June 2015 Events in Louisville, CO: Live in Wellness

We close this quarter’s theme of Healthy Aging: “Let Wellbeing Thrive” with a focus on Food, as we Live in Wellness through our June 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville. Hippocrates advises, “Let food be thy medicine”. Research shows that eating a well-planned, balanced mix of foods every day has many health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some kinds of cancer, and anemia. But, food has other benefits. There are also emotional needs that are satisfied by food. Most of us have fond memories of food from days gone by. Whether it was our mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies, a hotdog from a street vendor or our wedding cake, food has a way of transporting us back to the past. It is in that spirit that Juniper’s dining program is called the H’art and Soul of Dining. The philosophy is that we impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through the sharing of good food. In addition to meeting our resident’s unique nutritional needs, we also meet their emotional and social needs as well.

Join us for our June 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville to share in our hydration program, complete with healthy snacks and learn more about healthy food and wellness with our dietitian presentations as we continue to Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville include our:

§  Dads and Donuts for our Delightful Dads because they were very often the first to teach us how to ride a bike, throw a baseball or drive a car, and although we appreciate them all throughout the year, it’s nice to have a day just for them, so we will have a decadent array of pastries to eat, and a photo opportunity with an authentic old fashioned car to remember the good times on June 13^th at 10:30 am.

§  Summer Picnic Kickoff because it’s time to start the summer right, and what better way to do that than great food and a live blue grass band, plus flip flops, water melon and good ol’ fried chicken, so grab your sunblock and join us for some afternoon fun here at Juniper Village at Louisville on June 18^th at noon.

§  Food on a Stick because we've designated a day of pure delight with nothing but food that’s prepared on a stick, so come join in as our cooks get creative with this fabulous invention, and make sure you arrive with an appetite, and don’t be surprised if you run into Freckles or Twinkles clowning around on June 22^nd at 2:30 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our June 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville!

Former WASP Betty Lotowycz Flew for her Country

as seen on The Denver Channel ABC 7 News

If putting on a hat could take you back in time, Betty Lotowycz would be traveling with her daughter, Sophia Stoller, to 1942.

"How's that look?" asked Lotowycz, the moment she put back on the blue WASP beret.

"That looks pretty good," her daughter said with a laugh. "I think your head might have grown."

During World War II, while men were flying planes in combat, women were answering a call closer to home.

"Somebody had to fly the planes at home, you couldn't just let them rust on the ground," said Lotowycz.

She was one of the pioneering women who paid their own way to get to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot, or WASP, as they were known.

Their mission was to fly military aircraft in the United States to free up men for combat flights.

The applicants were required to already have a pilot's license, but to become a WASP, they had to pass intense military training.

"You had to march in formation?" asked Stoller, looking at photographs.

"Oh God, yes," her mother said with a groan. "And we stayed in barracks and boy, was that hot. We had these rotten little cots, and they let us drag them outside for the night because it got cooler at night."

More than 25,000 women applied to be a WASP, only 1,800 were accepted, and just over 1,000 graduated -- including Lotowycz.

She flew different types of aircraft all over the country, delivering planes and cargo to bases, and even serving as a test pilot for military aircraft that could be less than reliable.

"When you were testing aircraft, after they had been worked on if there had been a problem, didn't you usually ask the mechanic to come up with you?" asked Stoller, remembering the stories her mother has told her over the years.

"You bet we did!" Lotowycz with a grin. "And if he said he was busy, we'd say, 'Well, work on the plane a little longer, and we'll go up together again.'"

In less than two years, the WASPs flew more than 60 million miles for their country before the government suddenly disbanded the program.

The pilots had to pay their own way home and were almost forgotten.

"WASP, what's a WASP? An insect that will sting you! Watch out!" laughed Lotowycz.

The women couldn't get veterans benefits or even jobs.

Lotowycz applied to be a commercial pilot using her nickname, Gerry.

"And you got as far as the interview they said sorry the flying public wasn't ready?" asked Sophia.

"For women pilots," Lotowycz  finished her sentence, shaking her head.

It wasn't until 1977 that the WASPS were finally given status as veterans, and in 2009, they received the Congressional Gold Medal.

"It is wonderful to get recognition after many years of being pushed to the side," said Stoller. "Because, you know, we sort of accept that after a while. 'It doesn't count, or it wasn't important.' But actually, it did count. It was important. I'm very proud of you mom."

Betty and three other local veterans will be honored during the Bolder Boulder's Memorial Day tribute on Monday.

2015 Juniper Leadership Conference Awards

Juniper celebrated its 27^th anniversary this year.  Each year communities are honored for their achievements in critical operational and financial areas.

Awards were presented at the 2015 Juniper Leadership Conference, held this year in Baltimore’s historic inner harbor.  Awards were presented by Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, and Diane Byrne, Vice President of Program, Development, Training & Operational Oversight.

At the recent Juniper leadership conference, Juniper Village at Louisville was presented the Juniper Customer Satisfaction Award in recognition of the highest overall satisfaction score in the company in 2014.

May 2015 Events in Louisville, CO: Grow Strong Daily

Fitness is on our mind during our May 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville with our Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily”. As you know, physical activity is good for you both physically and mentally. Regular physical activity can help you to continue to do the things you love and stay independent as you age. Exercise can reduce the risk of developing some diseases and reduce symptoms of some chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and balance issues.

But, if exercise has not been a part of your daily routine how do you take that first step? Start by making it fun! Turn a walk around the block into a scavenger hunt – search for daffodils, birds, squirrels or lucky pennies. Instead of a dip in the pool, create an adventure as you pretend to swim with the dolphins. Rather than send your co-worker an email, walk to her office and communicate face to face, double the benefit with a smile! What’s important is to make it fun and just start – today!

Join us for our May 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville as we will Grow Strong Daily with Fitness Five, and walk “cross country” with our Route 66 Walking Program and learn more about keeping our hearts fit at our Healthy Heart Luncheon. We look forward to sharing these and many other activities with you this month. Peruse this month’s calendar, and we will see you soon!

Our fabulous May 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville include our:

§  Way to Grow Party as we are inviting our friends and family to launch our planting season since many of you have a great amount of knowledge that we could use our in our very own back yard and we will also be serving fruit salad with beverages on May 15^th at 10:00 am.

§  Juniper Olympics because it’s time to get competitive here so come and challenge your skills at our very own ring toss or try to hit the bell to the top of our high striker on May 28^th at 10:00 am.

We hope to see you at one or more of our May 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville!

April 2015 Events in Louisville, CO: Believe in Yourself

Welcome to April - the name derived from the Latin word Aperire meaning “to open”; the month when everything starts to bloom and come alive. What better time to really put forth your best efforts and see the true beauty inside than the month in which everything begins anew! Diana Ross, in the Wiz, advises “believe in yourself, right from the start. You'll have brains; you’ll have a heart; you’ll have courage to last your whole life through if you believe in yourself.” So let’s put our best foot forward, believe in ourselves and we can move mountains!

Join us for our April 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville as we pull pranks on April Fool’s Day; honor Jesus Christ on Good Friday, followed by hiding Easter eggs; celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery on Passover; and celebrate mother earth on Earth Day and Arbor Day. Peruse this month’s calendar as we focus on the brain through our Daily Brain Builders, Wii tournaments and our Healthy Brain Luncheon. Plan to join us for any and all events. Also, check out our Healthy Aging Resource Library to learn more about the brain or any number of health related topics. We look forward to seeing you during this fun filled month.

Our fabulous April 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville include our:

Ø  Easter Brunch for a fun filled magical morning as hopping along in the courtyard will be our very own Easter Bunny named Peter whose favorite thing to do is hide magical Easter eggs filled with surprises and our residents take great joy in watching the smiles of grandchildren run eager in anticipation on April 4^th at 10:00 am.

Ø  Brainiac 101 with Nina who is very well known in our community and will transport us to an imaginative world filled with excitement and inspiration followed by a smorgasbord of healthy brain foods and great company on April 17^th at 10:00 am.

Ø  Juniper Game Show with our very own hand crafted wheel and “Vana White” as we would love to challenge you in a game of Finish that Phrase and there will be excellent brain food to enjoy as you sit back and enjoy the show on April 21^st at 3:30 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our April 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville!

Juniper Communities Introduces Theralink for Onsite Integrated Therapy at Juniper Village at Louisville

Juniper Communities, a national owner-operator of Juniper Village senior living communities, is rolling out Theralink in all its facilities, and locally at Juniper Village at Louisville. Theralink is an on-site program designed to help residents regain and maintain independence, fitness and overall wellbeing. It is being implemented through a newly established partnership between Juniper Communities and Genesis Rehab Services.

“Rehabilitation, restorative services, and fitness are vital to healthy aging and whole person wellness,” explains Lynne Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities. “Coordinated with other clinical services permits, Juniper will be able to provide integrated post-acute care onsite at the communities through Theralink. This is especially important for Juniper’s residents who want and need more intensive rehabilitation services in their ‘home’.”

Grant Welson, Area Director for Genesis Rehab Services states, “Juniper is taking an industry lead by creating Theralink to offer onsite therapy services where they are integrated into everyday patient care. Feedback from preliminary implementation from Juniper’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The Theralink program will provide physical, occupational, speech, and when needed respiratory therapy that is integrated into the care Juniper currently delivers. Elements of Theralink include special balance and strength training, and fall prevention programs; technology and apps that facilitate and record personal fitness training; dementia management programs that integrate cognitive and occupational therapies; cardiopulmonary management; and monthly assessment reports.

March 2015 Events in Louisville, CO: Your Treasure Is Within

Treasure hunting has been around forever! The search for riches has evolved from archaeological digs revealing lost treasure to present day treasure hunts such as television’s “The Amazing Race”. Much has been written about the allure of treasure, but one thing that we’ve come to realize is that the treasure within is the most valuable of all. Each one of us has a treasure within and through our March 2015 events in Louisville, CO we will be exploring that treasure at Juniper Village at Louisville - be it your ability to sing, play a musical instrument, recite dramatic prose or balance a spoon at the end of your nose. No treasure is too small! In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.”

With our March 2015 events in Louisville, CO at Juniper Village at Louisville we end our Creative Expressions Series with a focus on Performance. Please join us during our March 2015 events in Louisville, CO while we recognize “Your Treasure is Within” as we provide opportunities to express yourself through our weekly drama clubs and by attending theatrical performances. If step dancing and corned beef and cabbage is more your thing, sample all that is Irish with our annual St. Patrick’s Day party or walk the red carpet and share your movie trivia skills at our Oscar Party.

Our fabulous March 2015 events in Louisville, CO include our Spellbinders professional story telling event where our minds will create a new world for us to explore on March 4^th at 10:00 am; our Simply Soothing Symphony as we enjoy the privilege of live classical musicians here on March 18^th at 2:00 pm; or our Pot of Gold Party as we celebrate our Irish heritage because we are all a little Irish in March with a group of Irish dancers as well as green inspired food and drinks on March 24^th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our March 2015 events in Louisville, CO, so check out our calendar for more!