by Michael Martin Garrett
Angeline Hunter, 91, has lived through many changes in her life.
She’s seen State College and Penn State grow since she moved to the area in 1943, and after her husband’s death in 2008, she watched the evolution of the well-established Brookline Village retirement community.
Since moving to Brookline in early 2013, there's been one more change she’s had to adjust to: Brookline’s acquisition by the national assisted living organization Juniper Village.
Sitting outside on Tuesday among Brookline’s handsome buildings and greenery - surrounded by friends, family and fellow residents - Hunter listened to Juniper CEO Lynne Katzmann lay her out her vision for the newly christened Juniper Village at Brookline facility at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“You all have welcomed us with warmth, generosity and open hearts and minds,” Katzmann said. “Thank you for letting us be a part of this community.”
Katzmann said Juniper Village had been aware of Brookline’s “legacy of excellence” before it ever acquired the facility. Though Juniper has a lot to live up to, she’s sure that the Brookline team and residents will be able to work together to continuing improving the lives of State College’s senior citizens.
She said some of Juniper’s priorities are keeping things exactly the same: many of the staff from before the acquisition are still at Brookline, and Katzmann has no plans to disturb the facility’s beautiful campus.
But, perhaps more importantly, she looks forward to bringing new activities and initiatives to Brookline. Katzmann says Juniper Communities was “green long before it was fashionable,” which continues to this day with a focus on recycling and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Recently certified by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America as maintaining the rare distinction of “excellence in care” at its facilities, Katzmann says Juniper Communities is excited to increase the quality of care of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients...
Anissa Ilie, director of community relations with Juniper Village at Brookline, says another major change will be updating all medical records to a digital format, which will make record-keeping and caregiving more efficient.
Another focus of the change in leadership was to “hit the ground running” and interfere with the resident’s daily lives as little as possible during the transitionary months, Ilie says...
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