Every year 47,000 Americans kill themselves and 72,000 more die from drug addiction. Journalist David Brooks says: “This kind of pain is an epidemic in our society. When you cover the sociology beat as I do, you see other kinds of pain. The African-American woman in Greenville who is indignant because young black kids in… read the whole article here https://wp.me/p7o8lu-gQi
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
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.
Are you an Arizona State Retiree who gets health insurance through your retirement plan? This year the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) announced a change in one segment of its retiree health insurance.
ASRS has traditionally had two plans to choose from: they offered both an HMO Plan (Medicare Part C) and a Medicare Senior Supplement (Original Medicare with Part B Supplement, also called a Medigap plan). If you previously had Medicare coverage through the ASRS HMO Plan, these new changes do not affect you. If, however, you had Original Medicare with a Senior Supplement through ASRS, the 2019 changes will affect your coverage.
Both ASRS plans rely on “passive enrollment,” which is a convenient way for people to keep their current plan from year to year. This year, however, retirees who had the Senior Supplement Plan (not the HMO) were passively enrolled out of Original Medicare and into a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through UnitedHealthcare (the same insurer who provides coverage for the HMO beneficiaries).
The “behind the scenes” problem with this change is that retirees were not informed that by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, they would lose “guaranteed issue” to future Supplement / Medigap policies. Guaranteed issue means that you have the right to buy a policy without medical underwriting, which can lead to denials of coverage or inflated prices based on age and health conditions. Another concern is that the new lower premiums, while attractive, are due to a temporary rate adjustment, and future costs may not remain low.
How might this affect you? Both our contracted outpatient services through OASIS and our Campus Home Health program accept Original Medicare but not Advantage Plans (HMOs or PPOs), with the exception of Home Health accepting UHC Community and UHC Dual Complete (AHCCCS). For example, if you are a retired teacher previously on the ASRS Senior Supplement Plan, you are now on a PPO Plan. You may have had physical therapy on campus as an outpatient, or through the campus Home Health service. Now, however, you will not be covered and will need to seek outpatient services off campus, and Home Health from an outside agency.
SHIP Medicare Counselors believe individuals can get better coverage at a better price by remaining on Original Medicare with a Supplement and Part D coverage. The new deadline to change your Medicare coverage from the new PPO to Original Medicare with a supplement is March 3rd, 2019.
If you are affected by this change, and wish to speak to a Medicare counselor about making a change, please let Josephine know no later than February 15th at x16117.
Beatitudes Campus is truly entering one of the most exciting times in its 54-year history as we celebrate the beginning of construction of our new 34 patio homes. I thought you might be interested in a little of the planning background for this new addition on the north and west perimeters of campus and we are so excited to welcome this new group of residents.
Research has shown and our history supports that this is one of the most often requested accommodations in a continuing care retirement community or life plan community, as we are now known. Many coming to see our presentations looked at a condo setting as they considered selling their larger homes and have reported five significant differences between patio homes and condos.
Most of our residents move into an independent living patio home while they are younger, healthy and active. If or when assistance or care is needed, they can stay within the community but move into an assisted living apartment or other care arrangement.
Being a life plan community allows our residents to always remain living in the community where they have built friendships, know the staff and feel at home.
At Beatitudes Campus, we have 3 different floor plans for one- or two-bedroom designs. Our patio homes feature attractive finishes, fully equipped kitchens, attached garages, and plenty of outdoor space both in the front and rear of each. We are excited to formally celebrate “spades in the ground” on February 21st at 10 A.M. as Michelle Just, CEO, the board, executive staff, the construction company, architects and our twenty -seven depositors all meet for a brief ceremony at the Myrtle Avenue sight that we are going to live-stream to the rest of the campus in the Life Center.
Please join us in the Luther Life Center anytime from 10:00AM—1:00PM for a come and go celebration complete with a light brunch menu. We will have numerous displays of information and our consultants and staff will be on hand to join in the festivities and answer questions. There will be more information posted on the community channel as we get closer to the date. In the meantime, please RSVP to Ali Shreeve, marketing assistant at 18467 so that we can plan appropriately. It’s going to be a great day!
As many of you know, February is BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
Black History Month (BHM), also known as African-American History Month, is an annual observance time celebrated in the U.S.
There are a handful of other countries worldwide who celebrate BHM under a different name called “Black Achievement Month”.
The precursor to Black History Month was “Negro History Week” created in 1926 in the United States, by historian Carter G. Woodson
It was chosen to be on the 2nd week of February because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Fredrick Douglass (Feb. 14).
Beatitudes Campus has a “Black History Month (BHM) Planning Committee” The 2019 members are, Josie Gay, Nancy Cortez, Anthony Farias, Conroy Dennis, Bob Longoni, Betty Greathouse, Shirley Kendrick, Sherika Johnson, Doris Lyke, Ella Adams, Barbara Williams, Emma Walls, Betty Hullaby, and Gerald Roseberry, we are all motivated to participate in the BHM related events.
This year, the BHM Planning Committee wants to expand the recognition throughout the month instead of cramming all of the information into one 90 minute event like has been done in the past.
It all starts with me writing this article.
There will be a Black History Month display once a week in the Bistro during lunch time. Each display in the roadrunner will be advertised with the date and time.
The BHM Committee will host one movie each week this month in the Life Center which will also be advertised in the Roadrunner.
Look for BLACK HISTORY related information posted on the BEATITUDES CAMPUS COMMUNITY CHANNEL throughout this month.
The recognition will conclude at the end of the month with our grand finale!!! THE BEATITUDES 6TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH event created and lead by campus staff member, Josie Gay, on Thursday, February 28.
I am most excited about my former fitness client and friend, VERNON PARKER, (Paradise Valley’s 1st Black Mayor) who will come and speak at the event. He will be sharing his experiences from when he worked in the White House during both “President Bush” administrations.
Why am I so excited to participate in this event?
Many different conversations lead me to realize that a lot of our residents and staff do not know of the many aspects of Black history. I thought that it was common knowledge to most Americans, but I was wrong.
For example, most poeple in one of my wellness classes didn’t know that there is a Negro National Anthem.
The reactions were quite comical before I convinced the ones who didn’t know that the song really does exist!
What I found most amazing about this matter is that residents whom I spoke with (who are not African American) were interested in knowing MORE about African American Culture. It will be our pleasure to present these topics to you, just think of it as “Black History 101.” Please join us in the Celebration. I hope that you will find it to be educational and fun! *
January 21 from 12 – 3 pm Life Center
Since last April, a council of residents and staff have been meeting to focus our attention on issues around diversity and inclusion. We seek to live further into the Beatitudes Campus Promise to value and welcome all people regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. We believe that each of us can not only make a difference but BE the difference to help create an environment where we can bring our whole selves to our community. We hope to create and sustain a culture where every employee can come to work feeling comfortable, accepted, and set up for success–a community that residents call home where they feel a sense of purpose and value. The Action Council is excited to invite YOU to our first annual Diversity and Inclusion Day next Monday, January 21st in the Life Center. From 12 noon to 3 p.m. there will be a variety of presentations and activities and we hope you will come participate any time that afternoon. A glimpse of what we have planned: 1. Celebrate your unique identity and culture by finding your place of origin on a world map and realize how globally connected we are; 2. Share what diversity and inclusivity mean to you; and 3. Enjoy tasty snacks which reflect spices and tastes from around the world.
January 21st is also important because it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day when we recognize the many contributions King’s movement made toward bringing about a more inclusive society and the powerful words of his I Have a Dream speech will inspire us during the day. There will be tables with items and information celebrating Black History, the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning), and areas of travel such as Indonesia and the Ukraine, plus the opportunity to sit with others and share your story. Our diversity makes for such a rich tapestry! The heritage of Christian hospitality on which the Beatitudes was built, laid the foundation for this community to be an inclusive culture where all feel supported, valued and appreciated, but it takes every single one of us working together to live that out every day. We are excited for this event and we hope that you will join us in this mission to fulfill our promise! The Diversity and Inclusion Action Council is looking for others who are passionate about this work so if you would like to join the Council or would like more information please call me, Chaplain Peggy Roberts at X16109.*
As we live into our commitment to be diverse and inclusive here at the campus, we aim to be intentional in the ways that we grow in our understanding and celebration of who WE are. There are friends and family who celebrate Kwanzaa and there is much to learn about this celebration which honors African heritage in African-American culture and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67. Maulana Karenga, a black nationalist who later became a college professor, created Kwanzaa as a way of uniting and empowering the African-African community in the aftermath of the deadly Watts riots. Having modeled his holiday on traditional African harvest festivals, he took the name “Kwanzaa” from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.”
Many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas. Though often thought of as an alternative to Christmas, many people actually celebrate both. “Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality,” Karenga writes. “Thus, Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e. Muslims, Christians, Black Hebrews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha’i and Hindus, as well as those who follow the ancient traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanti, Dogon, etc.” According to Karenga, non-blacks can also enjoy Kwanzaa, just as non-Mexicans commemorate Cinco de Mayo and non-Native Americans participate in powwows. Kwanzaa centers around seven principles which are umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith). Kwanzaa also has seven symbols–mazao (crops), mkeka (mat), kinara (candleholder), muhindi (corn), kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), zawadi (gifts) and mishumaa saba (seven candles)–that are traditionally arranged on a table. Three of the seven candles are red, representing the struggle; three of the candles are green, representing the land and hope for the future; and one of the candles is black, representing people of African descent. Some families who celebrate Kwanzaa dress up or decorate their homes in those colors. Homemade and educational gifts are encouraged. U.S. presidents habitually wish the nation a happy Kwanzaa.The holiday also has made inroads with the U.S. Postal Service, which has issued four separate Kwanzaa stamps since 1997. The latest, from 2011, features a family dressed in traditional African garb lighting the kinara.
When he envisioned the celebration of Kwanzaa, Karenga recognized that on the whole, African Americans do not live in an agricultural setting. Nonetheless, he sought to emphasize that the basic principles found in producing the harvest are vital to building and maintaining strong and wholesome communities. Kwanzaa is that time when we reflect on our use of the basic principles, share and enjoy the fruits of our labor, and recommit ourselves to the collective achievement of a better life for our family, our community, and our people. We celebrate family, community, and culture, and wish our friends, Happy Kwanzaa! *
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with love and joy. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all of you for making Beatitudes Campus the wonderful, spirit-filled community it is. Your warmth and compassion for each other is inspiring. Your wisdom has taught me so much about living life to its fullest. You have blessed me with the lifelong gift of your friendship. Thank you!
Now that 2019 is upon us, many of us have resolved to change some of our “bad” habits and replace them with “good” habits. How did the tradition of New Year’s resolution even start? Some 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians rang in their new year by making promises to the gods in hopes they would earn good favor in the coming year. They often resolved to return borrowed items and get out of debt. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus. During the Middle Ages, knights would renew their vows to chivalry and uphold the values of knighthood by placing their hand on a live or roasted peacock.
Things have come a long way since then! Modern new year’s resolutions became “a thing” in the 19th century. The first recorded use of the phrase “new year resolution” appeared in a Boston newspaper in 1813.
The tradition of making resolutions at the beginning of the year certainly can put a lot of stress on us – especially if we don’t keep them. Every year, in some way or another, I resolve to be a better person, get healthier, work less, save the world, become smarter, be more philanthropic, become more spiritual, engage more in the world around me – whew – what a tall order! And what a lot of pressure! By the end of the year, I usually haven’t fulfilled all of my resolutions in the way I imagined I would in January. Sometimes life doesn’t quite go the way I planned it to go. But by bending with the winds of change, I adapt to changing circumstances. But even then, that sometimes means I don’t accomplish my New Year’s resolutions. What if I could just lighten up a bit and allow myself to live each moment of every day fully – rather than pressuring myself and forcing change and feeling bad when the change doesn’t happen?
So, this year, my “un-resolution” is to resolve to get out of my own way and trust that the better version of me will come through when it’s ready to do so. I am hoping that taking time off from forcing change through new year’s resolutions will open new doors of discovery for me. And I’m excited! 2019 is going to be the best year yet – a year of incredible growth and evolution!
May the new year add a new beauty and freshness in your hearts.*
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!*
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.
Gifts arrive on birthdays, at Christmas, on Hanukkah, anniversaries, retirements and on so many other beautiful occasions throughout our life’s journey. We celebrate great events and individuals who are extra special to us by offering something of ourselves in the form of a gift that reflects our gratitude and appreciation. Some of you might have figured out that I try to send a birthday card of appreciation to all of you and begin writing them just before the new month. Not a card goes by that I do not find myself reflecting on what a gift to the Campus, and to me, the particular individual is to whom I am writing. We give gifts, but the greatest gift is not the gift itself but the giver and receiver themselves. They make for the true treasures in life. And, like all gifts, with time, they are all meant to be shared and that is what makes our Campus so beautiful. The sharing is abundant!
As the Holidays approach, and as much as gift giving is on many of our minds, it is a strange phenomenon whereby individuals forget just what an amazing gift they genuinely are. This time of the year can be especially painful for the ones who just cannot see the truth and beauty about themselves. In that we shine when it comes to gifts that keep on giving, I want to encourage you to make an extra special effort to keep an eye out for a neighbor who might very well be struggling and needing a special word or a little affirmation from you.
You are a gift! There might not be a more perfect time than now to share the gift you are by inviting someone you have not seen for a while to join you for dinner or a Campus event. Or when you notice that fellow resident a few tables down eating alone consider checking and seeing if they might be open to some company. They will be gifted by the amazing individual that is in you and I am willing to bet you will receive a beautiful gift in return in the gift they are as well.
It is every day of the year that Beatitudes Campus excels at sharing and caring for one another, but the Holidays allow us to be even more sensitive and compassionate creating a community where everybody belongs and is unmistakably valued.
You are a gift! And there is no greater gift than sharing yourself to uplift another. Enjoy the Holidays. *
This year kept us busy—join us on a tour of highlights below:
We welcomed Occupational Therapy interns from A.T. Still University and NAU. Laura Milligan, Brian Keene, and Courtney Ramos each contributed to our Campus in their own ways. An extra “thank you” to Campus Residents for welcoming these young professionals into your homes and your lives.
We joined forces with Resident Services and Comfort Matters in our five-part Summer Series “Behind the Curtain”, which benefitted greatly from resident input.
We travelled to San Francisco for the American Society on Aging Conference.
Jessica participated in the leadership training with the Nollau Institute, and continues to be involved with the Caregiver Support Group; Better Breathers; Low Vision Support; Grief Support; and Accessibility Committee.
Josephine continues volunteering as a Medicare counselor with Area Agency on Aging, and completed her Assisted Living Manager Certification.
We continued our own staff training with our SimulAge experience, expanding it to quarterly trainings with new staff from across Campus.
We provided resident driver screenings with the help of NAU OT students, partnered with AARP to offer the Safer Driving Course, and presented Down the Road: Driving Decisions and Alternate Transportation Options.
We partnered with the Health Services Advisory Group to offer a Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) for residents, staff, and community members.
Educational offerings this year included Safer Stepping; A Matter of Balance; Financial Resources 101; Scam Awareness; Life Planning Documents; National Healthcare Decision Making Day; Medicare ABCs; and GoGo Grandparent / Transportation Alternatives.
We spoke at the Desert Christian Fellowship Luncheon about services on and off Campus.
We presented to Valley Leadership members about aging issues and how businesses might address them.
We were hosted by Plaza South at their Spring Party, and had a great evening visiting with our 19North neighbors.
We hosted the Crisis Network to educate employees about how Network services can aid residents and staff.
Health and Wellness Committee partnerships included Blue Zones for Healthy Living; End of Life Planning Panel; and treating pain with Alternative/Integrative Medicine.
Thanks to the residents who work so closely with the Spay/Neuter Hotline to identify and trap cats on Campus.
We are looking forward to 2019 and the joy of the coming year!
Interested in getting monthly email updates from Success Matters, or in sharing our news with family? Send or call Josephine with the email address you would like added to our list! *
There is a community in our neck of the woods which is very much like us. It is about the same size, has almost the same amenities, even has the same food service as we do and is a non-profit. One difference is that it is a “Life Care” Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which means it has more wealth because it costs more to live there, but I do not think that is a factor. From what I can tell, there is very little difference at all, except for one. The residents and staff of the other community rave and rave about how they have the best community compared to anywhere else. They believe they have the best food, the best people and the best quality of life. Honestly, it gets a bit obnoxious and irritating.
When I accepted the position I have today at Beatitudes Campus, I was aware of a phenomenon that never made sense to me because I kept hearing differently from just about all of the residents. I heard over and over about how wonderful life is at Beatitudes Campus. I’d hear, “I should have moved here five years ago” and, “everyone is so happy” etc. But then a Satisfaction Survey would come along and statistically our residents would rank us below the average norm across the nation. I was missing something; it did not add up.
My entire adult life and ministry has been dedicated to creating a community that will work to assure that all others have the greatest quality of life possible – with individuals (no exceptions) always capable of reaching their fullest potential for happiness and wholeness and making a difference for the better in this world. It still is my calling in life as I am determined now, as much as ever before, to do all that I can to see that this community strives for that same goal, not only for us, but for those around us as well. My belief is that, when this occurs, the quality of life we experience today will be nothing less than extraordinary.
In order to go forward, though, we need to know where we are. A large percentage of you have already completed the Holleran Resident Engagement Survey which benchmarks us against other communities and shows our progress toward the goal to see that you are “engaged and satisfied” with your community. Your satisfaction is not my goal, though, nor the Campus’ and never has been. Simple satisfaction is too low a bar for a community like ours which strives to help all realize purpose, happiness and the opportunity for extraordinary new possibilities in this chapter of your life. So, though the survey includes a level of satisfaction, we are looking for “engagement, fulfillment, empowerment, delight and an acknowledgement that you are aware, more than ever before, that you made a wonderful choice to live here and are a beautiful addition to our community. Because you are just that!
Last Friday was the deadline for returning your surveys. However, we still need your voice, as it is the only way we can become all that you want us to be. If you still have not completed your survey, would you do so in the next few days? It does make a difference. Please, help get the word out to your neighbors as well: Fill out your survey! The more participation the more we can all work together to create the community we want.
I know this is one of the greatest places for anyone to work and serve, and we all want our residents to one day believe it is one of the greatest places to live. When we get there, we will not need to boast, we will be too busy making a difference in other’s lives to have time for that. *
Flying back from my vacation this week I saw three kinds of behavior when the seatbelt light was turned off. Some people pushed their seat back immediately with an air of entitlement. Some sat bolt upright throughout the journey. Others appeared to wait until they were ready to go to sleep, and before reclining looked over the back of their seat and sometimes spoke to the person behind, before deciding what to do.
An aircraft cabin is a microcosm, a sealed community brought together for a few hours. It is a snapshot of life, a good study of our increasingly individualized society dominated by a push for the priority of individual rights over those of a larger group. I spent eleven hours musing on this while my legs were pinned against the reclined seat in front of me. I could almost hear the person in front thinking “I can push my seat back because I have a right to do so: if it cramps you, then pass on the pain and push your seat back into the person behind.” As the British would say ‘I’m alright Jack, so pull up the ladder’. In other words; I’m okay- never mind the rest!
Our rights of determination and ability to make independent choices and are important ones, however God didn’t create a world filled with the diversity and wonder of humanity for us to ignore each other, or for us to focus only on enforcing our own individual rights to the detriment of others.
Its difficult though isn’t it. I will admit it. I too reclined my seat, and by doing so probably squashed the person behind me. Thinking beyond the example of the airplane however, it is important for us to all recognize that the lives we lead and the choices we make have an impact on others. When our choice is one of whether to recline our plane seat, the impact is minor, however the crisis comes when we apply that same logic to issues that affect our wider society or global community.
There are often a whole host of reasons that we narrate in order to convince ourselves and others that we are helpless to make a choice which is mindful of the needs of others. We have all played semantics when it comes to loving our neighbor, and living our lives in ways that is mindful of others. It is easy to say “Jesus says that we are to love our neighbor, but he wouldn’t have said that if he had met my neighbor!”
How many times do we simply refuse to look at the effects and impacts of the decisions we make, simply because it is easier to do so? I am sure that many of you have read in the news recently stories of huge islands of plastic waste floating around the world’s oceans, and have heard estimates stating that 100 million marine animals die each year because of that pollution. Has there been an uprising of the masses in response to such a shameful failure in our stewardship of creation? Or is it easier to look the other way, regardless of the impact that our choices?
We all have different ideas about how and why we came to share this world. Perhaps we can all agree that if we see other human beings not simply as an obstacle to the full exercise of our own rights, our relationship with others can be the starting point for our own spiritual and ethical development. Let’s not simply lean back in our seats regardless.*
As you all know by now, to save you from potential substantial increases in costs, the cable television provider on campus is being converted to DirecTV. This change will also significantly enhance the programming included with the tier of service provided as part of your residency on campus. The channel array will now include a 150+ channel package along with all of DirecTV’s premium service packages (HBO & Cinemax Package, Showtime – Movie Channel – FLIX Triple Play package, Starz Encore Super Pack, and more). The service will include one high-definition cable box. Additional high-definition cable boxes can be provided for $5 per month and a digital video recorder (DVR) can be added to your service for $10 per month. There is no charge for the programming regardless of the number of television locations you have in your apartment, just the equipment charges listed above if you want a DVR or a second TV attached to the service.
We are doing all we can to add more options that to date are not available to us, such as music, Pac 12 Sports, Major League Baseball and NFL packages. Because these cannot be ordered individually per apartment, we must negotiate, if available at all, a bulk package covering the entire campus. I will keep you posted on our progress.
As a reminder, for those of you that are purchasing enhanced television services from Cox, you will likely be receiving a letter directly from Cox explaining that they will no longer be able to provide these services on campus. Don’t be alarmed by this, as it is because we will be redirecting the campus’ television infrastructure to the new DirecTV service.
One special note: for those of you who use a Cox email account, unless you are able to work out an agreement with Cox independently, it will, in time, become unavailable to you. Once DirectTV is installed in your apartment, the lines are no longer able to carry the Cox system. Please be prepared upon installation for how you will access your Cox email. In the event that Cox will not allow you to keep your Cox email address (usually for a fee), please put in a work order for IT to assist in setting up a free email account through Gmail, Yahoo or another service depending upon your preference. This will require you notifying all friends, family and businesses you want to be aware that your email is changing. We are sorry for this inconvenience. We will do all we can to support you with this change.
After DirectTV is installed campus-wide, a free WiFi system will be placed in every building for all internet users. When that time comes, we will assist you in getting you connected. The only change will be that you will no longer need to pay Cox or the campus for internet services—it’s free!
The implementation of the new service will take place building by building. There will be no interruptions in services. You will have access to your current Cox channels until the new DirecTV service is installed in your building. Watch the Community Channel 1960 for the latest updates on when you might be up next for the installation.
Once we have all adjusted to the new system, you should love the enhancements, here is hoping.*
Peace, David
Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance”
—Samuel Johnson.
This is how I can best describe the campus master planning process. Over the last three years and approximately 17 versions of a potential plan, the Beatitudes Executive Team, Board of Directors along with financial, architectural and marketing experts have all worked diligently to create a plan that carries our mission of non-profit service to you and other older adults well into the future. It will expand and beautify our community, while also adding new amenities and renovating our vintage buildings. The plan is too complex to share here so, I invite you to a special Town Hall/All Staff meeting to be held on August 29th at 2:00PM in the Everett Luther Life Center.
I, along with the Board of Directors, want to thank you for your patience as we completed the process. I am excited to share the plan with you.*
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?*
