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Year: 2018

Forgive Our Foolish Ways

Sun, August 5, 2018 Published by

As you read this I will be away from the Campus and enjoying some time in Britain. I will be making the most of escaping the heat, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the British delicacies not available in Arizona.

For anyone, a journey back home is mixed with nostalgia. I will be driving along the roads on which I first learned to drive and seeing the places and people who helped to shape and influence me. It will be a trip down memory lane. I will also be occupying a new role in one of those familiar places after having been invited to preach at the church I attended throughout my childhood. Rather than being the child sitting in the pew hoping for a short sermon, I shall be the preacher perched aloft in the pulpit looking out over the children probably holding hopes similar to mine when I was in their seat.

I sang in the choir of that church and so, during the summer, was often called upon to sing at weddings. I distinctly remember the wedding where the bride couldn’t stop sneezing. The wedding where the groom fainted also understandably sticks in my mind. But I also remember the wedding ceremony which began with the hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways.’ Even as a child at the time, the humor of that beginning was not lost on me. The words to that hymn are taken from a much longer poem written by the American Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. A prolific hymnwriter, almost all of Whittier’s 500 hymns have been consigned to the dusty shelves of choir libraries, with the notable exception of ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’. Perhaps that is because of its prayerful words, the sentiments of which are felt by us still today.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease. Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Thy peace. Breathe through the heats of our desire Thy coolness and Thy balm; Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, O still, small voice of calm.

I may not be able to remember all the sermons that I heard while sitting in that church, but I do remember encountering the beauty of God’s peace and presence, and that still small voice of calm.

We all sometimes feel as though we are being shaken in an earthquake of upheaval. The winds of change can sometimes blow fiercely and unwanted around us. The fire of hatred and division can seem at times to burn unabated in the world. And yet, through change and chance, God is with us. May we all hear that still small voice of calm in our lives. May we find our stress and worry relieved, our foolish ways forgiven.*

MORE FILM FESTIVAL FUN!

Sun, August 5, 2018 Published by

Last August you told us how much  you loved  the First Annual Film Festival! Your Lifelong Learners Committee now proudly presents the Second Annual Film Festival. Again, the Festival provides a cool, entertaining break from the dreaded “dog days” of August.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 23rd and Friday August 24th. On both days in the Life Center you will enjoy two FREE movies and popcorn. These films feature seasoned, award-winning performers in positive stories of “Reconciliation: Hollywood Style” this year’s Film Festival theme.

Here’s the schedule:

On Thursday, August 23rd—the first film begins at 10:00AM; the second movie will begin at 1:00PM. On Friday, August 24th—the longer first film begins at 9:30AM, the second film at 1:00 PM.

There’s no need to “sweat the heat”  between each day’s films—as an optional buffet lunch will be available in the Life Center. Use your B-Card to purchase each day’s lunch tickets in advance at the Plaza Bistro. Each ticket costs $6.50 per person, per day ($13 for both days). Remember, this is optional—but tickets are required in advance if you would like to have lunch catered by our wonderful Dining Services team.

You will enjoy four chances to win a $25 Harkins Theater Gift card! Drawings occur after each movie.

You spoke, we listened! On Thursday morning Jessica Meyer returns again this year. Using her vast knowledge of successful aging, she’ll introduce the movie, I’ll See You in My Dreams, and hold a discussion based around the film.

On Friday morning, Arlyn Brewster of Carnegie Hall fame returns to introduce Fried Green Tomatoes. Arlyn later leads discussion and recaps this award-winning motion picture.

High Society concludes our Second Annual Film Festival starring superb performers whom we all adore. Its music will gladden our hearts.

Here’s a recap of all films and times and a synopsis of each:

Thursday, Aug. 23rd  at 10:00AM: I’ll See You in My Dreams (Blythe Danner & Sam Elliott). Love prevails: A long-time widow who is a retired singer experiences two new chances at love.

Thursday, Aug. 23rd at 1:00PM: The One Hundred Foot Journey (Helen Mirren, Om Puri)  Fierce culinary competition yields to cooperation. Love prevails.

 Friday, Aug. 24th at 9:30AM: Fried Green Tomatoes (Jessica Tandy & Kathy Bates) Curiosity about a nursing home patient produces self-discovery, courage, and newfound joy.

Friday, Aug. 24th at 1:00PM:  High Society  (Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Louis Armstrong). True Love triumphs over boredom and novelty, greatly aided by glorious music and stellar acting.

Remember, an optional lunch will be available each day and tickets are $6.50 per person, per meal.*

On Keeping Score

Sun, July 29, 2018 Published by

As human beings we love to keep score.  The first question you want to know when you turn on a game already in progress is, “What’s the score?!”  The first important scorekeepers in our lives are our parents.  As we grow up, we are eager to learn how to win their attention, their smiles, their approval.  Teachers may be next as they keep score with report cards.  Coaches teach us to keep score and, later on, it’s our bosses, co workers, or neighbors.  Our educational system is based on test scores, GPAs, AP, ACT and SAT scores. An online magazine recently posted a list of the 50 most beautiful women in the world ranked from 1 to 50. Honestly, I thought that #50 was just as beautiful as #1 but I wonder if the one at the bottom of the list was upset? Unfortunately, our inner sense of worth and well-being is often tied to the scores that we get.

One of the ways we tend to keep score is by comparisons.  My father used to say, “Comparisons are odious” when any of his girls would play the game of comparisons.  Psychologists say people engage in three types of comparing.  They compare their situation to those who are better off—upward comparison.  They compare themselves to those at the same level—lateral comparison.  And they compare themselves to those who are worse off—downward comparison.  Each type carries dangers: the first incites envy, the second competition, and the third arrogance.  If we define our own value and the value of others in terms of the world scoring system we probably will always be unhappy.

How does God keep score? Thankfully, God doesn’t keep score.  Every morning as the sun rises we have a brand new day to live and to love.  Fresh start.  God works with totally different rules and has a different way of accounting.  There’s a passage of scripture where Paul says: “Your attitude should be the same  as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God  something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”  Jesus wasn’t somebody who spent his life trying to climb up a ladder even though he was “at the top of the organizational chart of the universe.” Jesus looked like a failure in the world scoring system.  He wasn’t a   success by the standards of efficiency, good management, or outward success and his life ended in what seemed to be a colossal failure.  However, the cross shows us a different way of measuring success, a way that overturns our desire to keep score. Love keeps no record of wrongs.  True happiness starts when there is no need for score keeping anymore.*

Are You ALTCS Curious?

Sun, July 29, 2018 Published by

The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) is designed to help people pay for long term care. Part of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, AHCCCS (pronounced “access”), ALTCS (pronounced “all-tex”) provides support for both children with substantial needs as well as older adults. ALTCS is part of the Medicaid system, and it has very specific medical and financial qualifying guidelines.

To qualify medically, applicants will be interviewed by a nurse or social worker who will come to your apartment. The interviewer will ask for a list of current medications and recent medical records. Questions are designed to evaluate activities of daily living (“Can you dress yourself? How long does it take?”). They may ask about recent falls, as well as orientation to time and place. In order to qualify medically an applicant’s level of need must be determined to be at or near a nursing home level of care. I often observe these interviews on Campus and have found the interviewers to be friendly and helpful.

While the majority of people who receive ALTCS services do live in assisted living or higher level of care, an ALTCS designation does not mandate setting.  If an individual lives at large in the community, or in an independent living apartment here on Campus, they can still qualify for ALTCS services. However, in these cases ALTCS will provide (pay for) caregivers to assist with needs; these caregivers can be from an agency or someone of your own choosing, including your spouse. If you are in independent living, ALTCS will not help pay for rent. If you live in assisted living, they will.

The second qualifying category is financial. Income and assets are evaluated to see if a person meets the qualifying standard. If you have over $2,000 in a checking account, or earn more than $2,250 per month (these numbers change for married couples) you will not appear to be financially eligible. However, the financial guidelines can get complicated. For example, if you earn over the monthly limit, but meet other criteria, you can have an income-only trust set up that will allow you to qualify. It can pay in the long run to have your application handled by experienced ALTCS planning professionals or elder law attorneys. Please feel free to contact me at x16117 if you have questions about ALTCS.*

Beware; You Need to Be Aware

Sun, July 29, 2018 Published by

For those of you with Medicare Part A and Part B insurance, the following may come as a surprise to you.  What I am referring to is, over the last few years, there had been an increase in the hospital admission practice of admitting patients under an outpatient “observation” status versus an “inpatient” status.  While we don’t see this happening as often, it is still something to be aware of and keep fresh in your mind.

Some Medicare patients have found that after being admitted into the hospital for a few nights, they were then discharged to a skilled nursing facility and that their stay was not going to be covered under their Medicare Part A benefits because when they were admitted to the hospital, they were admitted under an outpatient “observation” status.

The difference between an outpatient “observation” status and “inpatient” status according to Medicare.gov, is that an “inpatient” status means you are formally admitted to the hospital per a doctor’s order.  An “observation” status means a doctor has not written an order to admit you to the hospital.  This may be the case if you are getting emergency care, observation services, outpatient surgery, lab test, x-rays, etc. Medicare.gov also states, “The decision for inpatient hospital admission is a complex medical decision based on your doctor’s judgment and your need for medically necessary hospital care. An inpatient admission is generally appropriate when you’re expected to need two or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care, but your doctor must order such admission and the hospital must formally admit you in order for you to become an inpatient.”

What does all of this mean? If you have been admitted as an “inpatient”, Medicare Part A will cover your hospital services after you have met your deductible as well as will cover eligible drugs administered as part of your inpatient treatment during a covered stay.  Medicare Part A will also cover 100% for the first 20 days in an approved skilled nursing facility or rehab if the patient had spent at least three midnights in the hospital admitted as an “inpatient”.  If you were classified as “observation”, Part A will not cover the services.  Medicare Part B can cover your hospital services; however, a copay is required and varies depending on the service.   Additionally, prescription drug coverage during an outpatient “observation” stay is not covered by Part A or Part B potentially leading to more out of pocket expenses.   Medicare Part B may be used in skilled nursing facilities to cover the physician visits as well as the rehabilitative therapies prescribed.

What can you do to avoid this type of situation?  AARP offers the following tips:

  1. Ask about your admission status each day you are in the hospital as it may change.
  2. Ask the hospital doctor to reconsider your case if you were admitted under an “observation” status.
  3. Ask your own doctor whether “observation” status is justified. If not, ask him/her to call the hospital to speak with the hospital doctor for an explanation.

For more detailed information on how Medicare covers hospital services, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, or any other questions you have about Medicare, you may reach out to Josephine Levy, our Success Matters Resource Navigator who is also a Medicare State Health Insurance Program Counselor, at x16117.  You may also visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the “Medicare & You” handbook or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.*

Big Bus News

Sun, July 22, 2018 Published by

The time has come for the large transportation bus to head to the mechanic to have the new engine installed. Starting Monday July 23rd, the bus will be down for approximately  two to three weeks. Please be patient during this process and remember to call in your reservations for ALL outings as seating will be limited to 14 people per trip. All trips will require residents to call x12905 for reservations.*

 

Come Away and Rest a While

Sun, July 22, 2018 Published by

The writings of the New Testament remind us, in several places, of how as well as traveling and teaching, healing and preaching, Jesus set aside a time and a space for rest and rejuvenation.

We read how Jesus ‘would withdraw to deserted places for prayer,’ and the frequency of these periods of rest speak to their importance both for Jesus, and for us.

As Jesus put it to his disciples, ‘Come apart to a deserted place by yourself and rest a while.’ We may not always be able to literally wander out to some deserted place, but we can make a decision to purposely disconnect our minds and lives of distraction and worry while we make our retreat away from the worries of the world. Maya Angelou puts it like this; “Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”

It is for those reasons, as well as wanting to provide a time of worship and learning, that the Spiritual Life Department has scheduled a day of retreat on Saturday, September 15, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. in the Life Center. To help us in our reflection we will be using some of the time to look at the works of Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, collectively known as some of the greatest Christian mystics.

Materials for study and lunch are included. Space is limited, and so reservations are required. To reserve your space, please RSVP to Kimberly Bravo x18465 by September 1.*

Can You Catch the “Old Disease”?

Sun, July 22, 2018 Published by

Brad Breeding of MyLifeSite spends a lot of time travelling around the country, speaking to groups of people about senior living options, including Life Plan Communities such as Beatitudes Campus. During his travels, he mentions that he’s fortunate to meet people who live in these communities, as well as people who may be considering a move to a Life Plan Community or other type of senior living community; it’s always eye-opening to hear the perspectives of both personas.

In conversations that I have with prospective residents, I sometimes hear people say that they are hesitant to move to a retirement community because they aren’t ready yet or don’t want to be around a bunch of “old people,” maybe because they saw a few of the residents using assistive devices, such as walkers or scooters.

I believe I understand the sentiments—conscious or subconscious—that they are voicing.

Lack of diversity vs. fear of aging

For some, what they may really be saying is that they prefer to live in an intergenerational environment, meaning a community with people of all different ages. That’s an understandable wish. Fortunately, even though by definition they are age-qualified, more and more senior living communities are developing intergenerational programs. These initiatives offer numerous benefits to both the residents and the younger generations involved in them.

But for many other seniors who say they don’t want to live with other older people, I can’t help but wonder if on some level, they are saying that they are worried about catching the “old disease.” I’ve even heard people well into their 80s and beyond express that they feel they are too young to move to such a community. Even if it is on a subconscious level, it’s as if they feel that if they’re around people who have experienced physical decline as a result of a health condition or the natural aging process, they too will become older and frailer—like a contagious disease.

A continued lifestyle

For seniors who voice concerns about living among “old people,” perhaps they’ve been fortunate enough to have lived a long and healthy life thus far by remaining active, eating well, AND staying young-at-heart. But does that mean being around other older adults will stifle that? In Brad’s experience visiting nearly a hundred Life Plan Communities, he states that he has not found much evidence of this.

“People who are active and have healthy habits when they move to a Life Plan Community or other senior living community are likely going to remain that way, if not more so. In fact, many residents feel they are far healthier and happier than they would have been otherwise. Are there exceptions? Sure, but in my conversations with Life Plan Community residents across the country I hear far more positives than negatives. This is due, in large part, to the wide variety of ways Life Plan Communities further enable and enhance this active lifestyle among their residents. From fitness classes and wellness centers to healthy menu options; from social gatherings and cultural excursions, to affinity groups and lifelong learning—there are countless (but of course, optional) ways to stay physically active and mentally engaged when you live in a Life Plan Community. Of course, residents are not restricted in any way from doing any of the same things they did previously, such as eating out, travelling, attending dinner parties with friends, etc.

So, for those seniors who are opposed to living in a Life Plan Community or other retirement community because they don’t want to be around other “older people”, isn’t this, on some level, ageism among peers? Or does it speak to a more deep-seated fear and/or disdain of aging that is common among Americans?”

Contempt for growing old

A 2013 Pew Research Center survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults examined people’s views of aging, medical advancements, and life extension. While modern medicine is helping people live longer lives, not everyone views this as a good thing. When survey respondents were asked how long they would like to live:

Less than 10 percent of people were hoping to live to be 100 or older.

20 percent of respondents said they wanted to live into their 90s.

32 percent said they would like to live into their 80s.

30 percent of survey participants said they didn’t want to make it past 80.

Interestingly, on the flipside, this survey also revealed that 41 percent of respondents believed that “having more elderly people in the population” is a positive for society.

I find the results of this survey intriguing. Even though older adults are viewed as a positive force within our country, nearly two-thirds of people in this survey didn’t want to live to be 90. This seems like a fascinating paradox.

When looking at the results of the Pew survey, what I believe so many people are missing in this equation is that age truly is just a number. I do not mean to be naive or deny the changes that come with aging. The fact is that some people come to grips with the realities of aging better than others, but I’ve met many people in their 80s and 90s who are still as healthy and spry as someone three decades their junior. The one common denominator I have found among them is a positive attitude and outlook on life, regardless of the age or physical condition.

Here’s my question: Can we as a society get to a place where a person, regardless of age or physical condition, is embraced as a valuable individual, both for who they are and what they’ve done in life? Can we focus not on age, but on what we can learn from one another, and grow as individuals as a result of our shared experiences?*

Hand Arthritis workshop

Sun, July 15, 2018 Published by

Have you ever realized how important your thumbs are in your everyday life? Join us for a FREE Hand Arthritis Workshop. Try out simple gadgets and practice techniques to reduce the strain on your joints, making everyday activities easier. In addition, learn about an exciting research opportunity. Open discussion Q & A forum with Dr. Cindy Ivy, Certified Hand Therapist from Mayo Clinic.  By the end of the workshop, you will give yourself, Two Thumbs Up! Join us this Friday, July 20th at 1PM in Agelink Room 1.*

 

We are One in the Body

Sun, July 15, 2018 Published by

Perhaps if you have travelled around the North of England, you may have seen the colossal sculpture pictured with this article. Not many sculptures become as famous as The Angel of the North, seen by an estimated 33 million people as they pass by each year. The Angel looms over the countryside for many miles around, with its 66ft tall body, and with its wingspan of 177ft. Its wings are angled 3.5 degrees forward to express what its sculptor Sir Anthony Gormley, called ‘a sense of embrace’ as he sought to create something ‘to serve as a focus for our evolving hopes and fears’.

Like so much of his work it is based on a cast of his own body. Gormley has said that he bases his work on casts of his own body because, as he put it, ‘it is the closest experience of matter that I will ever have and the only part of the material world that I live inside.’ He treats the body not as an object, but as a place, and in making works that enclose the space of a particular body tries to identify a condition common to all human beings.

We as individuals are embodied. Body, mind and spirit bound up together. The ancient creation narrative in the Book of Genesis pictures us as clay which has been breathed into life.

We now have a much fuller picture of that living clay. According to a generally accepted figure we are made of an astonishing 37.2 trillion cells, with each cell being formed of 100 trillion atoms. Each atom, each cell, busy being itself to combine in every more complex ways to form this being- which is you and me- which can feel and touch, see and hear, recognize right and wrong, and love and pray. No wonder the psalmist was impelled to cry out ‘I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well’ (Psalm 139, 13).

Maintaining a sense of awe and wonder in relation to our bodies helps to highlight those times when we fail to respect ourselves as created miracles made in the image of God. When we fail to have that same respect for the other 7.6 billion other walking-talking miracles of creation alive today, because of what they wear, or the color of their skin, or the politics that they ascribe to, then we are led to a very disturbing place indeed. The Apostle Paul put it very bluntly;

‘Do you not know that the body is a temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit?’

What a stark and much needed reminder to honor God in our lives and in the lives of others. May we all be open to the divine embrace as we evolve through our hopes and fears.*

Our Leaders’ Journey

Sun, July 15, 2018 Published by

If you had a hard time finding any of our campus supervisors, managers, directors and executives last Monday, It’s because I had them all, 62 of them to be exact, in the Life Center for a two-hour meeting to kick off a new initiative on leadership development.

It has been a priority of mine to establish a consistent and regular program for developing our leaders. Through ATLAS, a capacity-building grant we received from the Piper Charitable Trust, I am excited to announce that we were able to start this program this year. My vision for this group is to gather as a whole two to three times a year for full-day summits on the various aspects of leadership, while subsets of the group—whether they be by department or management level—will convene throughout the year, working on leadership competencies and management issues.

At the kickoff last Monday, the group had fun learning about each other’s personality types and how that plays into our interactions with each other. The next gathering will be a full-day retreat held in August on two different days to ensure proper management coverage and will focus on the six critical practices for leading a team. I chose that topic because the manager and employee relationship is a key component of staff retention and therefore the heart of our service to you.   This program is going to guide campus leaders in how to best motivate and support employees for professional growth while also teaching them how to provide productive feedback to enhance the employee performance.

Additionally, each campus leader will have access to online leadership content on a variety of different topics to support her or his leadership journey. The content is on-demand and offered in a variety of formats and time windows to enhance your leadership, management and supervisory skills.

A leader’s journey is never complete. It is important to me to continually grow as a leader, as well as help those around me do the same.   It is also my proud duty as CEO to prepare our organization’s team for the next step in their career, whether it be here at the campus or another company.

I am so excited about what this leadership program will do for all of our leaders and for the campus collectively. I look forward to our summits in August and as always, I would love to hear your feedback, as residents, as you observe our leadership culture evolving.*

Falls Prevention at Beatitudes

Sun, July 8, 2018 Published by

Success Matters is holding a summer session of the SAFER Stepping falls prevention program, which is not offered anywhere else in the country. The SAFER Stepping acronym stands for Surefooted Aging with Falls-related Education and Resources, and the workshop was carefully designed for Beatitudes Campus residents.  When many older adults think about falls risks, they consider balance and the obvious trip hazards, but few consider the many other components that combine to contribute to an overall increased risk of falls.  The SAFER Stepping workshop was developed to address all of these factors.  SAFER Stepping meets twice weekly for an hour and divides time between developing strength, coordination, and balance through exercises, AND systematically addressing the following falls-related factors: fear of falling, vision and hearing related falls risks, brain health and nutrition, medications related to falls, advocacy and how to discuss falls with health professionals, friends, and family, as well as home and environmental risks and adaptations.

The next SAFER Stepping workshop will begin again on Tuesday, August 7th at 3:00PM and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks through September 13th. Call Jessica Meyer at x16110 to reserve a spot or be put on the waiting list for the next available course.*

Good Sportsmanship

Sun, July 8, 2018 Published by

You know it when you see it—good sportsmanship.  An example of good sportsmanship went viral last week when Japan suffered a 3-2 defeat in the final minute of injury time against Belgium to end their participation at the World Cup.  A team that was given little chance of advancing in the tournament reached the round of 16 and took a two-goal lead over powerful Belgium, and so the team’s sudden last-second loss left players stunned, fans speechless, and some spectators sobbing.  It was a heart-breaking way to go out but fans and players left a lasting impression of sportsmanship and courtesy in Russia.  Where fans of other teams hit the news for doing things like giving Nazi salutes, the Japanese football team bowed to their own fans in gratitude.  The players left behind a note that said “спасибо” (Russian for “thank you”) in their locker room AND they cleaned it up, leaving it looking spotless.  Despite being dealt a crushing loss, the Japanese fans gave the world a lesson in grace when they helped clean up the stadium.

After the story went viral a reader explained: “This is a part of our culture. Japanese school age children would have also done this. After a school day, they clean their classrooms. They even make their lunches in class and clean up after. Very different culture.” Another reader pointed out that UCLA’s legendary coach John Wooden expected the same of his players.  Then there was the story about the huge basketball fight that broke out at the FIBA World Cup qualifier game between the Philippines and Australia.  Players piled on top of each other as fists and chairs went flying, and one Australian player could be seen pinned under a courtside chair while being punched by a number of players from the home team.  The crowd got involved throwing bottles and booing.

When our daughter Madelyn was growing up she often participated in summer sports camps.  She particularly enjoyed gymnastics and was delighted when at the end of the week she and all the campers were presented with a trophy.  It was a nice award for a short summer experience but I’m afraid it fell short in helping her to understand sportsmanship.  Sportsmanship teaches lessons on how to lose with dignity and grace as well as how to win with humility and gratitude. Important lessons in athletics and in life.*

May I Have Your Retention?

Sun, July 8, 2018 Published by

Getting to know each other is probably one of the greatest opportunities we have at Beatitudes Campus.  This includes discovering the histories of neighbors and learning about the staff who are here to serve you.  As we get to know each other, parting becomes more difficult as we grieve and miss some one we grew to appreciate.  It affects you and it affects staff as well.  The longer someone is with us, the closer we get and the more caring we can become as we uncover what makes them smile, the passions that drive them, the sorrows they may be experiencing and the dreams they are climbing toward.

I have heard a million times how much residents miss a particular staff person when he or she moves on from our Campus.  That is one of the major reasons why retaining our staff is a number one priority for us.  We hire the best of the best because we know they will serve you caringly and with love and compassion.  For the last two years we have concentrated on doing all we can to create an environment where coming to work at Beatitudes Campus is not for just a paycheck, but a chance to be part of a community which will bring joy and a greater quality of life than one could have ever imagined.

Did you know, though, that administratively we have just a small part to play as compared to you the residents?  Because we care, we routinely check with all of our employees to see what brings the greatest satisfaction to them as they serve our community.  Do you know what the one response that came up over and over again more than any other when asked “What types of things make you feel most valued and appreciated?  Their pay check?  Their benefits?  Their managers?  Those do play a part and they are important.  But believe it or not – that those only came up two or three times in the comments.

“When people say thank you”, “When the residents tell me and my coworkers how good of a job we do on the carpets”, “Praises for good work”, “Appreciation”, “That smile from a happy resident”, “When people go and eat and say “that food was bomb!”, “Having a resident tell me how much I helped them when they didn’t know what to do or who to ask for help”, “I feel appreciated when people say ‘he did a good job!’”, “When the residents say I do a good job and smile”, “When my hard work and minor details are noticed and not taken for granted”, “Being complimented/praised when doing a good job”, “Getting compliments about work”, “Acknowledgement of work”, “When the residents tell me how much they love me”.  Those are just a sampling of the number one responses.

It is you, the residents, who make life so good for our employees.  You never know who is having a bad day, suffering a deep loss, on the brink of crying inside, struggling with whether this is the right place for them, and it is your words of appreciation and showing that they are valued that can make all the difference in the world.

This is your community and ultimately the staff that are here, all 450, are here because of you.  They might be able to get paid more somewhere else, but they are here because of you and the way you appreciate them and value them.  You heard it straight from them.

People leave for all sorts of different reasons, but please know the more you care, recognize, acknowledge and appreciate the people around you, especially the staff, you make a huge difference in their lives and increase the joy they experience when coming to the Beatitudes Community.

That’s a lot of power that each of you have!  You can make a difference in who chooses to work here or see their work and themselves as valued, simply by showing that you care about who they are and the work they are doing.  The more you do this the more we will have people begging to come to work and to live here, and for longer and longer times.

So now that I have your retention, just know you are an amazing part of this community with the power to transform lives whenever you touch a life with a kind word or smile.*

Employee Appreciation Fund

Thu, July 5, 2018 Published by

Here is another letter that shows just how wonderful our employees are.

“Working the desk in Plaza South, I was told that someone’s cat may have accidentally gotten out of an apartment, but might just be under the sofa. No one nearby was able to get down on the floor to check for the cat. One of our maintenance men happened by (I didn’t get his name) and I asked if he would check under the sofa in the apartment for us. His response [was] ‘of course!’ The cat was there and all was well. Our wonderful maintenance man then went on about his job.”

Please show your appreciation to our employees for all the little and big things they do for us every day by contributing to the Employee Appreciation Fund if you haven’ t done that yet this year. You can make a check payable to Beatitudes Campus Foundation and put ” Em p loyee Appreciation Fund” on the note line; you can put an envelope with cash in it addressed to the Employee Appreciation Fund in the boxes in the Plaza Bistro and Buckwald’s, or you can have it added to your monthly statement by filling out a form that you can get from the billing department in Agelink. There is one additional way, if you have an IRA, you can have a portion of your RMD sent to the Beatitudes Campus Foundation and earmarked for the “Employee Appreciation Fund.” If you have any questions, please call Bette Henriques, Committee Chairman, at x18809.

June Town Hall Recap

Thu, July 5, 2018 Published by

David Ragan, Sr. Vice-President of Resident Services, called the meeting to order at 2:15PM, welcoming the residents in attendance and congratulating two residents who were at Town Hall for the first time. David said that he had always had a fascination for Dick Van Dyke and he showed a video of Dick, at age 90, enjoying a dance routine. The active, spry Dick Van Dyke is an inspiration to us all.

Barbara Carpenter, Residents Council President, reported on the May Council Meeting. David Ragan urged residents to stay hydrated during the summer; asked that problems or issues in a building be reported to the building representatives; noted that 17 patio homes are under contract; and asked residents to be respectful of our staff people. Community Relations Chairman, Gene Lefebvre, reported that 5 students from Washington High School were awarded $500 scholarships thanks to the great support of residents. Marc Adelman, Chairman of the Communications Committee, said his committee continues to evaluate a better hearing system and will be discussing mailbox options for the independent living buildings. Health and Wellness Chairperson, Ruth Crowley, said that the second spring seminar was well attended and important issues were addressed. Life Enrichment Interim Chairperson, Sherwin Block, urged residents to check the Community Channel and the Roadrunner for the many activities coming up this month, and he outlined a plan for expanded transportation services for residents through the transportation subcommittee. Paul Kelley, Spiritual Life Chairman, presented heartfelt thanks from our resident theologians, Michael Down and Connie Barlow, for a wonderful month with us. Welcome Committee Chair, Char Telleen, explained how her volunteers make new residents welcome by partnering for lunch, tours and information, and she encouraged residents to attend the monthly Welcome Coffee. Senior Area Representatives, Lois Pfau of Plaza North, Robert Berry of Central Park West, and Martha Trout of Central Park North/Patio Homes, reported on their current building activities. Residents asked about logos for our buses which are coming, and were advised that the Life Center is available for walking from 6:00 to 8:00AM daily. Dogs on leashes are permitted. Please see Barbara Carpenter or any of the committee chairs for more information or join a committee and make a difference in the Beatitudes community. The next Residents Council Meeting will be on Wednesday, August 8th, at 2:00PM in the Life Center.

Rod Bailey, Sr. Vice-President of Sales & Marketing, said that as of today, 20 out of the 34 patio homes have been sold. He noted that the atmosphere of camaraderie here at Beatitudes Campus is important to prospective new residents and sets us apart from some of the other communities. Beatitudes Campus Resident Referral Program is back in business with the opportunity for residents and family members to earn $1,000 for a first referral, $1,250 for a second referral, and $1,500 for a third referral. Call marketing at x18467 about any prospective residents and be sure to fill out a referral form.

Josephine Levy, Resource Navigator for Success Matters, talked about the seminars being held every Tuesday through July 3rd, at 2:00PM in AGR. The seminars cover Policies and Resources, Levels of Care, and a Q and A panel of Assisted Living and Health Care team members to address questions that may not have been answered in previous sessions. Josephine advised that residents should not be concerned about the need for a new AZ Travel ID Card as these cards will not be required until October 1st of 2020, 28 months away. Residents and family members who would like to receive the Success Matters email Newsletter each month should call Josephine at x16117 or email her at [email protected].

Joe Kane, Dining Services Director, said that Executive Chef, Brian Rocco has left the campus and we welcome back as our new Executive Chef, Cosmin Barbu. Chef Barbu worked here for 15 years, left to become a Sous Chef and now returns as our Executive Chef. He will be introduced to residents at the August Town Hall meeting. Joe reported that more feedback is being received from the Kiosks. They are mostly self-explanatory, but instructions on their use are available on the in-house video. Residents were urged to type in comments on the feedback to help dining staff understand why a thumbs down was given. Kitchen tours are still being given every Saturday at 2:00PM through October. Sign up for a tour in the Bistro and have a good look behind the scenes.

David reported that after careful research of all the providers, DirecTV has been chosen, and the transition will be coming in August. Beatitudes Campus will provide DirecTV’s top tier service level, including all of the movie channels like HBO, STARZ, TMC, and SHOWTIME. We will provide for two hookups per apartment and the DirecTV boxes. This will all be included with your monthly service fee at no additional cost to you. DVR’s will also be available for those who want them for approximately $10 per month. It should result in a significant monthly savings if you are currently using more services from our current provider.

Speaking for the Life Enrichment Committee, Sherwin Block, said the Life Enrichment Committee meets for an hour each month to plan events. Let Didi or Monica know if you would be interested in working with this committee.

David reminded residents of the opportunities for service available through the Beatitudes CAREcorps. Volunteers can walk dogs, feed pets, change cat litter, hand out flyers, host events, help neighbors, etc. There are many opportunities for service that encourage inclusivity and inspire purposeful aging. Call Didi or Monica to join CAREcorp and start volunteering. David also reminded residents of the opportunity to be VIP Guides or to be a guided person. Volunteers can take residents to and from campus activities, giving their regular caretakers a needed break to run errands or just take a nap. To sign up, call Monica at x18526 or stop by the office to fill out a form.

Tena Alonzo, Director of Comfort Matters, introduced Evelyn Sowell, LeadingAge Arizona Volunteer of the Year. Evelyn has contributed more than 6,000 hours of service to the Comfort Matters Dementia Care Education program and has served as a mentor to the Comfort Matters team. Tena said that Evelyn has helped to create wonderful curriculum that is used across the nation and throughout the world. She has spent much of her career guiding teachers on the best ways to teach others. Evelyn told residents that the Comfort Matters staff was easy to work with and her advice for everyone is to find something to love and do it. David noted that the campus would not be where it is today without volunteers.

Bob Telleen, LifeLong Learning Committee member, said that there would be a LifeLong Learners Film Festival on August 23rd and 24th in the Life Center. Movies will show at 9:30AM and 1:00PM. Cost of the movies is free, but residents will soon be able to purchase buffet lunch tickets for each day if they wish to. More publicity will be coming soon.

Mike Smallwood, Fitness Specialist, reported that the LeadingAge Arizona Fitness Challenge for Seniors would be Wednesday, November 7th this year. Mike hopes to add the corn hole toss and darts to the list of challenges which include basketball bounce, competitive walking, obstacle course, and Wii bowling. More specific details will be available at future Town Hall meetings. The Tai Chi Class meets with Jack Mathews every Wednesday at 4:00PM in the Recreation Room. The Life Center is open from 6:00 to 8:00AM daily through October for morning walks. The B-Fit winner for June is Nils Larson. Residents were treated to an inspiring video of Ida Keeling, a 102-year-old runner who defies age to set world records. She is the 2018 Fitness Award recipient. Her advice is for everyone to be active and get up and do something!

Keep watching the Community Channel 1960. All the latest information is posted there, so be in-the-know!! Also, our free WiFi is now accessible by using the password—“bcsummer” and will change on the first day of each new season to the season itself—bcfall, bcwinter and bcspring.

David thanked Gregory’s Market for bringing nutritious produce for residents and staff to purchase. We are grateful to them for their service.

There will be no Town Hall in July. We will take a little breather and come back rejuvenated on August 1st.

Shingles Shot Clinic Update

Thu, July 5, 2018 Published by

There is a new formulation of the shingles shot, called Shingrix, and you’ve inquired about it. It is believed to be much more effective than the previous Zostavax shot. Even if previously vaccinated with Zostavax, the new shot, Shingrix, is recommended. You should wait at least two months before being vaccinated again. Not sure if it’s been long enough? No one should have received Zostavax within the last two months as it has almost entirely been removed from the market. The new shot is administered in a two-dose series, with the second dose being administered 2-6 months after the first. We are preparing to facilitate a shingles clinic with Fry’s Pharmacy in the very near future. In the Fall, Fry’s will return to give the follow-up dose and at the same time hold another flu clinic.

Cost

According to Mike, the Pharmacist, he is seeing what he calls a “mixed bag” in terms of coverage from Medicare and other plans. Given that it is a two-part shot, the cost may be a factor since the patient must pay twice! Out of pocket, the shot costs around $160.00 per dose. However, Mike has seen $0 co-pays with Medicare and $60+ with others. Bottom line: it depends on your personal insurance coverage. Mike is willing to pre-bill ahead of time and contact you with a price via phone. To do so, he must have a completed Administration Record form on file along with a copy of your insurance cards, front and back, Medicare and Supplemental if applicable. Be sure to include a good phone number to contact you at.

To sign up, simply go to the front administration receptionist and ask for a Shingles form. They can also make copies of your insurance cards for you. Once you have the form completed, return it along with the copies of insurance cards to the receptionist. She will hold them in a safety box until I pick them up and fax them to Mike. He will take care of the rest. Last day to turn in your forms is Sunday, July 8th. For more information, call Gabi Holberg at x18490.

If you want to learn more about the vaccine, type the link below in your web browser: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles-recombinant.html

6 Ways to Feel Happier Instantly

Thu, July 5, 2018 Published by

Don’t wait for a bad mood to pass. Lift yourself up with these strategies.

  1. Step Outside

Enjoying nature is a great way to put some pep back in your step. Living near green spaces is associated with better mental health. Even just looking at images of nature scenes can reduce anger, fear, and stress and stimulate the parts of your brain associated with happiness, positivity, and emotional stability.

Spending time in the great outdoors also exposes you to sunlight, which can help your body produce vitamin D. Low levels of the nutrient have been linked to depression, but soaking up even 15 minutes of sun per day can lift your spirits in the present and over the long term.

  1. Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Think about or write down what you’re thankful for. Even if there’s not time to write down everything, simply expressing gratitude creates an instant mood boost.

For a longer-term lift, Gielan suggests a 21-day gratitude challenge: Try to make thank-you emails, handwritten notes, or genuine compliments a practice for three weeks straight. “Your brain quickly starts to recognize how much social support you have in your life,” she says. And social support is the best proven predictor of happiness.

  1. Pass on Some Wisdom

“As we age, giving back one’s knowledge, wisdom, and experience is a great source of joy,” says Prudence Hall, M.D., founder of The Hall Center in Santa Monica, California. “Whether it’s sharing with grandchildren or the world at large, giving back and being in service is a natural evolution of who we are and brings almost instant belonging and happiness.”

If you’re a lawyer, for example, look for pro bono opportunities in your community. A therapist? See if there’s a health or community center that might need counseling services. Share a physical feat like taking a dance class with a friend, or spend time teaching your grandchildren to read, Dr. Hall suggests. “Become a person who is respectful, awe-inspiring, and loving. What returns to you is respect, inspiration, and love.”

  1. Think and Act Creatively

Negative thoughts have a way of spiraling, leading you to contemplate all of the ways a setback is going to bring you down. This detrimental practice is called brooding, and according to a Georgia Institute of Technology study, it sends you into a black hole of negativity.

The better option: self-reflection, or pondering an issue and taking positive steps to address it. This not only leads to feeling empowered, but it also sparks creativity. Why is that a good thing? When researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro contacted people throughout the week, those engaging in creative activities—crafting recipes, making art, or writing—were much more likely to report being happy.

  1. Do Something Nice for Someone

The fastest way to find happiness yourself? “Create it in others,” Gielan says. Being kind rewards the human brain with a release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin. Her challenge: “Do one small meaningful act for someone else each week to brighten their day.”

Surprise your spouse with a cup of coffee in the morning, hold the door for the person behind you, or find a book a friend might enjoy. Any small action counts—and comes with big mood-boosting rewards.

  1. Focus on the Here and Now

Studies find the best way to stay cheerful is to stay centered in the present—even when it’s not all that pleasant. In contrast, a wandering mind and daydreaming can bring people down.

The best way to re-center? Sit quietly for a few minutes, and try some deep, calming breaths. Focus on your breath moving in and out of your body, and gently guide attention back if your mind starts to wander.*