Memorial Day Recognition

On Tuesday, May 31, over 20 first and second grade students from Trinity Christian School in Forest Hills visited Juniper Village and performed a variety of patriotic songs in honor of Memorial Day. As a special tribute they recognized the community's residents who served in the different branches of the military and performed a song thanking each of them for their service. Everyone had a great time listening to their performance and waving their flags.

June 2016 Events in Pittsburgh, PA: 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 Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills include our:

§  Caregiver Support Group Meeting approved by the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association where we will discuss how appetites and eating abilities change as the illness progresses on June 8th at 1:30 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  Summer Fruit Carving Class taught by Juniper Village’s Dietary Manager, Ken Miller, you will learn the techniques used by the experts to adorn your summer picnics and parties than with beautifully carved fruit on June 9th at 6:00 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901. Cost is just $20.00 and will include your own set of carving knives.)

§  Father’s Day All You Can Eat Breakfast to enjoy a variety of breakfast favorites, just like dad used to make on June 19th at 8:30 am. (RSVP to 412-244-9901 by June 15th. Free for residents and just $10.00 for visitors with all proceeds to benefit the American Disabled Vets Association.)

§  Father’s Day Celebration if you are not able to make it for our Father’s Day Breakfast, or just want to stay longer, then join us in the afternoon for a variety of desserts along with musical entertainment by local accordion player, Roy Kim, at an afternoon fit for a king on June 19th at 2:30 pm. (No need to RSVP. Free for residents and guests.)

§  Marriage & Memories as residents are invited to bring in their wedding gowns, photo albums and memories to share with one another, while information is shared about the fashion styles of wedding gowns, and those who can still fit into their gowns will be invited to model them for us; a small reception with assorted wedding cookies and punch will be served afterward on June 29th at 3:00 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills with you as you Live in Wellness.

Annual Mother's Day Lunch and Tea Social

Mother's of all ages joined us on Sunday, May 8th for our Annual Mother's Day Lunch and Tea Social.  Over 120 residents and guests enjoyed a delicious gourmet filet mignon and shrimp feast in the Dining Room.  Later in the afternoon, the residents, their families, and guests were treated to an afternoon Tea Social featuring a variety of decadent desserts and a strolling violinist.  It was a Mother's Day fit for a Queen!

2016 Partners in Personal Care Conference

Participating in the 2016 Partners in Personal Care Conference are Julie Alakson of UPMC Senior Communities, Jim Gaffney of Peak Performance Training and Janet Wangler, ED of JVFH.

The 2016 Partners in Personal Care Conference, the 8th annual such meeting, took place on April 27th at the Monroeville Doubletree. The conference covered issues relating to regulatory and compliance information, leadership training, and inter-personal communication methods. The conference provided continuing education credits approved by the PA Department of Human Services for Personal Care Home Administrators. 

Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango Wins The 2016 Juniper Communities “ Best Chef” Competition!

On Sunday, April 24 the Dietary Managers from the three Western Pennsylvania Juniper Communities gathered for their annual “Best Chefs” Competition.  This year, the competition was held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Forest Hills 9^th Annual Chili Cook Off.  The three Juniper Communities Dietary Managers competing for the “Best Chili” and the Juniper Communities title of “Best Chef for 2016” were Ken Miller, Dietary Manager for Juniper Village at Forest Hills, Nathan Reed, Dietary Manager for  Juniper Village at Shenango, and Erin Bringredler, Dietary Manager from our Juniper Village at Meadville community. 

The Rotary Club of Forest Hills’s Chili Cook Off had 15 Contestants and over 250 visitors from the local area tasting and voting for their favorite Chili entry.  Also selecting a winner, was the Celebrity Judge for the event Chris Fennimore, TV Celebrity from WQED TV and host of QED Cooks.

After much tasting, Nathan Reed from Juniper Village at Shenango was crowned the “Best Business Entry” Award and received $200.00 from the Rotary judges. Surprisingly, his entry was also selected as the Best Juniper Communities entry.  Congratulations Nathan!!  You are Juniper Communities “ 2016 Best Chef’s” Award winner!   Your “Cowboy Chili” entry really won the hearts, and the taste buds, of these city slickers!! 

May 2016 Events in Pittsburgh, PA: 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 Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills include our:

§  Cinco De Mayo Celebration with an authentic Mexican Lunch complete with Mexican music and a Piñata full of goodies for dessert, free for residents and just $5.00 for Guests on May 5^th at noon. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  Mother’s Day Lunch as our chef prepares a delicious meal fit for a queen, free for residents and just $15.00 for guests and visitors, but due to limited space, guests are limited to 2 per resident, with all proceeds to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on May 8^th at noon. (RSVP by May 6^th to 412-244-9901.)

§  Mother’s Day Tea Social to enjoy an assortment of teas, tea sandwiches and desserts while relaxing to violin music as performed by Musician’s With A Mission, free for residents and guests, so don’t forget to wear your hat and gloves on May 8^th at 3:00 pm. (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 as this month we will discuss the mobility changes that occur as the illness progresses and how physical activity can help maintain mobility on May 11^th at 1:30 pm. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

§  Memorial Day BBQ as we kick off the summer and enjoy a variety of traditional summer favorites, free for residents and just $5.00 for visitors and guests, but due to limited space, guests are limited to 2 per resident, with all proceeds to benefit the Disabled American Vets organization on May 30^th at noon. (RSVP to 412-244-9901.)

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Pittsburgh, PA at Juniper Village at Forest Hills with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Trinity Christian School

On Tuesday, April, 12 Students from Trinity Christian School in Forest Hills visited with the residents of Juniper Village and presented a scene from their play Alice In Wonderland.  The presentation was a preview for their annual school play performance that was held April 14-16.