Santa Came to Visit!

On our recent Family Night, we enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus. Children of all ages had the opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and have their picture taken. Residents, staff and their guests enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate and egg nog after visiting with Santa. Everyone who sat on Santa's lap received a little gift from him. The younger children received chocolate Santas and candy canes, while the residents received caramel corn. It was a fun-filled evening. Now, bring on Christmas!

Christmas is Coming!

We have been busy preparing for Christmas here at Juniper Village at Lebanon. Our residents have been making our building more festive with many different decorations. Some of the decorations they made themselves! One of our own staff collaborated with one of our residents to create a holiday quilt that is now adorning the wall of our dining room. Our Joyful Noise Chorus traveled to the Maple Street Senior Center to perform holiday songs. They did a wonderful job, as always!

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 “Putting on the Glitz” Event special holiday showcase with Julie Zinsser, proprietor of Whimzee Boutique, for holiday accessories and gifts which range from the unusual to spectacular on December 2^nd at 7:00 pm; our Holiday Open House as we celebrate the holidays with love and laughter you can bring a tray of your family’s favorite cookies with recipe attached to share during our cookie exchange and little ones will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa on December 11^th at 6:00 pm; or our Joyful Noise Christmas Concert in the Village Lobby to hear and sing along to your favorite holiday songs on December 22^nd at 3:30 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!

A Closer Look at the Military at Fort Indiantown Gap

Residents from the Independent Living residences recently went on a tour of Fort Indiantown Gap, lead by one of their fellow residents. They were given special access to view and learn about the tanks that are housed and repaired at this location. A few residents also climbed into a tank and learned about the inner workings of the tank.

After lunch, the residents traveled to the PA National Guard Military Museum. There they were able to view artifacts used by the military during various wars.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and enlightening day!

Halloween Hoedown

Residents of Juniper Village at Lebanon invited friends and family to join them for a night of Western fun and games. The residents handed out candy to the children as they paraded through in their costumes. The children played games with the assistance of the residents. The residents and children enjoyed their time together and are looking forward to meeting again.

Juniper Village at Lebanon Welcomes Christine Heibel as Director of Community Relations

Christine Heibel has joined Juniper Communities as the new Director of Community Relations at Juniper Village at Lebanon. Born and raised in Lebanon, Heibel spent a short time in Georgia and Florida. However, she says, “Lebanon has always been home.”

As DCR, Christine Heibel will consult with potential residents and their family members to help them make decisions regarding their needs for personal care. She will work with the local hospital, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers to ensure they are familiar with Juniper’s services and work together in assisting the residents or future residents. Additionally, she will act as the community liaison between Juniper and Lebanon, making sure everyone understands who Juniper is and the wonderful services they provide.

“Christine brings an abundance of energy and new ideas to Juniper. We are thrilled to have her as part of our family,” expressed Joan-Marie Norman, Executive Director of Juniper Village on Christine’s hiring.

A Q & A with Christine Heibel:

What makes you most excited about working at Juniper Village?

I really enjoy working with, and helping the residents and their families. I have met so many wonderful people already and they have welcomed me to the “family”.

Have you worked at a personal care community before?

This is the first time I have worked in the personal care environment. I previously worked in county clubs, city clubs and most recently, our local Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, I have held various positions from member relations and development to marketing and communications. I also have experience in planning and conducting programs and events for people of all ages, of all sizes.

What made you interested in working with the elderly?

I’ve always enjoyed working with people of all ages, but recently have been drawn in wanting to assist seniors. My family went through a tough time taking care of my grandmother in her last few months of life, so I thought I might be able to help others by working in a personal care home. This way, their families don’t have to go through the ordeal that my family encountered.

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 Lebanon County Christian Ministries anytime all month long; our Remembering and Honoring Our Veterans with Bonnie Koons performing patriotic classics in this special program held in The Village on November 11^th at 6:30 pm; our Veterans Aid & Attendance Information Session to share information about the program, answer any benefit questions you may have, and discuss how the program can help you or a loved one pay for your long term care on November 18^th at noon (please RSVP to 717-272-8782); or our Blood Drive For Central PA Blood Bank where each pint of blood donated can save as many as three lives on November 25^th from 2:00 pm to 7:00 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!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins and more Pumpkins

As the cold weather approaches and thoughts turn to Autumn, our residents turn their artistic talents towards pumpkins. The "Sewing Club" threaded their needles to make stuffed pumpkin door decorations. During a scenic country ride the residents stopped at a local farmer's market to purchase little pumpkins which they decorated in sparkling fashion. Enjoying some pumpkin pie is next on our agenda.

Spending Time with Our Best Friends

Juniper Village residents and associates came together to create beautiful necklaces for their "Best Friends." Resident, Katie Faiola, a professional seamstress, sewed together over 30 strips of scrap fabric into long tubes. The residents and associates added beads to the fabric transforming them into one-of-a-kind necklaces which they love wearing.

Getting Our Hands Dirty

Local artist MJ McFalls taught Juniper Village Residents the basics of pottery making. The Residents got their hands dirty as they worked the clay into bowls shaped like fish and leaves. They finished the project by applying colorful glazes to the clay. After MJ fired the pottery in her kiln she returned their works of art to show off. Look for their pottery and other art projects to be displayed throughout our campus the next time you visit us.

Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Hours" Networking Reception

Juniper Village at Lebanon hosted the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Hours" Networking Reception in September.  Over 70 Chamber members and guests were in attendance.  Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to build their business connections as well as learning more about the Juniper Village community.  Attendees who toured the independent living Garden Apartments had a chance to pick a balloon and win a prize – one of which was a $100 Visa Gift Card!  Tom Peiffer from the Harrisburg International Airport was the last person to pick a balloon and was the winner of the grand prize! 

American Heart Walk

Family, friends, associates and residents joined together to raise money for the American Heart Association last month. We embarked on a special journey, walking as a team at the Heart Walk. We learned that working together, we are stronger than we are alone. As a community we raised over $400! We want to tank everyone who supported our team with their generous donations at our yard sale and quarter raffle.

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 Oktoberfest Celebration with live accordion music, followed by a dinner feast featuring German cuisine on October 6^th at 3:00 pm (RSVP to 717-272-8782); our Lebanon County Sports Celebrities presentation at The Club to hear athletic stories from local sport celebrities and see memorabilia from the Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame with light refreshments on October 16^th from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm; or our Halloween Spooktacular celebrating Halloween in Western Style as we  encourage all to come out dressed in their best western attire for  tons of Old West Chow, Cowboy Games, Country Crafts and Candy on October 28^th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm!

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

Rocking for a Cause

The Residents of Juniper Village spent a beautiful afternoon rocking in chairs on the front porch. However, it was for more than just fun. The Residents raised money for the Arthritis Association by committing to continuously "rock" for 3 hours. Last year we raised $35.00, but this year we more than doubled our donation by raising over $147.00. Thank you to all our families and friends for supporting us.