Nursing home has
some Russian influence

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

How did the Glendale Uptown Home decide to open a Russian unit?
Joanne Schwartz, the administrator at the nursing home at 7800 Bustleton Ave. in Rhawnhurst, joked that the staff conducted a sophisticated marketing study.
"We looked out the window and realized the neighborhood is Russian," she said.
Schwartz started last December, at the same time a new owner purchased the former Golden Slipper Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Soon, the new administration formed a Russian Advisory Council, which offered recommendations.
By September, the administration formally decided to dedicate its fourth floor to Russian residents.
The top floor is now home to Russian-speaking doctors, nurses, social workers, cooks, dietitians and activities directors. The signage and brochures are printed in Russian, and each television set offers a Russian cable channel on Comcast.
The residents have rooms for dining, recreation and activities. There is already talk of expanding the unit.
Leonard Koltman, a funeral director who sits on the advisory council, applauds the new focus on care for elderly Russians.
"Geographically, it’s a perfect location," he said. "And the communication will lead to an improvement in the quality of care."
Schwartz said the specialized care is necessary. She explained that many Russian-speaking residents came to the United States when they were elderly, and some have developed Alzheimer’s disease. They have not had a chance to learn English and must be allowed to express their medical, social and spiritual needs in their native language, not through a translator.
Now, the residents are in a room with someone who speaks their language. When families visit, they can communicate with one another.
"They love it," Schwartz said of the residents, "and we’ve gotten as much, if not more, positive feedback from their children."
The nursing home administrator acknowledges that there was initial resentment from some of the English-speaking residents, who argued that the Russians should learn the language of their new country. After a few meetings, she said, they understood the need for the dedicated unit.
Emir Boultz is trying to help the Russian residents communicate better. The 19-year-old Reading resident has been at the home every Monday since September to teach English. A sophomore at Temple, he volunteers as part of the university’s Project SHINE (Students Helping In the Naturalization of Elders).
A native of Azerbaijan, he is teaching the seniors to say "please" and "thank you" and to learn their colors and ways of asking staff for help. The residents are willing to learn.
"It’s working," he said.
When Eugenia "Jane" Ekshtut began working at the home six and a half years ago, there were about a dozen Russian-speaking residents. She was the only employee who spoke Russian or Ukrainian.
Today, there are about 30 Russian-speaking residents, and Ekshtut is among a group of staff members who speak the language. She supervises the Russian program.
"It was a good idea," she said of the dedicated fourth-floor unit. "We’re in the middle of a huge Russian community, and now everybody can communicate with each other."
Social worker Anna Tsybushnik, on the job for seven months, said the unit makes communication easier for employees, residents and their families.
"To be able to understand the Russian-speaking residents makes it convenient," she said. "We have activities to keep them busy and interested in their culture. For them to be able to hear the Russian language, it makes them feel very comfortable." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com