Happy Easter!

Residents of Juniper Village at Mount Joy mourned and celebrated all throughout Holy Week. Good Friday is a solemn day in which many Christians remember the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. On Friday, April 14^th, during a time of devotions and hymns individuals were able to confess, sing, pray, and meditate on the death of the Son of God. Come Sunday, April 16^th, residents were rejoicing and singing praises to the Risen King during the mid-morning Easter worship service.

There were many other festivities happening Easter weekend. Residents followed Peter Cottontail on an Easter egg hunt up and down the halls for some exciting and rewarding exercise. Some residents were able to sit and reminisce on Easters past in which they wore big Easter bonnets or special new suits. Also, what would Easter be without painting eggs? Individuals clamored around a table to dye and paint Easter eggs, adding a sparkle to their eyes.

There was something offered for everyone to pause and celebrate Easter. It truly was a weekend of much happiness and pure joy!

Coffee and Conversation

On Tuesday April 11^th residents were able to join Deb Miller, Executive Director of Juniper Village at Mount Joy, to sip coffee and soak in conversation. Numerous residents flocked to the 400 lounge to spend time reminiscing with Deb. Memories were shared of: springtime gardening, family gatherings, local floods, first jobs, and even a personal immigration experience. There was much laughter and a few silent tears in remembering such cherished moments. Each individual that attended walked away with joy in their heart and an appreciation for their past experiences that have shaped them into the person they now are.

April 2017 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Believe in Yourself

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

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

Our fabulous April 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy include our:

§  National Super Hero’s Day Celebration for a day’s worth of fun, educational and creative activities and events that recognize the “Super Hero” in everyone; Create a Super Brain, Gods of Modern Mythology, Bats & Robins Trivia, Mad Science: Iron Man Magnetism, Denise Weston presents Early Detection Matters: Recognizing the Warning Signs of Dementia, Super Happy Hour with Caricatures and Balloon Animals by Characters with Character, and Wonder Women through the Decades on April 28^th from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. (All activities are free and open to all. RSVP to 717-492-9692 with intent to join us.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Believe in Yourself.