April 2015 Events in Naples, FL: Believe in Yourself

Welcome to April - the name derived from the Latin word Aperire meaning “to open”; the month when everything starts to bloom and come alive. What better time to really put forth your best efforts and see the true beauty inside than the month in which everything begins anew! Diana Ross, in the Wiz, advises “believe in yourself, right from the start. You'll have brains; you’ll have a heart; you’ll have courage to last your whole life through if you believe in yourself.” So let’s put our best foot forward, believe in ourselves and we can move mountains!

Join us for our April 2015 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples as we pull pranks on April Fool’s Day; honor Jesus Christ on Good Friday, followed by hiding Easter eggs; celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery on Passover; and celebrate mother earth on Earth Day and Arbor Day. Peruse this month’s calendar as we focus on the brain through our Daily Brain Builders, Wii tournaments and our Healthy Brain Luncheon. Plan to join us for any and all events. Also, check out our Healthy Aging Resource Library to learn more about the brain or any number of health related topics. We look forward to seeing you during this fun filled month.

Our fabulous April 2015 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples include our:

Ø  Spring Time Healthy Luncheon for we need more than nutrients essential; our human brains, have so much potential; assorted berries, a memory boost; apples protect us, cancers reduced; cherries fight inflammation; dark chocolate boosts our circulation; oysters provide us with plenty of zinc; aging and healing, there is a link; eggs and fish, will build our brains; all these foods, have countless gains; come feast and learn on April 15^th from noon to 1:00 pm. (RSVP to 239-598-1368 by April 8^th)

Ø  Healthy Habits Healthy You discussion led by Dr. Catherine Cruikshank, director of education from the Florida Gulf coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s association, to show you how healthy habits can mean a healthier body and brain on April 21^st from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. (RSVP to 239-598-1368 by April 21^st)

Ø  Kowiachobee Animal Preserve Happy Hour to enjoy refreshments and drinks while meeting the animals and getting up close with Ricky the Tortoise, Sidney the Cockatoo or Baby the Skunk as the animal keepers let you in on some interesting stories on April 23^rd from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm. (RSVP to 239-598-1368 by April 16^th)

We hope to see you at one or more of our April 2015 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples!

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Naples

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Naples. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Naples, FL: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Naples, FL we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Naples - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Naples, FL at Juniper Village at Naples we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Naples, FL while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Naples, FL include our The Calendar Girls Performance by a song and dance team made up of 30 delightfully dangerous, doggie-lovin divas who will delight us with their song and dance performance on March 12^th at 3:00 pm; our St. Patrick’s Day Family Luncheon may the road rise up to meet you and may the wind always be at your back on your way here as it’s time for the wearin’ of the green at a delicious Irish lunch with family and friends on March 17^th at noon; or our Veteran Pinning Ceremony as we honor those that served our country with The Collier County Honor flight and a special performance by Curt Smythe of patriotic tunes for all to sing along on March 25^th at 3:00 pm.  Please RSVP for these events by calling 239-598-1368.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Naples, FL, so check out our calendar for more!

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.

Juniper Village at Naples: Our Clinical Outcomes Speak forThemselves

We want to be your partner of choice in the new shared savings environment. At Juniper Village at Naples, we have been collecting critical data for nearly 10 years. For example, we closely monitor residents to assure successful returns from either the hospital or rehabilitation setting.

Many hospitalizations in seniors are due to poor nutrition and dehydration. Our wellness and care teams monitor changes in appetite daily.

Another common cause of both initial hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations is medication errors. Changes to medication regime whether after a scheduled physician appointment or emergency hospitalization can leave patients confused about what medications are most current. Our wellness team is responsible for medication reconciliation and management, a process which virtually eliminates medication errors.

Communication is key and Juniper Village at Naples takes communication to the next level through:

• Use of Electronic Health Records (Point Click Care)
• Optimized care transitions protocols
• Full implementation of INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers)
• Use of a highly recognizable and consistent transfer information packet
• Focus on resident and care giver education and engagement
• Individualized care and service

Contact us today to see how we can assist you in managing your patient transitions.