Breathe in Life: August Events

Our Alive in All Seasons’ theme for August is The Environment. Our communities will focus their efforts on maintaining healthy environments through environmentally conscious activities. Our “Green Canopy” program emphasizes designing and operating buildings that meet new standards of environmental sustainability. We are proud to be the first long-term care company with a building in the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

According to research by Go Green, Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour; 25 billion Styrofoam cups and 40 billion soft drink bottles and cans each year. Eighty-four percent of the average American’s household trash can be recycled. If we recycled just 1/10 of our newspapers 25 million trees could be saved. Are we all doing our part?

Join us this month as we learn more about the environment, expand our wide-scale recycling program, learn more about environmental sustainability programs and work with our community Green Teams to promote our “Green Canopy” initiative. We encourage you to accompany us on this environmental journey so that we can all continue to Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Tom Ridge Environmental Center Trip to learn about the ecosystem and subjects related to Presque Isle State Park on August 11^th at 9:30 pm; our Silver Splash Water Exercise at the YMCA featuring no-impact aerobics designed specifically for older adults on August 12^th at 12:30 pm; our Crawford County Fair Trips for delicious traditional foods, music, and truck and tractor pulls on August 18^th and 19^th; or our Butterfly Presentation where you can learn more about the life cycle and environmental importance of the beautiful insects on August 25^th at 3:00 pm. Take a look at our calendar and join us for any and all activities that will help you make the most of these last few weeks of summer.

Pet Therapy at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park

The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patients such as the elderly.  Unlike people, with whom our interactions may be quite complex and unpredictable, animals provide a constant source of comfort and focus for attention. Animals bring out our nurturing instinct. They also make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted. We can just be ourselves around our pets.  Research has shown that pet ownership can:  reduce stress-induced symptoms, lower blood pressure,  bringing a pet into a nursing home or hospital can boost peoples' moods and enhance their social interaction, and  add years to your life.

Resident's of Juniper Village at Meadville enjoyed an outing to the Conneaut Lake Bark Park to enjoy a day of Agility Trials.  Thank you to the Conneaut Lake Bark Park for providing a day of fun and therapy for our residents.  Our next trip to the Bark Park will be to attend the upcoming "Doggy Marriage Ceremony".

 Who would have thought Pet Therapy could become so creative?  We encourage all you dog lover's to go and visit the Bark Park.  What a terrific asset to the local community!

Juniper Village at Meadville Welcomes Two New Associates

Renee Peterson as Connections Director and Brenton Steiger as Director of Community Relations

Juniper Village at Meadville is excited to welcome Renee Peterson and Brenton Steiger to their family of associates. “Renee and Brenton are wonderful additions to our team here in Meadville,” says Jennifer Musone, Executive Director. “Their energy and positive outlook on life will enhance our everyday operations and interactions with the residents and community.”

Renee Peterson, started June 17. She is in charge of developing a monthly calendar of activities and outings for the residents. Prior to Juniper, she was an activities aide in a nursing home for three years. When she first began in the industry, she didn’t think she could make it past her first day. But, her love of people and wanting them to experience the joy and purpose in the life they have left kept her in the industry.

Being in charge of activities, she hopes to bring more intergenerational events and opportunities to Juniper Village. Also, she wants to increase the number of outings each month in which the residents can participate. She will be looking at what works, what draws people to participate, and what doesn’t. Renee will also be getting feedback on the activities from the resident council.

Renee grew up in Hadley and now resides in Cochranton with her family. Her 9 ½ year old daughter Faith, loves going to Juniper and talking to the residents. She is always excited to be at the community.

Brenton Steiger started at Juniper Village at Meadville on June 18. He is the new Director of Community Relations and as such, will be providing tours and working on admissions for Juniper. He has a 12 year history in the health care field in several venues including home medical equipment, long term care, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and personal care communities.

He is especially interested in being able to make true connections with the residents living at Juniper Village and their families. Brenton will be heavily engaged in promoting Juniper and its services, growing the community, and forging relationships between Juniper and the Meadville community-at-large.

Brenton is excited to be back in Meadville as he too grew up in the vicinity. He now resides in Vanango.

Why Transition to a Plant-Based Diet?

Juniper Village at Meadville held a Lunch and Learn with Leslie Blake of Leslie Blake Studio’s and Plant Based Nutrition Consultant.  Our community members enjoyed a free plant based lunch prepared by Leslie Blake and learned about the food and the healing power it provides when eating nutrient-dense plant-based foods.

Plant-based nutrition is consuming a diet of whole plant foods including whole grain products, legumes, vegetables and fruits that provide all the nutrients that the human body requires:  carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and sufficient calories. Did you know that many chronic illnesses can be linked to our meat, dairy, and fat-laden western diet?  Diseases such as:  heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and digestive disorders can be reduced, controlled or reversed by adopting a plant-based diet. 

The world is full of information and misinformation.  It can be challenging and overwhelming to separate what is true and what is not.  Leslie can help you achieve your health and nutrition goals as well as clear some confusion.  For more information on Plant Based Nutrition, please visit Leslie’s Facebook page, “Leslie Blake Studio’s” or call 814-967-3010.