Juniper Village at Brookline Leading the Way at PHCA!!

PHCA, the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, is a statewide advocacy organization for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable older residents and their providers of care whose members comprise for-profit, nonprofit and government providers. Together, the more than 500 long-term care and senior service providers and their dedicated caregivers share a commitment to the highest level of care to ensure our sickest, frailest elderly and disabled residents live a healthy, safe life and age with the dignity and respect they deserve.

This year, at the annual convention, some lovely ladies from Juniper Village at Brookline – Anne Campbell, Liz Plozner-Chalfa, and Katie Castro – presented on techniques to reduce the use of antipsychotics. Additionally, Dennis Yeager, the Environmental Services Director at Brookline Senior Living, was awarded the PHCA Assisted Living/Personal Care Most Valuable Employee of the Year. Juniper Village at Brookline also won the Bronze Quality Award.

Linsay Korman Named Director of Wellness

Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care at Brookline is excited to introduce Linsay Korman as our new Director of Wellness. Linsay is a licensed nurse and Certified Dementia Practitioner® who brings over fifteen years of healthcare experience to the Juniper team. Prior to completing nursing training at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Linsay gained valuable experience as a certified nursing assistant and medical technician. She has worked in hospital, homecare, and long-term care settings. As Director of Wellness, Linsay is a member of Wellspring’s leadership team.

Originally from Northern California, Linsay moved to Pennsylvania in 2009. She currently resides in Centre Hall with her husband Scott and three wonderful sons Owen, Evan, and Alex. Linsay and her family love the great outdoors, and enjoy spending quality time together on family nature hikes.

Please join us in welcoming Linsay!

Time "Flies" When You're Having Fun!

At Juniper Communities, we believe in encouraging an active body, an engaged mind, and a fulfilled spirit. One of the ways we do that is by taking time to connect to nature and the environment. Recently, residents at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care had an up-close and personal experience with some of the tiniest creatures in nature – freshwater macroinvertebrates! These critters may be small, but they play a gigantic role within the sport of fly fishing. Our friend, retired Penn State professor, avid fly fisherman, and entomologist, Greg Hoover, was on site for yet another informative and interactive presentation on various macroinvertebrates.

Everyone had an opportunity to feed their curiosity by experiencing the Caddisfly, Mayfly and Stonefly nymphs live and in person! In addition, Mr. Hoover enhanced the program with DVD footage of the creatures in action in their natural environments.  He also compared dry fly imitations to their live counterparts to judge how each mimicked the real deal. As the discussion came to a close, it was noted that whether one is a novice fisherman or a veteran, staying connected to macro-invertebrates in all stages of life increases the chances of reeling in a record-breaking fish.

Afterwards, residents and guests enjoyed a social hour with sweet bug-themed treats and refreshments. Time truly does “fly” when you are having fun.

October 2016 Events in State College, PA: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

Our fabulous October 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Fall Festival at Harner Farm for a day of family fun at our annual event to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s; there will be kids’ crafts and games, fall treats, a soup and bake sale, and the famous corn maze, so we look forward to seeing you there on October 16^th from noon to 4:00 pm.

§  Say Goodbye-Oh to Ohio Tailgaiting as Wellspring kicks off a big Penn State football weekend with a blue and white tailgate as the Nittany Lions gear up to beat the Buckeyes; there will be a wide range of good eats to fuel the celebration, from football brownies to buckeye chocolates and other festive finger foods, and to truly show our Penn State pride, there will also be a PSU photo booth to capture the fun and laughter that is sure to be had; no RSVP is required, so bring your appetite on October 21^st at 2:00 pm.

§  Safe Trick or Treating as children and families are invited to join residents and staff for a fun evening of candy, costumes, and a “spooktacular” good time as residents and staff will be handing out goodies to those dressed in costume; this event is open to the public, and no reservations are required on October 31^st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Show Your Colors.

Time for Spaghetti

September is Friendship Month at Juniper Communities and what better way to celebrate friendship than with a brother or sister. Juniper Village at Brookline hosted a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to benefit the Big Brother/Big Sister program through the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in Centre County. This national program provides local children an opportunity to connect with others while developing positive relationships. "One caring adult can make a significant difference in the life of a child" (ccysb.com).

Juniper Village dished up more than 60 dinners to community members, Juniper staff, and residents throughout the evening with dine in and take out options. Guests enjoyed spaghetti with freshly made meatballs, salad, baked dinner rolls, and house made cupcakes. All attendees were also entered into a raffle to win a fall-themed gift basket. At the end of the evening all money raised was given to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for a grand total of $659.25. "Thank you so much for this event. This is wonderful!" said Zach Barton, Centre County Big Brother/Big Sister Program Coordinator who was present for the event and to receive the check.

Be sure to check out the Juniper Village at Brookline monthly calendars for more information on other fundraisers throughout the year.

For more information on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program through the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, please visit www.ccysb.com.

Wellspring Memory Care Collects Donations for Furry Friends

Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care loves furry friends! They play with us when we’re feeling silly, offer snuggles when we need a hug, and are a comfort when we’re blue. To celebrate the joy that animals bring to our lives, Wellspring residents, family members, and staff collected pet supplies throughout the summer for Pets Come First, a local animal shelter in Centre Hall, PA. Not only was the pet supply drive a great way to give back to our community, but it also helped to draw attention to the shelter’s needs. The items collected were simple things:  crisp paper towels, fresh kitty litter, lip-smacking snacks, extra-strong garbage bags. However, these everyday items are vital for keeping a shelter running smoothly and providing a safe, clean, healthy environment for animals that are awaiting their forever homes.  

Community members who are interested in learning more about Pets Come First and their mission of “facilitating the placement of stray and unwanted animals into loving homes,” are welcome to join Wellspring residents for a furry friends meet-and-greet on September 16! The event will be held at 610 W. Whitehall Road in State College from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, and will feature some of the animals that are available for adoption.  Delicious homemade snacks will be served for both the humans and the four-legged friends in attendance!

September 2016 Events in State College, 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!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Sip and Paint Night Fundraiser with Benchmark Therapies as we enjoy an evening of networking with fellow healthcare professionals while Amanda Kunkle, owner of Happy Valley Sip & Paint, guides the class through one-of-a-kind masterpieces on September 8th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Please RSVP to Jill at 814-235-2041. Tickets are $35; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

§  Pets Come First Meet and Greet as we team up with Pets Come First to host a meet and greet for some of the furry friends up for adoption at this incredible, non-profit animal shelter with their mission of “facilitating the placement of stray and unwanted animals into loving homes,” we hope to help by raising awareness of the positive impact of pet adoption, and friends, family, residents, and the greater community are welcome as there will be homemade snacks for both the humans and four-legged friends in attendance on September 16^th from 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm.

§  Weekend Winedown to taste for a cause at this annual fundraiser event and silent auction to benefit bound to get your taste buds going wild, featuring signature dishes from local eateries alongside Seven Mountains wine at the winery on September 23rd at 6:30 pm. (Please RSVP to Liz at 814-234-3135. Tickets are $40 each or $70 per couple; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Spread Your Joy.