Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit with Juniper Village at Meadville

The residents at Juniper Village in Meadville had a great time learning the many benefits of laughter for the mind, body, and soul with Meg Maly of Asera Care Hospice. This was just one of our many featured events during National Assisted Living Week and part of our ongoing wellness programs.

September 13 – 19 is National Assisted Living Week

Understand the senior living options available

This year, National Assisted Living Week’s theme is Nourishing Life: Mind, Body and Spirit and celebrates the countless ways assisted living caregivers nurture the whole resident. This has been the basis of Juniper Village at Meadville’s mission since we began and is certainly a goal of the industry.

With the percentage of the U.S. population over age 65 steadily increasing, it is important to understand the many options available in specialized residences and the level of care they provide for the growing and varied needs of seniors.

In addition to the type of community, it is equally important to find one that offers compassionate care, unparalleled access to healthcare – preferably onsite, programming that will stimulate you such as Music & Memory, and a commitment to continued improvement.

Personal Care/Assisted Living residences are for seniors who require the least amount of care. Meals are provided along with assistance in medication management, bathing, and dressing, if needed. Housekeeping and laundry services may also be available. Community social activities or outings may be offered, and depending on their preferences and budgets, residents may have the option of choosing a private room or a shared apartment.

Although some Assisted Living residences may provide services for seniors with cognitive impairment, a Memory Care residence is a specialized community for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Providing 24-hour supervision and security, the Memory Care environment is designed to meet the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s patients.

A Skilled Nursing Care residence, sometimes known as a nursing home, provides the highest level of care for its residents as well as round-the-clock availability of medical care. Seniors in these communities may be incontinent or require assistance with eating, walking, and moving about the bed.  Skilled Nursing Care residences usually provide long-term care for seniors who are too sick or frail for other types of residences.

In recognition of National Assisted Living Week, remember, when independent living becomes too difficult, moving into a senior living community that offers appropriate levels of care based on an individual’s need can often be the best solution.

September 2015 Events in Meadville, 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!

This month we invite you to “Spread Your Joy” as we honor our friendships in our Red Hat and Villager clubs and our Best Friends events; get our hands dirty at our Friendship Daffodil Project; and celebrate with our Birthday Party and House Warming Initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Laughter, Love and Friendship Dinner for a meal and a laugh as Meg Maly from AseraCare will speaks on the vibrancy you can have in life by inviting in love and friendship on September 10^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by September 4^th.)

§  Dolls from Around the World with Nancy Manning from SouthernCare Hospice as she displays and presents information about dolls from around the world and all participants are encouraged to bring their own dolls that are special to them for sharing on September 15^th at 3:30 pm. (No RSVP required.)

§  Celebrating Friendships and the Little Things in Life Lunch and Learn with Pastor Kent from Cochranton Community Church will present on the importance of friendships and celebration in life as a complimentary lunch is served on September 15^th at 3:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by September 14^th.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as we Spread Your Joy.

It’s never too late to make new friends at Juniper Village at Meadville

On Monday, August 24, 2015 Juniper was blessed to get an unexpected visitor, David Mead. This story starts about 20 years ago when a family friend had brought Dave a brochure of the David Mead Inn, which is now Juniper Village at Meadville and since then it was a lifetime dream of Dave's to come to Meadville and visit the David Mead inn.

David and his gorgeous new wife, Ang of 2 days came to Meadville, PA from Paris, Ontario, Canada for their honeymoon. When David and Ang got engaged they knew without a doubt that Meadville would be part of their honeymoon.  “We got married 2 days ago and this is our first stop, and it has been a most memorable day,” stated Ang Mead.

“To be so welcomed in the former David Mead Inn was great and everyone was so friendly in finding memorabilia for us to look at. Meeting Roger was truly an honor, to hear his stories and to be able to chat with him was without a doubt the highlight of our day,” stated Ang.  The couple was delighted to find Roger had written a book on the history of the David Mead Inn. Roger, a long-time resident of Juniper Village at Meadville presented them with a signed copy of the book as a keepsake to always remember the David Mead Inn and Meadville, PA being a stop on their honeymoon travels.

“I know for Dave, and myself, meeting Roger and hearing the history of your beautiful building first hand is a memory we will treasure; Dave can finally scratch this off his bucket list, it has been an extreme joy and pleasure” stated Ang.

Juniper Village at Meadville: Your Partner for Successful Outcomes

We want to be your partner of choice in the new shared savings environment. At Juniper Village at Meadville, we have been collecting critical data for nearly 10 years. For example, we closely monitor residents to assure successful returns from either the hospital or rehabilitation setting.

The ability to manage pressure ulcers is key to minimizing hospitalizations. Low rates of facility acquired pressure ulcers are the result of a high level of wellness/clinical oversight and an indicator of quality care and service.

Another common cause of both initial hospitalizations and rehospitalizations is medication errors. Changes to medication regime whether after a scheduled physician appointment or emergency hospitalization can leave patients confused about what medications are most current. Our wellness team is responsible for medication reconciliation and management, a process which virtually eliminates medication errors.

Communication is key and Juniper Village at Meadville takes communication to the next level through:
• Use of Electronic Health Records (Point Click Care)
• Optimized care transitions protocols
• Full implementation of INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers)
• Use of a highly recognizable and consistent transfer information packet
• Focus on resident and care giver education and engagement
• Individualized care and service

Juniper Village at Meadville's Monica Blood Promoted to Exceutive Director

Juniper Communities is proud to announce that Monica Blood is the new executive director of Juniper Village at Meadville. She was appointed to the position earlier this summer. Prior to this, Monica served in the role of Director of Wellness for two years.

As executive director, she will manage the day to day operations of the community to ensure the maximum levels of resident, family, and staff safety, wellness and satisfaction through maintaining regulatory compliance, Juniper’s philosophy, hallmarks, and policies and procedures.

Growing up in Cochranton, PA she attended the school system through high school. Her post-secondary education was obtained from the College at Fortis Institute in Erie, PA. Monica graduated top of her Nursing class and she continues to be an Advisory Board member for their Nursing Program. She began her career as a CNA in 2005 at a local skilled nursing facility. After obtaining her nursing degree she worked for a hospice agency for two years before taking a position with Juniper Village at Meadville.

“It is an honor to work for a senior living company whose signature programs ensure that all residents maintain an engaged body, mind and spirit through all seasons of life. Juniper’s philosophy is to nurture the spirit of life and we truly follow this pursuit,” expressed Monica Blood.

Juniper has recently implemented several new programs, most notably, Connect 4 Life which is a triple aim approach to integrated care in senior living that provides better care, higher quality, and lower costs. “We are also one of the first industry adapters of Electronic Health Records, Electronic Medication Administration Records, and Electronic Interact. The Interact program allows Juniper to provide real time information to all providers in the care continuum. Additionally, Juniper is environmentally conscious.

“During the past two years, I have assisted with the implementation of several of these tools and tracking outcomes data and have witnessed the quality and benefits. I am very proud to say I work for a company that is always striving to be ahead of the curve and think outside the traditional healthcare box,” stated M. Blood.

A current resident of Linesville, PA she resides with her husband Steven Blood and their 7 year old black lab Bandit and 6 year old Boston Terrier Razor.

August 2015 Events in Meadville, PA: Breathe in Life

As we continue our summer focus on Staying Connected, we devote our August 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village in Meadville to connecting to the Environment. One of our Signature Programs is the Green Canopy Program. This program is designed to support healthier living for our residents and staff through environmentally conscious communities and events. This program directly supports this month’s focus on the environment and our vision to make the world a better place, a place where each of us can live fully throughout all seasons of life.

Margaret Mead reminds us that “We won't have a society if we destroy the environment.” To that end, Juniper Village has created Green Teams in each of our communities to support our environmental initiatives by assisting with our recycling and energy efficiency programs – such as using CFL light bulbs and Energy Star rated appliances, while making suggestions for additional programs to increase quality of life and promote sustainability in our communities. Have you met your Juniper Village Green Team? This month during our August 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville our Green Teams will share their mission with the greater community by heading up initiatives to help others learn how to live a more sustainable life through our Wide-Scale Recycling Programs, our Environmental Stability Program and the Implantation of our Green Teams. Stop in for one of our educational programs, recycling and upcycling events or anything else that strikes your fancy this month with our August 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville as we Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous August 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  All Things Wild Presentation an interactive visit to the world of wildlife as we meet exotic animals from around the globe on August 5^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Alive In All Seasons Friends and Family Dinner as we celebrate life and friendship with residents at our monthly themed meal this month featuring entertainment provided by Carol Meyers playing the dulcimer on August 13^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by August 8^th.)

§  A Walk in the Meadow Lunch and Learn with Mark B. Fiely, horticulturist, who will discuss the types of plantings done with seeds produced by Ernst Conservation Seeds used for erosion control, environmental mitigation, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic enhancement on August 21^st at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by August 16^th.)

We look forward to sharing our August 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as we Breathe in Life.