Sweet Sound of the Symphony

In January we celebrate music, and its sweet sound was in the air this week at the Mount Nittany Middle School in State College. The school’s auditorium was host to the Nittany Valley Symphony’s “Remarkable Kids” Family Concert, and more than a dozen Juniper Village residents took in an amazing performance. Scores included whimsical works by Rossini, Mozart and Mendelssohn. Best of all the concert introduced 17-year-old State College Area High School senior Raina Arnett as the featured violinist.

Juniper Village at Brookline is a big supporter of many area cultural organizations. Check out that back cover program ad!

Doing For Others...

Civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” There is no doubt that some very special Penn State University students were doing for others (and doing good) on Monday as they took to performing a variety of outreach projects around the University Park campus and the region as part of their annual celebration of Dr. King’s birthday. Six of those students made it their mission to visit with, and brighten the day of some residents of Juniper Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Care at Brookline.

On a day off from classes, student volunteers joined forces with our Connections department for parachute exercise, one-on-one resident visits, and even took in some scrapbooking. Citing King’s famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, PSU senior Elizabeth Peter told the Centre Daily Times, “We are a family. We are Penn State. We are the dream.”

Welcome New Beginnings: January Events

Welcome to 2015! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time for change when we make and sometimes break our New Year’s resolutions and focus on what we want to make better in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function. It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Hospitals are using music to help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety and to ease recovery in stroke patients.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Harp Therapy as part of New Year, New You Day of Wellness with  the heavenly sounds of Certified Harp Therapist Ellen Slingerland who showcases how her music can have a soothing and comforting effect on listeners in the Second Floor Dining Room at Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care (1950 Cliffside Drive) on January 5^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm; our ReMarkable Music with Grace Between Us to dazzle and inspire you with traditional hymns that are sure to impress in the Gathering Room at Wellspring (610 Whitehall Drive) on January 12^th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm; our Winter Warm-Up Happy Hour with JT Thompson  for an evening of drinks and hot tunes by this Bellefonte native who is  a regular on the State College music scene in the Pines Piano Lounge at Brookline Senior Living (1940 Cliffside Drive) on January 14^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; our Alive Inside Screening of the inspirational and emotional film dramatically portraying the power of music and memory that left the audience humming and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award in the Willows Dining Room (1900 Cliffside Drive) on January 22^nd from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm; or our Virtual Dementia Tour and Create Your Playlist Event an interactive, experiential journey into the realities of dementia that allows you to “walk in the shoes” of your loved one, enabling you to better understand their needs and behaviors, at the end of which you can create your own personalized music playlist and participate in an iPod and MP3 player donation drive for musical tools to utilize throughout the community in the First Floor Lobby at Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care (1950 Cliffside Drive) on January 28^th from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm!

Look through our calendar and join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a habit of joining us for activities and events throughout the year!

And The Winner Is...

We are pleased and privileged to announce that Michelle Myers, Wellness Nurse, is the first recipient of the quarterly Juniper Spirit Award at Juniper Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Care at Brookline community in State College, Pennsylvania.

Michelle started her career in long-term care as a nursing assistant. She then pursued education and training at the Clearfield County Career and Technical Center, becoming licensed as a practical nurse. Myers began employment at the former Fairways at Brookline in January of 2010, after seeking “a more family-like atmosphere”.  She joined Juniper Communities as part of our change in ownership, which occurred in July of 2014.

During her more than four years of service to our residents at Juniper Village, this LPN has been recognized by her supervisors, fellow associates, residents, and family members for providing exemplary service. Michelle has a positive attitude, with a strong resident-centered approach to care. She is a competent and intelligent nurse, with strong clinical skills.  Aside from being a dedicated community member, Michelle is an effective communicator and has excellent management skills. Her leadership has been instrumental in improving teamwork.

Michelle lives in Osceola Mills with her husband Eddie and four children, Lexi, Mackenzie, Sadie and RJ.

As a nurse, Michelle “nurtures the spirit of life” by developing caring and trusting relationships with each of the residents who reside on the 3 West Neighborhood, as well as their family members. One of her nominators was resident family member, Mr. Haffner, who stated that Michelle’s genuine concern and kind heart makes the care that she provides his wife nurturing and comfortable. She goes out of her way to make sure that is wife is well cared for and will even call him at home to check on his health if he misses a daily visit. This kind of care makes a situation that could be stressful and difficult, one that is comfortable and welcoming. People like Michelle make a positive difference in our lives.

The Giving Season

This holiday season Juniper Village at Brookline residents and associates were busy spreading cheer throughout the State College community. All JVB communities were official Toys for Tots collections sites, helping to collect three large boxes of toys this year for more than 3,000 less fortunate Centre County children. Since 1987, The Nittany Leathernecks Detachment, a community service organization composed of active, retired and former Marines, has headed the Toys for Tots mission in Centre County—considered one of the area’s premier charity events. The Centre County Toys for Tots campaign accommodates all religious protocols—in concert with economic eligibility—for Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanza during the December-January holiday seasons.

But that’s not all! Additionally, nearly 1,000 pounds of food and more than $200 in donations were collected for the State College Food Bank this year. Large grocery carts donated by Weis Market on South Atherton Street in State College (as well as $25 worth of groceries) were placed in three main lobbies at JVB, where they were quickly filled to the brim. Carol Pioli, executive director of the food bank—which serves over 300 area households per month—said that “offering a simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t feel enough, because [Juniper Village at Brookline is] helping to provide a basic need to those that are less fortunate.”

With monetary totals not yet in, JVB was one of 10 State College area businesses that teamed up for the “We Are The Kettles” Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Local companies and organizations spend a day ringing that famous bell around State College, and Red Kettles are decked with company logos, while associates bundle up for a good cause. This year, 10 JVB associates volunteered their time to the campaign. We even had one very special volunteer who commuted all the way from the North Pole!

A Few of Our Favorite Things...

Residents and associates of Juniper Village at Brookline teamed up to create a magical “The Sound of Music” themed Christmas tree for the 20^th annual Centre County United Way Festival of Trees, December 12-14. Funded by our rehabilitation and skilled care community, a nearly 8-foot Tannenbaum tree was adorned with visions straight from the classic, “My Favorite Things”, including raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, warm woolen mittens, and more! Each ornament was carefully crafted with love, from the brown paper packages tied up with strings that were piled high beneath the tree, to the tree topper itself—sheet music fashioned into an intricate bow.

Festival of Trees is held in conjunction with the annual Bellefonte Victorian Christmas. Community members pay a nominal fee to view the trees decorated by area businesses and organizations. Trees are voted on for cash rewards, and proceeds benefit the 34 Centre County United Way partner agencies. Additionally, the event is one that is a highly-anticipated holiday outing for Juniper residents.

Juniper Communities Appoints New Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing

Juniper Communities announces that Melissa “Missy” Ebner has joined Juniper as Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing. Missy brings a wealth of experience in nursing care, especially with seniors to her position. From a clinical perspective, her role will be to oversee the entire portfolio of clinical care and support for the residents, provide clinical oversight, and staff training. She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in every state where Juniper currently has communities.

“We are very excited to have Missy join the Juniper family,” expressed Lynne Katzmann, CEO of Juniper Communities. “She comes to Juniper with a wonderful background and deep experience in the clinical complainants of senior living. She will be a great resource for our community wellness teams and to the home office team in this changing healthcare environment.”

Missy’s interest in working with senior living communities is that they offer residents more freedom than skilled nursing settings. “The seniors can be taken care of in a homelike environment and you can become a friend, not seen as a nurse or caregiver,” she explained. “Juniper’s staff is wonderful at treating the residents as a parent or grandparent, this doesn’t always happen in institutional settings.”

Juniper Communities owns and operates Personal Care, Assisted Living, Memory-Care, Skilled Nursing and Independent Living communities in NJ, FL, CO and PA.

“Nobody is as forward thinking as Juniper. They are far ahead of the curve in the industry and where healthcare is going. The staff I’ve observed go above and beyond, always doing more even though no one is looking,” Missy described of her building level observations.

Missy Ebner has worked in the healthcare industry since 1987. She received her LPN from the James Martin School of Nursing in 1987 and her RN from Excelsior College in 2005. She is a resident of Willow Grove, PA and born and raised in Pennsylvania. She has been married to Henry Ebner for 26 years and has three children, Corey, Shane and Cassidy.  Something her family and friends know about her is that she loves to shop the Outlets, and loves a good bargain!