A Meal that Matters

Juniper Village at Brookline has been recognized as a platinum sponsor to the State College Meals on Wheels program for over fifteen years. Meals on Wheels is a national organization that has thrived in the State College area serving more than 1 million meals to community members in State College since its start in 1971. This home delivered meal service provides nutritious meals to high risk individuals including older adults and convalescent individuals in our community who otherwise would not be able to prepare their own meals. Nearly 150 volunteers and three paid staff provide nearly 100 meals a day, five days a week to ensure those in need receive these meals.
Juniper Village at Brookline took another opportunity to support Meals on Wheels by donating enough fresh fruit for several days of meal delivery.  Fresh fruit is sometimes a missing item of meals due to the short shelf life and the increased cost of produce, however it is "always appreciated" says Christine Tyler, the executive director of the State College Meals on Wheels program.  Juniper Village at Brookline is lucky to be a part of a larger community that serves those in need.

For more information on how Juniper Village at Brookline supports the State College and Centre County community, please visit www.junipercommunities.com or check out our Facebook page at Juniper Village at Brookline. For more information on State College Meals on Wheels, please visit their website at www.scmow.2stayconnected.com.

Innovative Technology Makes for a Purrrfect Friend

Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care at Brookline welcomes a purrrrfect new friend: Ladybell the cat! But Ladybell isn’t your average furry feline; she’s a high-tech therapy pet that is charming everyone she meets. Designed specifically for people who are living with dementia, therapy pets like Ladybell can provide all the soothing and playful benefits that a real cat offers, in a safe and allergy-free manner. Just like any other cat, Ladybell purrs when her head is gently stroked, and rolls on her back for belly scratches. She even blinks her eyes and falls asleep when she curls up in someone’s lap! Ladybell also serves as inspiration for Juniper’s “Don’t Sit, Get Fit” walking program, as residents enjoy taking her for walks outside. Therapy pets like Ladybell are one way Wellspring creates a high-tech, high-touch environment to deliver state-of-the art memory care. By incorporating new technologies, Wellspring is able to discover new ways to nurture the spirit of life.

Juniper Village at Brookline Hosts Dinner and Discussion on Fall Prevention

Slips, trips, and falls – they can happen to us all. Recently, Juniper Village at Brookline held a “Dinner and Discussion” about fall prevention and safety awareness, featuring our Partners in Caring from RehabCare. Presenting were Corey Sheehan, director of physical therapy, and Jessica Paul, physical therapist. Corey and Jessica addressed the fear of falling that many people have, and how it can negatively impact one’s quality of life. They then provided useful tips for preventing falls, such as simple home modifications, improved footwear, and regular exercise. RehabCare provides excellence in therapy services at Juniper Village at Brookline’s Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing building, helping individuals to regain independence and improve quality of life.

As always, chef Kris Kishbaugh and his culinary team prepared a healthy and delicious meal for guests, that included roasted chicken with an orange ginger marmalade over sautéed spinach, a carrot, fennel and yam puree, and cheesecake with fresh seasonal berries.

Juniper Village at Brookline’s “Dinner and Discussions” are free to the public! To be sure you don’t miss our next event, like and follow Juniper Village at Brookline on facebook and subscribe to our blog!

June 2017 Events in State College, PA: Live In Wellness

“You are what you eat.” The old adage is now truer than ever. Good health is largely dependent on good nutrition, so much so that doctors trace many physical and emotional ailments back to a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. Eating a well-balanced diet is a major part of encouraging long life, lowering the incidence of disease, and helping sick people recover. On the flip side, inadequate nutrition and poor quality foods can generally cut life span and open us up to many illnesses and disease. In effect, food is medicine per Webster's definition of medicine: "The science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease." Food acts as medicine - to maintain, prevent, and treat disease.

With this month’s Alive in All Seasons focus on food, we’d like to give you a prescription for a healthy diet: breakfast daily (do not skip); meals x3 (at least) daily; foods from each of the food groups per meal daily. The food pyramid defines the food groups as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and proteins. The amounts vary according to age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level. Here’s a good guideline to start you on your way. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make half your grains whole grains. Move to low-fat and fat-free dairy. Vary your protein routine and eat and drink the right amount for you.

Join us as we continue our focus on healthy aging by shedding light on our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices, and demonstrate how food and nutrition help us to Live in Wellness from a dietitian’s point of view.

Our fabulous June 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Dinner & Discussion Live in Wellness Dietary Needs for Seniors to join our registered dietician, Katherine Haar, for this informative and delicious take on what we need to keep our bodies operating well at any age while we enjoy a delectable dinner featuring a grilled corn and pepper salad, flank steak, and oven roasted potatoes on June 21^st at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 and include any dietary restrictions.)

§  Family Picnic to come one, come all to this annual event that residents, family members, and invited guests look forward to all year long, as we enjoy classic cookout foods and drinks under the big tent, along with live entertainment for all ages, so be sure to watch for your invitation in the mail to this party on June 25^th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

§  Taste of Our Town to enjoy local cuisine to send your taste buds into a tizzy with a wide variety of foods that paint a delicious picture of the decadency that Pennsylvania/Centre Country has to offer, from Fasta Pasta smothered in Mario’s sauces, to Tait Farm chutney’s, jams and shrubs, and all the Berkey Creamery ice cream doused in Hershey’s chocolate sauce, so be sure to come hungry on June 27^th at 3:15 pm.

We look forward to sharing our June 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Live In Wellness.