Puppy Love

Several times a month we have much anticipated visits from therapy and other dogs at Juniper Village in Meadville. The list of benefits of pet therapy is much more than just lifting the spirits and lessening depression, it also lowers blood pressure, encourages communication, and increases the sense of community, just to name a few. One day we had a surprise visit from a pudgy, little puppy, and as you can see it was love at first lick! 

Juniper Village at Meadville Mid-Size Business Award Nominee

Juniper Village at Meadville was nominated by the Meadville Chamber of Commerce for this year's Diamond Awards in the category of mid-size business. The awards will be presented during the Chamber's Annual Awards Night being held at the Pampered Palate Catering and Conference Center in Saegertown. Wish us well!

A Panel of Experts for your Education!

A special thank you to Tony Viglione of Senior Helpers for his work on our program (pictured bottom right above).

Juniper Village was host to a fulfilling and knowledgeable Senior event last week!  The evening of ask the experts panel consisted of the perfect combination of professionals for the audience at hand.  Former teachers, professionals, physicians and even some of Juniper’s own residents enjoyed the highly knowledgeable group.  

Tony Viglione of Senior Helpers spoke on his expertise as a home care specialist. Jill Curtis represented the Alzheimer's Association, Tye Cressmann clarified some important elder law issues, Joel Waldman brought his expertise on dental care and long term care insurance, and Dr. Ron Unice educated the group on a Geriatrician's knowledge of aging and Medications. Following are the actual questions asked:

Tye Cressman, Cressman and Erde:

1.     Should I transfer my home to my children?

2.             Is it true that if I go into a nursing home, they'll take my house?

Alzheimer’s Association, Jill Curtis

1.     What does the Alzheimer's Association do? 

2.             Is there a fee for the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association?  

Senior Helpers, Tony Viglione:

1.     Is there a minimum number of hours and what type of payment options are available for Home Care?

2.             What types of services does Senior Helpers actually offer?

Loesel Schaaf Insurance, Joel Waldeman

1.     Why is it so important to maintain your oral health throughout your lifetime?

2.             What is long-term care insurance, do I need it?

Dr. Ron Unice, Private Practice

1.     Can forgetfulness be a sign of something other than Alzheimer’s?

2.             How important is it to keep good track of my medication, even over the counter meds?

Juniper Village prides itself on offering dynamic programming to meet the needs of our community.  If you would like to have future programs like this in the future, please reach out to our Community Relations Director, Mandy Maruska to receive a personal invitation for upcoming events. Call 814.333.4400 or email mandy.maruska@junipercommunities.com for more information on these panelists and upcoming events.

April 2017 Events in Meadville, PA: Believe in Yourself

Each April we begin our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on brain health, and encourage you to Believe in Yourself. We know that believing in yourself has a positive effect on your mental health, but did you know that self-confidence influences your physical health as well? Recent studies show people who exhibit self-confidence are generally healthier and tend to live longer. That's because confidence is a positive emotion and positive emotions have countless health benefits for your mind, body and spirit. In nurturing wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit, Juniper is also building self-confidence. The link between health and confidence also may be related to the ability of positive emotions to boost our brain's power to hold attention, be aware and remember things. We are better able to learn, build new skills and relate with others when we are feeling optimistic. Also confident people are better able to handle chaotic situations in a positive manner. This helps to reduce or avoid excessive stress, high blood pressure, anger, confusion – all the negative side effects of feeling powerless, overwhelmed and out of control.

If you need to kick start your confidence, here are a few things to try: smile; count your blessings; surround yourself with confident people; learn how others have found their confidence and follow their lead; challenge negative or inaccurate thinking and replace with accurate, constructive thoughts; and encourage yourself. You can also plan to join us this month for uplifting discussions and a focus on brain health with offerings such as Daily Brain Builders, Wii games, and a Brain Healthy Luncheon.

Our fabulous April 2017 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Lunch and Learn Managing Stress Presentation because with this month’s focus on the Brain, we join Doug Messerall, pastor and counselor as he delivers a supportive program to assist you in discovering ways to manage stress; Doug counsels individuals with Parkinson’s as well as many other disabilities individuals face, so you may even consider attending to learn how to support a friend in need of these tips on April 5^th at noon. (RSVP by April 2^nd to 814-333-4400.)

§  Alive in All Seasons Dinner The Power of Believing in Yourself as there is a saying “Be careful of how you are talking to yourself because you are listening,” Lisa M. Hayes Dennis Chludzinski, hospice chaplain has years of experience supporting families during times of grief and loss so come learn on April 13^th at 4:30 pm. (RSVP by April 9^th to 814-333-4400.)

§  Practicing Mindfulness Through a Holistic Health Approach with Karen Schreiber Mason of Brookside Yoga in Meadville who will be on site to guide us through some ways we can remain mindful during the everyday and not so everyday challenges we face to work towards “personal growth and better health,” as Karen feels that the philosophy and practices of Tai Chi and Yoga and energy work are her path in life, physically, mentally, and spiritually and would like to share that path with participants at Brookside Studio, so join her here at Juniper Village to learn more on April 19^th at 6:00 pm.

§  Essentials of Essential Oils A Beginner Class to Well-Being because certain oils have been known to assist in a variety of mood changes and relaxation in both humans and pets, promoting emotional wellbeing, at this beginner class that will introduce you to essential oils and how you may incorporate them into everyday life activities such as cooking, cleaning and applying topically on April 27^th at 6:00 pm. (RSVP by April 25^th to 814-333-4400.)

We look forward to sharing our April 2017 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Believe in Yourself.

Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

The Alabaster Box

Residents and community members were mesmerized by interpretive dancer, Marcie Williams at Juniper Village in Meadville. Marcie has been doing interpretive dance for over 15 years and adds her own personal touch of sign language to go with her dance. Although the song refers to a “box” it is believed that it was actually a vase, which Marcie included in her dance. It was a captivating performance.

Many Hats of a Man

The men at Juniper Village in Meadville had some good laughs during a hat reminisce at their men’s program this month. It brought up some good memories and conversation about former occupations and some of the many hats they wore during their lifetime. A couple of the gentlemen came to find out they worked in the same industry and one man recognized a very old hat from a local, long ago pickle factory. They also just enjoyed some plain good old fun trying on hats they wouldn’t consider going out in public wearing, like our 102 year old Paul Reese sporting the big feather hat. All in a day’s fun at Juniper Village.