Mount Joy Resident and Family Holiday Party

The spirit of the holiday season was felt by all at Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s annual Resident and Family Holiday Gathering.  Children of all ages enjoyed a delightful assortment of delectable treats and beautiful decorations as they welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Santa and the Mrs. visited with each and every resident.  The children waited patiently as each got a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and tell the jolly couple their Christmas wishes.  Residents and their families offered many thanks and complements to the Juniper staff.  Many notes thanks like the one below were received.

Deb & Staff:

THANK YOU so much for the lovely evening with Santa last night!  We so much appreciate the opportunity to have mom partake in this social event in your lovely facility.  Looks like it was a huge success!  We really appreciated everything!

Sincerely,

Scott & Andrea H.

Mount Joy Giraffe Awards

Tuesday, December 6, 2016  marked a very special annual event at Juniper Village at Mount Joy.  Each year at this time a select few staff members are recognized for their service and dedication.  The Giraffe Award is the highest honor at Juniper Communities.  The giraffe symbolizes three key characteristics.  These superior team members ‘stick their neck out’, go ‘above and beyond’, and have ‘very big hearts’.  The recipients receive their gold Giraffe pins from none other than Dr. Lynn Katzman, CEO and founder of Juniper Communities.  This year’s Mount Joy recipients are Theresa Dumez, Thomas Martin, Sharon Balmer, Dru Meluskey and Desiree Myers. They are pictured here following their recognition.  These team members share these positive traits with their colleagues, our families, and most importantly, our residents, every day.  A huge “thank you” to each of them for making Juniper Village at Mount Joy a wonderful place to work and live!

December 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Celebrate Little Things

Juniper Village nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. This month this custom is more evident than ever as we share our celebratory spirit - mind, body and soul. December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations, but at Juniper we like to kick it up a notch! All around the community all of your senses will be stimulated as you see traditional holiday décor, hear joyous laughter and singing, smell heavenly treats baking and taste them as well. We will celebrate all the joyous little things that make this time of year so special. Traditions both old and new will be honored. And through sharing our numerous cultures and traditions with each other we will learn more about each other, opening the door to deeper understanding.

This month take a moment to reflect on the little things that bring joy to your life. Reminisce about the traditions from your past and the new traditions you have started with your family. Celebrate the holiday season with us as we share a bit of ourselves with our annual cookie exchange and ethnic holiday celebrations. December is always an eventful month and we look forward to sharing it with you.

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

§  4th Annual Professional Jingle Mingle that is 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 for a fun and festive spin on the traditional networking meeting at this social event that 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 with featured “action station” by our Executive Chef, Jason Hampton, that is always a crowd pleaser, and fabulous door prizes that will be won by a lucky few with fun guaranteed, and if you attended last year, you know you this is an event you don’t want to miss since this event will brighten your holiday season and kick-start your 2017 professional year with the right contacts, so bring your business cards and good cheer, and join us on December 20^th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. (RSVP to Mary Main at mary.main@junipercommunities.com by December 16^th.)

We look forward to sharing our December 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Celebrate Little Things.

November 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Show Your Colors

Each November we turn our attention to Family with our Alive In All Seasons Theme: Cherish the Journey. We have always enjoyed helping our residents chronical their individual life journeys through journaling. In addition to keeping track of the daily happenings in our lives, journaling has surprising health benefits as well. University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. He also believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of stress on your health. Other research indicates that journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientific evidence also shows that writing your thoughts down can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, help you to know yourself better, reduce stress, and problem solve more effectively. An additional benefit of journaling is that you are leaving a legacy for future generations. Review your journal together! Reminiscing about the events in one’s life is a way to affirm who they are, what they’ve accomplished in life and relive happy times. So, pick up a pen and Cherish the Journey, the benefits are endless!

Join our journey through November as we honor and celebrate family and the journey of life with our autobiographical journaling. Help us support our greater community with our annual Food Drive and our on-site support groups. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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

§  Month-Long Food Drive Collection as Juniper Village at Mount Joy accepts donated food items for the Mount Joy Food Bank in efforts to decrease the burden of local families struggling to keep nourishing food on the table, so please help us reach our goal of 1000 pounds of food by bringing your non-perishable, non-expired items anytime and placing them in our shopping cart, because each donation makes a difference to someone in need and is greatly appreciated.

§  Veteran’s Day Give Away as Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s own Debra Miller and Mary Main will be on hand to greet and thank veterans for their service at The Country Table Restaurant in Mount Joy, a local dining favorite, that 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 10:00 am.

§  Memory Box Workshop as Donna Welsh brings her crafty talents to Juniper Village at Mount Joy and will walk us through creating a unique memory box for ourselves or a loved one; memory boxes are a beautiful way to store and collect meaningful personal items that can be used as means to reminisce, spark memories and evoke positive feelings of love and happiness; all craft materials will be provided; registrants for this free workshop need only bring the personal items to be placed inside the memory box, so join us on November 13^th from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by November 10^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our November 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Show Your Colors.

Balloon Volleyball Tournament

October 11^th marked the 1^st Annual Juniper Village Balloon Volleyball Classic. Teams from Juniper Village at Mount Joy, our sister community, Juniper Village at Lebanon, Mount Zion Retirement Community and Moravian Manor Retirement Community gathered to volley to victory!  Teams were made up of three residents each and played single elimination rounds to crown a champion.  The “stands” were packed with spectators cheering on their teams with pom-poms and signs of encouragement!

The completion was fierce and the scores were close.  In the end, the home team, Juniper Village at Mount Joy was the winner!  The winning team, Dan Einfalt, Jamie Reider and Bob Boyce, were awarded first place medals!  Following the games, all participants and guests enjoyed a lively “Sportsmanship Social”.  What a wonderful afternoon of community and healthy competition!

Harvest Rodeo Day

Residents and guests at Juniper Village at Mount Joy galloped on down for a rootin’, tootin’ good time on October 5^th.  Harvest Rodeo Day offered a  jam-packed afternoon of country fun.  The event kicked off with a “Modern Cowboy meet and Greet with champion bronc rider, Tim Kent.  Tim is a real, local cowboy and spoke of his training, competitions and thrills of riding.  Next, Tim and his wife, Jeanie (a professional singer) entertained us with “frontier” songs.  The “Sips & Suds” Saloon Happy Hour kept the fun going and eased us in a themed dinner meal of slow roasted brisket and country fixin’s. 

October 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

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

§  Harvest Rodeo Day so gallop on down to Juniper Village at Mount Joy for a rootin’, tootin’ good time, and this exciting themed afternoon is free and open to the community with events including a Modern Day Cowboy meet and greet with Champion Bronc Rider Tim Kent, Frontier Songs with Jeanie and Tim, as well as Sips & Suds Saloon Happy Hour on October 5^th from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. (RSVP by October 3^rd to 717-492-9692.)

§  Balloon Volleyball Tournament with teams of three from local retirement communities who will volley for victory and the championship title of the 1^st Annual Juniper Village Balloon Volleyball Classic where team members and guests will enjoy a “Sportmanship Social” and we’ve got our brackets ready, so you are encouraged to come and witness history as residents join together in competition for the ultimate title on October 11^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by October 7^th to 717-492-9692.)

§  Halloween Spooktacular as Ghosts and goblins of all ages are welcome to join us for a fun-filled afternoon at this inter-generational event that will feature face painting, games, crafts, an exciting candy scramble and a few spook-tastic surprises with delectable tasty treats and refreshments provided and costumes are encouraged at this free fun event on October 21^st from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. (RSVP by October 17^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Show Your Colors.

Pizza Pizza with Girl Scouts

Fun was had by all on the evening of Thursday, September 16th.  We were joined by Girl Scout Troop 70027 out of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Joy for an inter-generational pizza party!  Ten young ladies, along with their troop leaders, sang songs, played games and ate pizza with Juniper Village residents.  Connections Director, Renee Heiser, facilitated the gathering with an opening “ice breaker” activity to get everyone introduced and ensured there were enough slices to go around.

Mount Joy and Haven Behavioral Health Hospital Offered CEU Class

Juniper Village at Mount Joy once again partnered with Haven Behavioral Health Hospital of Eastern Pennsylvania to host an informative Continuing Education program for healthcare professionals on Tuesday, September 13th.  Nurses, social workers, administrators and the like from area hospitals, retirement communities and home health agencies joined together for the workshop.  The topic for the day was “Assessing Common Psychiatric Disorders in Older Adults” and was presented by Joanna Zigerell, BS, CDP, who serves as a Clinical Liaison for Haven Behavioral Hospital.  Twenty plus attendees received CEU (Continuing Education Unit) credits which are a requirement for many healthcare workers to keep licenses and accreditations current.  Juniper Village is proud to be a part of ensuring continued training for the professionals caring for our area seniors.

September 2016 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!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

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

§  CEU Program for Healthcare Professionals as we partner with Haven Behavioral Hospital to offer a local, low cost, continuing education opportunity with 2 Contact Hours offered with training presented by Joanna Zigerell, BS, CDP, Clinical Liaison, Haven Behavioral Hospital on September 13^th from 11:30 am to 2:15 pm. (CE fee for Social Workers is $15.00 for NASW-PA members and $25.00 for non-NASW-PA members, payable to NASWPA Chapter after the event; no charge for Nurses and PCH & Nursing Home Administrators Contact Hours. Please RSVP to 610-406-4362 or  nzimmerman@havenllc.com by September 9^th.)

§  Inter-generational Pizza Party as we offer a unique dining experience to our residents by combining two of their favorite things….kids and pizza; we will be joined by Girl Scout Troop 70027 out of Mount Joy, as the girls are looking forward to spending time with our residents, and we invite other area seniors to join us on September 15^th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by September 12^th.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Spread Your Joy.

A Mid Summer's Evening at the Opera

On Wednesday August 3^rd Juniper Village at Mount Joy hosted “A Mid Summer’s Evening at the Opera”.  Residents and guests delighted in the vocal talents of mezzo soprano soloist, Ms. Jeanie Kent.  Ms. Kent  earned a BA in music with a focus on vocal performance from Millersville University and then went on to study at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria where she honed her mezzo soprano skills.  She is an accomplished recording artist, teaches voice lessons and provides music therapy for patients diagnosed with various forms of dementia.  Ms. Kent graced us with dramatic arias and an explanation of each style in a candlelit setting while decadent desserts and refreshments were served.  Opera lovers were amazed and  skeptics transformed by Ms. Kent’s talent.

August 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Breathe in Life

Each August we turn our focus to the environment by offering social events and educational opportunities on living a more environmentally sustainable life. By making caring choices and creating helpful habits we can all make a difference to our planet.

Did you know that an aluminum can may remain in its current condition in a landfill for up to 500 years? That same can, when recycled, can end up back on your grocer’s shelf in as little as two months. Recycling that aluminum can also saves energy. Enough energy, in fact, to power your television for three hours! Aluminum can be recycled over, and over and over again – without limit. Americans will use about 2.5 million plastic bottles every thirty minutes. If that bottle is not recycled it can spend the next 450 years or more in a landfill. A modern glass bottle will take about 4,000 years to biodegrade. Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again, and again and again. So, the next time you are enjoying a delicious beverage, be conscious of the packaging and make the choice to recycle.

Join us this month as we promote the environment with a focus on our recycling programs – from annual rummage sales to shredding and more; our educational offerings will help you to support our environment and Breathe in Life!

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

§  A Mid Summer’s Evening at the Opera as you are cordially invited to delight in the vocal talents of mezzo soprano soloist, Ms. Jeanie Kent, who earned a BA in music with a focus on vocal performance from Millersville University and then went on to study at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria where she honed her skills, and is now an accomplished recording artist, who teaches voice lessons and provides music therapy for patients diagnosed with various forms of dementia, so while on this lovely evening at Juniper Village at Mount Joy, Ms. Kent will grace us with operatic melodies in a starlit setting. Decadent desserts and refreshments will be served to heighten the mood at this is FREE event on August 3^rd from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVP by August 1^st to 717-492-9692.)

§  21st Annual Mount Joy Chamber Chicken BBQ as we are once again sponsoring this annual event, held at the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, PA on August 20^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. (Tickets available at the Chamber Office or Juniper Village at Mount Joy.)

§  Animal Adventures with Bob’s Critters as animal expert, Bob Furrer, offers educational and entertaining reptile and bird presentations with more than 30 years of experience in the care and management of animals, while offering fun, hands-on shows to thousands of children and adults in the South Central Pennsylvania area and beyond on August 23^rd from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVP by August 21^st to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our August 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Breathe in Life.

LGBT Aging Workshop

Recently, Juniper Village at Mount Joy proudly hosted an important workshop sponsored by the Lancaster Activities Directors Association and Lancaster LINK.   Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults make up a significant, and growing, share of America's 65+ population. The numbers of LGBT older adults are expected to double in size over the next several decades, reaching more than 3 million by 2030.  This means that services providers, including caregivers, will increasingly be called on to provide services and support the unique needs of LGBT older adults.  40 attendees, most of which work in the healthcare industry with seniors, were led by Terri Clark, MPH, and covered topics in this training including: culture, needs, and unique considerations of LGBT older adults; why LGBT older adults are less likely to access health and social services; how caregiving for an LGBT older adult differs from caregiving for their heterosexual peers; best practices, policy and practice areas for increasing inclusiveness and safety for LGBT older adults and their caregivers. 

Terri Clark has been doing work in health education, training, and facilitation for nearly 25 years, and is currently the Coordinator of Prevention Services at ActionAIDS in Philadelphia, PA. Terri is a member of Widener University’s Consortium on Sexuality and Aging, and an adjunct instructor at Arcadia University. She is a certified trainer with the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and serves on the American Society on Aging’s Leadership Council of their LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) constituent group. She is also an advisory board member of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s PrimeTime Health Committee. Throughout her career in public health, she has been an advocate for gender equality and sexual health across the lifecycle.

“Pets on Parade” Pet Show

On July 8^th, Juniper Village at Mount Joy hosted the 3^rd Annual Pet Show.  This year, residents, family, staff and community members packed the front living space to catch the pet parade featuring KPETS therapy dogs and special guests. KPETS is a network of dependable registered therapy teams committed to providing therapeutic benefits through the use of pets to people with physical, emotional, and mental challenges, from all walks of life in a wide variety of settings. KPETS coordinates the work of highly motivated and committed volunteers in providing thousands of pet therapy hours a year in the community.  

The “Pet Parade” was kicked off by two special guests, Mokey and Secret, miniature therapy horses!  A first at our Juniper Village!  Following, we enjoyed the tricks and costumes of a dozen canine entertainers.  Three esteemed resident judges, Ms. Pauline, Ms. Carol Ann and Ms. Bertie , compared notes and named winners in three categories-Most Obedient, Best Trickster and Best in Show.  All participants were a delight to watch and meet.  Following the show, the petting, snuggling and wet kisses commenced.  Smiles and wet noses all around!

July 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Stand in Integrity

Ah...the good old summer time filled with lazy, sunny days, ice cold treats, Independence Day celebrations, and get-togethers at the beach. Another sure indication of summer is our Alive in All Seasons theme of Volunteerism.

July is the perfect month to honor all of the many volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of time in service to our communities. From our four-legged volunteers to those of the two legged variety we are proud to say we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious time each year. We simply could not do it without all of your help, and this month we honor you. We will also be promoting the spirit of volunteerism by volunteering our time to help others. If you have some spare time on your hands consider joining us for a volunteer activity or better yet volunteer your time with us, we’d love to have you. What qualities make a good volunteer? Energy, passion, flexibility, creativity, reliability, commitment and perhaps most important of all – integrity.

Volunteerism benefits all parties involved. In addition to making new friends, volunteering also helps increase your self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose, combats depression and helps you stay physically healthy. Helping others also kindles happiness, as the London School of Economics found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

In addition to volunteering opportunities, plan 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 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  The “Pets on Parade” Pet Show as we get out of the heat and grab a front row seat and run, scamper, trot, or doggie paddle over for this favorite long-awaited fun time featuring K-Pets therapy dogs, and a few surprise guests, this annual event is sure to get your tail a waggin’ as the fashion show and pet talents will be highlights at this event that is open to the community with refreshments offered on July 8^th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by July 5^th.)

§  Operation Gratitude Care Package Assembly and Donation Drive to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our First Responder, Active Duty, and Veteran communities as they seek to provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation for these heroes; since 2003, more than 1.5 million care packages have been shipped filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene products, handmade items, and personal letters of appreciation to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, and U.S. Service Members deployed overseas, as well as Wounded Heroes and their caregivers; Juniper Village residents and staff will be volunteering together to create notes of appreciation and to assemble care packages; if you would like to participate, please join us or you may donate care package items; please refer to Operation Gratitude’s wish list at www.operationgratitude.com for specifics, and the wish list is also posted at the front desk where donations will be received on July 20^th from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. (Donations will be accepted through July 19^th.)

We look forward to sharing our July 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Stand in Integrity.

Juniper Village hosts The Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce

Juniper Village at Mount Joy, a long-standing active member of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce, proudly hosted the monthly mixer on Thursday, June 9.  “The Chamber” founded in 1939, exists to promote, educate, and represent surrounding businesses and organizations in the Mount Joy area. The covered back porch, lush garden courtyard and center gazebo served as the perfect setting for an early evening gathering.   Debra Miller (Executive Director) and Mary Main (Director of Community Relations) represent Juniper Village at monthly Chamber meetings and a multitude of community events and fundraisers.  The ladies hosted 20+ Chamber members as they met, socialized and networked, sharing business information and mutual interests over the course of two hours.  Guests sipped sangria, nibbled on artisan style snacks and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather.  No one  was quick to leave this lovely event. 

1st Annual Carnival Day at Juniper Village at Mount Joy

Yet another rainy day outside in Mount Joy, PA last Saturday, 5/21-so what better to turn frowns upside down than an indoor carnival?! Juniper Village at Mount Joy’s grand living room was transformed into a hometown fair.  Hand-spun cotton candy, warm soft pretzels, fresh-popped popcorn and hot, sugary funnel cake drew a crowd.  Eight vintage carnival games with prizes and staff dressed as carnival barkers kept guests attention.  Event goers ages ranged from newborn to 99, sharing memories of carnivals and fairs of recent and past.  This multi-generational event was enjoyed by all!  This carnival will definitely make a return appearance in Mount Joy!

June 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

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

§  LGBT Aging Workshop sponsored by the Lancaster Activities Directors Association and Lancaster LINK  as topics covered will include: culture, needs, and unique considerations of LGBT older adults; why LGBT older adults are less likely to access health and social services; how caregiving for an LGBT older adult differs from caregiving for their heterosexual peers; best practices, policy and practice areas for increasing inclusiveness and safety for LGBT older adults and their caregivers; with lunch and snacks provided on June 7th from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. (RSVP via www.joinlada.com. Only the first 36 registrants will be accepted.)

§  Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce Mixer as all Chamber members and those interested in learning more about the Chamber and its initiatives are invited to mix and mingle, so we look forward to entertaining members in the beautiful courtyard and sharing refreshments on the back porch on June 9th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVP to the Chamber Office at 717-653-0773.)

§  Father’s Day BBQ – Burgers, Beers & Quality Time as we are calling all sons, daughters, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends because 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 17th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. (RSVP to 717-492-9692 by June 15th.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Live in Wellness.

Mother's Day Par-Tea

Friday, May 6th marked Juniper Village at Mount Joy's annual Mother's Day Par-Tea!  This festive celebration honors all the mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers that have and continue to share their love and support to our residents, families and staff.  The beautifully appointed décor, courtesy of Leadership Team member, Theresa Dumez and delectable eats by Chef, Jason Hampton, brought smiles to the faces of our guests as they sampled the dessert and tea pairings.  The choices seemed endless at the candy buffet.  No one left hungry!  Sending a HUGE thank you to Mom's everywhere!

Tiny Timbers

The sweet little faces of Tiny Timbers preschool students brought rays of sunshine to the Residents of Juniper Village on what has been a dreary, cloudy and soggy week in Mount Joy!  Tiny Timbers Christian Preschool is a part of West Green Tree Church of the Brethren in the neighboring town of Elizabethtown, PA.  Both the morning class and afternoon class visited Juniper Village on Thursday, May 5.  The children were excited to share their typical “getting started” routine by way of sharing an “Hello” song that they sing to teachers and friends, a favorite “Months of the Year” song and even their most liked prayer that is said before snack time.  Our Residents were thrilled to interact with the youngsters and applauded their job well done!

May 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

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

§  Mother’s Day “Par-tea” to enjoy a variety of teas and refreshments paired with delectable desserts and delights to suit any lady’s fancy in celebration of the special woman in your life on May 6^th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (RSVP by May 4^th to 717-492-9692.)

§  Juniper Village Carnival Day event that is FREE and open to the public, so if you or someone you know enjoys games and prizes, funnel cake and cotton candy, balloons and entertainment, then this is where you need to be as children of all ages and those young at heart are welcome on May 21^st from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by May 13^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Train the Trainer

Juniper Village has been a long standing member of the Alzheimer’s Association of PA.  On April 13^th we were proud to host the “Train the Trainer” educational event for healthcare professionals that work with those with memory impairment.  The training was facilitated by Candy Yingling, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Greater PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  15 professionals took advantage of this fabulous training to better prepare their staff and utilize best practices.

Dog Day Afternoon

Nothing seems to warm the hearts of the residents as our resident therapy dog Stella. From when she enters the door in the morning until she leaves in the evening everyone wants to meet and greet her! Yes, of course she gives kisses, and she will give you a high five too! Stella brings a smile to not only the residents but the staff and visitors too!

Glenn Miller: The BIG One-man Band is no April Fool!

On the morning of Friday, April 1^st, music, clapping and singing could be heard from the parking lot as the residents at Juniper Village at Mount Joy were inspired by Glenn Miller, the Big One-man Band.  Glenn was playing swing hits one after another on his electric accordion.  He crooned and played the trumpet, entertaining a large crowd with the his high energy performance.  A rousing round of applause led into an encore medley.  Residents and staff alike mingled with Glenn following his performance.  What a crowd pleaser!

2015 Successful Outcomes

April 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

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

§  Train the Trainer Program with Candy Yingling, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Greater PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association of PA for an educational event for healthcare professionals that work with those with memory impairment that will prepare attendees to pass along their new found knowledge to coworkers and subsequent trainees on April 13^th from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. (RSVP to Candy Yingling at 717.651.5020, ext. 2125 or cyingling@alz.org.)

§  Spring Cleaning Accessory Swap Party for Referral Sources as we celebrate our outstanding community partners and referral sources, our collaborators and colleagues in the healthcare field that are committed to serving our community are invited to have some fun at an accessory swap while our guests will enjoy refreshments, networking, and go home with a “new” bit of bling on April 28^th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. (RSVP to Mary Main at 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Believe in Yourself.

March Happenings

“The Luck of the Irish, High Excitement and No Laughing Matter”

March has shaped up to be a jam packed month at Juniper Village at Mount Joy. 

On St. Patty’s Day residents, staff and guests spun the “Wheel of Wonder” to win a prize while donned in their fashionable green attire and then enjoyed the entertainment of Micheal Luckenbill performing Irish folk songs and playing bagpipes. Green beverages, Guinness pork roast and Irish potatoes  were enjoyed by all.

On March 22^nd the juggling antics of Chris Ivey thrilled residents and guests following a make-your-own sundae event at our Intergenerational Social.  Children of all ages had ice cream smiles ear to ear!

Lastly, on March 23^rd, Kathy Newkirk with Lancaster General Health, presented, “Humor, Laughter and Health: Come Out and Play”.  The presentation focused on humor and the many health benefits we receive from laughing, humor as a means to manage stress and pointers on finding “the funny” in life. 

Piano Woman

Carol Ann is one of our new residents and loves to play the piano. She enjoys it so much that she has decided to lead our hymn sings. Residents just gather to the living room to hear her play and hear such old familiar tunes as "In the Garden" and "Just as I am."  She plays mostly by ear but also will play requests too. Carol Ann will play before meals and whenever the spirit moves her. Her musical talents are greatly appreciated by the residents and the staff!

March 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Your Treasure is Within

As we bring down the curtain on our Creative Expressions series we focus this month on Drama. Juliette Binoche said, “I think acting is about forgetting yourself in order to give the best of yourself. It's passing through you more than you're creating it. You're not the flower, but the vase which holds the flower.”

Through dramatic performance we are able to forget about ourselves while becoming someone else, if only for a moment. We can be transported to another time, another place and another way of thinking. With all of our inhibitions set aside we focus this month on breaking out of our shells to share a bit of ourselves with wild abandon through our weekly drama clubs which will culminate in a fantastic performance or reading of dramatic prose. We invite you to join us in this enlightening journey of self-discovery through the magic of theater this month. We will also be attending theatrical performances around town, where we can let our inner critic loose. One last opportunity to become someone else is offered during our Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, where everyone can be Irish for the day. Join us as we feast on traditional Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, shepherd’s pie and more! Lastly, March would not be complete without honoring the dramatic achievements of others with our own Oscar Party. This month we invite you to let your inner star shine at Juniper Village.

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

§  It’s Your Lucky Day because everyone’s a winner here, so make a quick stop by Juniper Village at Mount Joy and you won’t be disappointed when you spin our Wheel O’ Wonder and walk away a winner with fun free take-aways for all, while we enjoy light refreshments and good ol’ St. Patty’s Day fun, since you’ll have the “Luck of the Irish” today-guaranteed so drop in anytime between noon and 3pm to spin, but the fun cranks up between 2pm and 3pm with bagpipes and festive Irish entertainment on March 17^th from noon to 3:00 pm. (All are welcome, no RSVP required.)

§  Intergenerational Sundae Social open to all ages, featuring the amazing, jaw-dropping juggler, Chris Ivey and his high action performance while enjoying the taste bud delights of “make your own” sundaes, for a great way to spend an evening, and it’s FREE, so don’t miss this opportunity for multigenerational fun on March 22^nd at 6:30 pm. (RSVP by March 17^th to 717-492-9692.)

§  Healing with Humor light hearted and interactive presentation by Lancaster General Health designed to help participants step away from the never-ending to-do lists and just take a moment to have some fun because with the stress we face in our everyday lives, we need to laugh and play and do things we enjoy, so the presentation focuses on humor and the many health benefits we receive simply from laughter as it identifies the ways humor manages stress and provides tips and pointers to find the funny in life while refreshments are served on March 23^rd at 6:30 pm. (RSVP by March 18^th to 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as Your Treasure is Within.

Chili Day at Mount Joy

February 25, 2016 was National Chili Day! In honor of this event we had our associates make their favorite chili recipes. With 12 entries, there was a lot of eating to be done. That said, we had the residents taste test each and every one. The favorite was "To Bean or Not To Bean" by Megan Sensenig, 2nd place was "Chili, Chili, Bang, Bang" made by Theresa Dumez, and 3rd place went to Debra Miller for her "Cha Ching Chili"! The delicious smell of the chili permeated the lobby all day!

A Weekend of Love at Juniper Village of Mount Joy

“Monkeying around”

Residents, guests and staff alike enjoyed our annual Valentine’s Social featuring the wild antics of “The Monkey Man”-Jerry Brown and his sidekick, Django.  In addition to the entertainment, Valentine themed goodies were enjoyed by all.  The social kick started a fun Valentine’s weekend for our Residents.

“Make & Take Love Potion”

Next up on our Valentine fun, was an enlightening of our senses with Alana Berger, certified Aromatherapist.  Alana explained the history and process of essential oils including benefits and uses.  Attendees were able to sample sniffs of the oils and jot done notes of those they liked best.  Each guest created their own combination of scents to create a costume “take home” oil.

“Candy Grams Deliver Smiles To All”

Director of Community Relations, Mary Main, along with Connections Director, Renee Heiser, delivered Candy Grams to each Resident.  An annual service, in which both staff and loves ones can draft a personal message for a resident.  Those messages are typed and tagged with a box of chocolates.  A lovely way to let someone special know they are loved. 

Juniper Village at Mount Joy Goes Red

The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign is a "passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women" to take charge of their heart health.  The staff and residents at Juniper Village at Mount Joy show their support of National Go Red Day by donning all types of red apparel.  The bright burst of color creates energy and draws awareness to the heart related issues women face that, with the proper knowledge, are largely preventable.

February 2016 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Awaken Your Passion

In February we turn our Alive In All Seasons focus to art and invite you to awaken your passion with us. Leo Tolstoy defines the activity of art as “To evoke in oneself a feeling one has experienced, and... then, by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds or forms expressed in words, so to transmit that feeling.”

This month we will transmit our feelings using many different mediums to let other share in our experiences, feelings and passions. We will travel through art around the world and experience art as it is meant to be – inspirational and transformative. We will feel the cool breeze and smell the fragrant blossoms of Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France as we gaze upon In the Garden and the Water Lilies series. We will feel the angst of Vincent Van Gogh as we admire his passionate works such as Vase with Twelve Sunflowers and The Starry Night. We will also pour our passion into our own creations evoking memories of the past to share with the future.

Please join us on this journey as we visit local art museums and create our own art through weekly craft programs. Celebrate with us as we recognize Valentine’s Day with sweets for the sweet and Fat Tuesday foods and fun at our Mardi Gras party.

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

§  “La Boheme Valentine” Social featuring romantic décor, light fare, and the always entertaining delights of Jerry Brown, “The Monkey Man,” to kicks off a loved filled weekend on February 11^th at 3:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 717-492-9692 by February 8^th.)

§  Aromatherapy Adventures with Alana Make and Take Love Potion as aroma therapist, Alana Berger, will be with us for an interesting, hands on program that is free and open to the public with Valentine refreshments provided on February 11^th at 6:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 717-492-9692 by February 5^th. This will gaurantee adequate supplies.)

§  Juniper Village Candy Gram Service where you give us your loved one’s name and a personal Valentine message by February 10^th, and we will prepare a box of chocolates tagged with your special message ready for pick up on February 12^th, or if your loved one resides at Juniper Village, we can deliver it for you! This service is offered free of charge as our way of saying “Thank You” for all the love you have shown us over the past year.

We look forward to sharing our February 2016 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as we Awaken Your Passion.

Snowmageddon

You can prepare for snow but this snow was beyond anything we have seen in 20 years and the biggest snow fall on record in our area, 30 inches of the white stuff to be exact. We prepare associates by telling them if you are scheduled to work please have a plan. If you need transportation we can help with that, but also plan on staying if you need to. Most people believe it or not got in for their shifts but some of our associates stayed overnight holding down the fort and worked as a team to pull it off.

Dave DeSantis was our MOD and decided to drive in at 1:00 AM on Saturday because he knew by the weather reports he would not make it in otherwise. He was here until Sunday clearing snow. Shannon Carlisle pulled the Wellness team together since she was the LPN on duty for night shift. Our weekend concierge, who lives across the street, walked over in blizzard conditions!  Nancy and Lisa from our Dining team stayed overnight to make sure the residents had their three squares. Wellness helped in dining along with the concierge. The point person Shannon would touch base with me throughout the weekend just to let me know everything was going well and how they all worked together through it all. Becky, one of our Wellness associates, was brought in by her husband and they picked up Krista another Wellness associate along the way so she could get here for dayshift on Saturday and Sunday. A true act of kindness and dedication. Jason Hampton our Dining Manager went out on Sunday and picked up two associates one from Wellness and the other from his Dining team since they were snowed in.  He was not even scheduled to work but he came in so the rest of his team that was here for two nights could go home to their families.

The Mount Joy team is a dedicated team!  You rock MOUNT JOY! Together they truly achieved magic!