May 2017 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Grow Strong Daily

Continuing our Spring Alive In All Seasons focus on healthy again, we continue to let wellbeing thrive with a May focus on Fitness. Staying fit throughout all seasons of life is possible and at Juniper we promote fitness every day of the week! We recently shared on our Facebook page a New York Times story, authored by Gretchen Reynolds, providing results from the Mayo Clinic who recently conducted an experiment on the cells of 72 healthy but sedentary men and women who were 30 or younger or older than 64. The volunteers were randomly assigned to a particular exercise regimen. There were some unsurprising differences: The gains in muscle mass and strength were greater for those who exercised only with weights, while interval training had the strongest influence on endurance. But more unexpected results were found in the biopsied muscle cells. It seems as if the decline in the cellular health of muscles associated with aging was “corrected” with exercise, especially if it was intense, says Dr. Sreekumaran Nair, a professor of medicine and an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic and the study’s senior author. In fact, older people’s cells responded in some ways more robustly to intense exercise than the cells of the young did. So pick up those weights, get on that bike and remember it’s never too late to benefit from exercise. And if you’re not doing so already, follow us on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

We invite you to Grow Strong Daily along with us with programs such as Fitness Five and our Route 66 Walking Program. Learn more about fitness and keeping your heart healthy at our Heart Healthy Luncheon and educational presentation. Staying fit throughout all seasons of life is possible.

Our fabulous May 2017 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 to enjoy a variety of refreshing teas and beverages paired with dessert - delights to suit any lady’s fancy on May 12^th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. (RSVP by May 4^th at 717-492-9692.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

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.

Connect 4 Life - Integrated Care in Seniors Housing

In March the Directors of Wellness met to discuss the Importance of Integrated Care, which is the main stay of Juniper Communities' Connect4Life.  Statistics show when a Community provides three key components; onsite delivery of primary care, a "high-tech" foundation of shared data and a "high-touch" coordinator that facilitates a seamless provision of services, the customer truly benefits.  Juniper Communities study compared the population of customers residing in managed care communities and similar frail Medicare recipients.  The key results show hospitalizations were reduced by 50%, re-hospitalizations were reduced by over 80%.  Further study needs to be done, but these results suggest these positive outcomes are a result of a foundation of excellence and consistent quality of integrated care.

Pictured on top from left to right are some of our fabulous Directors of Community Relation: Kathryn Bainbridge, Brookline Senior Living; Katie Kensinger, Brookline Wellspring Memory Care; Brenda Dahlberg, Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care; Christine Heibel, Lebanon; and Bonnie Prisk, Forest Hills. Pictured on bottom from left to right are some of our wonderful Directors of Wellness: Susan Deitzler, Lebanon; Missy Ebner, Home Office; Katie Castro, Brookline Senior Living; Veronica Graham, Mount Joy; Muriel Myers, Forest Hills; and Dana Theis, Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

March 2017 Events in Mount Joy, PA: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

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

§  The Amazing Chris Ivey as all ages are invited to this high energy, exciting juggling show that features swords and stunts by local favorite, Chris Ivey, whose show will keep you at the edge of your seat, and following the excitement stay to share in an intergenerational ice cream party with a variety of ice cream novelties will be available at this free event, so we hope you will come and be amazed on March 9^th at 6:30 pm. (Please RSVP by March 8^th to 717-492-9692.)

§  Irish Eyes Are Smiling because you’ll have the “Luck of the Irish” today – guaranteed as we enjoy Bagpippers and festive Irish entertainment plus light refreshments and good ol’ St. Patty’s Day fun on March 17^th at 2:00 pm. (FREE event open to ALL.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in Mount Joy, PA at Juniper Village at Mount Joy with you as Your Treasure is Within.