2017 Giraffe Awards

On July 12th, Founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, Lynne Katzmann, visited Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living in order to do something that only she can do, award the Golden Giraffe pin to the staff recipients of the annual Giraffe Award. This award is given to employees who have shown excellence throughout the year. Five staff members were honored during the ceremony for showcasing exceptional service to residents and staff on a daily basis.

The first to receive the award was Tom Pollock, the Environmental Services Director at The Pines. Tom has worked at Juniper Village for over six years and is responsible for all maintenance and care needs at The Pines. Next was Barb Hostetler, dining assistant. Barb is recognized for her incredible customer service and intuitive ability to relate to residents by communicating with them through eye contact and a soft approach. Melanie Kitchen, housekeeping employee, was honored for her positive attitude and bringing a smile with her every day. Georgi Knight, cook, was recognized for her incredible strength through personal challenges, as well as challenges of driving through the snow to get to work in the winter months, a task she does not enjoy in the least. The last staff member, but certainly not the least, to receive the 2017 Giraffe award was Jess Swanger, LPN. Jess brings confidence, dependability, and a team approach with her each day. Each of these employees received a giraffe pin that they will wear on the nametag to acknowledge their incredible service to Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living.

Thank you Lynne for your visit to Juniper Village at Brookline and thank you Tom, Barb, Melanie, Georgi, and Jess for providing exceptional service to our campus and community.

Nurturing the Spirit of FUN

Juniper Village at Brookline celebrated its 3rd Anniversary in style with a week dedicated to Staff Appreciation. Each day of the week featured a different theme, complete with props, costumes, and treats. Monday found us celebrating Sport Day. Staff members were encouraged to wear attire showcasing their favorite sport or sports team. Stereotypical tailgate foods such as pizza and wings were provided to residents and staff in order to help reinforce our team spirit.

Tuesday was our opportunity to embrace our inner cowboy/girl for our Western Day and staff came ready for a hoedown. Flannel shirts, western skirts, and sticky mustaches all helped staff and residents to get into character. The leadership team grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch that day.

Wednesday was Juniper Day and a sea of orange anniversary t-shirts filled the community. Staff and residents alike received their shirts several days ahead in preparation for Wednesday. An anniversary giraffe cake made by local baker, Heather Luse, was served in the afternoon along with many selections of Penn State Creamery Ice Cream. Also, Wednesday was the very special Giraffe Award Ceremony in which five staff members were honored for their incredible service throughout the year. Lynne Katzmann, CEO and founder of Juniper Communities, presented these awards.

To continue the giraffe theme, Safari Day was Thursday complete with safari cookies. Several staff took their costumers to the next level by making Safari Jeeps to wear all day. To wrap up the week, Friday was Beach Day complete with the traditional dunk tank. Unfortunately, the very rainy weather did not allow for the volunteers to sit in the tank, but that did not stop the fun of grass skirts and tropical treats. Many smiles, laughs, and hugs were shared in a week where staff felt love and appreciation for all of the work they do each day at Juniper.

When a Family Member Needs You

Recently, a Housekeeping Associate of Juniper Village, Skilled Nursing – Penny Smith - had been diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine appointment. Two tumors have been removed and Penny is being treated with radiation daily for the next six weeks. As you can imagine, this will not only take a toll on Penny emotionally and physically, but financially as well.

Penny has been employed by Juniper Village at Brookline since November of 2006 and has many long term friends among the Juniper family.  Two of those friends, Rene Leigey and Traci Martz, decided to try and raise funds for Penny to help alleviate some of her financial concerns. They planned a pot luck lunch and asked other associates if they might want to donate a dish for the cause. What was to be a simple lunch turned into something much greater. The room was full of enough foods to feed a small army and donations like tie knot blankets, a candy / cookie basket, a movie night basket, a crystal pitcher and glasses, home décor, a matching purse and wallet, and breast cancer pins, were also brought in to be raffled. Everyone wore pink for breast cancer awareness, everyone paid only $5.00 and had a wonderful lunch, and by the days end a total of $1,100.00 had been raised for Penny.

When Penny was given the funds in private she was overcome with emotion, stating “oh my goodness, people do truly care”.  Penny is extremely appreciative and will use these funds to assist where needed with medical bills and with time off to recuperate.

This is an example of how a close knit working team is truly a family and will come together when one of their own is in need. This has not only made Penny feel loved, it has made this family of people feel as though they could truly help.

~ Note the importance of routine breast exams for women. Early detection is key. ~

Annual Family Picnic

Over the years, Independence Day has evolved into more than simply celebrating our Nation's day of independence into a holiday that celebrates the gathering together of family and friends, often in a picnic setting. It was with this sense of family, friendship, and celebration that led Juniper Village at Brookline 26 years ago to plan a family picnic as a way to embrace this most American of holidays.

A celebration is had the weekend before July 4th every year since that first picnic, rain or shine, in the back parking area of The Inn. Without fail, several days before the picnic, a large professional tent is drilled into the pavement, tables and chairs are set to accommodate more than 600 attendees, and the local Lions Club sets up their grill in order to provide all of the residents and guests with their famous roasted chicken.

On the day of the picnic, staff comes dressed in the required attire.anything red, white, and blue. Staff arrives early, ready to put together the finishing touches.  Hanging of flags, decorating the stage for live entertainment, placing tablecloths and festive décor all to get ready for the most anticipated attraction.  The food tent, complete with Penn State Creamery ice cream, freshly baked pies, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other tasty picnic staples is always a fan favorite.

As guests arrive, they are greeted by the upbeat and patriotic tunes of the Deacons of Dixieland. For those in attendance who were in the mood for a good laugh, Chip Mock, a local artist was on hand to provide free caricatures to any and all in attendance.  A new item this year was the availability for families to "Like" Juniper Village at Brookline on Facebook and/or Instagram while being encouraged to share their family pictures with us at #juniperfamilypicnic. Be sure to check out Juniper Village at Brookline on both those sites to view photos and watch a short video of the picnic in action!

Juniper Village and Penn State Health Host Geriatric Interest Network of Centre County!

Recently, Juniper Village at Brookline was pleased to partner with Penn State Health to host a summer kickoff networking event for the Geriatric Interest Network of Centre County. The Geriatric Interest Network provides opportunities for industry professionals to collaborate, advocate, and educate on issues relevant to seniors living in the Centre County region.

Beautiful weather provided a wonderful backdrop for the event, which was held on the tree-lined front lawn of Juniper’s Wellspring Memory Care community. Juniper’s dining team prepared a mouthwatering spread including pulled pork sliders, fresh pineapple salsa and pita crisps, cool veggie cups with hummus, decadent fruit tarts, and more. Acoustic tunes from Caryn Jellen added to the festive atmosphere and fresh flowers, arranged by resident volunteers, adorned the tables.

Making the event a success was the strong turnout from Juniper’s Partners in Caring for this very special event from home care and hospice agencies, to physician groups, to rehabilitation partners, to local associations and government agencies, to leaders from Penn State Health. By coming together, we are able to collaboratively and creatively meet the needs of seniors in our region!

For more information on the Geriatric Interest Network of Centre County, visit: www.centrecountygin.com

July 2017 Events in State College, PA: Stand In Integrity

Each summer Juniper Village begins our quarterly Alive in All Seasons focus on Staying Connected. We promote staying connected to the community, the environment and each other. In July we shed light on staying connected to our community through volunteerism. Do you know that, as a company, we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious volunteer time each year? We have many volunteers, both human and animal, who contribute to our mission of nurturing the spirit of life. Elizabeth Andrew said it best, “volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” This month we honor all of the wonderful volunteers who make time to share a bit of their heart with us. We appreciate those who lead groups in our communities; those who share their unique skills and talents with our residents; those who provide friendly visits to our residents and give a reassuring hug or comforting puppy kiss; and the many, many other special people who enhance our lives.

This month as we focus on volunteerism we invite you to find a way that you can make a difference. Whether helping us at Juniper Village or another organization, volunteering has countless emotional and physical health benefits. Volunteering gives a boost not only to those receiving, but to those giving of their time as well.

Review our full calendar and make time to join us for any and all events.

This month we highlight our Ambassador Program and other volunteer opportunities for residents. In addition to volunteer opportunities, we invite you to join us during July for our summer celebrations and share our thanks as we honor those who Stand In Integrity with us.

Our fabulous July 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Women’s Resource Center Drive Kick-Off Party as throughout the month of July, Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living will be collecting items with donation boxes will be located at The Inn, The Pines, and The Willows for the local Women’s Resource Center such as paper products, beauty items, towels, household cleaners, and baby items, so join us at the kick-off party to receive the complete list of needed items on July 3rd at 1:30 pm.

§  Miles For Memory as Juniper Village at Brookline is hosting the third annual walk in this collaboration between Juniper Village, Penn State interns, and the community at large that aims to raise funds to support Juniper’s Music and Memory program for residents with dementia, so join us for a morning of exercise, prizes, food, face painting, and fun as we walk to bring the joy of personalized music to our residents on July 15th from 9:30am to 11:30am. (Registration will begin at 9:30 am and the cost is $15 (includes a t-shirt), and the walk will begin at 10:00 am.)

§  An Evening of Volunteerism in Action a very special professional networking event in which we gather to assemble items to support the Ronald McDonald House of Central PA, so if you are on our contact list, be sure to watch for your personal invitation for this fun-filled evening of giving on July 25th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our July 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as you Stand In Integrity.

Right at Your Fingertips

Linked Senior has arrived at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living! This new computer-based programming uses senior friendly touchscreen kiosks to provide 24/7 unlimited access to entertainment, education, spiritual and intellectual content. Linked Senior uses cutting edge technology that is web based and can be enjoyed by residents at all levels of care including independent living, personal care, and memory care.  Some of the content available includes popular games such as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune as well as educational videos, photo slideshows and a music library of many genres!  "One of my favorite programs is the 'Remember When' feature. This program allows you to pick any year in the past and see photos from world events that year along with fashion, celebrities and vehicles." said Jill McKenrick, Connections Director at Juniper Village. You can find Linked Senior in use by the Connections staff at both the Inn and Pines.  Staff will also be bringing Linked Senior to resident's rooms in the future.  Linked Senior is designed to be user-friendly for older adults and can be used privately in resident rooms for entertainment and recreation.  Many residents have already seen Linked Senior in use as it has slowly been added to our already diverse Connections programming. To learn more about how you can use Linked Senior, Please see a Connections associate or stop by the Connections room at either The Inn or The Pines for a demonstration.

Men of Honor

On a beautiful spring Sunday, a joyous celebration was provided in order to honor the wonderful men of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living. Family and friends attended the annual Father's Day Brunch to recognize the important men in their lives. The afternoon was filled with laughter, hugs, and more smiles than could be counted throughout the Senior Living campus. Whether the title was father, grandfather, uncle, friend, or mentor, all male residents were treated like kings as they enjoyed a buffet of comfort foods: steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, delectable desserts, and an Arnold Palmer cocktail. Buffets were placed in The Willows independent living, and The Pines and The Inn personal care settings.

Although men are the minority in many senior living communities, they bring a wonderful sense of pride, history, and honor with their presence. Juniper Village at Brookline is privileged to provide services to such important members of our community and history. Ranging from professors from various universities and colleges, to scientists in an array of fields, to local farmers and businessmen, and wartime hero's, these gentlemen have served our country and continue to serve our community in ways far beyond what they humbly share to their others. Juniper Village is privileged to have each of these gentlemen within our senior care community.

A Meal that Matters

Juniper Village at Brookline has been recognized as a platinum sponsor to the State College Meals on Wheels program for over fifteen years. Meals on Wheels is a national organization that has thrived in the State College area serving more than 1 million meals to community members in State College since its start in 1971. This home delivered meal service provides nutritious meals to high risk individuals including older adults and convalescent individuals in our community who otherwise would not be able to prepare their own meals. Nearly 150 volunteers and three paid staff provide nearly 100 meals a day, five days a week to ensure those in need receive these meals.
Juniper Village at Brookline took another opportunity to support Meals on Wheels by donating enough fresh fruit for several days of meal delivery.  Fresh fruit is sometimes a missing item of meals due to the short shelf life and the increased cost of produce, however it is "always appreciated" says Christine Tyler, the executive director of the State College Meals on Wheels program.  Juniper Village at Brookline is lucky to be a part of a larger community that serves those in need.

For more information on how Juniper Village at Brookline supports the State College and Centre County community, please visit www.junipercommunities.com or check out our Facebook page at Juniper Village at Brookline. For more information on State College Meals on Wheels, please visit their website at www.scmow.2stayconnected.com.

Wheels in Motion

Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living has been working diligently on putting in motion the moving parts that make up Connect 4 Life; Juniper's integrated care model in senior housing. This month a Meet & Greet was held for Connie Smith and Cierra McCaulley, two of the key players in the Connect 4 Life model. Connie Smith, CRNP, serves as the on-site Redwood Health Partners nurse practitioner. Redwood's on-site practice allows their patients to have same day appointments on scheduled clinic days, time during appointments to ask questions about care, and coordination with other professionals to provide the highest quality approach to meeting the needs of their patients. Cierra McCaulley, medical concierge, is affectionately referred to as the tour guide for residents and families.  She is responsible for managing appointments, deciphering recent physician visits, and coordinating care.

Another piece of the Connect 4 Life model is the on-site therapy department. Benchmark Therapy company is present five days a week at Juniper Village Senior Living and serves to meet the physical wellness piece of resident care. Theralink Days were started this month and fourteen residents attended the first of what will become a monthly program in which residents participate in different therapy stations. Each station involves a physical task that is witnessed by a therapist and recorded for the resident to track his/her progress over time. A nurse is also present to review the resident's vital signs and even a maintenance team member is present to provide inspections of walkers and wheelchairs.

Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living is excited to provide the integrated program of health services, Connect 4 Life, to its residents. For more information on how Connect 4 Life is addressing care needs for its participates, please visit www.junipercommunities.com

Juniper Village at Brookline Hosts Dinner and Discussion on Fall Prevention

Slips, trips, and falls – they can happen to us all. Recently, Juniper Village at Brookline held a “Dinner and Discussion” about fall prevention and safety awareness, featuring our Partners in Caring from RehabCare. Presenting were Corey Sheehan, director of physical therapy, and Jessica Paul, physical therapist. Corey and Jessica addressed the fear of falling that many people have, and how it can negatively impact one’s quality of life. They then provided useful tips for preventing falls, such as simple home modifications, improved footwear, and regular exercise. RehabCare provides excellence in therapy services at Juniper Village at Brookline’s Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing building, helping individuals to regain independence and improve quality of life.

As always, chef Kris Kishbaugh and his culinary team prepared a healthy and delicious meal for guests, that included roasted chicken with an orange ginger marmalade over sautéed spinach, a carrot, fennel and yam puree, and cheesecake with fresh seasonal berries.

Juniper Village at Brookline’s “Dinner and Discussions” are free to the public! To be sure you don’t miss our next event, like and follow Juniper Village at Brookline on facebook and subscribe to our blog!

June 2017 Events in State College, PA: Live In Wellness

“You are what you eat.” The old adage is now truer than ever. Good health is largely dependent on good nutrition, so much so that doctors trace many physical and emotional ailments back to a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. Eating a well-balanced diet is a major part of encouraging long life, lowering the incidence of disease, and helping sick people recover. On the flip side, inadequate nutrition and poor quality foods can generally cut life span and open us up to many illnesses and disease. In effect, food is medicine per Webster's definition of medicine: "The science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease." Food acts as medicine - to maintain, prevent, and treat disease.

With this month’s Alive in All Seasons focus on food, we’d like to give you a prescription for a healthy diet: breakfast daily (do not skip); meals x3 (at least) daily; foods from each of the food groups per meal daily. The food pyramid defines the food groups as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and proteins. The amounts vary according to age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level. Here’s a good guideline to start you on your way. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make half your grains whole grains. Move to low-fat and fat-free dairy. Vary your protein routine and eat and drink the right amount for you.

Join us as we continue our focus on healthy aging by shedding light on our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices, and demonstrate how food and nutrition help us to Live in Wellness from a dietitian’s point of view.

Our fabulous June 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Understanding the Psychiatric Issues of Dementia this 4-hour training will be presented by Linda Shumaker, Outreach Coordinator at the PA Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition, and will focus on the psychiatric complications of dementia as well as issues of depression in both family and professional caregivers because according to the 2014 Pennsylvania State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, 400,000 Pennsylvanians are living with the disease on June 7^th from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. (Doors open at 9:30 am; to register for the CEU event visit www.olderpa.org.)

§  Dinner & Discussion Live in Wellness Dietary Needs for Seniors to join our registered dietician, Katherine Haar, for this informative and delicious take on what we need to keep our bodies operating well at any age while we enjoy a delectable dinner featuring a grilled corn and pepper salad, flank steak, and oven roasted potatoes on June 21^st at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 and include any dietary restrictions.)

§  Family Picnic to come one, come all to this annual event that residents, family members, and invited guests look forward to all year long, as we enjoy classic cookout foods and drinks under the big tent, along with live entertainment for all ages, so be sure to watch for your invitation in the mail to this party on June 25^th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our June 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as you Live In Wellness.

A Bountiful Brunch

On Sunday May 7th, a celebratory Mother's Day event was held at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living in order to recognize the remarkable women which help to make the Juniper Senior Living community the amazing place that all of us here have come to love. In a place as warm and welcoming as the Brookline campus is, it would come as no surprise to find out that the ladies of Brookline account for nearly three-fourths of the entire population.  What better way to celebrate this extraordinary group than with a special day?

In order to properly mark the celebration of these truly outstanding Mothers, Grand-mothers, and maternal figures, residents and their guests were treated to a bountiful buffet brunch which featured an amazing array of comfort foods.  Baked oatmeal, seafood lasagna, pastries, and other delicacies were served; celebratory mimosas and punch were also to be found on the menu. Included guests were friends and family members, many of which represented multiple generations of the same family, all of whom excitedly shared in fellowship and camaraderie throughout the meal while regaling each other with stories of family both new and old.

The buffet brunch was served in both personal care areas of The Inn and The Pines, as well as the dining room at The Willows independent living. Over three hundred attendees participated in the event to honor these special women. Providing on-site holiday celebrations is one way in which Juniper continues to nurture the spirit of life in each individual.

May 2017 Events in State College, PA: Grow Strong Daily

Continuing our Spring Alive In All Seasons focus on healthy again, we continue to let wellbeing thrive with a May focus on Fitness. Staying fit throughout all seasons of life is possible and at Juniper we promote fitness every day of the week! We recently shared on our Facebook page a New York Times story, authored by Gretchen Reynolds, providing results from the Mayo Clinic who recently conducted an experiment on the cells of 72 healthy but sedentary men and women who were 30 or younger or older than 64. The volunteers were randomly assigned to a particular exercise regimen. There were some unsurprising differences: The gains in muscle mass and strength were greater for those who exercised only with weights, while interval training had the strongest influence on endurance. But more unexpected results were found in the biopsied muscle cells. It seems as if the decline in the cellular health of muscles associated with aging was “corrected” with exercise, especially if it was intense, says Dr. Sreekumaran Nair, a professor of medicine and an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic and the study’s senior author. In fact, older people’s cells responded in some ways more robustly to intense exercise than the cells of the young did. So pick up those weights, get on that bike and remember it’s never too late to benefit from exercise. And if you’re not doing so already, follow us on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

We invite you to Grow Strong Daily along with us with programs such as Fitness Five and our Route 66 Walking Program. Learn more about fitness and keeping your heart healthy at our Heart Healthy Luncheon and educational presentation. Staying fit throughout all seasons of life is possible.

Our fabulous May 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Morning Moves Chair Dancing as we enjoy a morning workout with a fun class that uses upbeat music to create a lively, exciting atmosphere during this innovative class that gives you the best of both words, cardio and strength training, while remaining seated comfortably throughout the program on May 15^th at 10:30 am.

§  Dinner & Discussion Fall Prevention because slips, trips, and falls can happen to us all, but most falls can be prevented, so join us for this informative discussion by the therapy team from Rehab Care about fall prevention and safety awareness as we will learn some exercises to strengthen our muscles and improve our balance, as well as modifications we can make for a safer home environment on May 17^th at 5:30 pm. (RSVPs and any dietary restrictions required by May 12^th at 814-235-2005.)

§  Gin in the Evening as partnering with Penn State Hershey, Juniper Village is calling all area healthcare professionals who work in, around, or are interested in geriatric healthcare, because you won’t want to miss this exciting networking event, as we will be hosting a Centre County Geriatric Interest Network (GIN) get-together with wonderful food and drink, and sparkling conversation with donations accepted for the Alzheimer’s Association on May 31^st from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our May 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Community Partner

Juniper Village at Brookline was pleased to host Penn State's Center for Healthy Aging as they presented their Aging Lecture Series discussion on bone health held on April 20, 2017. Over forty community members, residents, and family members gathered to listen to Mary Jane DeSouza, professor of kinesiology at Penn State, discuss the science behind strong bones and how to maintain long-term bone health. Attendees were given tips on keeping bones healthy and strong through exercise, supplements, and good old-fashioned sunshine (Vitamin D). Professor DeSouza shared information on her current research study in which dried plums are being used at varying quantities each day as a natural supplement to support bone health. Although this is a four-year study, she shared that the initial findings are very promising.

Juniper Village is proud to serve as a gathering location for community events, such as the Healthy Aging Lecture Series, that highlight current research studies and up-to-date resources offered through Penn State and the State College community.  Juniper Village has opened its doors for numerous community partners such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Centre County Senior Center Coalition, Geriatric Interest Network, Chamber of Business and Industry in Centre County, Centre County Orchestra, American Red Cross, FUSE Productions, Penn State Hershey, and many other community organizations. For information on upcoming community events at Juniper Village at Brookline, please visit www.junipercommunities.com or 'Like' us on Facebook.

When a Box is Not Just a Box

Residents at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living spent an afternoon filling colorful boxes for a locally founded organization. The Jared Box Project was established by a local elementary school to remember and honor a former classmate named Jared, who passed away in the year 2000. At the age of five, Jared was diagnosed with an incurable brainstem tumor, during his many trips to doctors' appointments he took toys and games along to occupy his time, oftentimes sharing these treasures with other children in the waiting areas. His classmates created the Jared Box Project to provide boxes full of toys and games to sick children as a way of spreading good cheer and well wishes. Since the project began in 2001, over 200,000 boxes have been given away.

The residents at Juniper Village at Brookline completed 12 boxes, filled with an assortment of items including coloring books, stickers, play-doh, silly putty, and friendship bracelets. All boxes made were for the 4 to 8-year-old age group of boys and girls. A representative from The Jared Box Project picked up the donations and will distribute the boxes to local children in need. "It's important for our residents to stay connected to the community by offering their time to helping others. Our residents helped make a difference in children's lives without even leaving the building." say Jill McKenrick, Connections Director. Connections programs like this are one way in which residents continue to support the local community.

For more information on the Jared Box Project and how you can create your own, please visit www.thejaredbox.com.

Poems from Life

Our partners from the PA Center for the Book shared this message with me from their director. If other Juniper communities are considering doing a similar project, I think a strong community partner is key:

Congratulations, that was a remarkable program!  It brought together so many of the tangents of the PA Center for the Book--how could we not have co-sponsored it?  I was moved at each poem which perfectly married literature with story,  and in this case, the story of some very interesting older people.

And that is the brilliant part of the project, as these poets turned their ordinary lives into extraordinary words--all of these ordinary people lived extraordinary lives.  We all do live unique lives and your poetry shared those ultimately transcendent experiences beyond the walls of their rooms or houses or memories.

I was quite moved, as was the entire audience.

April 2017 Events in State College, PA: Believe in Yourself

Each April we begin our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on brain health, and encourage you to Believe in Yourself. We know that believing in yourself has a positive effect on your mental health, but did you know that self-confidence influences your physical health as well? Recent studies show people who exhibit self-confidence are generally healthier and tend to live longer. That's because confidence is a positive emotion and positive emotions have countless health benefits for your mind, body and spirit. In nurturing wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit, Juniper is also building self-confidence. The link between health and confidence also may be related to the ability of positive emotions to boost our brain's power to hold attention, be aware and remember things. We are better able to learn, build new skills and relate with others when we are feeling optimistic. Also confident people are better able to handle chaotic situations in a positive manner. This helps to reduce or avoid excessive stress, high blood pressure, anger, confusion – all the negative side effects of feeling powerless, overwhelmed and out of control.

If you need to kick start your confidence, here are a few things to try: smile; count your blessings; surround yourself with confident people; learn how others have found their confidence and follow their lead; challenge negative or inaccurate thinking and replace with accurate, constructive thoughts; and encourage yourself. You can also plan to join us this month for uplifting discussions and a focus on brain health with offerings such as Daily Brain Builders, Wii games, and a Brain Healthy Luncheon.

Our fabulous April 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  “Poems From Life” An Evening of Original Poetry Inspired by Real-Life Events because each of us has our own unique story to tell, so in collaboration with local poets, we will bring to life the amazing, inspiring, thought-provoking, and heartwarming stories of some of the incredible individuals who live in our Juniper Village at Brookline community, then please stay for refreshments and an opportunity to meet the faces behind the stories as Juniper Village is proud to partner with the PA Center for the Book and Penn State Libraries for this very special event on April 11th at 6:30 pm. (No Reservations Required.)

§  Healthy Aging Lecture Series Healthy Bones for Life as Juniper Village is proud to partner with the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging to present Mary Jane De Souza, professor in the department of kinesiology because there’s plenty of science detailing what we can do to make sure our bones stay healthy and strong, so learn about threats to bone health and how to build your lifestyle for long-term benefits on April 20th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. (Reservations are required. Call 814-865-4776 or email psuhealthyaging@gmail.com.)

§  Cooking with Kris Brain-Boosting Smoothie Demonstration, Dining Services Director, for an afternoon snack with friends to create your own brain-healthy smoothie with selections of power foods including blueberries, coconut oil, beets, and other tasty treats on April 26^th at 3:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our April 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as you Believe in Yourself.

Connect 4 Life - Integrated Care in Seniors Housing

In March the Directors of Wellness met to discuss the Importance of Integrated Care, which is the main stay of Juniper Communities' Connect4Life.  Statistics show when a Community provides three key components; onsite delivery of primary care, a "high-tech" foundation of shared data and a "high-touch" coordinator that facilitates a seamless provision of services, the customer truly benefits.  Juniper Communities study compared the population of customers residing in managed care communities and similar frail Medicare recipients.  The key results show hospitalizations were reduced by 50%, re-hospitalizations were reduced by over 80%.  Further study needs to be done, but these results suggest these positive outcomes are a result of a foundation of excellence and consistent quality of integrated care.

Pictured on top from left to right are some of our fabulous Directors of Community Relation: Kathryn Bainbridge, Brookline Senior Living; Katie Kensinger, Brookline Wellspring Memory Care; Brenda Dahlberg, Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care; Christine Heibel, Lebanon; and Bonnie Prisk, Forest Hills. Pictured on bottom from left to right are some of our wonderful Directors of Wellness: Susan Deitzler, Lebanon; Missy Ebner, Home Office; Katie Castro, Brookline Senior Living; Veronica Graham, Mount Joy; Muriel Myers, Forest Hills; and Dana Theis, Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

Out of Every Bad Turn is a Good One

Mary Ann Finch Vandivier, better known as Finch, is a resident at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living. Finch shared the title of this blog as how she looks back upon having been fired from her job as one of the defining moments of her life. Finch started her college career late in life, receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree in German and her Masters of Art Degree in West European Studies from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 1987 at the age of 45. Excited to use these two degrees, Finch began her career by taking a job, only to be fired almost immediately. Not quite knowing where to go or what to do next, Finch purchased what was to be her first computer and ultimately found her new career path through the newly popular internet. Always having had an interest in writing, Finch began writing resumes for people, immediately finding her niche and ultimately turning this newfound joy into an internet based career and business for the past 20 years. Even now, Google recognizes Finch Vandivier Coaching & Writing Services as a business in Carmel, Indiana. Finch provides writing services to an array of clients and businesses, from Anheuser-Busch to broom sweepers.

Just as Finch was hitting her stride professionally a horrific murder took place in a community near her that immediately caught her attention and would not let go, she could not escape the image of this tragedy. Finch took it upon herself to go to the trial and gather as much information about the events of this crime as she possibly could. Admitting that even in the peak of her career and success, she could never quite escape thoughts of the murder, being so engrossed that she would awaken in the middle of the night to write down her thoughts, in the hopes of finding some reprieve from the burden that she seemed to be carrying with her.

Having experienced a stroke in 2010 Finch travelled to Denver seeking advice and comfort from her son, while there she was also diagnosed with stage-three throat cancer and immediately began cancer treatments. During these times of illness, coupled with the requisite chemotherapy and radiation, Finch stopped writing.  She found it just too difficult to maintain due to the challenges and side effects from the stroke and therapy treatments. Over time Finch began feeling better and her family encouraged her to look at senior living options. Finches daughter encouraged her to look at Juniper Village as a way of being closer to her children and her grandchildren. Finch admits that she did not want to get out of the car for the tour and shared that if she had not been permitted to bring her cat and her sewing machine along she likely would not have made the decision to join our community here at Juniper Village.

Finch feels that Juniper Village has given her a "huge block of wonderful time." Not having to worry about meal preparation, cleaning, or even making her bed, Finch can "just live" throughout the day. Time has allowed her to pick up where she left off regarding her passion of writing which has resulted in the publishing of her first book, The Fathers, which is based upon true life events of her past. Finch created both a paper back and on-line offering which is available through both the Amazon store and Kindle.  Despite having just received her first royalty check a few weeks ago Finch shared that writing her book is not about the money, but rather the pleasure she receives from knowing that others are reading her book.

Now that she has more "wonderful time" on her hands, Finch has decided to start taking piano lessons with the goal of learning to play songs from the recent Hollywood production of La La Land. Juniper Village is truly blessed to have amazing residents, like Finch, in the community.

Who's Who at Juniper Village: Medical Concierge

Cierra McCaulley joined the Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living team this winter as a key member to the Wellness Team; the Medical Concierge. Cierra is a native to Centre County, having grown up near Bellwood, PA and now residing with her fiancé in Bellefonte. As a young girl Cierra dreamed of becoming a State Police Officer, having wished to follow in the footsteps of many of her family members. As with many dreams, they change over time and now Cierra is pursuing a nursing career and will begin the educational journey of becoming an LPN (licensed practicing nurse) and EMT (emergency medical technician) later this year. When not at work, Cierra is busy putting the finishing touches on her wedding plans, but is quickly running out of time as her June wedding is right around the corner. Cierra is an active member of Beagle 911, our local beagle rescue. Cierra enjoys visiting her horses on her parents property in Tyrone and playing with her nephews.


Cierra's role at Juniper Village is invaluable, in the ever evolving and often overwhelming health care world she serves as the point person to assist residents and families with managing appointments, deciphering recent physician visits, and coordinating care. The Medical Concierge is part of Juniper Communities Connect 4 Life program which brings High-Tech/High-Touch healthcare to life in a senior living setting. Residents have access to Redwood Health Partners, Theralink therapy programs, and coordinated pharmacy services as part of the co-located services with integrated systems on the Juniper Village at Brookline campus. The convenience this provides for residents of Juniper Village and the increased availability and access to care are just a few of the numerous benefits of the Connect 4 Life program. For more information on Connect 4 Life, please contact Cierra at 814-574-5041 or visit her at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Theatre Company Provides Juniper with Glimpse into Camelot

Juniper residents, community members, and local industry professionals were transported to the land of CAMELOT at a recent dinner and discussion hosted by Juniper Village at Brookline. Led by Richard Biever, artistic director of the award-winning FUSE Productions, the evening offered an insider’s perspective on bringing to life Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical, CAMELOT. Biever shared the history of the musical, which originally starred Julie Andrews as Guenevere and Richard Burton as King Arthur on Broadway in 1963. The original production ran for 873 performances on Broadway and won four Tony Awards. As Biever prepares to mount CAMELOT at Penn State’s Schwab Auditorium this June, he described his creative vision for the FUSE production, showing examples of paintings, furniture, and royal garb that serve as inspiration for set design, lighting, and overall tone of the piece. As an added bonus, guests were treated to live musical performances. Professional actor and Penn State theatre professor, Steve Snyder, sang King Arthur’s “I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight” as well as the well-known title song, “Camelot”. The stunning local actress and Singing Onstage teacher, Madeline Biever, performed Guenevere’s hauntingly beautiful “Before I Gaze at You Again”. The evening also featured a delicious meal by Juniper chef, Kris Kishbaugh, and ended with a Q&A session and lively conversation.

For more information about Juniper Village at Brookline’s Senior Living options, visit: http://www.junipercommunities.com/SL_Brookline_home.php

For more information about FUSE’s CAMELOT, visit: http://fuseproductions.org/camelot/

Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

St. Patrick's Day is a day to wear green, eat traditional foods, and celebrate the Irish culture. Juniper Village expanded this holiday over a two-day affair, to provide a vast array of opportunities for staff and residents to enjoy the festivities.

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day, Juniper Village Senior Living hosted a quartet from the Penn State Rince na Leon Irish dance club. This group of young ladies demonstrated several traditional Irish dances while dressed in custom made Irish dance skirts in true Penn State blue & white colors. Attendees enjoyed a delicious Reuben dip, chocolate chip mint cookies, and a green cocktail coined the 'Lucky Leprechaun.' The following day the halls were filled with green as staff and residents alike wore green and gold necklaces, shamrock headbands, and green clothes from head to toe. The community came together in the afternoon for a cupcake treat as well as mint milkshakes. These gatherings were perfect opportunities for 'Best Friends' to come together for a fun Connections offering. The Best Friends program is an opportunity for a single staff member to be connected to a new resident at the time of her/his move-in and grow and foster that relationship indefinitely. The Best Friends program is one way in which Juniper Communities builds relationships between residents and staff beyond the traditional resident/staff interactions.  Whether it is through structured programs or casual interactions throughout the campus, residents and staff share laughter, love, and luck with each other each and every day!

A Mardi Gras Celebration

Mardi-Gras, which dates to the 1600's, is a day of celebration traditionally recognized as a celebration prior to the ritual of fasting for the Lenten season. In more recent history, Mardi-Gras has become a day to wear colorful beads and masks while enjoying delectable delights.

It was in this spirit that Juniper Village at Brookline created our own festive event to celebrate this age-old holiday. Guests were provided with beads and masks for the event as well as photo opportunities with our campus mascot Miles the Giraffe. Staff and residents alike were treated to celebration themed food demonstrations provided by our very own culinary team.  Some of the sumptuous features included traditional New Orleans consisting of shrimp and grits, bananas foster crepes, and Jambalaya.

Kris, Dining Director from Senior Living, cooked shrimp to order, while Serena from Rehabilitation and Skilled Care served fresh crepes straight from the skillet. Not to be outdone, Penney from the Wellspring community, made cocktail gummies for guests to enjoy. Beyond these tasty treats, guests were served the traditional King Cake along with a New Orleans themed cocktail creatively and affectionately referred to as "Hurricanes" which were served in festive glassware. As a culmination of this wonderfully themed event, guests enjoyed live entertainment of both guitar and piano tunes, which provided the perfect ambiance for several attendees to begin dancing the night away.
               
An evening of fellowship, laughs, and love, is yet another example of how Juniper Village at Brookline nurtures the spirit of life for our residents, staff, and guests.

March 2017 Events in State College, PA: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

Our fabulous March 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Irish Dance Showcase to dress in green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish extravaganza as we feature the PSU Rince na Leon Dancers, a group that is sure to get your hands clapping and toes tapping, and we will have Irish-themed snacks, including Guinness beer bread, Reuben dip, and traditional Irish-themed beverages will be served on March 16^th at 6:00 pm. (No reservations required.)

§  Dinner and Discussion “From Script to Stage Bringing Musical Theater to Life” as we join Richard Biever, founder and artistic director of the award-winning FUSE Productions, as he shares what it takes to bring a theatrical production to life; from auditions, to the creative process, to opening night, Richard will take you behind the curtain for the upcoming production of Camelot on March 22^nd at 5:30 pm. (Reservations required for this special program and delicious dinner at 814-235-2041.)

§  Nittany Valley Symphony “Golden Jubilee” Reception as for 50 years, the Nittany Valley Symphony has been inspiring and delighting Centre County residents with the joy of classical music, so join us for a very special reception following their Golden Jubilee Anniversary Concert on March 26^th at 6:15 pm. (Reception reservations required at 814-235-2041. For concert details visit www.nvs.org.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as Your Treasure is Within.