WE ARE... Juniper Village

Throughout the Penn State football season, residents and staff at Juniper Village at Brookline can be found sporting the University's simple but easily recognizable colors of Blue and White. Penn State Football season brings out everyone's excitement, anticipation, and team spirit more than any other time of year. There is one day in particular though that stands apart from the rest, that brings the communities at Juniper Village and Penn State just a tiny bit closer, that blurs the line between Student and Senior; the day of the homecoming parade.

On Friday, October 7th residents and staff from Juniper Village at Brookline participated in the Penn State Homecoming Parade. This parade is a time to celebrate not only Penn State University but also to celebrate and display the numerous organizations, clubs, and special interest groups within the State College area. Residents and staff at Juniper Village took this showcase evening as an opportunity to celebrate and to demonstrate to the community what an asset and partner that they have in Juniper Village. Residents took this chance to gather inside the newly decorated blue and white Juniper bus, waving to parade attendees and reminiscing with each other about their childhood adventures. Not wanting to miss out on the action, Juniper staff joined along in the fun and walked the parade path handing out candy to the thousands of children and adults that can be found mobbing the sidewalks of downtown State College and the Penn State University campus.

A Day of Caring

Nestled in the quiet and quaint rural town of Spring Mills, PA the Old Gregg School provided an education to many children and youth. As the town grew and needs changed, the Old Gregg School evolved to become a community and recreation center. By providing affordable office space, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, and a safe space for locals, this go-to center is used frequently. Juniper Village at Brookline DCRs had the privilege in providing some needed TLC to this center on the annual Day of Caring event in Centre County. Kathryn Bainbridge, DCR of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living, and Katie Kensinger Senior DCR of Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring, weatherized outdoor benches and picnic tables while other volunteers restored stair rails and sidewalks to aide in maintaining this valued community building.  The 2016 Col. Gerald Russell PNC Bank Centre County United Way Day of Caring was not only a way for the Juniper DCRs to give back to the community, it was a time to honor a former resident at Juniper Village at Brookline. Col. Russell was a devoted community member and established the Day of Caring in 1993. Upon his passing in 2014, Centre County United Way found it fit to rename the event in Col Russell's honor. For more information on ways that Juniper Village at Brookline helps support the Centre region, contact Kathryn Bainbridge at Kathryn.bainbridge@junipercommunities. and ask to be added to the highlight card mailing list.

Juniper Village at Brookline Leading the Way at PHCA!!

PHCA, the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, is a statewide advocacy organization for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable older residents and their providers of care whose members comprise for-profit, nonprofit and government providers. Together, the more than 500 long-term care and senior service providers and their dedicated caregivers share a commitment to the highest level of care to ensure our sickest, frailest elderly and disabled residents live a healthy, safe life and age with the dignity and respect they deserve.

This year, at the annual convention, some lovely ladies from Juniper Village at Brookline – Anne Campbell, Liz Plozner-Chalfa, and Katie Castro – presented on techniques to reduce the use of antipsychotics. Additionally, Dennis Yeager, the Environmental Services Director at Brookline Senior Living, was awarded the PHCA Assisted Living/Personal Care Most Valuable Employee of the Year. Juniper Village at Brookline also won the Bronze Quality Award.

October 2016 Events in State College, PA: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

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

§  Autumn Sampler Festival on the Brookline patio as we rake up some of Central PA’s favorite traditional treats, and sample tastes of the season, including whoopie pies, apple dumplings, spiced cake, gourmet caramel apples, and Blue Moon Caramel Apple Spiced Ale; you may also ice and decorate your very own gingerbread man, and we promise you won’t “leaf” disappointed on October 13^th at 2:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2005 by October 7^th.)

§  Fall Festival at Harner Farm for a day of family fun at our annual event to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s; there will be kids’ crafts and games, fall treats, a soup and bake sale, and the famous corn maze, so we look forward to seeing you there on October 16^th from noon to 4:00 pm.

§  Safe Trick or Treating as children and families are invited to join residents and staff for a fun evening of candy, costumes, and a “spooktacular” good time as residents and staff will be handing out goodies to those dressed in costume; this event is open to the public, and no reservations are required on October 31^st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Show Your Colors.

Time for Spaghetti

September is Friendship Month at Juniper Communities and what better way to celebrate friendship than with a brother or sister. Juniper Village at Brookline hosted a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to benefit the Big Brother/Big Sister program through the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in Centre County. This national program provides local children an opportunity to connect with others while developing positive relationships. "One caring adult can make a significant difference in the life of a child" (ccysb.com).

Juniper Village dished up more than 60 dinners to community members, Juniper staff, and residents throughout the evening with dine in and take out options. Guests enjoyed spaghetti with freshly made meatballs, salad, baked dinner rolls, and house made cupcakes. All attendees were also entered into a raffle to win a fall-themed gift basket. At the end of the evening all money raised was given to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for a grand total of $659.25. "Thank you so much for this event. This is wonderful!" said Zach Barton, Centre County Big Brother/Big Sister Program Coordinator who was present for the event and to receive the check.

Be sure to check out the Juniper Village at Brookline monthly calendars for more information on other fundraisers throughout the year.

For more information on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program through the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, please visit www.ccysb.com.

Sip and Paint

This week the residents of Juniper Village  at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Nursing participated in their very own “Sip and Paint”. Juniper Village has a mascot of a giraffe named “Miles”, “because we stick our necks out and go the extra mile”. So residents and staff are working together to fill a display case with assorted giraffes. For residents - canvases were set out, paints were squeezed onto palettes, brushes were in hand, and favorite drinks were poured for sipping, as the instructor showed step by step how to paint a sunset with a giraffe silhouette. Even those who never had a brush in hand before laughed and smiled as their creative juices flowed. One resident expressed that his granddaughter talks of these classes that she attends regularly, and how he couldn’t wait to tell her he did one of his very own. For staff - adult coloring pages have been put in their break room with assorted colored pencils and the challenge to give their hand a try at creating a masterpiece. And together - staff are invited to bring a resident to the Connections REC room at any time to create together, a giraffe craft for the display. What started out as a simple art project for residents turned into a celebration of community and friendship through the expression of art! Tune in later for a picture of the final project!  

September 2016 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!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

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

§  Sip and Paint Night Fundraiser with Benchmark Therapies as we enjoy an evening of networking with fellow healthcare professionals while Amanda Kunkle, owner of Happy Valley Sip & Paint, guides the class through one-of-a-kind masterpieces on September 8^th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Please RSVP to Jill at 814-235-2041. Tickets are $35; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

§  Pennsylvania Clash of the Sandwiches for a friendly East vs. West “Battle of the Buns” in preparation for the upcoming Penn State vs. Temple football game, as we enjoy samples of both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh style cheesesteak sandwiches, so cast your vote for your favorite, and may the best sandwich win on September 15^th at noon.

§  Weekend Winedown to taste for a cause at this annual fundraiser event and silent auction to benefit bound to get your taste buds going wild, featuring signature dishes from local eateries alongside Seven Mountains wine at the winery on September 23^rd at 6:30 pm. (Please RSVP to Liz at 814-234-3135. Tickets are $40 each or $70 per couple; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as you Spread Your Joy.