Artful Passion

Juniper Village at Naples residents show their talents through art. Art from the Heart is one of the many wonderful programs offered in our connections department. Residents Awaken Their Passion for art through painting with an experienced artist. On February 26^th families will have the opportunity to view their loved ones paintings, and for a nominal donation, take home a beautiful memory.

Alive Inside Screening; New Memory Care Program

On January 22nd, Juniper Village at Naples showed the popular Sundance film called Alive Inside.  It portrays the power of music and memory as the film documents stories of several elderly people whether living in their own home still or a community.  There was not a dry eye in the house as everyone was moved to tears by the incredible impact of personalized music on the residents showcased in the film.  Everyone was interested in how they could best help to bring the power of music to their loved ones.  As of February, we will begin to distribute iPods to our Wellspring memory care residents and creating individualized personal playlists for them to listen with some of their favorite oldies.  This is the basis of our music and memory program that we are starting up.  

Awaken Your Passion: February Events

This month at Juniper Village we continue our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Art.

Creating art for many of our seniors has been a lifelong passion, for others it may have been a casual hobby or serious vocation. Whatever the reason, art has substantial benefits to our bodies, minds and spirits! In Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss key aspects of successful aging: low risk of disease, high mental and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. Expressive art activities promote active engagement in life in positive, healthy, and fulfilling ways - in other words, nurturing the spirit of life. Recent studies further indicate that older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits, use less medication, and experience a lower rate of depression – all resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Mardi Gras Family Luncheon for a traditional Cajun feast straight out of New Orleans as we’ll be dancing in the streets with our feathers, beads and masks on February 11^th from noon to 1:00 pm (RSVP by February 4^th to 239-598-1368); our Friends of Debbie Family Council with Debbie Fulton of the Alzheimer’s Support Network who will meet with families and friends to discuss Nurturing the Spirit of Life and how your life completely changes when your loved one has dementia but you can still “nurture” your own life without the guilt on February 18^th at 2:30 pm (RSVP by February 11^th to 239-598-1368); or our 5th Annual Resident Art Exhibit a mix and mingle art sale to benefit the Alzheimer’ Support Network featuring work by our residents who have awakened their passion for art so don’t miss this opportunity to join friends and families for a worthy cause and meet Jim Rice and Sharon Kirkland our art instructors while enjoying wine and appetizers on February 28^th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm (RSVP by February 19^th to 239-598-1368).

Look through our calendar and plan to join us this month and “Awaken Your Passion” as we explore various mediums to expression through weekly art programs and visits to local art museums. Or, if art isn’t your thing, tailgate with us during the Super Bowl, await the Ground Hog’s prediction, our join in one of our festive celebrations on Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day or Mardi Gras.