Nursing home makes pitch
at Burholme civic meeting

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Diana Barton describes the adult day services program at St. John Neumann Nursing Home as a safe place for senior citizens who need continuous, special attention.
At the nursing home, located at 10400 Roosevelt Blvd., seniors take part in creative activities and engage in social interaction.
The activities include games, cooking, music and arts and crafts. Children and pets often spend time with the visitors.
The program is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on occasional Saturdays. The cost is $58 a day, or a little more than $5 an hour.
"It’s a very cost-effective service," Barton, the program director, said at last week’s meeting of the Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association. "You get more bang for your buck."
While the seniors are enjoying their visit to the nursing home, their caregivers have the chance to meet their own personal needs, such as working, running errands or relaxing.
Barton showed a video on adult day services, which have been described as a home away from home and the best-kept secret in health care. Seniors who participate in the program tend to be healthier and happier.
At the Neumann nursing home, seniors can receive medical care, attend Mass in the chapel and eat hot breakfast and lunch. There are also options for bathing, transportation, trips, exercise and hairdressing services.
"There are a lot of perks being located in a nursing home," Barton said.
Barton invited caregivers to attend a town meeting on Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to noon, at PECO Energy Hall, at 2301 Market St. The state Department of Aging is sponsoring the meeting.
For more information on the adult day services at Neumann, call 215-698-5655.
In other news from the March 13 meeting:
• Mark Mroz, the community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, distributed quality-of-life information packets.
The document includes numerous contact numbers for government and private agencies.
Mroz sends the packet to anyone who calls his office with a complaint. The telephone number is 215-685-7276.
The police officer reported that a retail business that attracted neighborhood complaints has closed at 7001 Rising Sun Ave. (at Tyson Avenue).
Residents likened the store to a flea market because much of the merchandise was on the sidewalk. There’s a for sale sign outside the business, though a hearing is scheduled for April 22 in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mroz cautioned motorists who own GPS car navigation systems to be careful because there has been an increase in thefts of the device.
The officer heard complaints about graffiti, with one woman offering a novel punishment. She suggested that all graffiti artists have their own personal items spray-painted to teach them a lesson.
Capt. Michael McCarrick, commander of the 2nd district, will conduct his next monthly forum on Monday, March 31, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the roll call room of the police station at Harbison Avenue and Levick Street. The forums are held on the last Monday of the month.
The officer announced that volunteers are needed for the 2nd Police District Advisory community day on June 21, the first day of summer. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Roosevelt Mall and will coincide with the mall’s sidewalk sale. There will be food and information related to police, fire and city services.
• Christine Houck, of Moegerle’s Paints, and Matt Taubenberger, an aide to state Rep. George Kenney and a candidate seeking to replace the retiring lawmaker, are developing plans for a Burholme Business Association.
One of the first planned activities is a cleanup of the 7200 block of Rising Sun Ave. on Saturday, May 17.
• The Rev. Dave Carey, pastor of United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, which hosts the neighborhood meeting, invited the community to attend services later this week.
Services are scheduled for Good Friday at 7 p.m. and Easter Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church is located at Cottman and Lawndale avenues.
• Burholme Town Watch will pay the $10 admission for community members who want to attend the annual citywide Town Watch conference on June 14 at the Sheraton Hotel, at 17th and Race streets. Guests will be picked up and dropped off in the parking lot of United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
• Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
Mayor Michael Nutter was previously announced as the guest speaker, but he cannot attend. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com