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.