“Your culture is forever” is a saying that holds more true today when looking to make the move into a senior community. A major factor for seniors when choosing between communities is whether or not they feel at home and comfortable with the staff and atmosphere.
For many seniors who are moving from ethnic communities to senior living, making the transition can bring unique challenges. Two of the biggest barriers are language and cuisine, which can easily be addressed with a diverse, multi-lingual staff and an ethnic dining menu. It seems simple, but doing it right takes dedication and a clear community plan.
‘Ilima at Leihano, a future Kisco Senior Living CCRC property located in Kapolei HI, embraces these changes with its incorporation of a Koi Pond on community grounds along with creating a dining menu that includes Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino cuisine. Also hiring the right associates is key to making the right culture fit. Associates who grew up in the area already know the culture and are far more likely to understand the significance of making the residents feel at home.
“Incorporating regional flavor into our dining makes all the difference to our residents” says Darryl Greer, Director of Wellness at Villa De San Antonio in San Antonio TX. “Our residents grew up eating Tex-Mex foods, so we make sure to offer plenty of Tex-Mex items on our dining menu”.
It is a simple concept, but to do it right you have to listen and be open to change, and at Kisco Senior Living our Residents come first! We want to provide a home for a lifetime, not just a place to live. For more information, view Kisco Senior Living’s website at: www.kiscoseniorliving.com
Valencia Terrace Blog
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Be in the top 20% in 2011!
It’s the New Year and time for those well-meant resolutions! Resolutions revolving around health top the list. As a matter of fact, nine out of every ten people set a health-related resolution every year. One of the top resolutions for 65+ adults is to stay active and eat healthy to rewind the effects of stress and aging.
Unfortunately, 80% of resolution makers never complete their goals by the end of the year. To help make your 2011 resolutions happen we’d like to share some highly effective tips (via the International Council on Active Aging):
10 Ways to Extend a Healthy Life
Active-aging expert offers “e-tips” for attaining and maintaining health in 2011
(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society's myths about aging..
“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”
Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):
1. Expectations: If you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up 'til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.
“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”
Unfortunately, 80% of resolution makers never complete their goals by the end of the year. To help make your 2011 resolutions happen we’d like to share some highly effective tips (via the International Council on Active Aging):
10 Ways to Extend a Healthy Life
Active-aging expert offers “e-tips” for attaining and maintaining health in 2011
(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society's myths about aging..
“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”
Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):
1. Expectations: If you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up 'til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.
“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”
Friday, December 17, 2010
Holiday Memory Making: Tips for Celebrating with Loved Ones with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
There is no other season like the holiday season! Bringing the whole family together under one roof creates strong bonds and special memories for years to come. Make sure this holiday season is especially memorable for the elderly members of your family. For those with dementia or Alzheimer’s you can make this holiday season special by adapting family activities.
Oftentimes those with dementia or Alzheimer’s may feel a sense of loss during the holidays. They may not recognize the family around them and lack enthusiasm and interest in family celebrations. Having the family engage in simple, safe, and repetitive activities with your loved one will lift their mood and have them enjoy the present moment. Creating an uplifting mood can positively affect the mental well-being and physical health of for your loved well beyond the holidays.
Some activity suggestions:
Making garlands of paper or popcorn
Decorating ornaments
Putting together a gingerbread house or other holiday crafts
Baking holiday desserts
Creating photo collages of family pictures
Putting together and looking over a slideshow of adult family members growing up
All of these holiday projects can help generate new memories and create mementos of your family holiday. For non-perishable projects like holiday ornaments, writing the name of the creator along with the date (ie. Grandma, Christmas 2010) on the object will make the project more memorable and meaningful. For holiday projects such as baking or making a gingerbread house make sure to take pictures of your loved one making these items so you can keep them for years to come.
Happy Holidays from Valencia Terrace!
Oftentimes those with dementia or Alzheimer’s may feel a sense of loss during the holidays. They may not recognize the family around them and lack enthusiasm and interest in family celebrations. Having the family engage in simple, safe, and repetitive activities with your loved one will lift their mood and have them enjoy the present moment. Creating an uplifting mood can positively affect the mental well-being and physical health of for your loved well beyond the holidays.
Some activity suggestions:
Making garlands of paper or popcorn
Decorating ornaments
Putting together a gingerbread house or other holiday crafts
Baking holiday desserts
Creating photo collages of family pictures
Putting together and looking over a slideshow of adult family members growing up
All of these holiday projects can help generate new memories and create mementos of your family holiday. For non-perishable projects like holiday ornaments, writing the name of the creator along with the date (ie. Grandma, Christmas 2010) on the object will make the project more memorable and meaningful. For holiday projects such as baking or making a gingerbread house make sure to take pictures of your loved one making these items so you can keep them for years to come.
Happy Holidays from Valencia Terrace!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Honoring our Veterans at Valencia Terrace: Stories of Service
Seated with coffee and chairs in a small group, they meet once a month to recount stories of combat, service, and foreign encounters. Their tales shine with the bravery and energy young servicemen exude when serving their country. This is Valencia Terrace’s Veteran’s Connection group – an inspiring group of men and their wives who gather each month. The photo above shows: (Back/Standing) Rudy Bukich, Jim Pfeiffer, Paul Yoe, Walter Gnehm, Mel Roenfeldt
Front: Harold Schooler, Russell Sandhoefner, Jack Khoury, Dick Johnson.
We are honored to share the stories of John, Russell, and Dick – members of the Veteran’s Connection.
John joined the Navy in 1935 straight out of high school and extended his service for 2 years in 1939. He was supposed to be discharged, but due to the timing of Pearl Harbor was required to stay in the service. He served on a repair ship for 7 years 2 months, in the engineering department’s hot engine rooms and saw the end of WWII topside. He got out of the navy and found it bitterly ironic that he still had to register for the draft. He decided to join the Reserves while living in Napa, California with his wife. During the Korean conflict he was called back in and was in the same cabin as he was during WWII on an ammunition ship. He reached under the steam pipes and found an oil-stained raincoat he had put up there many years before. John helped save the shores of Korea with 56000 tons of ammunition. Then he worked for the maritime commission between wars. Later he started a machine shop, but was called back in 3 years, so he had to sell the shop. Eventually he worked for GE 2 years, and then Stanford research for 26 years. Stanford was a fascinating place for John, who helped make and test scale models of nuclear reactors. His wife retired from teaching and decided to start a jewelry business that they owned for 14 years. John sold a lot of jewelry to the 3,500 employees he worked with and even took a course on jewelry! John and his wife searched far and wide from San Diego to Santa Barbara for a peaceful place to retire and happily chose a Casita at Valencia Terrace.
Russell joined the Army-Air Corp during WWII, as part of a heavy bomber B-24 crew in southern Italy. He completed the required 35 bombing missions and had very interesting experiences in the air over Yugoslavia, Germany, and Austria. On December 18, 1944, the squad took off for an oil refinery target in a Polish town called Ausweisen. Russell lay on the floor of the hatch ready to drop the bombs. Prior to the mission, the squad was given strict orders not to drop the bombs until exactly over the oil refinery. Russell learned later that the target was very close to the Auschwitz concentration camp, so his superiors didn’t want to harm the prisoners. At the end of his missions, he sailed back out of Naples Harbor on a converted luxury liner packed full of servicemen. He played in an Army Air Corp band in San Antonio, Texas, until he was discharged, and then played in bands across the Midwest. Russell has lived in Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Russell and his wife Patricia decided to make a fresh start out west near his father and brother, and visited 28 model homes in one weekend. He eventually joined a small company that distributed wholesale insulation, and then became partner and eventually owner. He retired in 1989 at 65. He and his wife then traveled all over the world. Russell particularly enjoyed visiting the sites in Europe along the Danube River over which he had flown during the war, and tried to find some of the military targets to take photos. He is now happily living at Valencia Terrace.
Dick was in the Navy for 4 years. He was born on a farm and had always worked from a very young age. He joined the service at age 17 in San Diego where he learned how to smoke, drink, and chase women. After boot camp, Dick went to torpedo school. He was assigned to the Bismarck carrier and traveled to Pearl Harbor, but then he was transferred off the carrier because there were too many torpedo men on it. Sadly, two weeks later, the Bismarck was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack with no survivors.
After the Bismarck, Dick was assigned to a ship to patrol the area between Midway and Hawaii. He traveled on yet another ship to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and then Japan when the war was almost over. A Japanese sub was commissioned into the American Navy at the end of the war, and Dick brought it back. After 30 days off, Dick was transferred to San Bernardino, and then Connecticut to another submarine base. Dick enjoyed every minute of his service and now lives at Valencia Terrace!
Want to learn more about other group activities at Valencia Terrace? For more information, call (951) 273-1300
Front: Harold Schooler, Russell Sandhoefner, Jack Khoury, Dick Johnson.
We are honored to share the stories of John, Russell, and Dick – members of the Veteran’s Connection.
John joined the Navy in 1935 straight out of high school and extended his service for 2 years in 1939. He was supposed to be discharged, but due to the timing of Pearl Harbor was required to stay in the service. He served on a repair ship for 7 years 2 months, in the engineering department’s hot engine rooms and saw the end of WWII topside. He got out of the navy and found it bitterly ironic that he still had to register for the draft. He decided to join the Reserves while living in Napa, California with his wife. During the Korean conflict he was called back in and was in the same cabin as he was during WWII on an ammunition ship. He reached under the steam pipes and found an oil-stained raincoat he had put up there many years before. John helped save the shores of Korea with 56000 tons of ammunition. Then he worked for the maritime commission between wars. Later he started a machine shop, but was called back in 3 years, so he had to sell the shop. Eventually he worked for GE 2 years, and then Stanford research for 26 years. Stanford was a fascinating place for John, who helped make and test scale models of nuclear reactors. His wife retired from teaching and decided to start a jewelry business that they owned for 14 years. John sold a lot of jewelry to the 3,500 employees he worked with and even took a course on jewelry! John and his wife searched far and wide from San Diego to Santa Barbara for a peaceful place to retire and happily chose a Casita at Valencia Terrace.
Russell joined the Army-Air Corp during WWII, as part of a heavy bomber B-24 crew in southern Italy. He completed the required 35 bombing missions and had very interesting experiences in the air over Yugoslavia, Germany, and Austria. On December 18, 1944, the squad took off for an oil refinery target in a Polish town called Ausweisen. Russell lay on the floor of the hatch ready to drop the bombs. Prior to the mission, the squad was given strict orders not to drop the bombs until exactly over the oil refinery. Russell learned later that the target was very close to the Auschwitz concentration camp, so his superiors didn’t want to harm the prisoners. At the end of his missions, he sailed back out of Naples Harbor on a converted luxury liner packed full of servicemen. He played in an Army Air Corp band in San Antonio, Texas, until he was discharged, and then played in bands across the Midwest. Russell has lived in Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Russell and his wife Patricia decided to make a fresh start out west near his father and brother, and visited 28 model homes in one weekend. He eventually joined a small company that distributed wholesale insulation, and then became partner and eventually owner. He retired in 1989 at 65. He and his wife then traveled all over the world. Russell particularly enjoyed visiting the sites in Europe along the Danube River over which he had flown during the war, and tried to find some of the military targets to take photos. He is now happily living at Valencia Terrace.
Dick was in the Navy for 4 years. He was born on a farm and had always worked from a very young age. He joined the service at age 17 in San Diego where he learned how to smoke, drink, and chase women. After boot camp, Dick went to torpedo school. He was assigned to the Bismarck carrier and traveled to Pearl Harbor, but then he was transferred off the carrier because there were too many torpedo men on it. Sadly, two weeks later, the Bismarck was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack with no survivors.
After the Bismarck, Dick was assigned to a ship to patrol the area between Midway and Hawaii. He traveled on yet another ship to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and then Japan when the war was almost over. A Japanese sub was commissioned into the American Navy at the end of the war, and Dick brought it back. After 30 days off, Dick was transferred to San Bernardino, and then Connecticut to another submarine base. Dick enjoyed every minute of his service and now lives at Valencia Terrace!
Want to learn more about other group activities at Valencia Terrace? For more information, call (951) 273-1300
Friday, November 5, 2010
Taking Yoga Off the Floor!
Yoga has been practiced for centuries as a low-impact, versatile form of exercise. While yoga is popular with a younger set of exercise enthusiasts, it is an excellent way for seniors to increase flexibility, strength, and reduce the risk of falling. Non-traditional forms of yoga have been modified to accommodate those with different physical capabilities. Chair yoga is a great adaptation of yoga because it has less risk of injury and displaces the stress usually carried by the joints and knees when practicing the traditional form of yoga.Chair yoga is comprised of more than just sitting in the chair and stretching the upper body. It also consists of using the chair as a balance support when standing up to do full body stretches. This gives senior citizens the full physical benefit of traditional yoga stretches along with the security of having support. For those with difficulty standing, chair yoga is an ideal way to keep the upper body toned and in shape.
If you are looking for other alternatives to chair yoga exercises that give a low-impact but thorough workout, you might enjoy pool aerobics which combines stretching and strengthening in a cushioned environment.
Valencia Terrace will be starting our Yoga Chair Class starting November 8th at 1:30 PM. Classes will be held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Everyone is welcome to come and participate! RSVP by calling (951) 273-1300 or by checking out or Facebook page www.facebook.com/valenciaterrace.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Know Your Ballot
“The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.” ~ Dwight D.Eisenhower
So…Be Sure to Know Your Ballot
As President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The future of the republic is in the hands of the American voter.” With the November local elections approaching the future of California and our cities lies in our hands. Understanding your local ballot initiatives will help you have a voice in your community’s change. Voting is especially pertinent to senior citizens because the local and national laws greatly affect senior benefits. Even if ballot initiatives do not directly relate to senior topics they can affect our political climate and shape the way all groups are treated.
Some tips to help you become a well-informed voter:
1) Do your research – Local newspapers and TV are great ways to get information on the issues being discussed on the ballot. Some senior living communities also hold forums where residents can voice their opinion about the issues. Educating yourself about these initiatives can help you form an opinion on a wide range of topics.
2) Attend events where you can see local candidates up for election. Putting a face to the name makes it much easier for voters to select local candidates when it comes time to vote. Having a chance to speak with candidates directly can go a long way in helping you make the right decisions. Asking an incumbent important questions will help you understand what actions your community needs to become better in the future.
3) Make sure your voting information is updated! You can go to your local city hall, library, or civic center to update your voting information. The voting process is not only about selecting the issues and candidates you support, but also providing the government the appropriate demographic information needed to serve our country better.
4) Last step – Get out there and vote!
Valencia Terrace wants you to get your vote heard! We will provide buses to the polls next Tuesday, November 2nd. Sign-up sheets for transportation are located in the main mail room. For more information on Corona’s ballot initiatives, view: http://www.coronaadvocacy.biz/ for a quick overview.
So…Be Sure to Know Your Ballot
As President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The future of the republic is in the hands of the American voter.” With the November local elections approaching the future of California and our cities lies in our hands. Understanding your local ballot initiatives will help you have a voice in your community’s change. Voting is especially pertinent to senior citizens because the local and national laws greatly affect senior benefits. Even if ballot initiatives do not directly relate to senior topics they can affect our political climate and shape the way all groups are treated.
Some tips to help you become a well-informed voter:
1) Do your research – Local newspapers and TV are great ways to get information on the issues being discussed on the ballot. Some senior living communities also hold forums where residents can voice their opinion about the issues. Educating yourself about these initiatives can help you form an opinion on a wide range of topics.
2) Attend events where you can see local candidates up for election. Putting a face to the name makes it much easier for voters to select local candidates when it comes time to vote. Having a chance to speak with candidates directly can go a long way in helping you make the right decisions. Asking an incumbent important questions will help you understand what actions your community needs to become better in the future.
3) Make sure your voting information is updated! You can go to your local city hall, library, or civic center to update your voting information. The voting process is not only about selecting the issues and candidates you support, but also providing the government the appropriate demographic information needed to serve our country better.
4) Last step – Get out there and vote!
Valencia Terrace wants you to get your vote heard! We will provide buses to the polls next Tuesday, November 2nd. Sign-up sheets for transportation are located in the main mail room. For more information on Corona’s ballot initiatives, view: http://www.coronaadvocacy.biz/ for a quick overview.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Going International: Without Ever Leaving Home
Feel like experiencing someplace new? Believe it or not, you don’t have to take a trip around the world to discover the culture and cuisine of the nations abroad. Valencia Terrace offers its residents the opportunity on a monthly basis…right here at home! Tasting and appreciating food and culture from exotic and faraway places all from the comfort of your own home is another way to get the experience of traveling.At Valencia Terrace, we host monthly International Nights with movies, food, and drink. This month we’re off to Germany. Come join us for Oktoberfest on Thursday October 28th and enjoy delicious German food and beer to taste!
While traveling needs energy and funding, you can “visit” new places from home in other ways as well - by reading guidebooks on destinations you would like to see, or hosting culinary parties with foreign food. You and your guests can learn the culture and traditions behind the food. Broadening your mental horizons is a great way to keep the mind active and sharp.
To RSVP for this month’s “trip” to Germany’s Oktoberfest call 951-273-1300.
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