Art Without Boundaries

Wendi Smith, a certified Mneme Therapist, brings Art Without Boundaries to the Naples community. It's an enjoyable, multi-modality process that engages the whole brain and stimulates its natural ability to rebuild lost or undeveloped functions, using a unique combination of singing, movement, directed painting, story-telling and praise. In one-on-one sessions the goal is to help individuals feel good about themselves and what they are able to do to improve their ability to communicate with others.

In this story telling session you can see our 87-year-old resident Pat enjoying her painting session she calls “HAPPINESS”. Pat talks about the memories of setting flowers on the table at home and the beautiful aroma filling the air.  

Juniper Village at Naples Earns “Excellence in Care” Distinction From Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Juniper Village at Naples has achieved the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) “Excellence in Care” distinction, having met the AFA’s rigorous national standards for dementia care settings. This is the fourth consecutive certification for Juniper, an unparalleled feat by most. At present, only two memory care communities have the Excellence in Care designation in Florida. Communities receiving the distinction can be viewed at http://www.excellenceincare.org/care-settings.

Juniper Village’s executive director Maria Ciocca expressed, “Our dedicated team has worked very hard to provide tender loving care to our residents. I am very proud that this is the 4th time that we have received this award. The staff works diligently at ensuring that our residents' experience a pleasant day while making new memories.”

“Juniper Village at Naples truly exemplifies the intent of our Excellence in Care program, to elevate the quality of care for people with dementia,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “AFA is proud to recognize this organization for providing its clients with optimal care and nurturing their spirits.”

To earn the status of “Excellence in Care, Dementia Care Program of Distinction,” Juniper Village underwent a comprehensive on-site evaluation and consultation by an AFA Excellence Specialist to ensure compliance with AFA’s national standards on care quality and ability to sustain performance. This status is considered the highest hallmark of recognition by AFA for long-term care communities offering services for the memory impaired.

Music & Memory

Juniper Village at Naples implemented Music & Memory in mid-2015 and it has made a magical impact on our community.

Richard’s enjoying his personalized playlist. As you can see by his smile it has brought great joy, relaxation, and fond memories. In another photo, Richard is playing basketball and the melody of the music seems to help improve his focus and balance with the ball allowing him to make more baskets. The amazement on his face is priceless!

Another heart touching story is our resident Thomas. He came to us in 2012 with a love for listening to and creating his own play list, downloading it on to a CD and handing them out. Since then, Thomas is no longer able to create his own CDs, but we don’t let that stop him from being able to listen to his very own play list of music on a personalized iPod provided by Juniper and managed by our Connections Department.

February 2017 Events in Naples, FL: 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 Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples include our:

§  Art in the Park with Pam as we travel around the world and view the delightfully photographed art by a very special artist who will bring stories to life with her many photographs of adventure on February 8^th at 3:00 pm. (RSVP by February 3^rd to 239-598-1368.)

§  Sweetheart Luncheon because roses are red, violets are blue – we love our families, oh yes we do, so please join us for a delicious meal as love is in the air at Juniper Village on February 15^th from noon to 1:00 pm. (RSVP by February 8^th to 239-598-1368.)

§  Painting with a Twist to unleash your creative side and awaken your passion for Art while you join in as a professional instructor guides you step by step to create your own masterpiece with all art supplies provided, and enjoy wine and light snacks as you paint on February 16^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (RSVP by February 9^th to 239-598-1368.)

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples with you as you Awaken Your Passion.

Fly Me to the Moon Family Luncheon

It was a musical day here in Juniper Village at Naples as we host our monthly family luncheon Fly me to the moon. In honor of our Alive in All Seasons Monthly theme music “Welcome New Beginnings.” 

To welcome new beginning we celebrate our music them with live Frank Santana music by Dante Lupi. The big hit song Fly me to the Moon filled the room while family's gathered for a delicious Italian meal. Our graceful chef Steven served a bright green Caesar salad, followed by a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs, and let's not forget the amazingly sensational tiramisu for dessert. 

Dan Cohen comes to Naples!

Staff members of Juniper Village at Naples were privileged to meet Dan Cohen as he presented his wonderful program- Music & Memory  to the families and friends of the local Alzheimer’s Support Network in Naples, FL. Dan Cohen is the founding Executive director of Music & Memory, Inc. Juniper Village at Naples implemented the Music & Memory program in mid-2015 and the results have been remarkable! The Music & Memory program brings great joy, relaxation and fond memories to those residents with dementia.    

January 2017 Events in Naples, FL: 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 Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples include our:

§  Elvis’s Birthday Bash as we will be kicking off the New Year with a tribute to the King, because Elvis may have left the building, but we’ll be celebrating his birthday Elvis style with one of his favorite snacks, so “It’s Now or Never” to put on your “Blue Suede Shoes” and bring your “Teddy Bear” to this rock and roll party on January 9^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by January 3^rd to Dinelle at 239-598-1368.)

§  Family Support Group with Debbie Fulton of the Alzheimer’s Support Network, who will lead a very helpful and informative discussion on the Music and Memory program, and how music improves the quality of life by bringing joy and fond memories to those with memory impairment on January 10^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by January 8^th to Dinelle at 239-598-1368.)

We look forward to sharing our January 2017 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples with you as you Welcome New Beginnings.