The Heart of the Season

With the holiday season in full swing, we at Juniper Village at Brookline take time to celebrate the little (and big things) that make us happy. At the top of that list is, of course, family. During three consecutive Sunday afternoons, residents, families, and friends from Senior Living, Wellspring, and Rehabilitation and Skilled Care served up traditional Thanksgiving meals to nearly 800 of our closest friends.

If you've never experienced a Juniper Harvest Fest, they truly are a site to behold, with all hands on deck. Associates are on hand to greet, seat, serve and clean, all in the name of togetherness. From our family to yours... we hope that you enjoy this time of year as much as we are!

Toys for Tots at Juniper Village at Brookline

At Juniper Village, we believe not only in nurturing the spirit of life in our residents and associates, but also in those individuals with whom we share a community. We will once again be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need in the greater State College area.

The following are official Toys for Tots donation locations through December 13:

• The Inn Senior Living, 1930 Cliffside Drive, State College
• Brookline Rehabilitation & Skilled Care, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College
• Wellspring Memory Care, 610 W. Whitehall Road, State College

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Resident Veterans Honored

Juniper Village at Brookline veterans were honored during an hour-long presentation Wednesday. Most of our nearly 50 veterans were able to make the event, hosted in the Willows Dining Room. Special guest speaker, Marine Sergeant Everett Craig, a Vietnam Veteran, spoke on the importance of the bonds created during war and why it is so important for him to remember those soldiers who did not have the opportunity to return home.

Brookline favorite, Picker & Papa, provided musical entertainment, as residents, families, and community members shouted classic requests like God Bless America and You're a Grand Ole' Flag.
The nearly 90 guests snacked on pastries and mingled before calling it an afternoon.

Thank you to all who came out to support our service men and women, and thank you to those who have served!

November 2015 Events in State College, PA: Cherish The Journey

Family is a simple word, with complex meaning. To some family is the people you are related to by blood, but to some family is the people you choose to hold in high regard, and to others family isn’t people at all, but animals – our beloved pets.

Regardless of the definition, family plays an important role in our personal journey. As the saying goes, “Family is what you make it.” Whether made of blood relatives, friends, colleagues or pets, your family can offer you the support you need to thrive.

This month we celebrate family and reflect on our personal journeys while creating new memories for the future. Join us as we reminisce about these journeys through autobiographical journaling. Plan to share with those less fortunate through our annual food drive from November 1-30 with all non-perishable food items being donated to a local food bank. Also interact and share with others through our community support groups, and know that you are not alone. Throughout the month we will also be hosting several family events as we celebrate family and give thanks. We encourage you to review our calendar and join us for any or all of our events and Cherish The Journey!

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

§  Shopping For A Cause to start your holiday shopping here at Juniper Village at Brookline from various local consultants selling your favorite brands such as Pampered chef, Tastefully Simple, Silpada Jewelry, Thirty-One, Mary Kay and many more with a percentage of all sales going to benefit the local State College Food Bank, so please also bring a non-perishable food item for donation on November 6^th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

§  Veteran’s Day Celebration to join us in honoring our resident veterans for their service to this great country with a patriotic presentation with special guests, music, and red, white, and blue deliciously-fun fare for our guests and the public is welcome with no RSVPs required on November 11^th at 2:00 pm.

§  “Say Cheese” Cheesy Photo Booth Shots And Snacks as family members are invited to join their loved ones in our photo booth filled with hats, masks, and other silly ensembles to share their memories through pictures that will outlast the hands of time and enjoy some dairy snacks that are sure to make you say “CHEESE,” on November 18^th at 3:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our November 2015 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care with you as we Cherish The Journey.

Walk this way...

Introduced years ago as a periodic leisure activity, Brookline's “Walking Club” has recently expanded to include Juniper’s “Don’t Sit, Get Fit Route 66” model of tracking steps, while also incorporating a very important restorative aspect.

As part of our Restorative Nursing and therapies programs, the Walking Club has taken on new life under the direction of Connections Director, Larry Glace. Brookline’s Connections department, along with Restorative Nursing and RehabCare Therapy in-house services, work together to keep an updated list of all residents who are both capable of and would benefit from an ambulation program with individualized  goals.

The group, which meets twice a week, features one-on-one customized programs for those residents whose insurance plans have dropped coverage for certain exercise therapies, but who could still greatly benefit from additional physical exercise. Individuals’ distances can now be tracked and recorded to give the team a baseline, as well as something to work towards; collaborating for overall improvement, minimizing decline, increasing bone density, and reducing the risk of falls.

“It’s just one of the many ways that we are able to walk our talk when it comes to nurturing the spirit of life in all of its seasons,” says Glace, adding, “I’m proud to play a part in helping to keep our residents as mobile and independent as possible.”

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."