Woody, Resident Dog

Pup-a-roni, belly rubs, doggie treats galore, these are a few of my favorite things.  Woody was dog tired yesterday watching the elves at work creating Christmas tree ornaments and anticipating a fruit cake crumb landing close to his feet. Oh, the smells and celebrations of the Christmas season close at hand tuckered out our resident dog until the next resident comes along scratching Woody behind his ears and rubbing his tummy with lots of love. I wonder what Santa will bring him.  Have you been a good doggie this year?

May we celebrate the little things in life that make the journey memorable for those we touch. Merry Christmas to all our dog lovers and sweet doggie treats dreams.

December 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Celebrate Little Things

Juniper Village nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. This month this custom is more evident than ever as we share our celebratory spirit - mind, body and soul. December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations, but at Juniper we like to kick it up a notch! All around the community all of your senses will be stimulated as you see traditional holiday décor, hear joyous laughter and singing, smell heavenly treats baking and taste them as well. We will celebrate all the joyous little things that make this time of year so special. Traditions both old and new will be honored. And through sharing our numerous cultures and traditions with each other we will learn more about each other, opening the door to deeper understanding.

This month take a moment to reflect on the little things that bring joy to your life. Reminisce about the traditions from your past and the new traditions you have started with your family. Celebrate the holiday season with us as we share a bit of ourselves with our annual cookie exchange and ethnic holiday celebrations. December is always an eventful month and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Our fabulous December 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Christmas Cookie Delivery Club because even though for most of us the holidays are the busiest time of the year, the kind and caring folks at Juniper Village will be delivering our signature Christmas Cookies to our partners in caring before Santa eats them all on December 6^th. (RSVP with Melissa at 303-218-8322 if you’d like us to stop by your office.)

§  Photos with Santa as we join Jolly Old St. Nick here at Juniper Village at Aurora for our 2016 Holiday Photos before he has to rush off to work finishing his Naughty and Nice Lists on December 8^th at 10:00 am.

We look forward to sharing our December 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Celebrate Little Things.

November 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Cherish the Journey

Each November we turn our attention to Family with our Alive In All Seasons Theme: Cherish the Journey. We have always enjoyed helping our residents chronical their individual life journeys through journaling. In addition to keeping track of the daily happenings in our lives, journaling has surprising health benefits as well. University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. He also believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of stress on your health. Other research indicates that journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientific evidence also shows that writing your thoughts down can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, help you to know yourself better, reduce stress, and problem solve more effectively. An additional benefit of journaling is that you are leaving a legacy for future generations. Review your journal together! Reminiscing about the events in one’s life is a way to affirm who they are, what they’ve accomplished in life and relive happy times. So, pick up a pen and Cherish the Journey, the benefits are endless!

Join our journey through November as we honor and celebrate family and the journey of life with our autobiographical journaling. Help us support our greater community with our annual Food Drive and our on-site support groups. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our fabulous November 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Holiday Edition Expert Panel because when we think holidays, we think food; we can’t help it; that’s why this “Two-Part Holiday Edition” of the Juniper Village Expert Panel will feature our very own Chef, Chris Hannah, and one of our favorite Occupational Therapists, Robyn Phelps of Senior Functional Fitness, for a unique experience that will be extremely informative and also tasty with a live cooking exhibit, so all are encouraged to attend this quarterly event on November 2^nd at 6:30 pm.

§  Painting With Elyse because memories are the most precious keepsake, no matter which holiday it is, so join our family at Juniper Village as we enjoy painting and making memories together with our wonderful instructor Elyse at this event that is open to everyone on November 16^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

§  Juniper Village Annual Food Drive because here at Juniper, we believe the holiday season should be something every family looks forward to, so help others this holiday season by helping us gather donations for our annual food drive; we will accept canned goods and monetary donations to help benefit local families, so please bring donations to the front lobby at Juniper Village at Aurora all month long.

We look forward to sharing our November 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Cherish the Journey.

October 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Show Your Colors

As we say good bye to Indian summer, we welcome the cooler air and slower pace of the autumn season. From warm apple cider, everything pumpkin and end of season hiking trips, there are so many reasons to enjoy autumn. William Cullen Bryant says it best, “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” With the seasonal changes now in full swing we see fall flowers appearing where summer blooms once stood and leaves changing into vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. The evening air has a slight chill and carries the scent of campfires, leaves and cinnamon spice. Our activities turn from swimming and baseball to raking leaves and football. Not only is Mother Nature showing her colors, but we begin to show our team colors with a focus on sports! Join us throughout the month as we bond over sporting events while cheering on our favorite teams, complete with tailgate parties and snacks.

Throughout October we will show our colors as we sponsor and support local sports teams. We will honor our associates who show their colors by “nurturing the spirit of life” with The Juniper Spirit awards. Alas, October would not be complete without celebrating the season with our annual Halloween Costume Party, which is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Join us this month and Show Your Colors!

Our fabulous October 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Oktoberfest because if you’ve never been to Munich for the World Famous Oktoberfest, Juniper Village at Aurora insists that you are missing out, and that’s why you’ll want to grab your largest stein and head toward the accordion filled fun at Juniper, from beer tasting to Roasted Bratwurst Skewers and Homemade Sauerkraut, Juniper will have it all, so come hungry and leave happy, as this fun filled tradition of ours is always something to look forward to, and this complimentary event is open to the general public on October 13^th from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

§  Physical Therapy at Home with Senior Functional Fitness’s very own Dr. Mollie, who will be in to teach us the basics of physical therapy, so we may even discover some basic steps we can take at home each day to help ourselves or those dear to us stay fit and healthy on October 21^st from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

§  Boo Fest as we are sure you already have some “spooktacular” events planned for this fun evening, so that’s why Juniper Village has a special morning celebration for this fright-filled holiday, and this event is open to the public and is sure to be a time you won’t want to miss on October 31^st at 9:30 am to 11:30 am.

We look forward to sharing our October 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Show Your Colors.

Friendship

What do 1000 pieces, Gateway Club, Howard & Dell have in common?  Friendship. A friendship that’s nourished each day huddled around a very intricate puzzle in Gateway Club.  First they sort the small puzzle pieces by color, then confer with each  other where their interlocking pieces fit.  It’s common to see them scratch their heads and stroke their chins as if we could see the question marks hovering above their heads. 

Juniper Village at Aurora and Dell are very proud of Howard for challenging himself in solving the 1000 piece puzzles. These men are glue behind a strong friendship.

September 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Spread Your Joy

As the air begins to cool and summer wanes, Juniper Village ends our “Stay Connected” series by recognizing Friendship and Joy. What is it that brings you joy? Is it the wet nose of a newborn pup? The smile of your first grandchild? The taste of a triple chocolate ice cream cone? Whatever it is we invite you to share that joy with others at Juniper Village this month.

Much attention has been paid to studies regarding the effects of stress on your health, but what about the effects of joy? The landmark “Nun Study,” as it's often known, revealed that positive emotion is correlated with longevity: 90% of the most cheerful quarter of nuns was alive at the age of eighty-five, whereas only 34% of the least cheerful quarter lived to that age. Similarly, 54% of the most cheerful fourth was alive at age ninety-four, versus 11% of the least cheerful. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. So go ahead, grab that triple chocolate cone it might just extend your life!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Fresh Bread for Friends because National Assisted Living Week is not only a chance to pat ourselves on the back for all that we do, but it’s also a chance to acknowledge all of the other communities that provide great care for seniors, so Juniper will be baking friendship bread and delivering it hot and fresh out of the kitchen to our partners in caring between September 12^th and September 17^th.

§  Best Friends Forever because each and every senior here at Juniper Village has a special bond with their best friend who is an associate on our team, so join us on this special day as we celebrate our friendships with a gift that lasts a lifetime by transferring our favorite pictures onto beautiful wooden canvases with the help of our best friends, and though this event may sound exclusive, we promise to include anyone and everyone that wants to participate, so come and join in the fun on September 22^nd from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

§  Learning With Friends because with such spectacular resources at our fingertips, we’d be terrible friends not to share, so Juniper will join our partners in caring from across the Front Range to tour the Rocky Mountain Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, located on the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus; there are only 15 total spots available for this exclusive, expert led tour, so secure your spot today on this one of a kind journey through today’s top findings in CU’s passionate quest to cure Alzheimer’s on September 29^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. (Please RSVP to Evan at 303-218-8322.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Spread Your Joy.

August 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Breathe in Life

Each August we turn our focus to the environment by offering social events and educational opportunities on living a more environmentally sustainable life. By making caring choices and creating helpful habits we can all make a difference to our planet.

Did you know that an aluminum can may remain in its current condition in a landfill for up to 500 years? That same can, when recycled, can end up back on your grocer’s shelf in as little as two months. Recycling that aluminum can also saves energy. Enough energy, in fact, to power your television for three hours! Aluminum can be recycled over, and over and over again – without limit. Americans will use about 2.5 million plastic bottles every thirty minutes. If that bottle is not recycled it can spend the next 450 years or more in a landfill. A modern glass bottle will take about 4,000 years to biodegrade. Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again, and again and again. So, the next time you are enjoying a delicious beverage, be conscious of the packaging and make the choice to recycle.

Join us this month as we promote the environment with a focus on our recycling programs – from annual rummage sales to shredding and more; our educational offerings will help you to support our environment and Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous August 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Silent Auction & Anniversary Bash because the team at Juniper Village at Aurora is no stranger to parties, and as a matter of fact, we aren’t even scared to throw one for ourselves, so come celebrate 17 years of leading the Front Range in Dementia Care, but make sure and bring the checkbook though, as our very own artists here at Juniper have their best works available for bidding and all proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association on August 12^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

§  Understanding & Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors FREE educational event for the public here at Juniper provided by The Alzheimer’s Association with complimentary refreshments, so don’t miss this great opportunity to hear local experts share advice for helping those with memory loss on August 17^th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

§  Music & Memory iPod Drive because here at Juniper, we believe that music is medicine, and our Seniors are no different in the fact that they love to listen to music, almost all day– every day, so why not recycle your old iPods and headphones by donating them to Juniper, and we will also accept iTunes gift cards as well as monetary donations for our Music and Memory Program anytime from August 22^nd to 26^th.

We look forward to sharing our August 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Breathe in Life.

Woody our Resident Dog

Woody, our resident dog is enjoying all the comforts of home here at Juniper Village at Aurora. He recently moved in with his owner Joanne and resides in Garden House.  Even though they’ve been here a short period of time, the bond between residents and staff is quite strong.  Woody exhibits all the comforts of home cozying up on the living room couch just waiting for that special person to snuggle up beside him.

What a life, nothing better than a dog’s life. “We sure enjoy our Woody dog, he walks the talk (or bark) by nurturing the spirit of life in each individual he touches!”

Artists in Residence Making a Difference

Residents of Juniper Village at Aurora happily participate in Memories in the Making, a creative art expression program for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Even after people with dementia have lost the ability to use words, they are often able to express thoughts and emotions and to share memories through painting with watercolors. The experience offers an opportunity for the essence of who they are and what they care about to shine through. The paintings become their voice.

Each year a jury of professional artists selects participant’s artwork for the annual Memories in the Making Art Show and Auction, a fundraising event for the Association. Professional artwork donated by local artists is paired with framed watercolors created by those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and sold at the event. This year artwork from three residents of Juniper Village at Aurora was selected for auction. Their pieces were sold at the June 11^th Denver auction held at Pat Bowlen Field House at Dove Valley – training camp for the Denver Broncos.  Two pieces by Juniper Village resident Marilyn sold, the first pairing including “Radiant Sunflowers in Bloom” (top left above) sold for $775 and her “Rainbow Flowers” (top right above) sold for $175; Gertrude’s “Fields of Flowers” (bottom left above) pairing sold for $550; and Paul’s “The Independence” (bottom right above) sold for $525. Congratulations to the wonderful artists at Juniper Village!

July 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Stand in Integrity

Ah...the good old summer time filled with lazy, sunny days, ice cold treats, Independence Day celebrations, and get-togethers at the beach. Another sure indication of summer is our Alive in All Seasons theme of Volunteerism.

July is the perfect month to honor all of the many volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of time in service to our communities. From our four-legged volunteers to those of the two legged variety we are proud to say we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious time each year. We simply could not do it without all of your help, and this month we honor you. We will also be promoting the spirit of volunteerism by volunteering our time to help others. If you have some spare time on your hands consider joining us for a volunteer activity or better yet volunteer your time with us, we’d love to have you. What qualities make a good volunteer? Energy, passion, flexibility, creativity, reliability, commitment and perhaps most important of all – integrity.

Volunteerism benefits all parties involved. In addition to making new friends, volunteering also helps increase your self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose, combats depression and helps you stay physically healthy. Helping others also kindles happiness, as the London School of Economics found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

In addition to volunteering opportunities, plan to join us during July for our summer celebrations and share our thanks as we honor those who Stand In Integrity with us.

Our fabulous July 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Red, White & Blue Backyard BBQ because there’s no better way to celebrate volunteerism than to honor those who have voluntarily served in our armed forces, come celebrate with those most responsible for our freedom on July 4^th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

§  Juniper Volunteer THANK YOU Luncheon for the best crab cakes the front range has to offer, made fresh by our very own award-winning dietary team because volunteers are what help to keep our seniors entertained and active, and it’s time we say thanks, so come join us for lunch and we will find a way for you to get involved in our volunteer program on July 18^th at noon.

§  Virtual Food Drive to stop by or take to social media to keep up with the times because the trendsetters here at Juniper are keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive with our first ever VIR-TUAL food drive as we have partnered with the Food Bank of the Rockies to help those in need make it through the hot summer months between July 25^th and July 31^st any time.

We look forward to sharing our July 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Stand in Integrity.

Kona: Therapy Dog Super Hero

Lori and Kona have been volunteering for about 2 months now.  Kona is a black lab who is certified in "visitations". Recently, we received this note from Lori about one visit:

Wow! What a great visit at Juniper Village today! More residents than usual engaged in petting Kona and relating stories from their childhoods than any other time we've visited. Several of the them were able to follow my instructions about how to feed Kona. I don't know who enjoyed it most - the residents or Kona. We motivated one resident, who was working with a PT, to walk farther with the incentive that if he walked to Kona the man could pet him. It worked!

Kona and I are so blessed to visit Juniper Village and are thankful for the opportunity.

June 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Father’s Day Car Hop with live music, carhop girls, shakes, burgers, and fries for one of our favorite annual events, a fun-filled day in the sun that will remind us all why our focus this month is hydration on June 11th from 11:00 am to1:00 pm.

§  Denver Senior Tour Golf Outing with Juniper Village at Aurora co-sponsoring one of the largest local golf tournaments on the front range, so grab your clubs and get ready to hit the links, as Denver’s most talented seniors enjoy their favorite sport while we hand out our signature Juniper water bottles full of fun ideas on how to beat the heat and stay hydrated this summer on June 13th at 7:30 am at Applewood Golf Course.

§  The Longest Day as the Alzheimer’s Association has encouraged everyone to grab their water bottle and observe the longest day of the year by getting out and getting active, and Juniper Village at Aurora will be hosting a fun-filled day of activities here on site, so if you’re a fan of friendly competition and an active lifestyle, this is a day you won’t want to miss on June 20th all day long.

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Live in Wellness.

Juniper Village at Aurora’s Innovative Small-House Design

There is a growing understanding of what makes a successful environment for seniors living with memory impairment.  The elements that can make a difference in the lives of those with dementia are not that complicated and can be encapsulated in two words – connectedness and a sense of home.  The small house or cottage model has been found to be the most successful environment in providing that sense of home, connectedness, and ultimately, happiness.  Juniper Communities has served as an innovator in pioneering the small house model within their memory care communities.  Juniper continues to believe that this model remains the gold standard in memory care.

Juniper has been well ahead of the trend as we have owned and operated two types of small house models for more than a decade.  Two of our small house models, Aurora and Louisville, both in Colorado, were purpose built by Juniper in 1999 and 2000 respectively, as part of our initiative to provide leading-edge care to residents living with memory impairments. These two communities include four small houses, each with 12 or 13 rooms, virtually all private, surrounding a town hall area. Each town hall provides destination locations consisting of multiple familiar spaces such as an office suite, game room, library, country store, and gymnasium, where residents from all houses can go for additional services or programs. In this model, where the houses are linked, all staff are readily available to assist if needed.

In both models, residents at Juniper’s communities live within a short walk to the living room, kitchen and dining areas.  The environment is homelike; there are no nurses’ stations and no medication carts that block the hallways.  Staff wear polo shirts, not scrubs, and are trained to engage residents in activities of daily living, as well as social and recreational activities.  In both models, there are large, accessible and safe outdoor spaces surrounding the community.

Ultimately it is all about relationships.  The small-house model of care becomes a true community for a group of seniors and staff. It focuses on nurturing the spirit of life, and its heart is found in the relationships that thrive there. Juniper’s goal via the small house model has always been and continues to be to serve as a place where seniors can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their life.  And ultimately to provide the key elements to successful memory care – connectedness, home, and happiness!

Music & Memory: Juniper Village at Aurora Uses Innovative Approaches

The statistics on caregiver stress and burn-out are overwhelming.  Support groups sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association or community groups can be key to managing stress.   Juniper Village at Aurora Wellspring Memory Care offers solutions similar to those experienced by one of the profile families – a secure, homelike care setting which allows the family caregiver to participate to the degree that they choose and are able.

 

One program that we have recently instituted in all of our memory care communities is Dan Cohen’s Music & Memory.  We recommend learning about and using this program in any care setting – at home, day programs, or long-term care communities.  Research shows that persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, can reconnect to the world and gain improved quality of life from listening to personal music favorites.

At Juniper Village at Aurora Wellspring Memory Care all residents have access to music players. Upon move-in, we ask family members to provide us with a list of a resident’s favorite songs from their young-adulthood which we load onto their player.

For family caregivers, Music & Memory, secure memory care communities, and support groups, all offer support and assistance to family caregivers.  Finding the right combination of “what works” is critical.

If you would like to speak with someone about a long-term or temporary respite stay for your loved one in a secure Memory Care facility, would like more information about implementing a Music & Memory program at home, or would like to make a donation of music players or iTunes gift cards to facilitate our program, contact Juniper Village at Aurora Wellspring Memory Care.  

8 WAYS TO REDUCE ALZHEIMER’S RISK. JUNIPER VILLAGE AT AURORA OFFERS SCREENING AND SUPPORT.

Memory changes are normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia are more than simple lapses. People with Alzheimer’s experience problems communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning that eventually become severe enough to impact an individual's work, social activities, and family life. However, new research has shown there are ways to reduce the risk of memory problems; below is a list of 8 Ways to Reduce Alzheimer's Risk.  

1.   Stay Active. The Case Western Reserve School of Medicine 25-Year Study tracking the development of dementia in a convent of nuns found they had a 150% greater risk of dementia if they did not pursue physical activities. Include aerobic activity and strength training in your daily routine, or simply walk, garden, shop the mall – anything that keeps you moving.

2.   Exercise Your Mind. The same Case Western Study found that they had a 250% greater risk of dementia if they did not pursue intellectual activities. An active brain produces new dendrites or connections which help the brain store and retrieve information more easily, no matter your age. Learn a foreign language, volunteer, read or play scrabble.

3.   Dance the Night Away. A recent study showed that dancing specifically decreases incidence of dementia, probably because the interaction between multiple parts of the brain; balance, rhythm, hearing, and vision, has a strengthening impact on cognitive function.

4.   Learn Relaxation Techniques. Stress and anxiety interfere with concentration. Try massage, yoga, or breathing methods to help you regain your calm.

5.   Have a Good Laugh Every Day. The old expression “laughter is the best medicine” has been confirmed by medical researchers. Laughter actually opens the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the heart and to the brain, so watch a funny movie, tell a joke, or simply share a laugh with a friend.

6.   Control Blood Sugar Levels. A growing body of evidence links diabetes with Alzheimer’s. Poor blood sugar control dramatically increases the risk of dementia. Diabetes-related toxins may worsen memory function, and diabetes medications may reduce insulin-related brain cell processes. Your best bet is to eat a healthy, low-sugar diet to forestall the one-two punch of diabetes and dementia.

7.   Watch What You Eat. All of the nutritional advice for a healthy heart also makes for a healthy brain, so limit your fats and carbohydrates, maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, and limit your salt intake; the theory is that reducing inflammation reduces the “strain on the brain”.

8.   Maintain Social Connections. Multiple studies have shown that maintaining social ties decreases the risk of dementia and slows the progression. Getting together with friends and family, and joining social groups, strengthens emotional and cognitive function.

If you or a loved one wants to learn more about these 8 Ways to Reduce Alzheimer's Risk, contact Juniper Village at Aurora Wellspring Memory Care.  We offer many innovative brain health screening and support programs.  

10 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S. JUNIPER VILLAGE AT AURORA OFFERS HEALING AND HELP.

Memory changes are normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses. People with Alzheimer’s experience problems communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning that eventually become severe enough to impact an individual's work, social activities, and family life. It is critical for people with dementia and their families to receive information, care and support as early as possible. To help recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, below is a checklist of any of these 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's.  

1.   Memory Loss. One of the most common signs of early dementia is forgetting recently learned information. While it’s normal to forget appointments, names or telephone numbers, those with dementia will forget such things more often and not remember them later.

2.   Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks; they may not know how to prepare a meal, use a household appliance, or engage in a lifelong hobby.

3.   Problems With Language. Everyone struggles for the right word at times, but a person with Alzheimer’s often forgets even common words or substitutes odd words.

4.   Disorientation To Time And Place. It’s normal to forget what day it is or where you’re going sometimes, but people with Alzheimer’s can become lost on their own street. They may forget where they are and how they got there, and may not know how to get back home.

5.   Poor Or Decreased Judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may wear several shirts on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather. They also often show poor judgment about money, giving away large sums or paying for repairs or products they don’t need.

6.   Problems With Abstract Thinking. Balancing a checkbook can be challenging, but a person with Alzheimer’s may forget what the numbers represent and what to do with them.

7.   Misplacing Things. Anyone can misplace a wallet or key, but person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places, like keys in the freezer or a phone in the fruit bowl.

8.   Changes In Mood Or Behavior. Anyone can be moody at times, but someone with Alzheimer’s often has rapid mood swings, from calm to sad to angry, for no apparent reason.

9.   Changes In Personality. Attitudes do adjust some with age, but a person with Alzheimer’s can change dramatically, becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent.

10.  Loss Of Initiative. It’s normal to tire of housework, business activities or social obligations at times, but a person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities. 

If you or a loved one recognize any of these 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's, contact Juniper Village at Aurora Wellspring Memory Care. We offer home visits and clinical assessments to help you better understand your care and support needs.

May 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

Our fabulous May 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Cinco De Mayo celebration complete with festive foods and drinks that is open to the public so feel free to bring friends on May 5^th at noon.

§  Q&A Family Advocates as our senior expert panel will be meeting again this quarter here at Juniper so come learn how to live a healthy lifestyle as we listen in on a live discussion featuring local healthcare experts on May 8^th at 6:30 pm.

§  Sipping N’ Painting at Juniper because living a healthy lifestyle requires that we sometimes exercise our minds and creative spirits, so join Juniper residents, families, and local professionals as we grab our canvas and brushes for a step-by-step live painting instructional on May 26^th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Attack of the Nerds!

Who says being a nerd isn’t fun! Evidence proves otherwise by these BFF photos of some outstanding nerds found at Juniper Village at Aurora.  Even the Executive Director took on the appearance of a nerd ham boning! We truly have made the grade of being nerds.

Volunteers

Howard and Don are two of our many resident rock stars here at Juniper Village at Aurora.  The men recently volunteered their time at the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry by hauling heavy boxes of frozen chicken thighs and hams to be stocked in their freezers in order to feed the homeless and low income residents in Aurora.  They also marked through numerous UPC labels on canned goods, baked goods and a various assortment of breads that were donated to the pantry.  High fives and thank yous were echoed throughout the pantry for their hard work.

2015 Successful Outcomes

April 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

Our fabulous April 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Brain Healthy Brunch because the folks here at Juniper sure love brunch and we would absolutely love for anyone who can make it to join us as we get our late morning kick-started with all kinds of brain healthy and tasty foods on April 10^th at 11:00 am.

§  Brain Healthy Happy Hour with local chef, Justin Coleman of the Ritz Carlton-Downtown Denver, who will be gracing a group of local professionals with her knowledge and presence as she guides us through healthy and creative edible options that promote brain health on a daily basis, so grab a glass of heart-healthy red wine and lend an ear to one of Denver’s most knowledgeable dieticians as she inspires listeners to help themselves and others lead a healthy lifestyle on April 30^th at 5:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as you Believe in Yourself.

Gateway Rotary Donation

Imagine the surprise on the residents' faces as they unveiled the large box containing various kinds of beautiful plants donated by Gateway Rotary. A huge shout out to the rotary organization for including Juniper Village at Aurora on their list to deliver these beautiful plants.  Our residents take pleasure in caring for them daily and look forward to new blooms forming.

On behalf of the residents and staff, much appreciation and gratitude.

March 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Your Treasure is Within

As we bring down the curtain on our Creative Expressions series we focus this month on Drama. Juliette Binoche said, “I think acting is about forgetting yourself in order to give the best of yourself. It's passing through you more than you're creating it. You're not the flower, but the vase which holds the flower.”

Through dramatic performance we are able to forget about ourselves while becoming someone else, if only for a moment. We can be transported to another time, another place and another way of thinking. With all of our inhibitions set aside we focus this month on breaking out of our shells to share a bit of ourselves with wild abandon through our weekly drama clubs which will culminate in a fantastic performance or reading of dramatic prose. We invite you to join us in this enlightening journey of self-discovery through the magic of theater this month. We will also be attending theatrical performances around town, where we can let our inner critic loose. One last opportunity to become someone else is offered during our Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, where everyone can be Irish for the day. Join us as we feast on traditional Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, shepherd’s pie and more! Lastly, March would not be complete without honoring the dramatic achievements of others with our own Oscar Party. This month we invite you to let your inner star shine at Juniper Village.

Our fabulous March 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Denver Nuggets LIVE to join Juniper Village and our partners in caring as we head to the Pepsi Center to watch the Nuggets beat the Lakers from a VIP Suite on March 2^nd at 7:00 pm.

§  Memory Screening as our friends at Namaste Hospice bring their highly trained professionals to provide guests with complimentary memory screening on March 7^th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

§  Chili Cook Off Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association to bring your favorite chili in a crock pot and compete for the “Best Chili in Aurora” on March 23^rd from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our March 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as Your Treasure is Within.

Memories in the Making Reception

With the close of Memories In The Making for 2015, Juniper Village at Aurora enlisted the help of their residents to make goodies for the Memories In the Making reception held later that evening. These ladies were very meticulous in ensuring the tortilla roll-ups were PERFECT for the party, spreading cream cheese from edge to edge and filling them with cut up black olives then topping off with shaved ham and smoked turkey.  Their perfection was shown in the intricate way of rolling up the tortillas prior to cutting into bite size pieces. Plates were decorated with the beautiful pin wheeled tortilla roll-ups, which were later enjoyed by all.  The evening was a success with residents and family members oohing and awing over the magnificent art pieces.

February 2016 Events in Aurora, CO: Awaken Your Passion

In February we turn our Alive In All Seasons focus to art and invite you to awaken your passion with us. Leo Tolstoy defines the activity of art as “To evoke in oneself a feeling one has experienced, and... then, by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds or forms expressed in words, so to transmit that feeling.”

This month we will transmit our feelings using many different mediums to let other share in our experiences, feelings and passions. We will travel through art around the world and experience art as it is meant to be – inspirational and transformative. We will feel the cool breeze and smell the fragrant blossoms of Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France as we gaze upon In the Garden and the Water Lilies series. We will feel the angst of Vincent Van Gogh as we admire his passionate works such as Vase with Twelve Sunflowers and The Starry Night. We will also pour our passion into our own creations evoking memories of the past to share with the future.

Please join us on this journey as we visit local art museums and create our own art through weekly craft programs. Celebrate with us as we recognize Valentine’s Day with sweets for the sweet and Fat Tuesday foods and fun at our Mardi Gras party.

Our fabulous February 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Making Shumai with John interactive demonstration where we will be making delicious and eye-catching traditional Chinese dim sum dumplings (yum, yum) on February 8^th at 1:30 pm.

§  Sweetheart Dance and Valentine Party to share some sweet treats with our sweethearts while we dance the day away to some of our favorite love songs on February 11^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Bessie’s Hope event as we partner with this wonderful organization that is bringing generations together through volunteering and mentoring programs on February 24^th at 2:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our February 2016 events in Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora with you as we Awaken Your Passion.