Beatitudes Community

What You Should Know About Grease Fires

More than 50 percent of cooking fires are caused by grease, cooking oils or fats, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A grease fire happens when your cooking oil becomes too hot.  Heating oils first start to boil, then they’ll start smoking, and then they’ll catch on fire.

PUTTING OUT A GREASE FIRE

1) Evaluate the severity of the fire. If the fire is still small and contained to one pot, it is safe to extinguish it by yourself.  If it’s beginning to spread to other parts of the kitchen, get everyone assembled outside and dial for emergency services.  Do not place yourself in the way of harm.

Call emergency services if you’re too afraid to go near the fire or don’t know what to do.  Do not risk life and limb to save a kitchen!

2) Turn off the heat on the stove immediately. This is your first priority, given that a grease fire needs heat to stay alive.  Leave the pot where it is, and don’t attempt to move it, as you may accidentally splash oil on yourself or your kitchen.

If you have time, put on an oven mitt first to protect your skin.

3) Cover the flames with a metal lid. Fire needs oxygen to continue, so covering it with a metal lid will essentially smother the flame.  Place a metal pan lid or a cookie sheet on top of the fire.  Do not use glass lids; they can shatter when exposed to fire.

Also avoid using ceramic lids, bowls and plates for this purpose.  These can explode and become dangerous shrapnel.

4) Dump baking soda on small fires. Baking soda will put out small grease fires, but won’t work as effectively on larger ones.  It will take a large amount of baking soda to get the job done, so grab the whole box and dump it generously on the flames until they’re extinguished.

Table salt will also work.  If you can get your hands on that faster, use salt.

Do not use baking powder, flour or anything other than baking soda or salt for this!

5) Use a chemical fire extinguisher as a last resort.  If you have a Class B or K dry chemical fire extinguisher on hand, this can put out a grease fire. Since the chemicals will contaminate your kitchen and be tough to clean up, only do this as a last resort.  However, if it’s the last line of defense before the fire gets out of control, don’t hesitate!

AVOIDING BAD PROCEDURES

1) Never throw water on the grease fire.  This is the number one mistake many people make with a grease fire.  Water and oil don’t mix, and throwing water on a grease fire can even cause the fire to spread.

2) Don’t swat at a fire with a towel, apron, or any other fabric.  This will fan the flames and spread the fire.  The fabric itself could also catch on fire.  Don’t place a wet towel over a grease fire to snuff out the oxygen, either.

3) Do not throw any other baking product on the fire. Flour and baking powder may look similar to baking soda, but they won’t have the same effect. Only baking soda and salt are safe and effective on a grease fire.

4) Do not move the pot or take it outside. This is another common mistake people make and it may seem logical at the time.  However, moving a pot of burning oil can cause it to spill, potentially burning you and any other flammable objects it comes into contact with.

PREVENTING GREASE FIRES

1) Never leave the stove unattended when cooking with oil (and in general).  Unfortunately, most grease fires happen when someone steps away just for a moment.  Grease fires can happen in less than 30 seconds, though.  Don’t turn your back on hot grease.

2) Heat oil in a heavy pot with a metal lid. Cooking with a lid both contains the grease and cuts it off from its would-be oxygen supply.  A grease fire can still erupt with the lid on the pot if the oil is hot enough, but it’s far less likely to happen.

3) Keep baking soda, salt and cookie sheets nearby.  Get into the habit of making sure these items are within easy reach when you’re cooking with grease.  If a fire erupts, you’ll have at least three different ways to immediately snuff it out.

4) Clip a thermometer to the side to monitor oil temperature. Find out the smoking point of the particular oil you’re using, then use a clip-on thermometer to monitor temperature as you cook.  If it gets too close to the smoking point, turn off the heat.

5) Watch for smoke and be aware of acrid smells. If you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid while you’re cooking with oil, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner.  The oil won’t immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a danger sign that it’s getting close to that point.

A Shopper’s Paradise

Need a great greeting card for 10 cents, a couple of wine glasses, maybe a change of linens or a designer dress for $8? How about a small end table or holiday decorations? You can find what you are looking for at the Backstreet Boutique. Located at the east end of the campus, the Boutique is open for business on Thursdays. The Boutique offers a great place to find very reasonably priced items and to donate what you no longer need. Think that the Boutique may a bit too far to walk? We have free transportation on Thursdays by just calling us at ext. 18463.

The Boutique was established by the Beatitudes Auxiliary soon after the campus opened, to assist residents in disposing of belongings as well as offering easy to obtain goods. As the major income producer for the Auxiliary, your shopping dollars go right back to the campus! Proceeds from the Boutique have been directed to very worthy programs – this year we helped fund 3 new vans for resident travel, employee appreciation fund and the Resident Assistance Fund.

Open to residents, staff, family, friends and campus visitors, the Boutique has become a great venue to visit with fellow shoppers. We do have “our regulars” who wouldn’t miss a week, but invite those first-timers to join us. As one shopper said last week, “I hate to miss a week since there are always new items for sale!”

We also carry small furniture items! We welcome small furniture pieces that can be lifted and transported by one person, such as small tables and chairs, TVs, storage units and small desks.

Donations are always welcomed. You can call or leave a message at x18463 for pickup requests. Messages are picked up Tuesdays and Thursdays. If we can’t use the item, we re-donate it to another charity. We don’t accept boxes of books, bed pillows and mattresses.

The Boutique is run totally by a dedicated team of volunteers. Consider joining our volunteer team. We are always looking for residents, family and friends with skills in staging, sorting, pricing, moving boxes and furniture. You also may want to drive our shuttle. You can work a couple hours or more and be a part of a great group of dedicated workers.

When you read this article, we will be nearing the end of our summer season, featuring 75% off on all merchandise! The Boutique will be closing July 19th for renovation and reopening Thursday, September 5th.

Unfortunately while we are closed, we cannot receive and donations. This fall we have great shopping experiences planned – September will mark Native American week with many western and native American items for sale. Of course the holidays feature decorations and gifts.

So welcome to the Boutique—we look forward to seeing you!

Redevelopment Update

We expect the pour of ready-mix/concrete for the floor slabs for building one this Friday, the 31st.   The pour for the footings for the second building could be Monday the 3rd or Tuesday the 4th.  Moving back over to the dirt work for the 17th Drive buildings could begin Wednesday the 5th.

The work in the east drive/Boutique Blvd. near the dumpsters just north of the community garden should wrap up in the middle of this week.  There are driving restrictions while we tap into the water lines in the roadway.

Dust control is in effect at all times on all sites.

LeadingAge Arizona Volunteer of the Year—Leroy Calbom

To serve others, one must be able to connect and listen. To serve others, one must show compassion and humility. To serve others, one must have vision alongside determination and hard work. All of these characteristics distinguish Leroy’s service and involvement in projects within our campus community and in projects benefiting the greater community and neighbors living near Beatitudes Campus.

These were the opening words of our very own Leroy Calbom’s nomination for Volunteer of the Year Award. For those who know him, you know this is so true! It was my absolute honor to be the emcee of the LeadingAge Arizona Awards Luncheon on May 24th and present the well-deserved award to Leroy!

As a past employee and now a resident, Leroy wanted to know more about the neighborhood and how he and the campus community could serve them. Through the Studio, he encouraged other residents to join him in meeting with the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Police Department, Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging and local neighborhood schools, churches and neighborhood associations to find out more. What emerged was that there were many intergenerational refugee families living within a short distance of the campus. When Leroy heard about this, he led a group of fellow residents and sprang into action. He met with the Mosaic Elder Refugee Program at the Area Agency on Aging, became a certified ELA (English Language Arts) instructor and persuaded his fellow residents and neighbors to join him. He persuaded me and other campus leaders to dedicate a room to hold ELA classes for refugee families, and further persuaded the campus leadership to use the campus bus to pick up refugees to bring them to class and take them back to their home. That’s the thing about Leroy – his quiet, unassuming demeanor is a powerful instrument of intentional leadership.

The ELA classes are embedded here at the campus. When Leroy was asked why he did this he responded with “Because they are us. Their story is our story. We are a nation of immigrants and immigrants are part of America’s founding story. Immigrants share the very values we hold dear – work hard, practice your faith, love your family and love this country.”

Please join the campus community on Wednesday, June 5th as we celebrate Leroy and his award during the monthly Town Hall meeting!

Dedicating Ourselves To Carrying On

By now, you have likely heard the very sad news that our Beatitudes Campus founder, Dr. Culver H. (Bill) Nelson, passed away on Friday April 14, 2019. Beatitudes Campus has lost a visionary leader and our community has lost an amazing soul.

Televeda’s Empowered Living Program

Make new friends and be the best version of yourself. Anywhere.

If you have walked by the Plaza View Lounge on Saturday afternoons at 2:00, a group of residents creating community with each other would welcome you.  For the past 5 weeks, residents living in Plaza View have had the opportunity to join a program called televeda’s Empowered Living.  This organization’s primary goal is to design solutions that strengthen the relationships of a community, along with their mission statement to design solutions that alleviate social isolation.  We felt this could be a great partnership to develop with them!

I asked televeda’s Co-Founder, Shruti Gurudanti, for a paragraph to share about the program.  She said, televeda’s Empowered Living is a body and brain workout experience that is way more than just your usual exercise class. Empowered Living is a friendly community of people who love to make new friends and keep their body and brain active by playing Jeopardy-style brain games, grooving to old school rock ‘n’ roll, and motivating each other to be the best version of themselves. Members come for the camaraderie and lively atmosphere of the class. Persons of all fitness levels are welcome. And if you don’t feel like exercising, but just want to play the games, you’re more than welcome to join. The class starts out with simple and fun movements inspired by dance, then builds into light breathing exercises, followed by energetic brain games, bringing you a phenomenal socializing experience. The classes encourage and motivate you to defy the odds and answer every challenge with, “Yes, I can do this!” You can attend televeda’s Empowered Living classes in-person at the Lounge area in the Assisted Living building or using your computer, laptop, smart phone, IPad or tablet device right from the comfort of your room. So, if you can’t come to a class for any reason, you can still meet your friends and stay active from wherever you are! Televeda’s Empowered Living program is your opportunity to be inspired, feel euphoric and build friendships that last beyond the class. Televeda’s Empowered Living classes are held every Saturday in the Plaza View Lounge from 2:00 to 3:00PM. Can’t wait to meet you!

Be a Community Wednesday

Here is the line-up for the month of March—1st Wednesday at 2:00PM (LC) Community Town Hall; 2nd Wednesday at 2:00PM (LC) Community Residents Council; 3rd Wednesday at 2:00PM (PB) Wednesdays Sundaes with Dave; 4th Wednesday at 2:00PM (LC) Community Welcome Coffee with New Residents…. read full article here https://wp.me/p7o8lu-gQf

Courage and Joy

Fifty-five years ago, the visionaries and pioneers of Beatitudes Campus held a historic groundbreaking on undeveloped farm land, bought for $25,000 an acre, with a vision to change the face of nursing homes of the 1960s—to build  a place where older adults could live, learn and play for the rest of their lives. They created a vision so big and so bright that it lives on from generation to generation.

From the first apartment built after that groundbreaking (Plaza South), so much has been built, and 16,000 seniors have lived vibrant and fulfilled lives at Beatitudes Campus.

Ten years ago, another historic groundbreaking occurred—the building of the Central Park Apartments and creation of our Town Plaza. At that groundbreaking ceremony, our founder, Rev. Dr. Bill Nelson, offered an invocation:
“…Never let the mystery keep us from plunging into the future with courage and with joy…may we turn the sod over and rearrange the world in more human ways…”

I have never forgotten those words, and they seem especially pertinent as we prepare for another chapter in the life of the campus—an eight-year master plan of redevelopment. We are rearranging the world—in ways that allow our residents to live empowered and purposeful lives, in ways that nourish and strengthen our neighborhood and community, in ways that allow our staff the privilege of servant leadership. I am honored, and humbled, to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors—Dr. Nelson, Rev. Everett Luther, Rev. Ken Buckwald and Peggy Mullan—to build on the firm foundation they have laid and embark on the biggest redevelopment the campus has seen. And, I am so privileged to serve our residents and our future residents and learn from you the lessons of hard work, of survival amidst momentous change, of sacrifice and of honor.

Our master plan is not just an investment in Beatitudes Campus. It is an investment in our community-in the lives of residents and future residents and in the staff who answered the call of service to others. We have grown from a dozen staff members to our 450 dedicated staff who have a sacred responsibility of service to 650 residents. The growth of the campus to become one of the largest employers in North Central Phoenix and in the Top 100 in Phoenix, is a testament to our vision to be a leader in aging services and serve the broad middle class. Our focus is not only confined to our campus – the campus is also a major contributor to our community’s economy. More than half of our expenditures to vendors is  returned to our local community businesses that are headquartered in Arizona, most of whom are located in Maricopa County or are small businesses.

As Dr. Nelson so clearly stated ten years ago, we must plunge into the future with courage and joy. It takes courage to redefine senior living as we are doing each and every day, but the joy I feel when you thrive and contribute to our community is life affirming. Our redevelopment and expansion speak to the heart of our campus mission.

We will celebrate this new chapter in the life of the campus with a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Thursday, February 21 at 10AM. Residents and staff can watch the ceremony live from the Luther Life Center, followed by a reception and refreshments from 10:00—1:00PM with our special guests and future residents. The Beatitudes Campus Board of Directors and I invite you to share with us, and each other, this important milestone in the evolution of the campus and feel the joy along with us.

New Elaine’s Fine Dining Menu Offers Residents More Variety

We are excited to announce that, on January 31st, we will be migrating to a 52-week menu in Elaine’s Fine Dining to continue our commitment to variety.

Elaine’s format will have new and exciting offerings weekly and will be part of your Roadrunner each Monday. We will have changing options in seafood, appetizer, salad, soup, chicken, pork and others while maintaining our most popular dishes on our weekly menu.

We are very excited to bring this new option to you and, hopefully, you will come to Elaine’s Fine Dining and experience a night out, away from the bustle of our other venues, in a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere providing excellent food and service and featuring a new drink menu to add to the variety.

The Bistro moved to a 52-week menu a couple of months ago and has been very successful in bringing you variety with menu changes on a weekly basis. In the past, we changed our menus twice a year  and added variety by offering multiple specials in each venue. These specials were advertised weekly in the Roadrunner and quickly became the only options you saw in our venues. Many people said to me, “Joe, why do we only have these choices available to us” when indeed, there was an entire menu to choose from on top of the advertised specials. Moving forward, we will create all of our menus on a 52 week menu platform and provide you exceptional variety of choice, not only on the menu selections but make each venue varied and make your choice of where to dine much harder for you. This is a good thing, right?

We look forward to this change as much as you do and cannot wait to hear your reactions about the variety offered in our restaurants.*

LifeLong Learners Update

You’ve been asking—when is the new catalog coming out? When do classes start? I hope we’re having a short story class again. What’s Tom Denny teaching this time? Your questions are answered. You have your catalog. The schedule is set, and so are the registration dates—Jan. 14th and 15th. If you have questions, join us today (Jan. 7th) at the back of the Plaza Bistro from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

A quick look at the schedule shows old favorites such as Poetry, American Art, Arizona History (that’s the Tom Denny offering), Spanish, French, TED Talks, Movies, Word Playing and American Short Story.

To pique your interest, we’re offering these new courses:

Jewish Short Story taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter

Beginning Spanish (often-requested)

Court Compendium, an outgrowth of Our Courts

Death and Dying, discussions to be facilitated by Success Matters interns

Supreme Court Decisions by our resident judge, Bill Schafer

Storytelling—If you attended the Christmas service where Rev. Doug Bland told about nativity figures and children, you met our Storytelling teacher.

In addition, Dosia has organized a three-parter called The Wonder of Birds, and Bill Chase will energize the subject of Construction, by explaining what’s going on all around us. Last, our faithful computer ladies have come up with a new topic—The Useful Internet.

And in between old and new are an expanded Enneagram, an updated Presidential Fiscal Policy, Recorder for both new and continuing students, Income Tax, PowerPoint, Word, and the popular Saturday phone/tablet courses.

We hope you’ll find something intriguing among the offerings – no grades, no credits, no tests! See you in class.*

It’s the “Feeling”

One of the most important aspects of why folks choose a lifeplan community is the environment.  By that, I am not referring to the air quality or the paint color.  It’s the “feeling” that they have when they come to campus and the sustained sense of inclusion and acceptance once they have moved here.  Those of you who already live on campus are one of bedrock reasons decisions are made to live at Beatitudes Campus and you are additionally the cornerstone of continuing satisfaction and engagement.

I recently became aware of an NPR story about the influx of people who are choosing to retire in some of the highest growth areas of the country (Maricopa is the fastest-growth county in the nation, according to the U.S. Census data) and just this morning I heard that 200 people a day move here.  The piece discussed several new senior living sites but also noted that continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, or life plan communities) are still one of the strongest choices of all.

Beyond the details about the various options in Phoenix, there was something else about the NPR story that caught my attention.

“The last house I’m gonna have”

The reporter had interviewed a woman named Sara Klemmer, who currently lives in a thriving historic area of town.  For Mrs. Klemmer, the decision to leave the neighborhood she loves makes sense financially and logically, but still, she says it’s been emotionally difficult.  And the notion of joining a continuing care community is a psychological adjustment, too.

‘This is the last house I’m gonna have, the last apartment,’ Klemmer said. ‘You come face to face with your mortality.’”

In all honesty, I hear this sentiment a lot from people who are considering a move to a lifeplan community.  At the heart of this and similar comments is the idea that, “I know I should do this—it makes sense in every aspect—but it’s the finality of it that is holding me back.”

There are four common refrains I often hear when it comes to seniors’ apprehension about a lifeplan community/CCRC move—the reasons that people give for not being “ready,” several of which were voiced or implied by Ms. Klemmer.

“I’m still active and independent.”

“I don’t want to leave my home.”

“Moving is too much of a headache.”

“I’m worried that I can’t afford to move to a Life Plan Community this early.”

All four of these reasons for putting off a Life Plan Community move (whether to a patio home, entry fee or rental apartment) or wavering about the decision to move are completely understandable.  However, many of you analyzed your circumstances and came to some conclusions that are often pretty startling until you give them some thought.

Here are a few important points that we ask folks to weigh… and it is always of great benefit when we are able to ask so many of you to tell the story of how you came to your conclusions to move to the campus.

Choosing to “age in place,” instead of downsizing and moving to a Life Plan Community, likely is the easiest solution in the short-term. But should you experience a health setback in the future, this option may end up being not only physically challenging (especially if you do not have a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of your home) but also costly (the current average cost of in-home care is around $4,000 per month. But this is based on just 6 hours of care per day. If you require more care, especially if it is 24-hour care, it could double or triple this amount.

Opting to remain in your home also can cause tremendous issues in the long-term for your adult children, who may end up dealing with the many challenges that come with caregiving for an elderly parent. This can be an especially difficult situation if your adult children live far away, have young children of their own to care for, or lack flexibility with their job.

The fact is, someone will have to sort through all of your belongings eventually—likely your adult children or another loved one. They will be forced to choose what to keep and what to give away or sell, pack and move everything, and then sell the home. It is a daunting task to put on someone else’s shoulders, both physically and emotionally.

Making the right choice for you

The sentiments expressed by Ms. Klemmer in the NPR story are extremely common. After all, moving out of a cherished home and into a Life Plan Community is a major life change. It would be concerning if a person had zero apprehensions about it!

But I can tell you this, having spoken with literally hundreds of Life Plan Community residents over the years: the vast majority of people who decide to move to a Life Plan Community are extremely happy they did. Yes, most residents say there was an adjustment period when they first moved in, but in the long run, the benefits of living in a Life Plan Community—including services, amenities, and a continuum of care services available onsite—far outweigh the inconveniences that come with downsizing and moving.

In many surveys, the number one reason given for delaying a decision about moving to a Life Plan Community was, “I don’t feel that I’m old enough yet.” Some who are well into their 80s even said this.

The idea that this will be your “final move” does force one to confront their own mortality, as Ms. Klemmer points out, and some people aren’t entirely comfortable with facing this reality. This fact may be at the heart of this common sentiment voiced in surveys that “I’m not old enough yet.”

However, what I hear from most residents is how glad they are that they moved earlier, rather than waiting until some unspecified time in the future when they felt “ready” or “old enough.” Moving sooner rather than later has given them the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with other residents, establishing a solid social and support network for the unknowns of the future (such as dealing with a health crisis or a partner’s passing). This ready-made support system, along with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your care needs will be met no matter what, is a compelling reason to put aside your trepidation and put the wheels into motion on making the move.

I’m happy to bring you up to date that we have a substantial number of planners getting ready to join us in the next year.  We have contracted for 29 of the 34 new patio homes and have an additional two on hold!  The campus mission marches on!  Be sure to welcome your new neighbors as you see them at events and around campus.  And don’t forget that there is a great resident referral bonus available to all of you who live on campus.  Stop by the marketing office to get the details and your referral form!*

TOWN HALL Recap for December 5, 2018

Rev. David Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services, called the meeting to order at 2:15PM, wishing all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Joyous Holiday Season. David also asked residents to be sensitive to those who may have lost a loved one recently or have other reasons to be sad over the holidays. A kind word or deed can make a big difference. He shared the spirit of the holidays by showing some pictures of staff, both now and in previous years. Staff Christmas photo cards from years past of Michelle Just, Joe Kane, Mike Smallwood, Peggy Roberts, Jon Schilling, Barbara Wood and many others brought gales of laughter from residents. How we do change over the years!! David called attention to the Welcome Coffee held the fourth Wednesday of each month, but taking a break in December, with the next Coffee on Wednesday, January 23rd.

Michelle Just, President and CEO, also wished residents happy holidays and provided updates on several items. She thanked residents for their participation in the Holleran Survey and said the findings will be used by Senior Staff, the Board of Directors and others in planning for the future. Michelle also thanked residents for their generosity in raising over $165,000 for the Employee Appreciation Fund. The staff party with be on Friday, December 7th, and employees are very grateful for the money they receive from the Fund. It will definitely make a difference for Christmas. As for the redevelopment, residents have no doubt noticed that the homes along 17th Drive and Myrtle Avenue have been demolished. Abatement will be started tomorrow in regard to the old patio homes. They will not be demolished until sometime in January and residents will be duly notified of the date so that they may party on their balconies. A new name has been given to the Courtyard buildings. It is to be called the Promenade Residences. In response to letters received and rumors, Michelle assured residents that the Mall would not be closing down for this phase of the redevelopment. That will not occur until the Promenade Residences are built 2 ½ years down the road. She has also received word that residents are very happy with the Holiday decorations and she assured us that the Poinsettia tree in the Life Center will remain lovely without watering as the flowers are silk! Michelle asked a favor of residents—that some residents (in their Beatitudes T-shirts) would attend the Alhambra Village Planning meeting on December 18th at the Washington Adult Center. More information will be available in the Roadrunner.

As Barbara Carpenter came forward to report on the Residents Council, David noted that there had been a Barbara Luncheon. Barbara said that 18 Barbaras attended and had a lovely time.

Barbara reported on the November Residents Council Meeting, noting that David Ragan welcomed the Representatives, Committee Chairs, Staff and Residents. He had updates on the demolishing of the new patio home and garden apartment sites, the Community Channel and a new loop system for the Life Center. Bylaws and Elections Chairman, Herb Komnick, reported that the elections went smoothly, each building has elected representatives, and over 60% of independent living residents voted. Dining Services Chair, Pat Dellisanti, shared the mostly positive comments that the committee had received on our dining venues. Bette Henriques, Employee Appreciation Chair, announced that the 2018 fund had broken the previous record and she, too, thanked all who participated so generously. Enviroment Chairmen, Gerald Roseberry, said that servers in Buckwald’s and Elaine’s will be offering water on request as part of our conservation effort. It was approved for the Recycling Sub-Committee to move to the Facilities Committee. Facilities Committee Chairman, Roger Benson, and his committee are working with our Director of Plant Operations on the serviceability and appearance of the campus facilities. Committees reporting in December include Communications, Community Relations, Health and Wellness, Life Enrichment, Spiritual Life and Welcome. Representative, Nils Larson, of Plaza View welcomed new representative, Dick Tucker and reported on happenings there. Kathleen Hall of Plaza South and Hollister Newlin of Central Park South each reported about good things in their buildings and all independent living areas will be celebrating the season with holiday events starting next week. Donna Ellis reported for the newly formed Diversity and Inclusion Action Council, which will be working to promote these values, a part of the Beatitudes Promise. The Residents Council will be appreciating all our 2018 volunteers, electing new officers and seating our new representatives next week so join us for an exciting glimpse into 2019 on Wednesday, December 12th at 2:00PM. Cake and coffee will be served. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2018!

Jessica Meyer, Director of Success Matters, announced a Courtney Cookie Send-off to be held on Thursday, December 20th from 10 to 11AM. Courtney Ramos has completed her internship at the Beatitudes and we thank her for her work on Campus and wish her well in her upcoming career as an occupational therapist. Courtney, who has now completed her Master’s Degree, thanked the residents for being so welcoming and expressed her feeling that this is a wonderful community.

Didi Cruz and Monica De La Rosa, Life Enrichment Specialists, combined forces to remind residents of several upcoming opportunities such as the Holiday Light Tour Off Campus on Monday, December 17th and Wednesday, December 19th at 6PM. Call x12905 to reserve your seat. There will be a trip to Organ Stop Pizza on Tuesday, December 18th at 3PM. Organ Stop Pizza accepts CASH ONLY and to join this trip, call 12905 by Friday, December 14th. If you plan on decorating your balcony, and don’t mind having folks stop by around 6PM on weekdays, call Didi at 18473 by Thursday, December 13th. Those who participate will be entered in a raffle to win a $25 gift card. Free gift wrapping is available on Saturday, December 15th from 9AM to 5PM. Volunteers will be available to help wrap your gifts. All supplies are provided and please schedule a time by calling Monica at x18526. If you would like to be a Town Crier, and be available from 8 to 8:20AM to announce the events/classes going on for the day and the following day, and answer questions regarding the events/classes, contact Korry Nelson, Communications and Media Design Specialist at x18493 or talk with a Communications Committee member. You can volunteer for one day a week, or two days a week or whatever you might be able to do.

Michael Smallwood, Fitness Specialist, provided riddles and jokes along with good news about keeping fit. It seems that as Americans continue to live longer, we also are aging better and thriving more in later life. Seniors are more satisfied with their standard of living, worry less about finances, have a significantly higher sense of well-being and have reduced amounts of stress in their lives than their younger counterparts. Hawaii ranks as the #1 state for older Americans well-being, followed by ARIZONA, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Colorado. The least happy states were Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky and West Virginia. So stay here at the Beatitudes and join a workout and wellness class! The B-Fit winner for December is Norma Dieffenbach.

Tena Alonzo, Comfort Matters Director of Education and Research, introduced John Czaplewski, a Doctoral student, whose dissertation project involves the cognitive examination of people at least 90 years old. John said that participating in the project will require 20 to 30 minutes of activities such as puzzles, identifying pictures, remembering a short list of words, drawing pictures and connecting the dots. If residents participate, they will be a part of something that will benefit the care of others, create something new, represent individuals 90 years-old and over and impact the field of Neuropsychology. There is no other research like this in the country. If you are interested in participating in this important study, contact Tena at x16182.

David said that the DirecTV installation is complete and Cox is terminated throughout the campus. If Cox is trying to bill you for the white boxes that were in your apartment, tell them to cease doing so as they are part of the bulk account between Beatitudes Campus and Cox and this does not involve you. Always put in a work order should you have any issues involving your television or internet from now on.

The Arizona Republic is for sale in the Bistro for $2.00 a copy, including Sunday. Remember the Hootenanny takes place each and every Wednesday night in the Life Center. Bring your friends and enjoy the music. Wednesday Sundaes with Dave will take place on December 19th from 2 to 4PM in the Bistro. Enjoy a free yogurt sundae and share your thoughts with David. A big Thank You to Gregory’s Fresh Market for the bags of fruits and vegetables given to residents as they came to Town Hall on Wednesday.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL. The next Town Hall will be at 2:00PM in the Life Center on January 2nd, 2019.

A Christmas Classic

At Christmas-time I love watching the timeless and treasured classics like Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas. This year celebrates the 53rd anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas and I learned some of the history of how the classic came to be. The special–a collaboration between Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, producer Lee Mendelson, and director Bill Melendez–first aired on December 9, 1965 and was loved from the start. One of the most moving moments in the show is when Linus explains the meaning of Christmas by reciting the story of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Schulz did not have the support from the other executives who wondered if an animated special was the right place for the religious text. Director Bill Melendez told Schulz (whose nickname was Sparky), “Sparky, this is religion. It just doesn’t go in a cartoon.” But Schulz had a simple response: “Bill, if we don’t do it, who will? We can do it.” The passage stayed in — and we are glad it did.
Another unique part of the production was that Schultz insisted on using real kid’s voices in a time when it was standard practice to have children’s roles performed by adults. Fortunately, they were able to find the right children to voice all of the characters even though a few were so young they couldn’t read or understand the script! Jazz musician and composer Vince Guaraldi wrote the original music for the show, which was the first animated network special to feature jazz. The score includes “Linus and Lucy,” otherwise known as the Peanuts theme. Guaraldi also wrote the music for “Christmas Time Is Here” (the song’s lyrics were penned on the back of an envelope by Mendelson in just 15 minutes). Schulz didn’t even like jazz but fortunately for us he didn’t let his dislike stand in the way of an iconic score.
Then there is the small, struggling tree that Charlie Brown picks out with its uneven, almost bare branches. In 1964, Mendelson read the Hans Christian Andersen story The Fir Tree — about a tree desperate to grow to match its taller brethren — to his children. When work started on A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mendelson mentioned the Andersen tale to Schulz, which prompted the cartoonist to dream up Charlie Brown’s tree. And though it was mocked, things turned out okay for that tree in the end. As Linus says, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” Executives at CBS didn’t think the show would be a hit. The expectation was that it would make its debut, then disappear forever — and if there had been a programming alternative the special might not have made it on the air at all. Fortunately, it was shown — and about half the country watched Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang celebrate Christmas. Now, 53 years later, it remains as popular and beloved as ever. *

Our New Program is Beginning!

Stop by Elaine’s on Monday, August 20 at 6PM to hear about the new “Let’s get Acquainted” program that is beginning.  We will be sharing how we see the program running and how folks can get involved.  Refreshments will be provided so be sure to make your way down!

We will be celebrating all August birthdays on Thursday, August 23 at 1PM in the Great Hall.  Gaylan Taylor will be here entertaining with cake and punch provided.  It does not have to be your birthday month to come and boogie, so please come down and celebrate with us!

Are you interested in being a part of the campus’s annual Christmas cards?  If so, submit your painting with a Christmas theme and we will be looking at having your painting published.  For any painting that is used, the owner who submitted it will receive copies of cards for their pleasure.  If you are interested or have questions, call Didi at x18473.  Deadline to submit is the beginning of November.

Do you have an interest in painting?  We have Angie’s Open Paint Class every 2nd and 4th Friday at 2:30PM in the Recreation Center. There is no sign up required, just stop by and join the class. Angie specializes in teaching painting and would love to increase her number of students.  There is no class fee other than bringing your own supplies.  For any questions, call Didi at x18473.  No experience necessary.

Be on the lookout for Active Aging Week material that will show all the events and programs we have scheduled at the end of September. What is Active Aging Week? Every year we join this National Celebration to promote Active Aging through fun, creative and interactive outlets. Learn more at: www.activeagingweek.com/about.php

Keep Learning, Growing and Living Better!

Springtime means graduation season. There is a recent and growing trend among college graduates that is garnering a lot of attention. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, by 2020, 43 percent of college students are expected to be age 25 and older. And among these older grads are more and more seniors, who are embracing their love of lifelong learning.

You may have seen some of the recent news stories about older people who recently got their diplomas. ABC News highlighted Bob Barger, a WWII Navy pilot, who recently received his associate degree in technical studies from the University of Toledo in Ohio. After returning home from the war, he had dropped out of college to focus on his job and earning a living for his wife and two children.

CBS News shared the moving story of 89-year-old Ella Washington, who, after raising 12 children and putting in a lifetime of hard work, recently completed her associate degree in interdisciplinary studies from Liberty University in Virginia. She’s already begun work on her bachelor’s degree, majoring in history.

Bob and Ella are just two of the many older people who are taking advantage of the free time that retirement offers to pursue their education and learn more about subjects they are passionate about. And studies show that the benefits of seniors’ pursuit of lifelong learning are abundant.

Learning something new, such as a new skill or hobby, can help boost your memory. Neuroscientists at the University of Texas at Dallas conducted a study that found seniors who took on a new mentally challenging hobby saw a lasting increase in their memory skills. These researchers believe that taking on a new challenging activity—like learning to quilt, play an instrument, or operate a computer, for example—strengthens numerous networks within the brain.

A research study conducted by neurologists at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found that engaging in a lifelong pursuit of mentally challenging activities may actually help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that seniors who frequently read, played mentally challenging games like chess, or engaged in other intellectually stimulating activities are 2.5 times less likely to have Alzheimer’s, which impacts approximately 4 million Americans.

Pursuing lifelong learning activities has benefits that go beyond boosting your brain power. Cognitive neuropsychologists at the University of Sussex in England did a study that found that reading for even just six minutes lowered study participants’ stress levels, slowing their heart rates and easing tension in their muscles. And lower stress has wide ranging benefits for seniors’ cardiovascular health, decreasing blood pressure and reducing the risk of a stroke or heart attack, boosting immunity, and lowering levels of depression.

But researchers at Harvard and Princeton had even more impressive findings in their research on the connection between lifelong learning and health. The study authors found that one more year of education increased life expectancy by 0.18 years. They discovered that the more educated a person, the lower their rates of anxiety and depression, as well as the most common acute and chronic diseases (heart disease, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, emphysema, diabetes, asthma, ulcer), and they were far less likely to report that they were in overall poor health.

Now, there is a “chicken or egg” debate on whether the increased level of education caused these positive health results, or if the people who were healthier (perhaps based on lifestyle factors like drinking, smoking, eating habits, etc., or the impact of their economic standing) were simply more likely to pursue educational opportunities, but the findings are still significant.

There are numerous lifelong learning opportunities available to seniors. I’m proud to remind everyone reading this article, whether you are a campus resident, seeing it online or considering Beatitudes for yourself or your loved one, that we have an outstanding, resident-run LifeLong Learning program on campus with dozens of classes offered each year and a strong games program matching residents interests in not only bridge and Mahjong, but also a host of others.

Beyond that, if you’re looking to take up a new intellectually stimulating hobby like quilting or painting, contact our Life Enrichment department to see what groups are currently available. The Library, which is managed by the Beatitudes Campus Auxiliary, is another great resource—providing not only a treasure trove of mentally stimulating books, but also offering opportunities to serve other campus residents by volunteering.

One of the many advantages of living in a senior living community, such as a Life Plan Community (formerly CCRC) like Beatitudes Campus, is the array of activities and events offered to residents. Knowing the many benefits to their residents’ mental and physical health, Beatitudes Campus in particular puts an emphasis on lifelong learning opportunities. From guest speakers to art classes to affinity groups like chess, bridge, and book clubs, we are proud to provide their residents with numerous ways to keep their minds active, all in a close-to-home location.

Courses include everything from literature, history, and creative writing, to art and music appreciation, philosophy, and current events.

Whether you are interested in getting educated on a new subject or acquiring a new skill, there are near-countless ways that lifelong learning benefits seniors. So why not challenge yourself and try something new? It’s a lifestyle choice that’s good for your mind, which in turn is good for your health!*

While I Am Out

As maternity leave is quickly approaching, I have been asked, “Who will take over while you are away?” With Monica and I both out, Jon Schilling will be housing in our office and taking over minor duties while we are away for three months enjoying our baby boys. He will be available to answer questions and take phone calls. You can contact him directly at x10333 or by email at [email protected].

Monica and I have been planning the last 6 months, laying out our jobs and working closely with our Life Enrichment Committee to ensure everything runs smoothly during this temporary transition. With that being said, the Life Enrichment Committee has worked hard in planning the next four months of the calendar along with us. Theme dinners, off campus trips and on campus events will go on as normal. The monthly synopsis sheets will continue to be posted in a larger edition of the Roadrunner. There, you will find detailed descriptions of each event, such as tickets prices (if any), where to sign up, location, departure time or time events start. Events will also be posted in the weekly Roadrunner and Monthly Calendar.

EVENTS TO LOOK FOR IN JULY
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Braves on Wednesday, July 26th. The ticket prices can range from $40 to 45 depending on how many folks sign up. We are still looking for 4 more sign ups in order to take this trip. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, July 5th. You will need to call x18473 to put your name on the list.

The Herberger Lunchtime Show, Sugar Bowl Ice Cream, Arizona Heritage Center, Paradise Valley Mall and more are scheduled! Bruce Pulk will be doing a two-hour chat series on the Phoenix Symphony’s upcoming performances on Friday, July 21st from 10AM-12PM and an hour chat on Friday, July 28th. You won’t want to miss it!

Also for questions or to sign up for Southwest Mobility, feel free to leave a voicemail at x18473. The voicemail will be checked regularly.

From Physical Therapy to Personal Fitness

Graduating from physical therapy is a good reason to celebrate and there’s no better time to start a fitness program, even if you’ve never been physically active. Regular exercise will help you maintain your therapy results and will keep you feeling good for a long time. Create a plan to stay active and fit, even when you don’t have a therapist watching your every move.

Start Smart

Physical therapists usually discharge patients with home exercise instructions. Before you finish therapy, ask any questions you have about exercises you should and shouldn’t be doing. You should have a clear understanding of which exercises to do, how to do them, how often, for how long, at what level and how you should feel while exercising.  As you begin exercising on your own, go easy. Follow your therapist’s instructions to increase your exercise level to avoid injury and discourage setbacks.

The benefits of exercise last only as long as you stay active, so keep a copy of your exercise plan where you’ll see it every day. Track your progress to keep yourself honest. Otherwise, you may end up right where you started, with pain, limited function or injury.

At Home

Beginning your post-rehab personal fitness program at home is a great idea for convenience, privacy, and affordability. Set up your home exercise space with safety in mind. Clear your floor of slipping and tripping hazards and make sure you have a stable surface to sit, stand or lie on and something to hold onto for balance.

Gym Time

You may wish to exercise at a local gym or recreation center, especially if you already belonged to one before you underwent physical therapy. If your home exercise plan calls for using exercise equipment or machines, working out at a gym is a convenient way to go.

Step It Up

When you’re ready to move beyond your post-rehab exercise program, schedule a few sessions with a certified personal trainer specializing in post-rehab training. Doing so decreases your risk of injury and pain as you continue to build strength and fitness.

Speak Up

Once you begin your personal fitness program, you may have some questions. You might try some of the exercises and realize that for some reason, they don’t feel right to you. Instead of ditching the entire plan, contact your physical therapist or trainer. Some simple adjustments to your routine could make all the difference.