January 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Welcome New Beginnings

Happy New Year! January is the time when we all welcome new beginnings and set resolutions to make this year better than the last. But how does one keep those resolutions throughout the year ahead? The New York Times offers four suggestions: First, make a concrete plan, something visual to embed it to memory. Second, put something you value on the line – is it your health or your pocketbook – keep that in mind when you are tempted to break your resolution. Third, bundle your temptations. For instance, you want to exercise more, but struggle getting to the gym and you also have a fondness for gossip magazines but feel they are a waste of time. Combine the two – read the magazines only at the gym! And fourth, seek social support. You can achieve more by pursuing goals with the help of a mentor.

Still haven’t made any resolutions? Resolve to join us every month for a wide variety of events and activities. This month we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choir. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings and make regular visits to Juniper Village part of your new year’s goals!

Our fabulous January 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Elvis is in the Building as our annual birthday bash honoring Elvis Presley has become a crowd pleasing tradition, so join us for lively, interactive Elvis entertainment by “The King” himself, and a special treat as our own Executive Chef, Jason Hampton, will wow us with a live dessert action station featuring some Elvis’ favorite foods at this event that is free and open to all Elvis lovers on January 8^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

§  International Music with Fred Bender as we are pleased to share with the community this free to all event featuring Fred Bender who is billed as a “world traveler and educator, singer and songwriter,” and has been delighting audiences with his folk style renditions and originals for decades, while we will celebrate a love of global travel and heritage as we listen to Fred’s international music tribute on the “Cymbalom and Hackbrett,” so join us for a fun and interesting afternoon program with light refreshments offered as well on January 13^th from 1:30 pm. (Please RSVP by January 11^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our January 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Welcome New Beginnings.

2016 Best of Personal Care Award Winner Juniper Village at Mount Joy

Juniper Village at Mount Joy was once again presented with a Best of Senior Living Award, the 2016 Best of Personal Care Award, for receiving consistently high ratings from residents and their families in the past year on SeniorAdvisor.com, a premier ratings and reviews site for senior care and services nationwide.  

The 2016 Best of Senior Living Awards celebrate the best of the best in senior living and home care across the United States. The 2016 Best of Personal Care Award was presented to Juniper Village at Mount Joy for superior service in that category. The award is only given to communities that have received outstanding online feedback from their families through the SeniorAdvisor.com website. Of the nearly 100,000 providers currently listed on the site, only 879 were recognized. This exclusive designation places the winners in the top one percent of senior care providers nationwide according to those who matter most – their families.

“Receiving the 2016 Best of Personal Care Award is of great pride to the staff at Juniper Village at Mount Joy. It is based on unsolicited, confidential survey findings from residents and their families,” said Debra Miller, Executive Director of Juniper Village at Mount Joy. “It shows that all of our hard work in providing outstanding care in an exceptional environment is noticed and appreciated by those who mean the most, our residents.”

Selection criteria for the award winners included having an average overall rating of at least 4.5 out of 5 stars and a minimum number of reviews.

“SeniorAdvisor.com aims to help families research and locate reliable, first-hand feedback on senior care options from other families that have gone through the same experience,” said Eric Seifert, President of SeniorAdvisor.com. “We are proud to celebrate the exceptional businesses who care for our greatest generation and older loved ones, and provide these organizations with the recognition they deserve. These businesses are committed to providing the best care possible to their residents, and they’ve set a high bar of quality for other senior care providers to follow.” 

December 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Celebrate Little Things

This month is all about celebrations! Not only will we be celebrating holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, but we will also celebrate the little things that make life worthwhile. Little things such as the reassuring touch of a friend’s hand, a kind word from an acquaintance and a warm smile from a stranger.

In our all too busy lives we sometimes forget to honor the simple things in life that bring us peace and joy. Most experts recommend that we allow 10-20 minutes of relaxation and stress relief each day. Making time for that can even be a stressful experience! During this busy month of baking, shopping, visitors and juggling tasks take time to remember what is really important.

Here are some tips to keep holiday stress in check: Acknowledge your feelings – you are not alone as holiday stress is not uncommon. Be realistic with expectations – you can only do so much, learn to say no. Ask for help when needed – everyone wants to be needed and may feel more included by being able to contribute. Plan ahead to minimize unplanned expenses and tasks. Take a breather – take a walk at night and do some stargazing, listen to soothing music, or get a massage. Above all enjoy all the holidays have to offer by sharing time with others.

Join us during the busy month of December for our annual cookie exchange and holiday celebrations. Take time to Celebrate Little Things with those you love.

Our fabulous December 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  3rd Annual “Professional Jingle Mingle” Not Your Ordinary Networking Meeting, But Definitely Your Favorite because with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays we all need to “Un-Wine” a bit, so join us at Juniper Village at Mount Joy for a fun and festive spin on the traditional networking meeting, as this social event will give you an opportunity to meet and have fun with members of Lancaster County’s Senior Outreach Services, local Chamber of Commerce members and other professionals all while sampling wines, brews and specially selected pairings, including featured “action station” by our Executive Chef, Jason Hampton, which is always a crowd pleaser; in addition, fabulous door prizes will won by a lucky few and fun is guaranteed, if you attended last year, you know you this is an event you don’t want to miss since it will brighten your holiday season and kick-start your 2016 professional year with the right contacts, so bring your business cards and good cheer on December 15^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (RSVP by December 12^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our December 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Celebrate Little Things.

Halloween Bash

Celebrating Halloween at Mount Joy with Bob’s Creepy Critters, family and friends!  Face painting, candy scramble, trick or treating and more!

Happy 102nd Birthday!!

Kitty Shaffer recently celebrated her 102nd birthday with family and friends at Juniper Village at Mount Joy.  Her granddaughter, Mary Main, is our Director of Community Relations; she surprised "Nana" with a beautiful cake and two very special helpers.  Kitty's great-grandchildren served cake to all the residents and guests.  Four generations were present for her special day!

November 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Cherish The Journey

Family is a simple word, with complex meaning. To some family is the people you are related to by blood, but to some family is the people you choose to hold in high regard, and to others family isn’t people at all, but animals – our beloved pets.

Regardless of the definition, family plays an important role in our personal journey. As the saying goes, “Family is what you make it.” Whether made of blood relatives, friends, colleagues or pets, your family can offer you the support you need to thrive.

This month we celebrate family and reflect on our personal journeys while creating new memories for the future. Join us as we reminisce about these journeys through autobiographical journaling. Plan to share with those less fortunate through our annual food drive from November 1-30 with all non-perishable food items being donated to a local food bank. Also interact and share with others through our community support groups, and know that you are not alone. Throughout the month we will also be hosting several family events as we celebrate family and give thanks. We encourage you to review our calendar and join us for any or all of our events and Cherish The Journey!

Our fabulous November 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Food Drive Collection as we will be collecting non-perishable, non-expired food items in efforts to decrease the burden of local families struggling to keep nourishing food on the table with all items collected to be donated to the Mount Joy Food Bank for distribution, so please help us reach our goal and drop off anytime from November 1^st to November 30^th.

§  Veteran’s Day Give Away as Mount Joy’s own will be on hand to greet and thank veterans for their services at The Country Table restaurant as this local dining favorite offers a discounted meal for all vets this day and all veteran patrons will also receive a gift from Juniper Village, so we hope to see you there on November 11^th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

§  Little Known Facts About Lancaster County as John Brown, award winning presenter and member of the Lancaster County Speakers Bureau and Toastmasters International, will enlighten us with his vast knowledge of Lancaster County’s history, and what made this area unique before it was recognized as Lancaster County, and the nationalities and religions of the earliest settlers at this free, open to the community engagement on November 18^th at 1:30 pm.

We look forward to sharing our November 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Cherish The Journey.

Music and Memory: Where Words Fail, Music Speaks

Earlier this year Juniper Communities introduced the Music & Memory program in all of its Wellspring Memory Care communities. The response to this innovative program has been overwhelmingly positive. We are proud to announce that we are now rolling out the Music and Memory Program into our Assisted Living, Personal Care and Skilled Nursing communities as well.  Juniper Village at Mount Joy is proud to kick off this program with three events scheduled in the upcoming months and invite you to join us!

October 8 at 6:00 PM: ALIVE INSIDE SCREENING An inspirational and emotional story left the audience humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. The film dramatically portrays the power of music and memory. Please RSVP by calling 717-492-9692.

  

October 22, 6:00 PM: MUSIC THE MAGIC HEALER: Lynda Kuckenbrod, Certified Healthcare Musician, became an observer to some of the most wonderful miracles while playing her harp. She found she was able to provide simple reprieve from pain, anxiety and the stress that is found in these situations. Through her training and teaching as a bedside musician Lynda is able to help in the healing process through sound, rhythm, frequency and resonance. Come hear her share her knowledge and resonance. Please RSVP by calling 717-492-9692.

October 22, 7 PM VIRTUAL AGING TOUR The Virtual Aging Tour offers a rare glimpse into the world of an elderly person. Through the use of specially designed adaptive equipment, the tour simulates the loss of vision, auditory perception, mobility and other impairments experienced by people as they age. Please RSVP by calling 717-492-9692.

If you are able to make any of our upcoming events, or have questions about Music and Memory, please contact our Connections Director at 717-492-9692.

October 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Show Your Colors

Every October we turn our Alive in All Seasons focus to holidays and sports as we “Keep the Spirit” during this last celebratory quarter of the year. Sporting events are inevitably part of that celebration for many families.

According to Dr. Renee Clauselle, founder of Child and Family Psychology, “Bonding over sports — the highs and lows of the game — strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things.” Think of sports as an opportunity to connect with others over a favorite – or even rival – team and learn more about each other. Even strangers can learn more about where they grew up, which teams they support, which sports they played and how those sports are different today. You may even learn something about your loved ones that you never knew. Perhaps great-grandma played softball in a women’s league during college. That would be something to pass along to future generations! Watching a sporting event can become so much more than plays and scores; it can become an opportunity to learn the history of someone you love.

Join us this month and “Show Your Colors” as we sponsor a local sports team, get into the spirit of the season with our Halloween Costume Party and honor those associates who go above and beyond with our annual Juniper Spirit Awards.

Our fabulous October 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  PA Wounded Warriors Benefit Motorcycle Ride very special event with all proceeds benefiting PA Wounded Warriors Inc, a nonprofit supporting hundreds of local Pennsylvanians in every branch of the service who have been injured defending our country, beginning with Registration at 8:00 am, Opening Ceremonies at 9:00 am, and “Kick Stands Up” at 9:30am, as riders, with Juniper Village veterans following in our bus, make several stops, including the VA Hospital in Lebanon, and upon return  at approximately 12:30pm, a celebratory BBQ and raffle will be enjoyed with many fabulous prizes available on October 3^rd. (Registration to Renee Heiser at 717-492-9692 or contact via email renee.heiser@junipercommunities.com required for all non-residents; cost includes meal: $25/bike, $10/passengers and non-riders; Opening Ceremonies FREE to all.)

§  Halloween Spooktacular as ghosts and goblins of all ages are welcome to join us for a fun-filled afternoon with this inter-generational event featuring face painting, games, crafts, visits with creepy critters, tarot card readings, and an exciting candy scramble, with delectable tasty treats and refreshments provided. Costumes encouraged at this free, fun event on October 17^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by October 15^th.)

§  World Series Grand Slam Dash & Dine for opening day of the World Series as we’re rooting for the home team and the hometown, so dash in and grab a complimentary boxed dinner to go including hotdog, chips and a soda, or dine in with us and enjoy a popcorn machine and a sweet treat as well on October 22^nd from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by October 20^th.)

We look forward to sharing our October 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Show Your Colors.

Grandparent’s Day with Juniper Village at Mount Joy

Grandparents, grandkids and great-grands alike came together for an afternoon of “quality time” on Sunday, September 13th.  In honor of Grandparent’s Day, our residents, along with their guests, enjoyed the stylings of The Rebel Heart Irish Dancers.  This high-energy, high-stepping entertainment was highlight of a beautiful afternoon.

September 13 – 19 is National Assisted Living Week

Understand the senior living options available

This year, National Assisted Living Week’s theme is Nourishing Life: Mind, Body and Spirit and celebrates the countless ways assisted living caregivers nurture the whole resident. This has been the basis of Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s mission since we began and is certainly a goal of the industry.

With the percentage of the U.S. population over age 65 steadily increasing, it is important to understand the many options available in specialized residences and the level of care they provide for the growing and varied needs of seniors.

In addition to the type of community, it is equally important to find one that offers compassionate care, unparalleled access to healthcare – preferably onsite, programming that will stimulate you such as Music & Memory, and a commitment to continued improvement.

Personal Care/Assisted Living residences are for seniors who require the least amount of care. Meals are provided along with assistance in medication management, bathing, and dressing, if needed. Housekeeping and laundry services may also be available. Community social activities or outings may be offered, and depending on their preferences and budgets, residents may have the option of choosing a private room or a shared apartment.

Although some Assisted Living residences may provide services for seniors with cognitive impairment, a Memory Care residence is a specialized community for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Providing 24-hour supervision and security, the Memory Care environment is designed to meet the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s patients.

A Skilled Nursing Care residence, sometimes known as a nursing home, provides the highest level of care for its residents as well as round-the-clock availability of medical care. Seniors in these communities may be incontinent or require assistance with eating, walking, and moving about the bed.  Skilled Nursing Care residences usually provide long-term care for seniors who are too sick or frail for other types of residences.

In recognition of National Assisted Living Week, remember, when independent living becomes too difficult, moving into a senior living community that offers appropriate levels of care based on an individual’s need can often be the best solution.

September 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Spread Your Joy

As the air begins to cool and summer wanes, Juniper Village ends our “Stay Connected” series by recognizing Friendship and Joy. What is it that brings you joy? Is it the wet nose of a newborn pup? The smile of your first grandchild? The taste of a triple chocolate ice cream cone? Whatever it is we invite you to share that joy with others at Juniper Village this month.

Much attention has been paid to studies regarding the effects of stress on your health, but what about the effects of joy? The landmark “Nun Study,” as it's often known, revealed that positive emotion is correlated with longevity: 90% of the most cheerful quarter of nuns was alive at the age of eighty-five, whereas only 34% of the least cheerful quarter lived to that age. Similarly, 54% of the most cheerful fourth was alive at age ninety-four, versus 11% of the least cheerful. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. So go ahead, grab that triple chocolate cone it might just extend your life!

This month we invite you to “Spread Your Joy” as we honor our friendships in our Red Hat and Villager clubs and our Best Friends events; get our hands dirty at our Friendship Daffodil Project; and celebrate with our Birthday Party and House Warming Initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Rebel Heart Irish Dancers authentic cultural presentation featuring fluid moves and moving melodies on September 13^th at 2:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our September 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Spread Your Joy.

The New Holland Combo Event

Everyone enjoyed the smooth sounds of The New Holland Combo. The group first established in 1829 brings a fine group of performers that strive to "preserve", maintain and advance its historical tradition of providing live performance of the highest quality band literature performed at a consistently professional level. The combo band delighted us with hits of the 40's, 50's and 60's. We did not let a little rain spoil our fun, we held this event inside with a full living room for the residents, families and the community to enjoy!!

Juniper Village at Mount Joy: Your Partner for Successful Outcomes

We want to be your partner of choice in the new shared savings environment. At Juniper Village at Mount Joy, we have been collecting critical data for nearly 10 years. For example, we closely monitor residents to assure successful returns from either the hospital or rehabilitation setting.

The ability to manage pressure ulcers is key to minimizing hospitalizations. Low rates of facility acquired pressure ulcers are the result of a high level of wellness/clinical oversight and an indicator of quality care and service.

Another common cause of both initial hospitalizations and rehospitalizations is medication errors. Changes to medication regime whether after a scheduled physician appointment or emergency hospitalization can leave patients confused about what medications are most current. Our wellness team is responsible for medication reconciliation and management, a process which virtually eliminates medication errors.

Communication is key and Juniper Village at Mount Joy takes communication to the next level through:
• Use of Electronic Health Records (Point Click Care)
• Optimized care transitions protocols
• Full implementation of INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers)
• Use of a highly recognizable and consistent transfer information packet
• Focus on resident and care giver education and engagement
• Individualized care and service

3rd Annual "Dog Days" of Summer Dog Show

Prancing pooches in costume competing for prizes as the residents judged this most favorite event. The annual “Dog Days” of summer dog show is always a big hit with our residents, families and staff. Our “prestigious judges,” our residents, chose Best of Show, Best Dressed, and Best Trickster. The K-Pets teams, which are a pet therapy organization, brought the show to life. Who can resist these primped up pooches?!  Woof!

August 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Breathe in Life

As we continue our summer focus on Staying Connected, we devote our August 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village in Mount Joy to connecting to the Environment. One of our Signature Programs is the Green Canopy Program. This program is designed to support healthier living for our residents and staff through environmentally conscious communities and events. This program directly supports this month’s focus on the environment and our vision to make the world a better place, a place where each of us can live fully throughout all seasons of life.

Margaret Mead reminds us that “We won't have a society if we destroy the environment.” To that end, Juniper Village has created Green Teams in each of our communities to support our environmental initiatives by assisting with our recycling and energy efficiency programs – such as using CFL light bulbs and Energy Star rated appliances, while making suggestions for additional programs to increase quality of life and promote sustainability in our communities. Have you met your Juniper Village Green Team? This month during our August 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy our Green Teams will share their mission with the greater community by heading up initiatives to help others learn how to live a more sustainable life through our Wide-Scale Recycling Programs, our Environmental Stability Program and the Implantation of our Green Teams. Stop in for one of our educational programs, recycling and upcycling events or anything else that strikes your fancy this month with our August 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy as we Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous August 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Music Series Presents The New Holland Band, first established in 1829, this fine group of performers strives to “preserve, maintain and advance its historical tradition of providing live performance of the highest quality band literature performed at a consistently professional level,” and their combo band will delight us with hits of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s while refreshments are provided on August 6^th at 7:00 pm.

§  Mount Joy Chamber Chicken BBQ held at the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, PA, with Juniper Village at Mount Joy as a proud member of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce and a sponsor of their annual chicken BBQ benefiting the Chamber’s initiatives so stop by and visit us at the BBQ for a free 24 oz. beverage bottle because your taste buds will thank you on August 15^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

§  Wellbeing Faire to learn about interesting natural and holistic ways to be well and happy including demonstrations, give-aways, door prizes, and refreshments for all at this FREE event, featuring vendor booths providing information on such varied topics as: essential oils, massage, dousing, bee keeping, crystal mapping, herbology, meditation, reflexology, aromatherapy, music therapy, and more, as well as a presentation by Pamela Lazos, an EPA attorney focusing on water law, who will offer an insightful perspective on local conservation and water quality initiatives on August 29^th from noon to 3:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our August 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Breathe in Life.

EMazinGRACE

It was a beautiful evening in July as "EMazinGRACE" performed for our residents, families and the community. Everyone grabbed their lawn chairs and had a “knee-slapping" good time as the young group ages 14, 17 and 18 performed bluegrass tunes. They played multiple instruments including banjo, guitar, fiddle, and bass and finished with their closing song "Dueling Banjos!" that proved to be a crowd favorite. A good time was had by all!

Juniper Village at Mount Joy's Blood Drive

July 1st marked Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s third year partnering with the American Red Cross Northeastern PA chapter by hosting a blood drive in support of their “100 Days of Summer. 100 Days of Hope” campaign.    The campaign seeks to increase blood donations during the summer months. Donations typically drop between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays despite ongoing need.  Local community members, business owners and Juniper staff took part to make the drive a success!

July 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Stand in Integrity

With our July 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy this month we kick off our summer quarter Alive In All Seasons theme “Stay Connected” where we will strive to stay connected to the community and the environment. Throughout July we will focus on staying connected to our community through Volunteerism, where we Stand In Integrity. The biggest and most visible benefit of volunteering is the impact on the community. Unpaid volunteers work magic in unifying communities. Through volunteer work you are able to connect with your community on a deeper level and help to make it a better place to live and grow. But what we don’t always realize is that volunteering is a two-way street. Volunteers benefit as much as the causes they support. Through volunteering you make new friends, expand your professional, social and support networks and boost your social skills. So, give it a try and experience the benefits of giving of yourself.

If you are looking for opportunities to share your time, check with our Connections Directors to see what opportunities we have, or join us in one of our volunteer projects. Also plan to join us during our July 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy as we recognize our Ambassador Program, focus on our Resident Computer Center and training or any other calendar item that catches your eye.

Our fabulous July 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Summer Music Series presents: Emazing Grace as we celebrate the universal love of music with a concert that is free and open to the public, so we invite you to grab your lawn chair and pick your spot off the back porch with Emazing Grace, an uplifting, bluegrass group, while refreshments are served on July 16^th at 7:00 pm.

§  The “Dog Days” of Summer Dog Show featuring K-Pets therapy dogs and guests this annual event highlighting a fashion show and doggie talents is sure to get your tail a waggin’ so run, scamper or doggie paddle over to Juniper Village at Mount Joy to get out of the heat and grab a front row seat for this favorite long awaited fun time that is open to the community with refreshments offered on July 30^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by July 27^th)

We look forward to sharing our July 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Stand in Integrity.

June 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Live in Wellness

We close this quarter’s theme of Healthy Aging: “Let Wellbeing Thrive” with a focus on Food, as we Live in Wellness through our June 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy. Hippocrates advises, “Let food be thy medicine”. Research shows that eating a well-planned, balanced mix of foods every day has many health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some kinds of cancer, and anemia. But, food has other benefits. There are also emotional needs that are satisfied by food. Most of us have fond memories of food from days gone by. Whether it was our mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies, a hotdog from a street vendor or our wedding cake, food has a way of transporting us back to the past. It is in that spirit that Juniper’s dining program is called the H’art and Soul of Dining. The philosophy is that we impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through the sharing of good food. In addition to meeting our resident’s unique nutritional needs, we also meet their emotional and social needs as well.

Join us for our June 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy to share in our hydration program, complete with healthy snacks and learn more about healthy food and wellness with our dietitian presentations as we continue to Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Father’s Day BBQ Burgers, Beers and Quality time as we are calling all sons, daughters, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends, as we are honoring the men in our lives with an honest to goodness BBQ, so join us at Juniper Village at Mount Joy for all your cook-out favorites to celebrate Father’s Day on June 19^th at 5:00 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by June 15^th.)

§  Summer Music Series: Dixieland Express as we celebrate the universal love of music with a three month music series that is free and open to the public, we invite you to grab your lawn chair and pick your spot off the back porch as we continue the series this month with Dixieland Express featuring New Orleans-style Jazz with refreshments provided on June 25^th at 7:00 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our June 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy!

2015 Juniper Leadership Conference Awards

Juniper celebrated its 27^th anniversary this year.  Each year communities are honored for their achievements in critical operational and financial areas.

Awards were presented at the 2015 Juniper Leadership Conference, held this year in Baltimore’s historic inner harbor.  Awards were presented by Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, and Diane Byrne, Vice President of Program, Development, Training & Operational Oversight.

At the recent Juniper leadership conference, Juniper Village at Mount Joy was presented the Juniper Together Everyone Achieves Magic (TEAM) Award in recognition of having the least leadership turnover in 2014 and into 2015.

May 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Grow Strong Daily

Fitness is on our mind during our May 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with our Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily”. As you know, physical activity is good for you both physically and mentally. Regular physical activity can help you to continue to do the things you love and stay independent as you age. Exercise can reduce the risk of developing some diseases and reduce symptoms of some chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and balance issues.

But, if exercise has not been a part of your daily routine how do you take that first step? Start by making it fun! Turn a walk around the block into a scavenger hunt – search for daffodils, birds, squirrels or lucky pennies. Instead of a dip in the pool, create an adventure as you pretend to swim with the dolphins. Rather than send your co-worker an email, walk to her office and communicate face to face, double the benefit with a smile! What’s important is to make it fun and just start – today!

 

Join us for our May 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy as we will Grow Strong Daily with Fitness Five, and walk “cross country” with our Route 66 Walking Program and learn more about keeping our hearts fit at our Healthy Heart Luncheon. We look forward to sharing these and many other activities with you this month. Peruse this month’s calendar, and we will see you soon!

Our fabulous May 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  Mother’s Day “Par-tea” for the special woman in your life come to our annual Mother’s Day Tea Party and while here enjoy a variety of teas or other beverages paired with culinary delights to suit any lady’s fancy on May 8^th at 5:00pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692)

§  “Me Fit, Wii Fit” Class to come experience the fun and easy way to test your balance with Genesis Rehabilitation Director and Occupational Therapist, Denise Weston, from our onsite therapy services, will lead us through the simple steps using a Wii Fit Board allowing you to get personalized tips on improving your balance and grab a snack too on May 20^th at 1:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692)

§  Summer Music Series Kickoff as we celebrate the universal love of music with a three month music series that is free and open to the public, so grab your lawn chair and pick your spot off the back porch for the return of Temple Avenue, a jazz quartet that combines young energy and creativity with respect for the music's traditions on May 28^th at 7:00 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692)

We hope to see you at one or more of our May 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy!

Spring Fling

Juniper Village at Mount Joy held its Spring Fling on Saturday, April 11th. The weather was absolutely beautiful, if not brisk, and everyone had a wonderful time. It's always so much fun for associates and residents when children come to join us, and the activities keep all young at heart. There was a petting zoo with bunnies, chicks, pigs, goats, ducks and even a horse! This prompted an array of animal themed snacks to accompany the event, such as animal crackers and bunny-shaped rice krispie treats. The children created crafts such as chimes, tissue paper flowers, and candy sand art. Ron Zoelinksi sang as he played guitar and harmonica for our residents down in our Garden Spot lounge. In the living room, we hosted the Donegal Rhythm singers. It was such a wonderful event to welcome in the beautiful spring weather.

Wellspring Training for Juniper Village at Mount Joy Associates

This month we held Wellspring Training for our associates, which is always both fun and educational-- as well as a vital element to the care and understanding we provide for our residents. The training involves a "virtual tour" where associates can grasp a better understanding of how many of our residents feel as they navigate their daily lives. Associates are glasses that are smeared with Vaseline to simulate visual impairments, gloves with fingers taped together to simulate fine motor/arthritic problems, and beans in their shoes to simulate foot problems. Then they are given a set of directions one time and fairly swiftly...as some caregivers, in a hurry, speak in a rushed manner to residents. The associate then must attempt to complete the tasks. The tasks were: set and clear the dining table, find and put on a tie, find and put on a white sweater, match 6 pairs of socks.

Compassion is such an important part of who we are at Juniper Village-- as well as respect, and as our associates attempted to complete these tasks, there was definitely the reinforcement of that respect we already had for our residents.

April 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Believe in Yourself

Welcome to April - the name derived from the Latin word Aperire meaning “to open”; the month when everything starts to bloom and come alive. What better time to really put forth your best efforts and see the true beauty inside than the month in which everything begins anew! Diana Ross, in the Wiz, advises “believe in yourself, right from the start. You'll have brains; you’ll have a heart; you’ll have courage to last your whole life through if you believe in yourself.” So let’s put our best foot forward, believe in ourselves and we can move mountains!

Join us for our April 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy as we pull pranks on April Fool’s Day; honor Jesus Christ on Good Friday, followed by hiding Easter eggs; celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery on Passover; and celebrate mother earth on Earth Day and Arbor Day. Peruse this month’s calendar as we focus on the brain through our Daily Brain Builders, Wii tournaments and our Healthy Brain Luncheon. Plan to join us for any and all events. Also, check out our Healthy Aging Resource Library to learn more about the brain or any number of health related topics. We look forward to seeing you during this fun filled month.

Our fabulous April 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

Ø  Spring Fling a free “open to the community” event featuring our petting zoo, indulgent tasty treats and refreshments, photos ops with Juniper Village’s own Miles the Giraffe, and an upbeat performance by Donegal High School’s Rhythm Singers on April 11^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by April 6^th)

Ø  Dinner and/or A Movie to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal prepared by our Executive Chef and/or watch a light-hearted comedy sure to put a smile on your face on April 23^rd from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm Dinner or 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Movie. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 with your preference by April 17^th)

We hope to see you at one or more of our April 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy!

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Mount Joy

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Mount Joy. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Mount Joy - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA include our It’s Your Lucky Day St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with fun take-aways for all with light refreshments and Bag Pipers and festive Irish entertainment including Bag Pipers on March 17^th at 2:00 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Mount Joy, PA, so check out our calendar for more!

Heartwarming Holiday

February is a month meant to win hearts, and there are few things as charming as a man and his monkey. Jerry Brown the Monkey Man came to visit us here at Juniper Village at Mount Joy, and his performance with his adorable sidekick did not disappoint. The magic tricks lightened our hearts, and our residents and associates were delighted for an opportunity to visit with darling little Django.

Our celebration of Valentine’s Day continued with Characters with Character creating balloon art and caricatures that made us all feel young at heart. The event warmed up as our head chef prepared appetizers and served champagne. Residents selected masquerade masks to add a touch of even more whimsy to the romantic affair. There were tarot card readings offered by Terry Miller, and at the end of the evening, it was truly a heartwarming holiday.

Awaken Your Passion: February Events

This month at Juniper Village we continue our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Art.

Creating art for many of our seniors has been a lifelong passion, for others it may have been a casual hobby or serious vocation. Whatever the reason, art has substantial benefits to our bodies, minds and spirits! In Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss key aspects of successful aging: low risk of disease, high mental and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. Expressive art activities promote active engagement in life in positive, healthy, and fulfilling ways - in other words, nurturing the spirit of life. Recent studies further indicate that older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits, use less medication, and experience a lower rate of depression – all resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Juniper Village Candy Gram Service offered free of charge as our way of saying “Thank You” for all the love you have shown us over the past year where you give us your loved one’s name and a personal Valentine message by February 12^th and we will prepare a box of chocolates tagged with your special message ready for pick up on February 14^th, and If your loved one resides at Juniper Village, we will deliver it for you too; our Valentine Masquerade as we will be dazzled by Terry Miller’s tarot card readings and entertained by Jerry Brown and the Monkey Man, and after the show, you can have a monkey visit and participate in the Q&A, plus sweet treats will be available for all on February 14^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm; or our Evening of “Uncorked Art” a fun social event creating wall-worthy paintings like pros with step by step instruction by Terry Miller and all materials and refreshments will be provided for participants so you leave with a masterpiece and leave the mess and clean-up behind on February 26^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (RSVP by February 16^th to 717-492-9692).

Look through our calendar and plan to join us this month and “Awaken Your Passion” as we explore various mediums to expression through weekly art programs and visits to local art museums. Or, if art isn’t your thing, tailgate with us during the Super Bowl, await the Ground Hog’s prediction, our join in one of our festive celebrations on Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day or Mardi Gras.

King of Rock and Roll

We celebrated the king of rock and roll on January 8th with a hip-swiveling, Elvis Birthday Bash. Our Elvis impersonator, Jeff Krick, had everyone dancing in their seats while residents enjoyed treats such as fried pickles, banana pudding, and peanut butter & bacon brownies. With scarves being tossed to ladies, and a variety of Elvis's most beloved tunes, it was definitely a party fit for the king.

Juniper Village at Mount Joy: Our Clinical Outcomes Speak for Themselves

We want to be your partner of choice in the new shared savings environment. At Juniper Village at Mount Joy, we began collecting critical data upon our acquisition by Juniper Communities in January 2013. For example, we closely monitor residents to assure successful returns from either the hospital or rehabilitation setting.

The ability to manage pressure ulcers is key to minimizing hospitalizations. Low rates of facility acquired pressure ulcers are the result of a high level of wellness/clinical oversight and an indicator of quality care and service.

Another common cause of both initial hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations is medication errors. Changes to medication regime whether after a scheduled physician appointment or emergency hospitalization can leave patients confused about what medications are most current. Our wellness team is responsible for medication reconciliation and management, a process which virtually eliminates medication errors.

Communication is key and Juniper Village at Mount Joy takes communication to the next level through:

• Use of Electronic Health Records (Point Click Care)
• Optimized care transitions protocols
• Full implementation of INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers)
• Use of a highly recognizable and consistent transfer information packet
• Focus on resident and care giver education and engagement
• Individualized care and service

Contact us today to see how we can assist you in managing your patient transitions.

Welcome New Beginnings: January Events

Welcome to 2015! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time for change when we make and sometimes break our New Year’s resolutions and focus on what we want to make better in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function. It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Hospitals are using music to help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety and to ease recovery in stroke patients.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Happy New Year Open House as refreshments, treats, giveaways and entertainment set the tone for a fun afternoon with tours given of our beautiful suites and upscale amenities on January 12^th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; or our Amedysis Learning Series Diabetes Management: Facts, Myths and Treatment with Carol Spicher, MS,RD, CDE, LDN from Lancaster Internal Medicine joining us to review the warning signs, symptoms, implications, and treatments of this diagnosis that effects 1.9 million new patients every year on January 23^rd from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by January 17^th)!

Look through our calendar and join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a habit of joining us for activities and events throughout the year!