Poems from Life

Our partners from the PA Center for the Book shared this message with me from their director. If other Juniper communities are considering doing a similar project, I think a strong community partner is key:

Congratulations, that was a remarkable program!  It brought together so many of the tangents of the PA Center for the Book--how could we not have co-sponsored it?  I was moved at each poem which perfectly married literature with story,  and in this case, the story of some very interesting older people.

And that is the brilliant part of the project, as these poets turned their ordinary lives into extraordinary words--all of these ordinary people lived extraordinary lives.  We all do live unique lives and your poetry shared those ultimately transcendent experiences beyond the walls of their rooms or houses or memories.

I was quite moved, as was the entire audience.

Wellspring "Dives" into the Performing Arts

In celebration of spring and our commitment to exploring creative expression through performance, Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care at Brookline welcomed students from Mount Nittany Middle School’s Drama Club. The energetic and talented group of young actors took Juniper residents and family members “Under the Sea” telling the story of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and performing selected songs from the musical! Ariel sang “Part of Your World” as she pined to be on land with the Prince. Residents smiled and tapped their toes to the crooning of Flounder and the pop harmonies of the Mersisters with “She’s In Love”. Ursula the sea witch and her eerie eel sidekicks, Flotsam and Jetsam, commanded the room with “Sweet Child” and the ultimate Disney villain song, “Poor Unfortunate Souls”. The evening was filled with smiles, laughter, and hearty applause, concluding with the presentation of a special “thank you” card, handcrafted by the residents. Thank you, Mount Nittany Middle School Drama Club, for sharing your passion and talents with us at Wellspring!

For more information about Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care at Brookline, visit: http://www.junipercommunities.com/Wellspring_brookline_home.php

April 2017 Events in State College, 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 State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  “Poems From Life” An Evening of Original Poetry Inspired by Real-Life Events because each of us has our own unique story to tell, so in collaboration with local poets, we will bring to life the amazing, inspiring, thought-provoking, and heartwarming stories of some of the incredible individuals who live in our Juniper Village at Brookline community, then please stay for refreshments and an opportunity to meet the faces behind the stories as Juniper Village is proud to partner with the PA Center for the Book and Penn State Libraries for this very special event on April 11th at 6:30 pm. (No Reservations Required.)

§  Healthy Aging Lecture Series Healthy Bones for Life as Juniper Village is proud to partner with the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging to present Mary Jane De Souza, professor in the department of kinesiology because there’s plenty of science detailing what we can do to make sure our bones stay healthy and strong, so learn about threats to bone health and how to build your lifestyle for long-term benefits on April 20^th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. (Reservations are required. Call 814-865-4776 or email psuhealthyaging@gmail.com.)

§  Art for Alzheimer’s as Wellspring is teaming up with our friends from the Alzheimer’s Association to break out the canvases, paint brushes, and vibrant colors to create a multitude of masterpieces, and all of the artwork created will then be donated to our friends at the Alzheimer’s Association to be put on display in their State College location. After the creativity comes to a close, we invite all to stay for an ice cream social.

We look forward to sharing our April 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Believe in Yourself.

Connect 4 Life - Integrated Care in Seniors Housing

In March the Directors of Wellness met to discuss the Importance of Integrated Care, which is the main stay of Juniper Communities' Connect4Life.  Statistics show when a Community provides three key components; onsite delivery of primary care, a "high-tech" foundation of shared data and a "high-touch" coordinator that facilitates a seamless provision of services, the customer truly benefits.  Juniper Communities study compared the population of customers residing in managed care communities and similar frail Medicare recipients.  The key results show hospitalizations were reduced by 50%, re-hospitalizations were reduced by over 80%.  Further study needs to be done, but these results suggest these positive outcomes are a result of a foundation of excellence and consistent quality of integrated care.

Pictured on top from left to right are some of our fabulous Directors of Community Relation: Kathryn Bainbridge, Brookline Senior Living; Katie Kensinger, Brookline Wellspring Memory Care; Brenda Dahlberg, Brookline Rehab and Skilled Care; Christine Heibel, Lebanon; and Bonnie Prisk, Forest Hills. Pictured on bottom from left to right are some of our wonderful Directors of Wellness: Susan Deitzler, Lebanon; Missy Ebner, Home Office; Katie Castro, Brookline Senior Living; Veronica Graham, Mount Joy; Muriel Myers, Forest Hills; and Dana Theis, Brookline Rehabilitation and Skilled Care.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

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!

Resident Art Auction Benefits Alzheimer’s Association

Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care recently presented its third annual art show and auction, featuring original works created by Wellspring residents. Excitement bubbled in the air as community members, family, friends, residents, and staff gathered to celebrate creativity and engage in playful bidding – all for a great cause.

The highlight of this year’s art auction were the colorful, original paintings created by residents. In addition to the paintings, the auction featured unique specialty items such as marbleized mugs and tie-dyed t-shirts. Connections director, Kaitlin Hoover, and her dedicated team provided materials, time, and space for our resident artists to create these works over the last year. Art is one way Juniper Village is able to nurture the spirit of life for the people who live in our community.

In the theme of celebrating creativity, guests were also treated to a spread of beautiful food, created by Wellspring’s own Penny Jeffries. The menu featured cured meats, warm brie, spicy nuts, fresh fruit, handcrafted lollipops, and house-made wine gummies.

“What makes an event like this so special is that it provides a unique opportunity to connect event supporters with the resident artists,” said Katie Kensinger, Wellspring’s director of community relations. “When you have an opportunity to meet the creative spirit behind a piece of art you are drawn to, there is a connection that can’t be put into words.”

Proceeds from the art auction will benefit the State College Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care Music and Memory program.

March 2017 Events in State College, PA: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

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

§  Dinner and Discussion “From Script to Stage Bringing Musical Theater to Life” as we join Richard Biever, founder and artistic director of the award-winning FUSE Productions, as he shares what it takes to bring a theatrical production to life; from auditions, to the creative process, to opening night, Richard will take you behind the curtain for the upcoming production of Camelot  on March 22^nd at 5:30 pm. (Reservations required for this special program and delicious dinner at 814-235-2041.)

§  Nittany Valley Symphony “Golden Jubilee” Reception as for 50 years, the Nittany Valley Symphony has been inspiring and delighting Centre County residents with the joy of classical music, so join us for a very special reception following their Golden Jubilee Anniversary Concert on March 26^th at 6:15 pm. (Reception reservations required at 814-235-2041. For concert details visit www.nvs.org.)

§  Broadway at Wellspring for a Broadway Cabaret featuring the brightest stars of Happy Valley singing tunes from your favorite movie musicals, and to complement the theme will be a spread of movie theater snacks and refreshments; this event is sure to leave you with a song in your heart and a smile on your face on March 29^th at 4:15 pm.

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as Your Treasure is Within.