We are committed

At Juniper we are committed to nurturing the spirit of life in each individual we serve so that they may live fully throughout all seasons of life. To us this means understanding an individual, not only their needs but their desires and responding with programs and services which provide for the highest quality of life possible. Our Alive in All Seasons program of activities is designed to foster healthy bodies, enriched minds and fulfilled spirits. These pictures and stories are living proof that we at Juniper are dedicated to walking our talk!

Friday, March 28, 2014

H'Art and Soul of Dining - New Menus with Delicious Recipes!




We are proud to announce that on April 5th our revitalized spring/summer menus will begin for our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program at all of our communities.  This new signature program will help us improve quality of life and whole person wellness for the individuals that call Juniper Village home.  We are very excited this season since the offerings will feature a delicious 5-week entrée select option featuring fabulous new choices using some of the fresh products available through our food vendors. Also, on our updated menus, we have added many lighter alternatives as well as recipes specific to each community that take into account special diets, regional tastes, food committee requests and our resident’s special needs and personal requests.  These changes to our meal plans significantly increase the variety of selections provided for our residents while focusing upon scratch made offerings and heart-healthy meals.  Furthermore, in celebration of our AIAS spring quarter “Healthy Aging,” our Grill Menus will be re-vamped to highlight healthier offerings throughout the season. In addition we will be implementing an innovative hydration assurance program served from our “Oasis Carts,” featuring a variety of flavored waters using citrus or mint or cucumbers, fresh brewed iced tea, lemonade, punch, smoothies and juices as well as nutritious snacks.

Below are some of the recipes featured on our new menu:

Carrot-Currant Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour (to measure, spoon into a cup and level)
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup carrot juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup dried currants
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl whisk together butter, egg, milk, carrot juice and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and gently fold just until moistened. Fold carrots and dried currants into the mix. Scoop batter into the muffin pan and bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan (cool on a wire rack if you have one).

Yellow Squash Soup
Cooking Spray
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup diced yellow squash
3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (15 ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes

Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The Eli Ripple Effect: Here for our Residents Until the Very End




All of us are apprehensive about the inevitability of dying and the uncertainty that lies ahead.  But what must it be like if you face dying alone, without family or friends to comfort you?

Eleanor Copeland was a "young" 95 year old resident at Juniper Village at Williamstown.  She had lived there for almost two years before her death this January.  She could often be found tapping her walker to the sounds of live music, sitting outside soaking up the sun and cuddling up to Gunner, Williamstown's resident dog, or deeply engrossed in a conversation with her close friend Linda, another resident at Williamstown.  Eleanor, who was married to her husband Stanley until his death 16 years ago, had no children.

Eleanor believed strongly that if she could not remain independent in her daily activities, that it was time for her to say goodbye.  Throughout her stay with us, she remained adamant that if she became ill, she wanted no heroics or procedures to prolong her life.

In January, Eleanor suffered a heart attack.  True to her convictions, she declined any treatment, including a catheter or surgery.  After a short hospitalization, she returned to her home at Williamstown, but soon started to fail, requiring a return visit to the hospital.

This time she was placed in CHP, and doctors informed her if she wanted to live, she needed a pacer to treat her low heart rate.  Again Eleanor said no.  True to her wishes, we arranged for Eleanor to be followed by hospice and once again she returned to Williamstown, where she could only maintain comfort in her recliner.

During the day, Linda spent hours by her side, reading the newspaper to her and holding her hand.  One evening, after Linda left her bedside to retire for the night, she alerted the nursing staff that Eleanor expressed fears of dying, and of dying alone.

Eleanor lived a little over twenty four hours, but during that period she was never alone.  One of our caring staff members was always with her, from the housekeeping staff to the nursing staff to the CNAs.  The following evening when shift change occurred at 11:00 PM, three of our staff, Elise Morris, Katie Price and Janet Price clocked out, and then, along with staff from the next shift, stayed by Eleanor's bedside until she died at 2:00 AM. During that time, they removed her chipped nail polish, which they knew she would have preferred, reminded her of the full life she led by reading from her, "My Life Story," and talked lovingly to her about her beloved husband, Stanley.

For all of us, death is the ultimate separation from those we know and love, making dying alone intolerable.  Thanks to the caring staff at Juniper Village at Williamstown, Eleanor left this earth feeling loved and connected to those who truly cared for her.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Rocking the House!!


Williamstown is rocking the house this month as we celebrate our
"Alive In All Seasons" theme of: Performance: "Your Treasure Is
Within"! As we are coming to a close of March 2014 we have enjoyed so
many absolutely precious and celebratory moments with our residents,
families, and friends throughout the community! We enjoy the very
special treasure within each person as we make every birthday special
and create memories for them with their buddies and friends, enjoying
a wonderful party with birthday cake and more!

We welcomed our very elite group of Rowan University Students in to
perform their special talents and host a special bingo day! We also
welcomed the wonderful and amazing interactive performance of
"Flavian" who created a wonderful experience for all! Residents also
demonstrated their wonderful artistic gifts and talents as they
created the most beautiful paintings to be displayed on our Artists
Wall of Fame! To conclude our month, we have enjoyed the most joyous
Irish Cultural Day and St. Patty's Day event and everyone enjoyed
green beverages, the festive treats, Irish music, dance and more!

Please feel free to stop in and celebrate "Your Treasure Within" here
at Juniper Village of Williasmtown for all of our wonderful upcoming
events! You are always welcome!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

"Your Treasure Within"


This month as we celebrate our "Alive In All Seasons" theme of:
Performance - "Your Treasure Is Within", we are truly enjoying the
celebration of life! We kicked off this month with a fabulous Mardi
Gras event with an outstanding musical performance and the entire
house was packed with standing room only!
We had so many families, friends and new guests from the community
that shared this wonderful celebration with us! One guest shared that
she was greeted with ray of sunshine and never stopped smiling even as
the event came to a close. The dance floor was full and everyone
enjoyed the festive treats of the Mardi Gras tradition!

We also enjoyed a wonderful celebration of "The Treasure Within" as we
shared with our resident a beautiful birthday celebration in which he
got to "Cut The Cake" to find the baby in the "King Cake", his special
birthday cake as we all shared with his family the joy of his turning
93 years of age! He still is the best dancer out there!

We look forward to many other wonderful performances this month! Join
us and discover your "Treasure Within"!