November 2015 Events in Pittsburgh, PA: Cherish The Journey

Family is a simple word, with complex meaning. To some family is the people you are related to by blood, but to some family is the people you choose to hold in high regard, and to others family isn’t people at all, but animals – our beloved pets.

Regardless of the definition, family plays an important role in our personal journey. As the saying goes, “Family is what you make it.” Whether made of blood relatives, friends, colleagues or pets, your family can offer you the support you need to thrive.

This month we celebrate family and reflect on our personal journeys while creating new memories for the future. Join us as we reminisce about these journeys through autobiographical journaling. Plan to share with those less fortunate through our annual food drive from November 1-30 with all non-perishable food items being donated to a local food bank. Also interact and share with others through our community support groups, and know that you are not alone. Throughout the month we will also be hosting several family events as we celebrate family and give thanks. We encourage you to review our calendar and join us for any or all of our events and Cherish The Journey!

Our fabulous November 2015 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills include our:

§  Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Workshop to celebrate Veteran’s Day by learning about the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance program with Veterans’ Specialist, Kim Leve from Congressman Doyle’s Office, who will be on hand to share information about the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Benefit program, answer any benefit questions you may have, and discuss how the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance program can help you or a loved one pay for your long term care on November 7^th at 10:30 am. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  Caregiver Support Group Meeting approved by the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and are affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association to gain support and education as this month we will discuss the importance of families and how everyone in the family needs to help when it comes to caring for a loved one on November 11^th at 1:30 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  Veteran’s Patriotic Presentation as we honor local area Veterans and Resident Veterans for their military service with a delicious meal and patriotic musical performance by local entertainer, Dennis Smalley; free for all Veterans and just $5.00 for guests with all proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project on November 11^th at 5:30 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  National Memory Screening Day as free private memory screenings with confidential results will be conducted at Juniper Village at Forest Hills to test your memory skills, learn about services available, and discover whether you or a loved one might have a memory problem on November 17^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.) 

We look forward to sharing our November 2015 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills with you as we Cherish The Journey.

Can You Figure Out Who Done It??

Were you a fan of Criminal Minds or Law & Order?   Do you remember Murder, She Wrote?   Solving the crime was half the fun!  On Friday, October 16th, residents and family members at Juniper Village at Forest Hills got to test their sleuthing skills with a unique presentation called Gum Shoe Science.  Gum Shoe Science is a hands-on demonstration by Science Instructors from the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh about ways to solve a crime.  With Gum Shoe Science the residents became crime scene investigators.  They learned how to gather clues, analyze data, uncover fingerprints, and figure out 'whodunit' through the use of science and technology.  Look out Angela Lansbury!!

Steeler's Pep Rally

On Thursday, October 1st the family members, staff and residents at Juniper Village at Forest Hills were invited to dress in their black and gold and show their team spirit by joining us for an old fashioned Steeler's Pep Rally. Here to lead the pep rally and perform some cheers were members of the Woodland Hills High School Cheerleading Department. Those attending enjoyed Steeler's Smiley Cookies brought by the Cheerleading Team along with a delicious dinner in the dining room featuring stadium style foods and Pittsburgh area favorites.

Go Steelers!!!

Teach an Old Cat New Tricks?!

You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks...but what about a cat?? On Friday, September 27 the residents had a chance to see just how talented cats really are when two cats from the Kitty Kat Theatre performed. Their unique combination of music, costumes and amazing talent delighted the crowd!!

October 2015 Events in Pittsburgh, PA: Show Your Colors

Every October we turn our Alive in All Seasons focus to holidays and sports as we “Keep the Spirit” during this last celebratory quarter of the year. Sporting events are inevitably part of that celebration for many families.

According to Dr. Renee Clauselle, founder of Child and Family Psychology, “Bonding over sports — the highs and lows of the game — strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things.” Think of sports as an opportunity to connect with others over a favorite – or even rival – team and learn more about each other. Even strangers can learn more about where they grew up, which teams they support, which sports they played and how those sports are different today. You may even learn something about your loved ones that you never knew. Perhaps great-grandma played softball in a women’s league during college. That would be something to pass along to future generations! Watching a sporting event can become so much more than plays and scores; it can become an opportunity to learn the history of someone you love.

Join us this month and “Show Your Colors” as we sponsor a local sports team, get into the spirit of the season with our Halloween Costume Party and honor those associates who go above and beyond with our annual Juniper Spirit Awards.

Our fabulous October 2015 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills include our:

§  Show Your Colors – Steeler’s Pep Rally to express your team spirit dress in your favorite black and gold to join us for an old fashioned Pep Rally with the Woodland Hills High School Cheerleaders, then stay and enjoy dinner featuring stadium style foods on October 1^st at 3:00 pm. (RSVP for dinner free for residents and guests to 412-224-9901.)

§  Alive Inside / Music & Memory Presentation as Bonnie Caripolti,Juniper Village’s Alzheimer’s Support Group facilitator and Stephen Haberberger from Amedisys Hospice Care share information on the benefits of music for dementia patients and how our new Music & Memory program will work, then visitors are invited to stay after the presentation for a private viewing of the award winning movie, Alive Inside, on October 13^th at 6:00 pm.

§  Caregiver Support Group Meeting approved by the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and are affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association as this month we will discuss ways to keep your loved one moving and more active on October 14^th at 1:30 pm.

§  Benefits of Therapy For Seniors as the Physical Therapists from Genesis Therapy share information on the benefits of exercise and physical therapy for seniors to discover why therapy is so important, how to do it properly and tips on what you can do at home to keep you going strong on October 21^st at 1:30 pm.

§  Alzheimer’s Memory Walk - North Shore Trail at Heinz Field on the North Shore because the walk to end Alzheimer’s starts here, so join us for the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Foundation’s Annual Memory Walk on October 24^th at 8:00 am.  (Sign up at the front desk to walk as part of the Juniper Village Team, or form your own team.)

§  Spooktacular Halloween Celebration as all ghosts and goblins are invited to join us for an afternoon of hauntingly delicious treats, a costume parade and contest, along with entertainment by Beth Steinberg and her Carousel of Costumes with costumes encouraged and prizes being awarded for the best costume on October 30^th at 3:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our October 2015 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills with you as we Show Your Colors.