Sixty Years of Everlasting Love

After meeting at a Square Dance Hall and then the  final proposal at the Ice Capades, Twila and Jim Dodson, recently celebrated sixty years of marriage.    The "love at first sight" look still gleams in their eyes and is noticeable by all of those who come in contact with them each day.  The lovely couple was named Juniper's King and Queen for 2015 at the Annual Valentine's Dinner.  Their daughter and son-in-law joined in on the surprise and celebrated the evening with the new reigning "King and Queen". 

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Meadville

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Meadville. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Meadville, PA: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Meadville - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Meadville, PA include our The OSCARS at Juniper Dinner for friends and family because each resident has a treasure that lies within them and we will be recognizing each person for what they bring to the community OSCARS style on March 12^th at 4:30 pm; our Hidden Treasures Candle Making activity as we create candles that have a hidden surprise inside on March 14^th at 10:00 am; our Historic Treasures of Crawford County Lunch and Learn as the Crawford County Historic Society will present facts and information about these true gems and the stories that describe their history accompanied by a complimentary lunch on March 20^th at noon; or our Easter Egg Hunt with family fun for all as we search for eggs hidden throughout the community with refreshments and activities on March 28^th at 10:00 am. Please RSVP for these events by calling 814-333-4400.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Meadville, PA, so check out our calendar for more!

Awaken Your Passion: February Events

This month at Juniper Village we continue our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Art.

Creating art for many of our seniors has been a lifelong passion, for others it may have been a casual hobby or serious vocation. Whatever the reason, art has substantial benefits to our bodies, minds and spirits! In Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss key aspects of successful aging: low risk of disease, high mental and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. Expressive art activities promote active engagement in life in positive, healthy, and fulfilling ways - in other words, nurturing the spirit of life. Recent studies further indicate that older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits, use less medication, and experience a lower rate of depression – all resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Alive In All Seasons Friends and Family Dinner Sweetheart Night for a celebration of love as all “sweethearts” are welcome to join residents and the Juniper family for a candlelit dinner, with entertainment by Carol Meyers playing the tranquil sounds of the dulcimer on February 12^th at 4:30 pm (RSVP by February 2^nd to 814-333-4400); our Wine Making Tutorial Part 1 for a demonstration and hands-on creation of wine with community residents on February 19^th at 3:00 pm; our Lunch and Learn on Embracing Change/Living with Passion featuring Chaplain Dennis Chludzinski from Lakeland Area Hospice, as he speaks of how change can be daunting, but looking at it through a different light can help you welcome new things into your world and increase your passion for living on February 20^th at noon (RSVP by February 18^th to 814-333-4400); our Public Art Show Awaken Your Passion as all are encouraged to enter a piece or participate in the voting for prizes awarded to the top “People’s Choice” in each age group so visit the display during the week or the reception on February 27^th from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm; or our Insight to Navajo Art Walk the Beauty Way a free, hands-on cultural workshop with Tami Hritzay about Navajo history where you can make your own creation on February 28^th from 9:30 am to noon (RSVP by February 25^th to 814-333-4400).

Look through our calendar and plan to join us this month and “Awaken Your Passion” as we explore various mediums to expression through weekly art programs and visits to local art museums. Or, if art isn’t your thing, tailgate with us during the Super Bowl, await the Ground Hog’s prediction, our join in one of our festive celebrations on Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day or Mardi Gras.

Juniper Village at Meadville: Our Clinical Outcomes Speak forThemselves

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 re-hospitalizations 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

Contact us today to see how we can assist you in managing your patient transitions.

"Christmas At Our House Is Good"

Our holiday festivities kicked off this year with all the associates and residents decorating themed rooms through out the community.  The LaFayette Tavern was decorated in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", The Shryock Room in "A Christmas Story", and the Allegheny Ballroom in Disney's "Frozen" themes.  The lobby and dining room were decorated elaborately with traditional Christmas decorations.

All family and friends were invited for our Annual Holiday party.  An assortment of heavy appetizers, desserts, and drinks were served with live entertainment provided by the "Happy Music Duo".  The lobby was filled with many carolers singing.  It was far from a "Silent Night" but yet "A Holly Jolly Christmas".

Santa Claus Came To Town

With the busy holiday season, Santa & Mrs. Claus made extra time to visit  Juniper Village at Meadville.  Residents, Associates,  family and friends enjoyed pictures and a sing a long with Santa.  What a great way to bring on the Christmas cheer.