark will speak about their history, collectability and whimsy that we all treasure: from your childhood, your parent's and your own children's childhood. He will bring a large display of toys from the 1900's - 1950's to view, watch in action, delight in and reminisce.
February 4, 2016 Memory Cafe
Colleen O’Connell, M.S., OTR/L, Owner/CEO of Birchwood Therapy Services is excited to speak of the recent changes within the therapy department here at Summerhill. Through collaboration with Interim Healthcare, we are able to provide more comprehensive therapy services.
Colleen will discuss the differences between utilizing the Medicare A benefit versus the Medicare B benefit; and share what private pay opportunities Birchwood offers, if you are not eligible for therapy.
January 7, 2016 Memory Cafe
Janet Archer, author of “An Invitation to Pause” will share her personal insight of how to remain calm, and not be overwhelmed when caring for a loved one with dementia. Her experience of how to be accepting and in the moment while focusing on the joys of the day, could help you build wonderful loving memories.
When: January 7th from 2:00 - 3:00 PM in the Summerhill Assisted Living Pub.
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Janet Archer - Memory Cafe - January 2016
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December 3, 2015
Attorney Phil Runyon will discuss powers of attorney and health care directives to enable others to handle legal and medical affairs for incapacitated seniors. He will also describe how assets may be passed on to family members without the need for expensive and time-consuming probate administration.
November 5, 2015
Aylmer Given, Director of Culinary Services at Summerhill will speak to the “Turn A New Leaf” dietary program. This healthier eating program is all about making good and satisfying food choices.
Come try some delicious samples.
October 1, 2015
Joshua Freitas author of “The Dementia Concept” Mr. Freitas will discuss cutting edge, informative and practical approaches to interacting with individuals having Alzheimer’s and related dementias. He will review dynamic concepts for
care givers to understand, connect and engage with this audience to allow them more independence in daily life.
September 3, 2015
Jan Shultz, LPN and other Reiki practitioners will discuss what Reiki is and use of essential oils for aroma therapy. You will have the chance to experience Reiki firsthand. Jan has worked at Summerhill as Staff Nurse for 2.5 years and currently is Reiki Master volunteering at MCH. She studied Reiki with Libby Barnett at the Healing Center.
August 6th
Maria Towers, RN our Resident Care Director will speak to recognizing the initial signs and how to maintaining independence for those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s while at home and for those at an Assisted Living facility.
July 2, 2015
Mary Pat lead discussion with residents recalling special Fourth of July traditions and past time. What the 4th means to them.
June 4, 2015
Join our Chaplain, Barbara Harlow for a conversation about just what is our human nature with regards to loss and grief, gifts and joy? What are our losses? And, how are we continuing to live our lives, hopefully with a sense of gratitude and celebration?
May 7, 2015
Caroline Kirkfield, VP at Home Care Assistance of New Hampshire will speak about those important lifestyle factors that are linked to healthy longevity and those with a sense of calmness and purpose.
Summerhill's Memory Cafe was fortunate to have Caroline Kirkfield come and speak to us about tips, activities and advice for a healthy mind and body. Her presentation was lively and informative. It was well attended by the Summerhill Community as well as folks from Peterborough and Jaffrey. Once again, Aylmer out did himself serving individual shrimp cocktail, tea sandwiches, brownies and sherry
April 2, 2015
Joan Bickford, RN from Life Choice will speak to Medicare Hospice benefits. Joan has worked in hospice care for the last 12 years of her 35 years in nursing care. She will discuss the philosophy of Hospice care, those services offered, and eligibility considerations along with what Hospice care covers.
March 5th
Dementia in Depression: Why it's important to understand, evaluate and treat Dr. Betty LaFleur is a clinical psychologist and Chief Operating Officer at Generations Geriatric Mental Health. She was formerly the Director of Behavioral Health at Elliot Health System where she worked with Dr. Jwalant Vadalia in management of the Geripsychiatric Inpatient Unit. She has been dedicated to working with older adults since her internship in geriatric psychology in 1993 at the West Los Angeles VAMC Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical program.
February 5, 2015
Dr. Lucas Shippee, from MCH, Monadnock Internal Medicine will speak to the issues of aging and dementia.
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