June 2016 Events in State College, PA: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  Cured Meat Cooking Demo with Matt Nevling to connect to your inner chef, and join our very own dietician, as he demonstrates the fascinating process of curing meat with taste testing permitted and encouraged on June 10th at 2:30pm. (No RSVP required.)

§  Juniper Family Picnic as residents, family members, and invited guests look forward to this event all year long because we’ll have tons of classic cook-out food and drinks under the big tent, along with live entertainment for all ages on June 26th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. (Watch for your invitation!)

§  Lunch & Learn: Live in Wellness – Dietary Needs for Seniors with registered dietician and Juniper Village at Brookline dietary consultant, Shawnee Kelley, for this informative (and delicious) take on what we need to keep our bodies operating well at any age with a menu to include strawberry mesclun salad and pecan crusted cod on June 29th at noon. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 and let us know of any dietary restrictions.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Live in Wellness.

May 2016 Events in State College, PA: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

Our fabulous May 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  Penn State Lunch and Learn Bone Up on Bone Health as we join Dr. Roberta Millard from Penn State Hershey Orthopedics, as she discusses the importance of bone health as we age, and talks about the best in bone-heathy diets, exercise, and the warning signs of Osteoporosis and other related conditions, while a healthy lunch is served on May 18^th at noon. (RSVP to 814-235-2041.)

§  Chair Yoga Fitness with Sue Lembeck-Edens, movement therapist, as she invites all those who are interested to enjoy the benefits of chair yoga while she discusses the benefits of staying active throughout all stages of life on May 14^th at 2:00 pm.

§  GIN in the Evening Centre County Geriatric Interest Network (GIN) exciting networking event for all area healthcare professionals who work in, around, or are interested in geriatric healthcare with wonderful food and drink, and sparkling conversation and donations will be accepted for the Multiple Sclerosis Society on May 25^th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. (No RSVP Required.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Bavarian Bash!

The weather was absolutely stunning for Sunday's Nittany Valley Symphony post-concert reception at the Willows dining room and patio. Long-time supporters of the local symphony, Juniper Village at Brookline hosts an annual gala that caters to the theme of one particular concert. This year's performance, "German Romantics," featured the works of great German masters of the 19th century.

The after party was buzzing with around 90 guests, who enjoyed German and Austrian food and drink, with menu items including homemade sausage and sauerkraut, hand-cooked pretzels, and Rindfleischsalat served on Bierbrot, crafted by our friends at Herwig's Austrian Bistro in downtown State College. Fine wine and German beer was on tap, and guest sampled from a number of different desserts, including just-baked German chocolate cake, while mingling with long-time friends and making new acquaintances. Cheers!

How does your garden grow?

Working with one's hands is always a rewarding endeavor; Mix in some sunshine, playing in the dirt, and delicious rewards, and you just can't lose! According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, gardening as a form of therapy has actually been shown to reduce stress and calm nerves by lowering cortisol levels, a hormone that plays a role in stress response.

Residents at Brookline recently formed a gardening group which will meet twice monthly in an effort to spruce up the garden just outside of our second-floor dining room. Plans for the garden include planting and harvesting tomatoes, chives (pictured here), peppers, garlic, cilantro, and cumin for a delightful homemade salsa! Yum!

2015 Successful Outcomes

Dancing Irish Lassies

Several members of the Rince na Leon Irish dance group at Penn State stopped by Juniper Village at Brookline recently to showcase some traditional Celtic moves. Residents and friends were treated to two sets of performances, both soft and hard shoe, as well as several informative discussion sessions. Attendees delighted in hearing about each girl's background, as well as the history of the group and of Irish dance itself. 

The cultural extravaganza boasted Irish-themed fare, including Guinness beer bread, Reuben dip with toasted rye, and beer & cheese soup. Irish coffee and a special "McDoogles" punch was also on tap. 

April 2016 Events in State College, PA: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

Our fabulous April 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care include our:

§  Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Habilitation Training Curriculum one day session by the Greater PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association created to prepare attendees, already familiar with Alzheimer’s and dementia care, to train direct staff in a wide array of care settings, and provide trainers with the tools and knowledge to return to staff with a consistent, vetted curriculum taught in various settings for 20 years on April 14^th beginning at 8:00 am. (RSVP to 814-235-2005.)

§  Cognitive Benefits of Art Therapy with Erin Carter as our very own art therapist, Erin Carter, will give a presentation on the cognitive benefits of art, specifically in the elderly population with a group art therapy session immediately following on April 15^th at 2:30 pm.

§  German Romantics – Nittany Valley Symphony Post Concert Reception for a grand celebration of German culture, following the Nittany Valley Symphony’s German Romantics concert, as we delight in the tastes of sausage, bacon and sauerkraut filled potato croquettes, mini black forest cakes, and German wine and beer on April 17^th at 6:00 pm. (No RSVP required; concert information and tickets at www.nvs.com.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Believe in Yourself.