July 2017 Events in Williamstown, NJ: Stand In Integrity

Each summer Juniper Village begins our quarterly Alive in All Seasons focus on Staying Connected. We promote staying connected to the community, the environment and each other. In July we shed light on staying connected to our community through volunteerism. Do you know that, as a company, we receive more than 10,000 hours of precious volunteer time each year? We have many volunteers, both human and animal, who contribute to our mission of nurturing the spirit of life. Elizabeth Andrew said it best, “volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” This month we honor all of the wonderful volunteers who make time to share a bit of their heart with us. We appreciate those who lead groups in our communities; those who share their unique skills and talents with our residents; those who provide friendly visits to our residents and give a reassuring hug or comforting puppy kiss; and the many, many other special people who enhance our lives.

This month as we focus on volunteerism we invite you to find a way that you can make a difference. Whether helping us at Juniper Village or another organization, volunteering has countless emotional and physical health benefits. Volunteering gives a boost not only to those receiving, but to those giving of their time as well.

Review our full calendar and make time to join us for any and all events.

This month we highlight our Ambassador Program and other volunteer opportunities for residents. In addition to volunteer opportunities, we invite you to join us during July for our summer celebrations and share our thanks as we honor those who Stand In Integrity with us.

Our fabulous July 2017 events in Williamstown, NJ at Juniper Village at Williamstown include our:

§  Let Freedom Ring Celebration as we celebrate our Alive In all Seasons theme of “Stand In Integrity” and kick it all off with a fun BBQ and Patriotic music honoring our volunteers, servicemen/women and local heroes who sacrifice themselves in order to make our lives better, so stop by and meet some of these wonderful people on July 4^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

§  Presentation Betsy Ross’s Neighbor as we “stay connected” by listening to our favorite Storyteller Dorothy Stanaitis tell the story of Betsy Ross’s (Nosy) Next Door Neighbor, so come and learn a little about America’s first flag maker and how she had two birth dates, three religions, three husbands and three grave sites during an afternoon event that is sure to please, and light refreshments will be served on July 13^th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

§  Casino Night for a night connecting with friends old and new and try our luck at one of many games as fun times will be had by all with refreshment and raffles throughout the night on July 26^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our July 2017 events in Williamstown, NJ at Juniper Village at Williamstown with you as you Stand In Integrity.

Hot Fun In The Summertime!!!!

June 21, 2017... The 172^nd day of the year, the first day of Summer & the longest day of the year (June Solstice). Here at Williamstown we started it off right with our first Summer BBQ and great music. We started with fun pictures before breakfast and continued throughout the day. We stopped for a fabulous BBQ for lunch complete with Jersey corn and fresh juicy watermelon.  After lunch the wonderfully talented Marc S. entertained us with music that we could sing and dance along to. We were thrilled to have family and friends join us on this special day. Whatever your Summer may bring please feel free to stop in for one or more of our many upcoming events. Wishing you a happy and safe Summer!!!!

Cupcake Ladies Of Williamstown!

Our ladies got down to some serious baking the other day. They made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes in the morning and when they cooled in the afternoon they rolled up their sleeves and decorated them beautifully.  They even managed to devour some in between.  While they were decorating they decided there were enough to go around so they shared them with their friends at dinner.  Everyone enjoyed these special treats!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

This past Wednesday residents, staff and families took a walk on the wild side. We packed a fabulous picnic lunch boarded a bus and headed to The Cape May Zoo. When we arrived we ate our lunch at one of the many picnic areas located at the zoo, then proceed to go and check out the animals.

We were delighted to see many animals such as bears, snow leopards, owls, monkeys, otters and some foxes. After walking around for a while we headed back to the bus for our trip home. The day was fun and brought back a lot of memories of trips we’ve taken to the zoo in the past.

Local leader in Alzheimer’s Care presents at AFA National Educating America Tour

Mary Jane Eicke, Executive Director of Juniper Village at Williamstown was honored to present at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Educating America Tour as part of its 15^th anniversary celebration. The Concepts in Care Educational Conference, held on May 19 at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, provided the opportunity for people to learn from experts on topics, including: access to healthcare, transitioning from home to residential care setting, safeguarding your space, long-term care, perceptions of aging, and clinical trials and research.

With approximately 300 people in attendance, Mary Jane discussed care for the memory-impaired and Alzheimer’s disease. Juniper Village at Williamstown has received the Excellence in Care, Dementia Care Program of Distinction designation from the AFA consistently since 2010. At that time, JVW was the first in New Jersey and only one of thirty in the country to have received the honor.

“We are proud that our pioneering programs and innovatively designed environment has enabled us to be recognized by the AFA.  Thanks to our dedicated staff, we are one of an elite number of communities that they believe ensure quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families; and one that provides an optimal care setting,” explained Mary Jane Eicke.

As for being asked to present at the conference, she said, “It was an honor to be asked to present by the AFA. I was very proud to be part of it.”

June 2017 Events in Williamstown, NJ: Live In Wellness

“You are what you eat.” The old adage is now truer than ever. Good health is largely dependent on good nutrition, so much so that doctors trace many physical and emotional ailments back to a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. Eating a well-balanced diet is a major part of encouraging long life, lowering the incidence of disease, and helping sick people recover. On the flip side, inadequate nutrition and poor quality foods can generally cut life span and open us up to many illnesses and disease. In effect, food is medicine per Webster's definition of medicine: "The science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease." Food acts as medicine - to maintain, prevent, and treat disease.

With this month’s Alive in All Seasons focus on food, we’d like to give you a prescription for a healthy diet: breakfast daily (do not skip); meals x3 (at least) daily; foods from each of the food groups per meal daily. The food pyramid defines the food groups as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and proteins. The amounts vary according to age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level. Here’s a good guideline to start you on your way. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make half your grains whole grains. Move to low-fat and fat-free dairy. Vary your protein routine and eat and drink the right amount for you.

Join us as we continue our focus on healthy aging by shedding light on our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices, and demonstrate how food and nutrition help us to Live in Wellness from a dietitian’s point of view.

Our fabulous June 2017 events in Williamstown, NJ at Juniper Village at Williamstown include our:

§  Classic Movie Night as we get ready to walk the red carpet at our screening of The King and I, so sit back, relax, and munch on some popcorn or candy along with an ice cold soda, and feel free to sing along to this 1946 classic starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr on June 8^th at 6:30 pm.

§  Father’s Day Magic Show to say Abracadabra and Hocus Pocus and enjoy a magical afternoon as we celebrate all of the wonderful Fathers in our lives, so bring the family and enjoy some of Dad’s favorite snacks, and who knows, you may be selected as the magicians helper, but just don’t disappear on us on June 18^th at 2:00 pm.

§  Summer Kick Off & Community Outreach Event because with this month’s focus on food, there’s no better way to celebrate the first day of summer then with an all-American hot dog or hamburger off the grill, so join us as we “Live In Wellness” with this summer kick off filled with delicious, and healthy food options, and to help others enjoy healthy food, we ask that you bring a canned item or dry good item that we will be donating to our local food pantry on June 21^st at 2:00 pm. (RSVP by June 12^th to 856-740-4444.)

We look forward to sharing our June 2017 events in Williamstown, NJ at Juniper Village at Williamstown with you as you Live In Wellness.

Cultural Diversity In Juniper Village at Williamstown

On May 12^th the staff of Juniper Village at Williamstown gave each other a taste of their favorite ethnic dishes at a cultural lunch. All staff were invited to participate, and we had a beautiful variety of foods from all over the globe. Needless to say it was a huge hit and we can’t wait to do it again.