The Purr-fect Pair

Sigmund Freud once said, "Time spent with cats is never wasted." Jean, a resident of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living, agrees whole-heartedly with this statement. Jean is a cat-lover. When given the choice of theme, Jean chooses cats, every time. From clothes, to wall art, to pets. Her most recent companion, Daffodil, aka "Daffy," fits the bill for what makes a perfect partnership. Daffy the rescue cat, moved in with Jean less than a year ago and is "very well trained" according to Jean. Daffy "yearns for adventure" but settles for gazing out of the window while sitting on her very own window ledge bed. On occasion, Daffy has ventured outside of Jean's suite, into the common area but excursions are often short lived as "others are there to catch her" before she ventures too far.

Daffy is just one of several feline family members that residents at Juniper Village at Brookline have welcomed into their homes. Being able to have a furry friend is beneficial to not only the resident owner, but also the staff and community as a whole. Jill McKenrick, Director of Connections at Juniper Village at Brookline shares that, "Pets can serve as a great companions to our residents. They not only lift their spirits but provide comfort and reduce stress and depression." While not all of us may be as lucky as Daffy, basking his days away in his window-side bed, we certainly can come close, due in no small part to our faithful, furry friends.

Rhinestone Cowboy

On an unusually warm winter evening, Juniper Village at Brookline and the Alzheimer's Association partnered to sponsor a free viewing of the emotional and heartwarming documentary, I'll Be Me. Nearly forty attendees gathered to watch the story of Glen Campbell, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease just weeks before the events of the film, during his final country music tour. The Farewell Tour depicts the journey of Campbell and his family, not only through tour highlights which included visits to The Tonight Show featuring Jay Leno and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards, but it also depicted the new challenges encountered following his diagnoses. Learning song lyrics and following stage directions, and reading from Teleprompters were simply a few of the recognizable challenges depicted in the film. Throughout the documentary, Campbell's sense of humor and musical talents formed the foundations of his message of the importance of music, hope, and acceptance.

Programs like this are one way in which Juniper Village at Brookline works with community organizations to provide enjoyable educational programs for residents, families, and community members. "I'm very thankful for the partnership with Juniper Village on the fight to end Alzheimer's," said Lisa Wise, the Constituent Events Manager at Alzheimer's Association Great Pennsylvania Chapter. The State College office of the Alzheimer's Association will celebrate its one year anniversary being back in the area in March.

For a schedule of upcoming events at Juniper Village at Brookline, please visit www.junipercommunities.com.

February 2017 Events in State College, PA: Awaken Your Passion

This month, our focus on creative expression continues with a focus on art. Art, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is understandable that some have great artistic ability and others do not. But, at Juniper we know that everyone has a passion for creative expression, regardless of ability or age. Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” He is speaking about becoming inhibited as adults. With our various art programs we encourage uninhibited creativity as a form of therapy. Creating art affords the opportunity of self-exploration and self-expression leading to both physical and mental benefits. Creating art in any of its various forms, is also about sharing a bit of ourselves with each other. Art is one way to express ourselves, and the creations are honest and true representations of our experiences. In sharing our stories through art with others we invite communication and create lasting bonds.

Art typically encompasses painting, sculpting, and drawing. But, the act of creating art can be as simple as doodling. Art is simply the creation of something outside one’s self that often mirrors what is going on within their mind, soul, and body. We use creative arts as a way to nurture the spirit of life. Join us throughout February as we focus on great varieties of art such as photography, needlework, handicrafts, painting, sculpture and more. Please join us as we share a bit of ourselves with our weekly craft classes, experience art on an outing to an art museum, and embrace our celebratory spirit with Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties. We look forward to helping you Awaken Your Passion this month!

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

§  Paint Your Art Out Professional Networking Event as we celebrate the arts in February with an evening of professional networking and creative fun when guests will chase away winter blues as they are led in painting a spring-themed wine bottle while enjoying decadent chocolate and wine, so be sure to watch for your personal invitation for what is certain to be a night of fun on February 15^th at 6:00 pm.

§  3^rd Annual Resident Art Auction as Family, friends, and the community at large are invited to view and purchase original artwork, from paintings, to jewelry, to personalized clothing items, this year’s auction has expanded its offerings, and sample a wide spread of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, so please join us to celebrate the artistic passion and creativity of our residents while benefiting a great cause because all proceeds will benefit the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Music and Memory program at Wellspring on February 22^nd at 6:30 pm. (No reservations required.)

§  The H’art and Soul of Mardi Gras Executive Chef Demonstration with Juniper Village at Brookline chefs as they provide educational food and plate demonstrations to celebrate Mardi Gras, plus a traditional King Cake and celebration beads will also be provided to attendees on February 28^th at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 814-235-2041 for this special event!)

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Awaken Your Passion.

Mini Dance Marathon Ignites Spirits at Wellspring

Each year, Penn State students organize THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. This 46-hour dance marathon benefits the Four Diamonds Fund for children battling cancer at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. In January, residents, family members, and staff helped to show their support for this great cause by participating in Wellspring’s Mini THON, a 46-minute dance party that transformed the community’s Gathering Room into a dance club! Smiles and laughter were abundant, as the crowd moved to the tunes of the Andrews Sisters, the Temptations, Count Bassie, and other favorites. As the clock ticked down and the dancing drew to a close, the party continued in Wellspring’s Country Kitchen. Dancers and supporters alike were treated to specialties from our H’art and Soul of dining program, featuring a wide spread of miniature savory eats and sweet treats! The theme for Penn State’s 2017 THON is “Ignite Hope Within”. We can certainly say that Mini THON ignited our spirits at Wellspring, and we pass that torch of excitement to the Penn State students as they dance for hope this February 17-19.

2016 Year in Review

Fireworks, champagne toasts, and party poppers filled the air at the stroke of midnight, marking the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017. The New Year is sure to bring with it many new memories, laughs, and accomplishments which could not have been made possible without the foundation that had been cultivated from previous years. 2016’s passing marked the end of an incredible year for Juniper Village at Brookline. Not only did the campus celebrate its 2^nd anniversary with Juniper Communities, but it was recognized as one of the best communities to provide exceptional care and services to older adults. Juniper Village at Brookline received numerous prestigious awards in 2016 including: 

·        Bronze Award for Excellence through the American Health Care Association to both Juniper Village Rehabilitation/Skilled Care and Juniper Village Senior Living  

·       Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) Employee of the Year Award was given to Denny Yeager, Environmental Services of Juniper Village Senior Living 

·                2017 Best Of Senior Living Award through SeniorAdvisor.com was awarded to Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living  

·                Best of State College Silver Award for a Senior Living Community

As those of us at Juniper Village at Brookline look ahead to 2017 with our new goals, new hopes, and new determination firmly set, we are eager to continue to lead the way in senior living services not only in the State College area, but nationally as well.

For more information on how you can be the first to be informed on exciting news and events at Juniper Village at Brookline, please email Kathryn Bainbridge at kathryn.bainbridge@junipercommunities.com.

January 2017 Events in State College, PA: Welcome New Beginnings

Welcome to 2017! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time to begin again; a time when we make (and sometimes break) our New Year’s resolutions and focus on how we want to improve in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Do you know that research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function? It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Because of this, Juniper Communities has adopted the Music & Memory program.

Through the use of MP3 players and headphones our teams download personalized music for each resident. These musical favorites tap deep memories and can bring participants back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize and stay present. Learn more about our Music & Memory program by talking with our Connections Director and consider making a donation to this worthwhile program. We accept donations of new or used iPods, new over the ear headphones and iTunes gift cards.

Join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a resolution to join us for activities and events throughout the year!

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

§ Blood Drive with the American Red Cross because one blood donation can save three lives, so join us as we partner with the American Red Cross for our annual blood drive as employees and the general public are invited to participate, and first-time donors are welcome on January 4th from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm. (To RSVP please call Mary Ann at 814-235-2005.)

§  Mini THON with the 2^nd Wings Band as the 2017 THON committee has announced this year’s theme to be “Ignite Hope Within”, so Wellspring gears up to ignite and excite staff, family, and friends with a miniature dance marathon of their very own, while members of the THON committee will be present to speak about the largest student-run philanthropy effort in the entire world, and after that, the THON committee members and attendees will boogie down and cut a rug to popular dances spanning over various decades, then at 3:15, we’ll conclude our Mini THON with miniature refreshments to relax, rehydrate, and refuel on January 16^th at 2:30 pm. (No RSVP required.)

§  Glen Campbell “I’ll Be Me” Film Screening a documentary of the “Goodbye Tour” of country singer Glen Campbell, who used his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to bring music and awareness across America in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, Juniper Village offers a free screening of this inspiring film, and attendees will enjoy a specialty popcorn bar on January 25th at 6:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-235-2041.)

We look forward to sharing our January 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Welcome New Beginnings.

Celebrating the Season with Traditions Old and New

This month at Juniper Communities, we’ve taken time to celebrate the little things. Whether it’s honoring long-standing traditions, enjoying the small wonders of the winter season, or creating something special for the holidays, we’ve set aside time to nurture the spirit of joy throughout the month of December.

We at Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care at Brookline have kept the holiday spirit vibrant by celebrating an old tradition and creating something new! Many of us have warm memories of baking (or eating!) fresh Christmas cookies with those we love. At Wellspring, we honored that tradition with our ever-popular Confectionery Cookie Creation and Exchange. This event is becoming a favorite tradition for residents, associates, and families alike. This year, not only did we exchange homemade sweets, but we also learned how to make melting snowman cookies, courtesy of the expert instruction by our Connections Director Kaitlin Hoover, and Connection Associate Katie Rimmer. A collection of colorful candies, snow-white icing, and fluffy marshmallows were transformed into creations that looked too good to eat!

For the first time ever, Wellspring held a Trail of Trees event and contest, in which departments decorated trees to represent the work they do. The entries were extraordinarily creative, from the Wellness team’s friendly snowman, to Environmental Service’s green-friendly ornaments and miniature laundry line made out of recycled materials, to Dining’s glittering food tree with chef photos, to Connection’s jolly Juniper giraffes. Residents, families, and associates voted for their favorites, with the winning team receiving a $50 donation to the charity of their choice. The winner was … (drum roll please)… the friendly snowman tree! The Wellness team has chosen the Alzheimer’s Association as the beneficiary of their prize. This new event was such a hit, that it just may become a new tradition.

We at Wellspring, wish you and your family time to celebrate things big and small this holiday season, as you relish in the warmth of family traditions and discover new joys in the coming year.