Homecoming Hoopla!

WE ARE Juniper Village and WE ARE Penn State! Welcome to State College, Pennsylvania, where the Happy Valley is never happier than during PSU Homecoming Weekend! This year at Juniper Village we kicked off the festivities with a spirited tailgate celebration at our Wellspring Community. There were hot dogs, root beer floats, and those famous Grilled Stickies topped with Penn State Creamery ice cream, along with a fun photo booth for the kids and lots of community cheer!

Friday afternoon, residents and associates from across the Brookline campus loaded the "frog bus" and took to the Homecoming Parade route to show our Juniper and PSU pride! While cheering and handing out candy along the way was definitely a highlight, it was the visit and support of the Nittany Lion himself that took the show! Who is that handsome fellow with the frog bag?!

Restorative Nursing Program with Patty Specht

Restorative Nursing Coordinator, Patty Specht and Brookline resident, Betty Ammerman

LPN and Restorative Nursing Coordinator Patty Specht chose to be a nurse because, like many in the field, she wanted to do something to help others live a better life with hopes of making a difference to them and their loved ones--even if in a small way. Today--with 15 years of service at Brookline--Patty helps to make a big difference, especially when it comes to our Restorative Nursing Program (RNP).

Working together to return--or maintain--residents to their highest level of ambulatory function and overall wellbeing, a team of one LPN and two CNAs work in conjunction with our Connections department and on-site RehabCare therapists to create the most effective physical therapy program for each individual. Currently running Monday through Friday, the RNP includes active and passive ranges of motion, ambulation, Walk to Dine, Walking Club, strengthening exercise, and splint and orthotic placement.

Specht says of the program, "It is so important, because it helps to prevent contractures and maintains movement of joints and extremities. It encourages residents to do more for themselves, giving a deep feeling of accomplishment when able to complete tasks they once were unable to do."

The RNP is one of the many ways that Juniper Village works to increase physical prosperity among those for whom we care, with positive outcomes visibly noticeable. Residents who have had strokes and never expected to walk again have--with assistance--stood and taken small steps. Some are able to lift a spoon to their mouth without assistance. "You can see the looks of pride and excitement on their faces," said Specht. She shares, "I have seen a resident who had a severe stroke who thought he'd never make it back to his home, walk down the hallway--with minimal assistance--and leave to go home."

October 2015 Events in State College, 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 State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  Dinner and Discussion on Driving Safely with representatives from HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital as they talk about using DriveABLE™ technology for determining a loved one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle while a healthy dinner is provided on October 14^th at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 and please let us know of any dietary restrictions you have when you call.)

§  Show Your Colors Pep Rally as residents support their favorite team with snacks, drinks and sports themed games held throughout the hour to see which team stands above the rest on October 16^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Safe Trick-or-Treating for a spooky good time with children and families invited to join residents and staff for a fun evening of candy, costumes, movies and much, much more, as residents will be handing out candy and goodies to all children in costumes on October 30^th at 6:00 pm. (Event open to public; no reservations required.)

We look forward to sharing our October 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as we Show Your Colors.

You're invited! Great fun for a GREAT cause!

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 Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care’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.

Meet Our Wellness Leadership Team: Jennifer Gomez

At Juniper Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Care, our associates are like family, and it is this family's mission to improve the quality of life for our residents and their families by focusing on each individual resident as the whole person--body, mind, and spirit. We are passionate about and proud of the work that we do, and over the next several weeks, will be introducing you to members of our dedicated Wellness Leadership Team. 

Meet Jennifer Gomez. A registered nurse for nearly 20 years, Jennifer is a graduate of Geisinger Medical Center and serves as Juniper's clinical coordinator. Originally from nearby Bellefonte, she returned to her hometown two years ago after residing in the Philadelphia area. 

Having worked in many clinical settings over the years, Jennifer says that being with Juniper has allowed her to use all of her past nursing experiences while working on developing exciting new skills. Jennifer currently oversees the highly successful Restorative Nursing Program at JV Brookline, 

"I enjoy my co-workers and being part of a dynamic interdisciplinary team. Making a difference for the residents and their families is satisfying for me," Jennifer said. The feelings are obviously mutual, as smiles and warm greetings abound when she makes her way down the hall. 

Jennifer lives in Bellefonte with her two daughters, Emerson (15) and Elsa (14), and her son Maximo (12).

September 2015 Events in State College, 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 State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  “Stick it to Temple” Tailgate Party as we show our spirit and watch the game on the big screen while Matt cooks up favorite picnic foods on a stick on September 5^th at noon.

§  Friendship Lunch and Learn as Evelyn Wald, MS, M, DIV, talks about the importance of social groups and friendships in maintaining positive mental health at any age, so bring a friend or two, on September 9^th at noon. (RSVP to 814-235-2041.)

§  Spaghetti Dinner and Bake Sale Fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters for a sit-down or take-out meal and delicious treats with a program that will teach you how you can make a difference in the life of a very special child through Centre County’s Children and Youth initiative that fosters positive friendships on September 23^rd at 5:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our September 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as we Spread Your Joy.