Excellence in Caregiving Award: And The Winner Is...

And the Winner Is...

Consuelo Lopez was this year’s recipient of the George and Pat Sugarman Excellence in Caregiving Award. This award is presented yearly by the Alzheimer's Association to a nominated professional caregiver. Nominations are submitted solely by families of residents that caregivers provide care for. Consuelo has been nominated EVERY year the past seven years. This year she had several nomination letters that really caught the attention of the nomination committee. Consuelo received a cash award as well as a plaque to honor her. Our hats off to Consuelo...she's a most deserving person to have received the award!!

Juniper Village at Aurora had a total of 10 caregivers that were nominated this year, and has had caregivers nominated every year for the past decade. What is even more indicative of Juniper Village at Aurora’s quality of care is that two of their caregivers have won in the past three years (2011 and 2013). Each nominee received paid entrance to the Alzheimer's Symposium. The Symposium is a day full of education for caregivers, families, those living with Alzheimer's and related Dementias, and professionals. Among the many wonderful educational breakout sessions, the amazing key note speakers were Dr. Huntington Potter (Professor of Neurology and Director of Alzheimer's Disease Programs in the Department of Neurology and the Linda Crnic Center for Down Syndrome at the University of Colorado) and Maestro David Dworkin (avid chamber musician, conductor of orchestras across America and abroad, founder of acclaimed exercise program Conductorcise).

Congratulations Juniper Village at Aurora for a Perfect State Survey!!!!

At Juniper Village at Aurora, we strive daily to Nurture the Spirit in each individual that we touch. We do this by encouraging active bodies, engaged minds and fulfilled spirits. It's what we do...and our state surveyors recognized that we are doing this well. We have an amazing team that puts forth the efforts necessary to perfect the outcomes that we aim for. 

 

 

 

Walk to End Alzheimer's!

On September 21st, we joined thousands of others who support the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's at City Park in Denver. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining and a cool breeze. The enthusiasm for such a great cause was felt among the crowd.

 

 

 

 

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease, the nation's sixth-leading cause of death.

 

 

 

 

We put much effort into our fundraising efforts for this very day. Many of our families, vendors, friends, and associates participate in such events like our Balloon Bouquets in February, Weekly Wednesday BBQs during the Summer, Hot Dog Sales, and Car Wash. We spread the efforts throughout the year, to give all an opportunity to participate. This year we raised over $2,000...Go Team Juniper Village at Aurora!!

Staying Connected in Aurora

Juniper Village at Aurora Stays Connected with the Alzheimer's Association, Rocky Mountain

Chapter, Croquet on the Lawn

Earlier this Summer the Association held an all day event, on June 21st (The Longest Day), a game of Croquet, from 5:30am to 8:30pm. The game is played on the croquet lawn at Washington Park in Denver.
Vickie and Nancy were able to take 3 of our residents to play, which all had a wonderful time. Leon and Wayne were on a team with the two ladies pictured with them. Wayne's team won. Wayne was totally in his element talking with the ladies about his military service. Leon really enjoyed clowning around with the croquet mallet and seemed to really have a wonderful time as well. Gertrude said she had a good time. Both Leon and Wayne admitted that they hadn't played croquet since they were kids so, it was really exciting watching them enjoy it so much!

Today, September 9th, Juniper (Jennifer and Amanda) was able to return to the croquet lawn to host an ice cream social for the Early Stage Group (individual diagnosed with Alzheimer's and their Care Partner).
We had 3 types of ice cream and all the fixins. It was the perfect day for it, the weather was glorious with a nice little breeze. The Alzheimer's Association also celebrated 5 years of partnering with Jiminy Wicket. The gauge to determine how successful a game has been is calculated by SPH (Smiles Per Hour)!! Everyone was totally engaged and connected to the event itself. It's amazing to watch all the cares of the world be lifted on a favorite past time of so many...and for some a new learning experience. This is one of the many reasons we enjoy our Partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, they strive for many of the same ideals that we do here at Juniper.

So, the event was Friday, June 21, Nancy, Vickie, Gertrude, Wayne and Leon attended. The event was part of the Longest Day Event for the Alzheimer's Association. It was sponsored by Jiminy Wicket, Colorado Senior Care Advisers and the Denver Croquet Club. The croquet games ran from 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM and were played at the Denver Croquet Club croquet lawn at Washington Park in Denver. We all had a wonderful time, Leon and Wayne were on a team with the two ladies pictured with them. Wayne's team won. Wayne was totally in his element talking with the ladies about his military service. Leon really enjoyed clowning around with the croquet mallet and seemed to really have a wonderful time as well. Gertrude was a little hot so I'm not sure she enjoyed it as much as everyone else but she said she had a good time. Both Leon and Wayne admitted that they hadn't played croquet since they were kids so, it was really exciting watching them enjoy it so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesian Cooking Class

In celebration of our Alive in All Seasons Theme for June: Food, Live In Wellness, our Connections team put together a cooking class hosted by one of our lovely caregivers, Masnur. Masnur is from Indonesia and is a great cook, which made her an excellent candidate for this amazing cooking class. Residents enjoyed the wonderful smells and experience that was provided. The opportunity to utilize skills once used regularly, such as cooking and using chop sticks, was appreciated by those that were able to attend!

 

 

 

 

Juniper Communities celebrates 25 years of Nurturing the Spirit of Life with Juniper Village at Aurora

If you know Juniper, you know we love to celebrate every opportunity we can; we were so very excited to host this celebration in honor of our parent company, Juniper Communities. We enjoyed the wonderful company of our family, our friends, and those that were able to come into Juniper for the first time, it was a great turnout! Being able to showcase our Signature Programs with the display boards, enabled everyone to see what really does set Juniper apart from the crowd. Our Partners in Caring program is one that was alive and well at this event, being able connect with our neighboring vendors, communities, families, friends...IS Partners In Caring. If you'd like to learn more about our Signature Programs, come on in and we'll tell you all about it.

Every aspect of our celebration was absolutely perfect. From the beautiful food that was prepared by our Chef, to the smiles that were beaming throughout the community...which almost was as bright as the sun that was shining. But have no worries, we had our shades on, more than anything to signify that We See Life's Possibilities! To make the world a better place, a place where each of us can live life fully throughout all seasons of life. At Juniper, we are passionate about our vision!

The laughter that filled the air was almost in harmony with the violinist as she played wonderful music. The conversation with each person was most enjoyable and pleasant.

25 years is a generation...you can believe that we are embracing the next generation as we speak.

Awaken Your Passion...

Awaken Your Passion...that's what the Overland High School Boys Basketball Team did for the basketball enthusiast at Juniper Village!!

Basketball has been known to be an art, to those that are players and to the on-lookers. Just as there is a wide variation of artists, there are just that with the players. From the way the ball is dribbled to the way he shoots a 3-pointer, there is variation in form. Just as many paintings are similar, no two pieces are the same...just as no two players are the same. Basketball is an Art.

We had a wonderful opportunity to watch "art" in action recently at Overland HS. The team showed their skill, talent, and love for the game. Some of our residents were able to get out to the late evening game and returned just as the snow was coming down.

The team has also been to Juniper Village at Aurora to connect with residents one to one...giving us an opportunity to see the artist within each player, up close and personal. Each player providing time that was filled with true awe aspiring moments, laughter to fill the air, and joy with our residents. What an awesome team the OHS boys and Juniper Village make!