Grow Strong Daily: May Events

Welcome to May where we will be dancing around the May Pole on May Day; donning opulent hats for the Kentucky Derby and sombreros for Cinco de Mayo; honoring our mothers on Mother’s Day and our fallen heroes on Memorial Day. What a fantastic month of celebration! In addition to observing these holidays, Juniper Village will be focusing on this month’s Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily” with an emphasis on fitness.

Studies show exercise is an effective treatment for many chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and can also help people with high blood pressure, balance problems or difficulty walking. Stress management, improved mood and cognitive function are other benefits of regular exercise. This is why Juniper Village makes exercise a part of every day! We are completely dedicated to whole person wellness and “nurturing the spirit of life” for each individual we touch by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit.

Join us here at Juniper Village at Aurora for our Best Friends Flower Painting on May 2^nd at 2:00 pm; our Mother’s Day Tea on May 10^th at 10:00 am; our Eat and Be Fit Luncheon on May 22^nd at noon; or our Memorial Day BBQ on May 26^th at noon. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!

Annual Easter brunch and Easter egg hunt!

Spring is such a wonderful time of year!  Flowers are beginning to come up from the ground and the trees are starting to bloom.  The weather warms up, the days start to get a little longer, and the birds can be heard chirping from early in the morning until late in the evening.  Another sign of spring is our annual Easter brunch and Easter egg hunt at Juniper Village at Aurora!

This year we had an even bigger turnout thanks to the beautiful weather!  For April, our Alive in All Seasons focuses on the brain and we know that social activity and healthy food are very important for brain health.  Our Easter brunch included lots of colorful, fresh fruits and lots of wonderful social activity starting with coloring eggs, stuffing candy into plastic eggs, hiding the eggs in our beautiful back yard, and nurturing relationships with our residents, their family and friends, and our staff and their children! 

And what would Easter be without a visit from the Easter bunny!

Spring is a magical time of year!

  

Celebrating Tradition with Performance

At Juniper, during the month of March we celebrated opportunities with performances of many kinds.  Included in the many and various opportunities that were offered were the Drama Club, Sing-a-longs, Scarf Dancing, Music Therapy, a Pom Pom Dance, One Accord Musical group performance, Poetry reading, a dance party, and we wouldn’t let the month pass without the Irish High Step Dancers performing on St. Patrick’s Day…it’s a long standing tradition! 

According to Wikipedia:  Irish step-dance is a style of dance with its roots in traditional Irish dance. It can be performed solo or by troupes. Two types of shoes are worn; hard shoes, which make sounds similar to tap shoes, and soft shoes, which are similar to ballet slippers. Dancers stiffen their upper bodies while performing quick, intricate footwork. Costumes are considered important for stage presence in competitive Irish step-dance. There are several levels of competition available for both individuals and groups.

The nature of the Irish dance tradition has changed and adapted over the centuries to accommodate and reflect changing populations and the fusion of new cultures. The history of Irish dancing is as a result a fascinating one. The popular Irish dance stage shows of the past ten years have reinvigorated this cultural art, and today Irish dancing is healthy, vibrant, and enjoyed by people across the globe.

Being able watch the young dancers move with such vibrancy, intent, and detail is always a joyful experience.  The smiles of the on-lookers brighten the room every time!  Being able to enjoy such performances with good friends, families, and acquaintances…and let’s not forget the delicious corned beef, cabbage, along with the rest of the very delicious meal would be the luck of the Irish.  With that said, we can all be a wee bit Irish on St. Patty’s Day.

Believe in Yourself: April Events

April, the month where we play innocent pranks on April Fool’s Day; celebrate Springtime and Easter with egg hunts, brunches, and church; pay homage to mother earth on Earth Day; and welcome the return of America’s favorite pastime – Baseball. This month we embark on a new quarter in our Alive in All Seasons calendar where we celebrate Healthy Aging and will “Let Wellbeing Thrive”. Throughout April our focus is on the brain and honoring the theme “Believe in Yourself”. Did you know that activities that are good for your heart are also good for your brain? The American Heart Association tells us that protecting memory and brain health is a matter of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. Regular cardio exercise and a healthy diet not only keep your heart happy, but your brain too.

This month’s offerings include activities and events that will keep our bodies and brains healthy and renew our faith in ourselves. Educational opportunities will cover brain health topics such as brain booster activities and ways to keep fit. We will rejoice in our individuality and celebrate ourselves through life affirming reminiscent and creative activities while reminding each other to “Believe in Yourself”.

Please join us here at Juniper Village at Aurora for Drum Therapy with Helen on April 5^th at 2:00 pm; our Healthy Brain Luncheon on April 10^th at noon; our Best Friends Dying Easter Eggs activity on April 18^th at 2:00 pm; our Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt on April 19^th at 10:00 am; and our Holocaust Remembrance Discussion on April 26^th at 2:00 pm. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!