January 2017 Events in Aurora, CO: 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 Aurora, CO at Juniper Village at Aurora include our:

§  Celebrate Elvis with Shelvis because the “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis is remembered here, so come have a rocking good time with Shelvis and her band on January 8^th at 6:30 pm.

§  New Year New You as we would like to say Thank You for your partnership, and to show our gratitude we are offering Free 15 minute Massages with Tours on January 26^th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

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

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.