June 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  AIAS Dinner & Presentation by Dietician Diane Grieshaber as we learn about new and improved eating habits that will be beneficial to our overall health while enjoying a delicious meal on June 9th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by June 3rd.)

§  Lunch & Learn: Presentation by Penn State Master Gardeners on therapeutic gardening with a complimentary lunch as we are excited to learn of the many benefits gardening can have for our physical and emotional health on June 17th at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by June 11th.)

§  Walk on Ernst Trail as we brave the elements on the beautiful Ernst Natural Trail, and each participant who mentions this announcement will be given a ticket for a FREE gift, so tie up those shoes and be prepared to have a great time as we look forward to seeing you all there on June 23rd at 10:00 am. (No RSVP required.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Live in Wellness.

Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango Wins The 2016 Juniper Communities “ Best Chef” Competition!

On Sunday, April 24 the Dietary Managers from the three Western Pennsylvania Juniper Communities gathered for their annual “Best Chefs” Competition.  This year, the competition was held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Forest Hills 9^th Annual Chili Cook Off.  The three Juniper Communities Dietary Managers competing for the “Best Chili” and the Juniper Communities title of “Best Chef for 2016” was Ken Miller, Dietary Manager for Juniper Village at Forest Hills.  Nathan Reed, Dietary Manager for  Juniper Village at Shenango, and Erin Bringredler, Dietary Manager from our Juniper Village at Meadville community. 

The Rotary Club of Forest Hills’s Chili Cook Off had 15 Contestants and over 250 visitors from the local area tasting and voting for their favorite Chili entry.  Also selecting a winner, was the Celebrity Judge for the event Chris Fennimore. TV Celebrity from WQED TV and host of QED Cooks.

After much tasting, Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango was crowned the “Best Business Entry” Award and received $200.00 from the Rotary judges. Surprisingly, his entry was also selected as the Best Juniper Communities entry.  Congratulations Nathan!!  You are Juniper Communities “ 2016 Best Chef’s” Award winner!   Your “Cowboy Chili” entry really won the hearts, and the taste buds, of these city slickers!! 

May 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

Our fabulous May 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Music & Memory Seminar informative presentation by Dr. Lisa May on the benefits of our upcoming release of the Music & Memory program that will help enrich the lives of our residents with dementia with light refreshments provided on May 9^th at 6:00 pm.

§  Alive Inside Dinner and a Movie where we will be presenting our Music & Memory Movie: Alive Inside, a 2014 documentary following social worker Dan Cohen, through his nonprofit organization Music & Memory that advocates for the use of music therapy for dementia patients on May 12^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by May 6^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Fitness for Life Lunch and Learn presented by Carla Moss who will talk about the benefits of staying physically active even in our later years on May 18^th at noon. (RSVP by May 13^th to 814-333-4400.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Toonspire

For a combination of inspiration, entertainment, 100% engagement, and a loud and clear message about trying and never giving up on your dreams, Duane M. Abel can't be beat!"

With a unique blend of drawing, acting and storytelling Duane tops himself by picking up a pen and presenting an astonishing cartooning demonstration. At any given time our residents were educated, encouraged and entertained. I highly recommend him as Duane ignites passion!

What’s All the Buzz About?

Residents at Juniper Village at Meadville had a great time and were intrigued  by Kathy Vorisek, a local honey bee farmer, and all that she had to teach them about the Queen Bee, the drones, the worker bees, how her honey bee hive operates, and the fact that it takes an average worker bee a lifetime to make about 1/12  teaspoon of honey!

Being that we focus on the brain during the month of April the biggest buzz about honey is the scientific studies showing it to benefit the brain and memory through the polyphenol properties it contains. However, there are many other exciting things about honey like that it is a great immune booster, the darker the better, it has more antioxidants in it, and of great interest is the long list of home remedies that using honey, a natural cure, can be used for example to boost energy, treat, burns, and insomnia,  to mention a few.

We were so fascinated that we visited her again for an Earth Day celebration to get more unBEElievable , buzzing facts and fun about honey and the bees that work so hard to make it.

2015 Successful Outcomes

April 2016 Events in Meadville, PA: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

Our fabulous April 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Men’s Luncheon featuring Ralph Gomora from Lilac Springs who will present on PTSD while a complimentary lunch is served on April 6^th at 11:30 am. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by March 30^th.)

§  Alive In All Seasons Dinner for a complimentary meal and presentation All About Honey Bees by Kathy Vorisek on April 14^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by April 7^th.)

§  Lunch and Learn for  a complimentary brain-building meal and a presentation on Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body presented by the Alzheimer’s Association on April 22^nd at noon. (RSVP to 814-333-4400 by April 15^th.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Believe in Yourself.