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.