Juniper Communities Appoints New Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing

Juniper Communities announces that Melissa “Missy” Ebner has joined Juniper as Regional Director of Wellness and Wellbeing. Missy brings a wealth of experience in nursing care, especially with seniors to her position. From a clinical perspective, her role will be to oversee the entire portfolio of clinical care and support for the residents, provide clinical oversight, and staff training. She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in every state where Juniper currently has communities.

“We are very excited to have Missy join the Juniper family,” expressed Lynne Katzmann, CEO of Juniper Communities. “She comes to Juniper with a wonderful background and deep experience in the clinical complainants of senior living. She will be a great resource for our community wellness teams and to the home office team in this changing healthcare environment.”

Missy’s interest in working with senior living communities is that they offer residents more freedom than skilled nursing settings. “The seniors can be taken care of in a homelike environment and you can become a friend, not seen as a nurse or caregiver,” she explained. “Juniper’s staff is wonderful at treating the residents as a parent or grandparent, this doesn’t always happen in institutional settings.”

Juniper Communities owns and operates Personal Care, Assisted Living, Memory-Care, Skilled Nursing and Independent Living communities in NJ, FL, CO and PA.

“Nobody is as forward thinking as Juniper. They are far ahead of the curve in the industry and where healthcare is going. The staff I’ve observed go above and beyond, always doing more even though no one is looking,” Missy described of her building level observations.

Missy Ebner has worked in the healthcare industry since 1987. She received her LPN from the James Martin School of Nursing in 1987 and her RN from Excelsior College in 2005. She is a resident of Willow Grove, PA and born and raised in Pennsylvania. She has been married to Henry Ebner for 26 years and has three children, Corey, Shane and Cassidy.  Something her family and friends know about her is that she loves to shop the Outlets, and loves a good bargain!

Celebrate Little Things: December Events

This month is all about celebrations! Not only will we be celebrating holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, but we will also celebrate the little things that make life worthwhile. Little things such as the reassuring touch of a friend’s hand, a kind word from an acquaintance and a warm smile from a stranger.

In our all too busy lives we sometimes forget to honor the simple things in life that bring us peace and joy. Most experts recommend that we allow 10-20 minutes of relaxation and stress relief each day. Making time for that can even be a stressful experience! During this busy month of baking, shopping, visitors and juggling tasks take time to remember what is really important.

Here are some tips to keep holiday stress in check: Acknowledge your feelings - you are not alone as holiday stress is not uncommon. Be realistic with expectations - you can only do so much, learn to say no. Ask for help when needed - everyone wants to be needed and may feel more included by being able to contribute. Plan ahead to minimize unplanned expenses and tasks. Take a breather - take a walk at night and do some stargazing, listen to soothing music, or get a massage. Above all enjoy all the holidays have to offer by sharing time with others.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Traditional Hot Chocolate Social to share our favorite seasonal beverage with friends on December 7^th at 2:00 pm; our Juniper Holiday Celebration Family Dinner that will feature a free delicious holiday meal in a festive atmosphere on December 11^th at 5:00 pm; our Storytelling with Miss Victoria: The Christmas Lizard for an amusing holiday tale on December 16^th at 2:00 pm; our Juniper Holiday Gift Exchange and Visit from Santa where we will share presents with friends and get to mingle with St. Nick himself on December 23^rd at 1:00 pm; or our Resident’s Happy Hour New Year’s Eve Celebration 2015 featuring cocktails and reminiscence with those dear to us on December 31^st at 8:00 pm!

Look through our calendar and join us during the busy month of December for our annual cookie exchange and holiday celebrations. Take time to Celebrate Little Things with those you love!

Veteran's Day Celebration

Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn held their annual Veteran's Day Luncheon Celebration on November 11, 2014.  The luncheon was held in the grand ballroom, where tables were set to a patriotic theme, as well as, individual bags of fresh popcorn placed at each table setting.   State Representative Mark Longietti and  Pastor Jeff Harter from Family Hospice and Palliative Care were the featured speakers for the event, talks on our country, our flag and many prayers and songs were delivered.  At the end of the ceremony,  the leadership team of Juniper Village presented America's White Table, which is a tribute to the soldiers lost or still missing.  

Juniper Village At the Shenango Inn Present…The Carnival

On October 31^st, it was a brisk fall day filled with anticipation for the Halloween festivities.  This year the leadership team of Juniper Village chose the Halloween theme, "The Carnival".  Staff was encouraged to dress up as if they were a part of the Juniper Carnival!  Clowns, A Magician, with a life sized rabbit, and even The Bearded Lady were just a few of the costumes displayed.  A family luncheon for our residents and their families was held that day and following was the carnival, where residents could play different games and earn tickets for prize filled bags!  Fun was had by all!

Cherish the Journey: November Events

Life is a journey filled with lessons, celebrations and special moments that ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. The road will not always be smooth and we may encounter many challenges. Some of these will test our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. Along the way, we may stumble upon obstacles that must be overcome. But, sometimes these obstacles are really blessings in disguise, although we may not realize it at the time. How we react to the situations we face will determine what the rest of our journey will be like.

This month Juniper Communities will honor our Families and cherish the journey we have taken together. November is all about celebrating the bonds we share and recognizing where we’ve been and where we’re going. We will do this through autobiographical journaling, reminiscing about family celebrations and breaking bread together in Thanksgiving. In order to support our families along this journey we will continue to develop our support groups and provide additional resources when needed. We will give back through our Annual Food Drive. From November 1 through November 30 all non-perishable food items collected will be donated to a local food bank.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Annual Food Drive where you can drop off non-perishable food items for the Food Warehouse of the Shenango Valley anytime all month long; our Veterans Appreciation Luncheon complimentary meal for all veterans, spouses and their families to show our appreciation for all those who have served our country on November 10^th at noon; or our Giving Thanks Juniper Family Dinner Celebration for our family and friends to feast on the turkey, the taters, and the stuffing, as we sit around the table and count our blessings on November 20^th at 5:00 pm.

Look through our calendar and plan to join us for family celebrations, Thanksgiving dinners and many events and activities allowing us all to reflect and Cherish the Journey!

Shower our Local Shelter

Three Rivers Hospice and Family Home Health held a Puppy Shower for their new therapy puppy, Arianna at Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn on Tuesday.  The Humane Society of Mercer County were invited to attend the event,  where all donations collected were donated to the organization.  Gifts of food, pet toys, treats and food bowls were just some of the gifts donated to the local shelter, as well as, monetary gifts.   At Juniper Village our Alive in All Season theme for the month of September is, "Friendship," what better way to celebrate this months theme then with our pets that love us unconditionally and are our best friends!

Alzheimer’s Walk with Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn

This past September the team at Juniper Village Shenango participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  The event was held at Buhl Park, in Sharon, PA.  Team Shenango consisted of staff, residents and their families.  There were 25 teams that participated in the local event with 289 walkers.  Total raised was $26,664.38!  A big thank you to all that helped make this local event a huge success!

Show Your Colors: October Events

October brings forth vibrant color in our foliage as well as our sports teams. Our high school football teams will be in full swing and hockey season will prepare to fill the stands with team colors and spirit. Juniper Communities will also be honoring our colors with many sports-themed activities and events. We will be enjoying the changing colors of the season as we transition from summer to fall and the crazy costumes of our annual Halloween celebrations.

While showing our colors we not only focus on our team colors, but also showing our true colors. We recognize that working together as a team, results in better coordination of care, better quality of care and as a result better lives for our residents. This is evidenced by our excellent clinical outcomes data. We are happy to see the results of collaboration resulting in decreased re-hospitalizations and better quality of life for our residents.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our Harvest Health Fair in our grand ballroom for an evening event featuring a physician from Primary Health Network to discuss the Flu, symptoms and treatments, as well as a pharmacist from Walberg Pharmacy to discuss the Flu shot with a light meal provided by Juniper Village and giveaways throughout the evening at this complimentary community event on October 7^th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (RSVP to 724-347-4000)!

Please look through our calendar to celebrate the spirit of autumn with us and Show Your Colors!

Welcome Karen Grope!

Everyone is working hard to make a positive impact at Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn!!  As a team, we are learning, growing and sharing so that we can provide the highest quality of professionalism each and every day.  The newest member to join our Leadership Team is Karen Grope, Wellness Director.  Karen has been a nurse for 19 years in a variety of positions including Wound Care Coordinator, Community Liaison, Health and Wellness Director and Medical-Surgical Nursing.  She resides in Youngstown where she enjoys spending time with her fiancé Jim and toy poodle MonAmi. She is an artist and loves to paint and draw.  Other exciting news at Juniper Village,  Executive Director Mary Bennett and Connections Director Meg Ferlin recently received recognition by becoming Certified Dementia Practitioners! Congratulations to them both!

Spread Your Joy: September Events

September signifies the end of summer with Labor Day celebrations and the Autumnal Equinox on the 23^rd. In this last month of our “Stay Connected” series we aspire to connect with our friends and embrace the theme of Spread Your Joy.

The Mayo Clinic tells us that friends are good for your health. They can help you celebrate good times, provide support during bad times, prevent loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost happiness, reduce stress, and improve your self-confidence and self-worth. Friends can also encourage you to increase healthy habits – it’s always better to walk, run, swim or exercise with a friend. And friends don’t always have to be of the human kind either! Several studies have shown that heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our “Sip and Paint” Fundraiser featuring thirst-quenching libations and artistic creations to support the fight against Alzheimer’s on September 3^rd at 6:00 pm; our National Assisted Living Week Family Luncheon where we share a delicious meal with our closest friends and loved ones on September 11^th at noon; our Musical Performance with Ed and Sandy Ceremuga presenting some of our favorite tunes on September 17^th at 2:00 pm; our For Your Health and Information Series with Karen this month discussing the benefits of friends and friendship on September 24^th at 3:00 pm; or our Best Friends Bingo Game where residents and associates play for bragging rights (and maybe a little something extra).

Please look through our calendar and join us for any events that can help you stay connected, cultivate friendships and Spread Your Joy!

Breathe in Life: August Events

Our Alive in All Seasons’ theme for August is The Environment. Our communities will focus their efforts on maintaining healthy environments through environmentally conscious activities. Our “Green Canopy” program emphasizes designing and operating buildings that meet new standards of environmental sustainability. We are proud to be the first long-term care company with a building in the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

According to research by Go Green, Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour; 25 billion Styrofoam cups and 40 billion soft drink bottles and cans each year. Eighty-four percent of the average American’s household trash can be recycled. If we recycled just 1/10 of our newspapers 25 million trees could be saved. Are we all doing our part?

Join us this month as we learn more about the environment, expand our wide-scale recycling program, learn more about environmental sustainability programs and work with our community Green Teams to promote our “Green Canopy” initiative. We encourage you to accompany us on this environmental journey so that we can all continue to Breathe in Life!

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our “Birds, Our Little Feathered Friends” presentation by Family Hospice about avian species and their impact on our environment on August 5^th at 2:00 pm; our “Recycle the Music” event with Al Boles Karaoke featuring resident and staff requests on August 14^th at 2:00 pm; or our “Green” Apple Family Luncheon offering delicious foods with a creative twist on August 21^st at noon. Take a look at our calendar and join us for any and all activities that will help you make the most of these last few weeks of summer. 

Breakfast in a Bag

Every year, for the past six years, Christa Cicuto has organized a complimentary breakfast in a bag event for the Shenango Valley Community.  This year with the assistance of Juniper's Chef Nathan Reed, the breakfast was served up hot!  Chef Reed cooked up fresh, delicious, and hot egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches to people who drove up to 1330 Kimberly Road in Sharon the morning of June 24^th from 7:30 to 9:00.  A fresh and colorful fruit cup and orange juice accompanied the breakfast sandwich.  Drivers who came to pick up a free breakfast were delighted and excited about their morning treat!  What a great way to start your day! 

Stand in Integrity: July Events

July is the month in which we celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks, cook outs and by cherishing our own personal freedoms. Nelson Mandela reminds us “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” In that spirit join us as we honor those who “Stand in Integrity.”

Dr. Barbara Killinger, PhD, offers this definition of integrity: “Integrity is a personal choice, an uncompromising and predictably consistent commitment to honor moral, ethical, spiritual and artistic values and principles.” To “Stand in Integrity” does not mean that you are flawless or perfect, it means that you admit your shortcomings; you have influence, not because people like you, but because people trust you, believe you, and follow you.

We will also celebrate this month’s Alive in All Seasons theme of Volunteerism by volunteering our time to others, honoring those who volunteer with us, including our Resident Ambassadors; and learning more about volunteer opportunities in the greater community.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include our “Virginia the Amazing Volunteer” Puppet Show about the wonderful personal and community benefits of volunteerism presented by Family Hospice on July 8^th at 2:00 pm; our Juniper Family Patriotic Picnic where you can show your American colors and have a delicious good time on July 12^th at noon; our “Afternoon Delight” Musical Presentation featuring melodic rhythms and light refreshments on July 21^st at 6:00 pm; or our Volunteer Breakfast for any in the Shenango Valley who volunteer their time for those in need to enjoy a complimentary breakfast in our grand ballroom as our thanks on July 24^th at 10:00 am (please RSVP to 724-347-4000). Take a look at our calendar and join us for any and all activities that will help you make the most of these last few weeks of summer. 

Live in Wellness: June Events

The month of June is named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. It is no wonder that so many weddings occur during the month of June. As is such, Juniper Communities will be reminiscing about and celebrating weddings throughout the month. June is also the month with the longest daytime hours of the year in the northern hemisphere. Make the best of the extended days by celebrating wellness!

Can the choices you make really affect your health and wellness? Absolutely! Cancer, heart disease, lung disease, stroke and injury, the major causes of death and health problems, can all be prevented by choosing a healthy lifestyle. Simple changes like choosing not to smoke, seeing your doctor regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep all contribute to longer life.

This month we finish our quarterly Alive In All Seasons theme of “Let Wellbeing Thrive” by engaging in activities focused on food and nutrition. Look for our consistently health snack and juice options at our hydration stations and dietitian presentations. Our H’Art and Soul of Dining Program will also be showcased as we implement the addition of more regional favorites – focusing on fresh and scratch made, our signature soups and muffin of the day as well as the new grill menu.

Our fabulous activity offerings this month include Joyous Music from “ZPraise” on June 4^th at 2:00 pm; Paw Prints our visit with Mollie and our furry friends on June 11^th at 10:30 am; our Father’s Day Family Tribute Celebration on June 15^th at 2:00 pm; our Happy Hour with Austie on June 20^th at 6:00 pm; and our French Fries Social on June 28^th at 1:00 pm. Join us this month as we Live in Wellness.

Easter Egg Hunt

Juniper Village at the Historic Shenango Inn hosted their annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19^th at 10:30am.  The weather for the day before Easter was a beautiful sunny 60 degree spring day, the perfect weather for the children in the community to participate in the egg hunt.  Approximately 50 children attended the event, along with their parents and grandparents.  Residents of Juniper Village enjoyed sitting on the porch and watching the festivities.   A visit from the Easter Bunny made the kids smile, and three lucky children won special prizes that consisted of an Easter basket with a stuffed bunny and chocolate candy egg. 

Grow Strong Daily: May Events

Welcome to May where we will be dancing around the May Pole on May Day; donning opulent hats for the Kentucky Derby and sombreros for Cinco de Mayo; honoring our mothers on Mother’s Day and our fallen heroes on Memorial Day. What a fantastic month of celebration! In addition to observing these holidays, Juniper Village will be focusing on this month’s Alive In All Seasons theme “Grow Strong Daily” with an emphasis on fitness.

Studies show exercise is an effective treatment for many chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and can also help people with high blood pressure, balance problems or difficulty walking. Stress management, improved mood and cognitive function are other benefits of regular exercise. This is why Juniper Village makes exercise a part of every day! We are completely dedicated to whole person wellness and “nurturing the spirit of life” for each individual we touch by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit.

Join us here at Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn for our Happy Hour with Doug Lindey on May 2^nd at 6:00 pm; our Juniper Walk Buddies program at Buhl Park every Monday at 9:00 am starting May 5^th (free water bottles for all so RSVP to 724-347-4000); our Mother’s Day Family Tea Celebration on May 11^th at 1:30 pm (RSVP to 724-347-4000); or our Family Hospice Presentation on “Wellbeing through Reiki” on May 20^th at 2:00 pm. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!

Reader's Choice Nominee for the Best of the Best - Please Vote for Us!!

This year we here at Juniper Village are feeling very honored, as we were announced as a nominee for the Shenango Valley Reader’s Choice Awards, “Best of the Best!”  In order to gain the nomination enough people had to suggest us to be included for the award.  The nominees were listed in the Sharon Herald in the month of March.  The announcement of the winner will be later this month.  Although we will be super excited to win, we are truly honored for the nomination! 

 To vote all you have to do is fill out a form that was included in the daily newspaper.  Alternatively, you can call 724-981-6100 and ask The Herald for the form to fill out.  Please vote for us!!

Believe in Yourself: April Events

April, the month where we play innocent pranks on April Fool’s Day; celebrate Springtime and Easter with egg hunts, brunches, and church; pay homage to mother earth on Earth Day; and welcome the return of America’s favorite pastime – Baseball. This month we embark on a new quarter in our Alive in All Seasons calendar where we celebrate Healthy Aging and will “Let Wellbeing Thrive”. Throughout April our focus is on the brain and honoring the theme “Believe in Yourself”. Did you know that activities that are good for your heart are also good for your brain? The American Heart Association tells us that protecting memory and brain health is a matter of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. Regular cardio exercise and a healthy diet not only keep your heart happy, but your brain too.

This month’s offerings include activities and events that will keep our bodies and brains healthy and renew our faith in ourselves. Educational opportunities will cover brain health topics such as brain booster activities and ways to keep fit. We will rejoice in our individuality and celebrate ourselves through life affirming reminiscent and creative activities while reminding each other to “Believe in Yourself”.

Please join us here at Juniper Village at the Shenango Inn for our Believe in Yourself Family Dinner on April 17^th at 5:00 pm; our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19^th at 10:30 am; our Family Hospice Keeping Your Spirituality lecture on April 22^nd at 2:00 pm; and our Ask the Pharmacist discussion on April 29^th at noon. See our newsletter calendar for a complete listing of events and come visit us during any that suit your fancy!

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.

LINK of Mercer County First Annual Lunch and Learn

The LINK of Mercer County held its First Annual Lunch and Learn at Juniper Village at the Historic Shenango Inn on March 20^th.  The purpose of the Lunch and Learn was to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the agencies in Mercer County who provide supports and services to seniors and adults with disabilities in our community.  Each presenter spoke on their agency and programs, giving the audience a unique chance to learn about several agencies in one day!  Juniper’s very own  Chef Nathan and his team prepared a delicious continental breakfast buffet; and a lunch buffet including a salad bar, a made-to-order pasta station and hand-crafted dessert!