Juniper Village at Forest Hills Celebrates President's Day

What better way to celebrate President's Day than with a visit from America's favorite president, Abraham Lincoln. Local impersonator and re-inactor Rick Miller visited Juniper Village on Monday, February 16th and shared some interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln, his childhood and how he traveled throughout the Western Pennsylvania region just weeks prior to his death.

Love Was In The Air at Juniper Village at Forest Hills

Sweethearts young and old started their Valentine's Day Weekend early on Friday February 13th with Juniper Village at Forest Hills Valentine's Day Happy Hour. Residents, family members and guests enjoyed a lovely musical performance by local guitar player and performer, Gene Ellsworth while
enjoying a variety of decadent chocolate desserts made by Juniper Village's award winning Dietary Department. You are never too old for love....

Awaken Your Passion: February Events

This month at Juniper Village we continue our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Art.

Creating art for many of our seniors has been a lifelong passion, for others it may have been a casual hobby or serious vocation. Whatever the reason, art has substantial benefits to our bodies, minds and spirits! In Successful Aging, John W. Rowe, MD, and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, discuss key aspects of successful aging: low risk of disease, high mental and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. Expressive art activities promote active engagement in life in positive, healthy, and fulfilling ways - in other words, nurturing the spirit of life. Recent studies further indicate that older adults who participate in art programs have fewer doctor visits, use less medication, and experience a lower rate of depression – all resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our 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 how a heart healthy diet can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease in younger generations on February 11^th at 1:30 pm; our Valentine’s Day Celebration as Sweethearts of all ages are invited to join us as we celebrate Valentine’s day with a variety of decadent desserts and musical entertainment by local singer and guitar player, Gene Ellsworth, at an event that is free for residents and guests on February 13^th at 3:00 pm (RSVPs encouraged at 412-244-9901); our Presidents Day Celebration in honor of Presidents Day and the 151st Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with local Abraham Lincoln impersonator, Rick Miller, who presents his interpretation of the Gettysburg Address and discusses the impact that President Lincoln had on the Civil War and our country’s history on February 16^th at 1:30 pm; or our Diabetes Support Group Meeting to gain insight, knowledge, support, and understanding from others battling this American epidemic on February 24^th at 1:30 pm.

Look through our calendar and plan to join us this month and “Awaken Your Passion” as we explore various mediums to expression through weekly art programs and visits to local art museums. Or, if art isn’t your thing, tailgate with us during the Super Bowl, await the Ground Hog’s prediction, our join in one of our festive celebrations on Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day or Mardi Gras.

Back To The 50's Again

The house and all of our residents were rocking last night (Thursday, January 29, 2015) with Juniper Village at Forest Hills "Back To The 50's Again" sock hop. This is our 4th year for hosting the sock hop, and each year it gets bigger and better.  Thanks to decorations, The dining room was magically transformed into an old fashioned diner and everyone dined on hamburgers, french fries and ice cream sundaes. The staff and guests were dressed in their bobby socks and poodle skirts, and we all sang along and danced all night to local Elvis impersonator, Randy Galioto's musical tribute to Elvis, the King of Rock-and-Roll!!   As you can see, it was a great time!!

Music Around the World

January is Music Month here at Juniper Village at Forest Hills.  Throughout the month our residents and visitors have been exploring the many ways in which music brings us joy.  Whether it be through listening and learning about the many different types of music like classical European music, Greek, Indian, Japanese, Native American and Australian music; playing an instrument, or getting up to dance.... Music is a part of our lives each and every day.

Juniper Village at Forest Hills: Our Clinical Outcomes Speak forThemselves

We want to be your partner of choice in the new shared savings environment. At Juniper Village at Forest Hills, we have been collecting critical data for nearly 10 years. For example, we closely monitor residents to assure successful returns from either the hospital or rehabilitation setting.

Another contributing factor to acute re-admissions is infections, in particular Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). The senior population can be extremely susceptible to infections and proper care and monitoring is paramount. Our wellness response team is skilled in recognizing symptoms of UTI in order to provide proactive interventions that reduce the need for hospitalization.

Another common cause of both initial hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations is medication errors. Changes to medication regime whether after a scheduled physician appointment or emergency hospitalization can leave patients confused about what medications are most current. Our wellness team is responsible for medication reconciliation and management, a process which virtually eliminates medication errors.

Communication is key and Juniper Village at Forest Hills takes communication to the next level through:

• Use of Electronic Health Records (Point Click Care)
• Optimized care transitions protocols
• Full implementation of INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers)
• Use of a highly recognizable and consistent transfer information packet
• Focus on resident and care giver education and engagement
• Individualized care and service

Contact us today to see how we can assist you in managing your patient transitions.

Welcome New Beginnings: January Events

Welcome to 2015! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time for change when we make and sometimes break our New Year’s resolutions and focus on what we want to make better 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! 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. Hospitals are using music to help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety and to ease recovery in stroke patients.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Sound Therapy Techniques presentation with local Yoga instructors Gallina and Mike to learn how sounds can help with meditation and relaxation on January 9^th at 3:00 pm; our Caregiver Support Group Meeting approved by the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and are affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association this month we will discuss how changing your approach can help you achieve desired results from a loved one with memory loss on January 14^th at 1:30 pm; our Benefits of Music Therapy event with  board certified music therapist Jessica Mull from Mull Music Therapy demonstrating how music can address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of senior on January 23^rd at 3 pm; our Seniors For Safe Driving Refresher Course a  1/2 day seminar is only $16.00 and is designed for drivers over the age of 55 who have already taken the initial course and want to continue to receive a 5% discount on their automobile insurance premiums on January 27^th 9 am to noon (RSVP to 1-800-559-4880); our Back To The 50’s Again Sock Hop with local Elvis Presley impersonator Randy Galioto in “Elvis: A Tribute To The King” for an old fashioned Sock Hop musical performance and dinner that is free for residents and just $5.00 for guests and everyone is encouraged to dress in 50’s style clothing with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society on January 29^th at 5:00 pm (RSVP to 412-244-9901 by January 21^st)!

Look through our calendar and 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 habit of joining us for activities and events throughout the year!