2015 Juniper Leadership Conference Awards

Juniper celebrated its 27^th anniversary this year.  Each year communities are honored for their achievements in critical operational and financial areas.

Awards were presented at the 2015 Juniper Leadership Conference, held this year in Baltimore’s historic inner harbor.  Awards were presented by Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, and Diane Byrne, Vice President of Program, Development, Training & Operational Oversight.

At the recent Juniper leadership conference, Juniper Village at Brookline Skilled Rehabilitation and Care was presented the Juniper Culture Award in recognition of “walking the talk” and leading the implementation of Juniper’s Culture and Signature Programs in the midst of a full acquisition transition in 2014.

She's Got Spirit... How 'Bout You?

Clockwise, from top: Laughard and her nominators; with supervisor, Matt Nevling; Cathy's cake; with Administrator, Kathy Russell

Juniper Village Rehabilitation & Skilled Care is proud to introduce our latest Juniper Spirit Award winner, Cathy Laughard. Instead of trying to explain the many ways in which Cathy deserves this honor, below is an excerpt from a letter written by her supervisor, Matt Nevling. We think you'll see what makes Cathy so special to us all.

"I feel that no one embodies the qualities and hard work that the Juniper Spirit Award recognizes as well as Cathy. The goal of the reward is to identify those workers who not only do their basic jobs well, but go beyond them to make our campus a better place. I have never met anyone who fits those criteria more than Cathy Laughard.

Cathy has been one of our head cooks since before my time here. During her long career, she has endured many changes, embracing them all with a great attitude. She reports to work daily with a positive attitude and upbeat personality that spreads among the staff in the kitchen. She is a warm, welcome presence for new employees trying to find their place, as well as a dependable supervisor for those who are experienced in their positions.

Of all the positive qualities that Cathy possesses, the one that is most deserving of this award is her dedication to the residents. This dedication goes above and beyond what most are willing to do. Cathy frequently finds time in her day to visit with residents to discuss the upcoming meals. She works hard to customize dishes and go off-menu to provide our residents with foods that they want, no matter how particular the request. Her warm personality also puts new residents at ease and allows them to feel a level of control when their current situation may not normally allow such feelings.

Overall I cannot say enough about Cathy. I am thankful for her hard work and leadership and making even my own days here better."

From all of us at Brookline, congratulations, Cathy!

A Meal That Matters

Making a difference in the community is an important part of what we at Juniper Village do each and every day. Not only do we believe in nurturing the spirit of life in our own residents, but also in the residents of the greater State College community. This is why a number of Juniper Village at Brookline associates were proud to represent our organization at the 10th annual State College Area Meals on Wheels (SCMOW) benefit dinner. As the longest-running corporate supporter of SCMOW, and the only platinum-level sponsor, JVB associates were treated to front row seating at the event and the opportunity to meet keynote speaker and Penn State football head coach, James Franklin. 

Since 1971, SCMOW has served more than a million meals, and is now able to serve meals three times per week to those in the State College Area School District. According to SCMOW Board President, Bill Haner, the total amount raised at this year's dinner is slated to be between $45,000 and $50,000, which will tie or exceed the organization's record fundraising amount! 

May 2015 Events in State College, PA: Grow Strong Daily

Fitness is on our mind during our May 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing with our Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily”. As you know, physical activity is good for you both physically and mentally. Regular physical activity can help you to continue to do the things you love and stay independent as you age. Exercise can reduce the risk of developing some diseases and reduce symptoms of some chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and balance issues.

But, if exercise has not been a part of your daily routine how do you take that first step? Start by making it fun! Turn a walk around the block into a scavenger hunt – search for daffodils, birds, squirrels or lucky pennies. Instead of a dip in the pool, create an adventure as you pretend to swim with the dolphins. Rather than send your co-worker an email, walk to her office and communicate face to face, double the benefit with a smile! What’s important is to make it fun and just start – today!

Join us for our May 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing as we will Grow Strong Daily with Fitness Five, and walk “cross country” with our Route 66 Walking Program and learn more about keeping our hearts fit at our Healthy Heart Luncheon. We look forward to sharing these and many other activities with you this month. Peruse this month’s calendar, and we will see you soon!

Our fabulous May 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing include our:

§  Author Cindy Keith: Caregiver Manual for People with Dementia and Book Signing where you can learn more about how to care for loved ones suffering from memory impairment on May 7^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Penn State University Master Gardeners Present: Feed Your Plants and Watch Them Grow as they give us professional tips on how to get the most from our green thumbs on May 18^th at 2:30 pm.

§  Get Fit Don’t Slip Class to see how staying healthy and engaging in physical activity can help minimize the risk of falls on May 21^st at 2:30 pm.

§  Murder Mystery Fundraiser as we engage with intriguing and amusing entertainment while enjoying a delicious meal to benefit our favorite charitable causes on May 30^th at 5:30 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our May 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing!

Come On Down for An Evening of FUN and Prizes!!

Okay… so we didn’t technically win any prizes this time around, but we sure did have a ton of fun when “The Price Is Right LIVE” made a stop at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center! More than 20 JVB residents and associates were part of the audience to watch as contestants played PLINKO, spun the Big Wheel, and had a Showcase Showdown. And as you can see, everyone was sporting their “Nurturing the Spirit of Fun” T-shirts (and some necklaces, and headbands, and pom-poms)! There was dancing in the aisles, applause, and lots and lots of laughter!

Join Us in Welcoming Kathleen Russell as our New Administrator

Juniper Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Care at Brookline is pleased to introduce Kathleen Russell as its new Administrator. With a decade of nursing home administrative experience, Kathy knew what she wanted to do at an early age. While working in a nursing care community at the age of 18, she overheard a resident being spoken to in an unkind manner by a staff member and knew that it was fundamentally wrong. It was then that she knew she wanted to find a way to make it right.

In 1996, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in long-term care administration; going on to receive her master’s degree in health care administration with a minor in gerontology. With her passion for working with the geriatric population, Kathy says that it was the Juniper Communities philosophy of person-centered care and “nurturing the spirit of life” in all of its seasons that drew her to the company.

Originally from Baltimore, Kathy currently lives in Huntingdon, PA with her husband. She is the step-mother of three and enjoys spending time with them and her husband’s six grandchildren. She is presently attending the University of Phoenix, where she is working toward her doctoral degree in health care administration.

April 2015 Events in State College, PA: Believe in Yourself

Welcome to April - the name derived from the Latin word Aperire meaning “to open”; the month when everything starts to bloom and come alive. What better time to really put forth your best efforts and see the true beauty inside than the month in which everything begins anew! Diana Ross, in the Wiz, advises “believe in yourself, right from the start. You'll have brains; you’ll have a heart; you’ll have courage to last your whole life through if you believe in yourself.” So let’s put our best foot forward, believe in ourselves and we can move mountains!

Join us for our April 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care as we pull pranks on April Fool’s Day; honor Jesus Christ on Good Friday, followed by hiding Easter eggs; celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery on Passover; and celebrate mother earth on Earth Day and Arbor Day. Peruse this month’s calendar as we focus on the brain through our Daily Brain Builders, Wii tournaments and our Healthy Brain Luncheon. Plan to join us for any and all events. Also, check out our Healthy Aging Resource Library to learn more about the brain or any number of health related topics. We look forward to seeing you during this fun filled month.

Our fabulous April 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

Ø  Learning Sign Language Workshop featuring a skilled ASL or American Sign Language instructor who will teach us how to communicate using our hands on April 7^th at 4:00 pm.

Ø  Brain Health Discussion with Dr. Michael Shapiro who will share his expertise by giving us tips on how to promote brain health and preserve cognitive function at any age on April 9^th at 2:30 pm.

Ø  The Price is Right Live Game where we participate in our own version of the well-loved TV game show full of fun and prizes on April 16^th at 6:00 pm.

Ø  Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Walk for a little exercise and fresh air with friends to do a body good on April 22^nd at 1:30 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our April 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care!