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.