Beatitudes Community

NEEDED: ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The Environment standing committee has the following definition in the Residents Council Procedures Manual:

To work with the Director of Plant Operations and the liaison person(s) designated by the Administration to assist in identifying and improving upon unsustainable (wasteful) practices or conditions on the Beatitudes Campus. This will include encouraging the most prudent use of water, electricity, heating/cooling, and other resources among all residents, staff, and employees.

– Residents Council Procedures Manual

We desperately need residents who are interested in helping with the above to join the Environment Committee. We currently have only three members and no chair or meeting dates. If you are interested, please contact Phil Adelman at x15472 or email at [email protected].

An Impressive Response

On behalf of all of us on campus, I would like to thank all of the staff that worked tirelessly Wednesday night, Thursday and through the weekend as well as thank the residents for their patience and cooperation in dealing with the flood and temporary relocation. We know this hasn’t been easy but we appreciate everyone coming together for the good of Beatitudes. I am once again reminded of how special the people on this campus are and how blessed I am to be a part of the Beatitudes Family.

Leaving A Legacy Without Being Wealthy

The  discussion of leaving a legacy has come up in conversations I have had lately among my friends and family. All of us want the opportunity to make a difference in the world and leave a legacy. We all want to be remembered and to feel that we’ve contributed something to the world.

For most of us, we will leave a legacy that doesn’t necessarily change the world but does leave a lasting footprint that will be remembered by those whose lives we have touched. I think of all the blessings I have in my life and I try to be mindful of sharing with others the richness of my life.

I also am considering what kind of charitable legacy I want to leave. Throughout the years I have supported people and causes that are important to me and to the people in my life. I support Beatitudes Campus because I want to invest in its mission to welcome people of all faith traditions and to commit to a holistic model of wellness.

You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a charitable legacy – you just have to do a little bit of planning. Your legacy and support for Beatitudes Campus can help ensure that we inspire future generations of seniors. Whatever you want your legacy to be – providing support to people who are struggling through no fault of their own, supporting innovative programming, helping to expand arts and music programs, creating a welcoming environment in which seniors can thrive, supporting tomorrow’s workforce – it is all possible through a planned gift.

What, exactly, are planned gifts? They are, quite literally, what they sound like. The term “planned gift” simply means that you have planned to give a gift at a later date.

 

God is Still Speaking

During the past few weeks I have been reading various economic, political, environmental and sporting predictions for the coming year. Happily (and especially if you are a D-Backs fan), people are notoriously poor at predicting the future. Time has shown that we tend to construct predictions from our wishes or fears rather than actual data. Those who are paid to make such forecasts are often way off the mark, such as the banker who famously told Henry Ford that the horse was here to stay, or the British weatherman who famously on the eve of the country’s worst ever recorded storm, announced that “it might be a little windy tomorrow.”

There are dangers in putting too much store in what might happen, however prophecy and prediction are not the same thing. When the prophets – like Jeremiah and Isaiah – pointed to events in the future, they were not predictions of what would happen; but rather descriptions of what could happen if the people didn’t change their ways. Their focus was on making things right in the present, rather than being right about the future. They called out uncomfortable truths – sometimes at great personal risk – about the injustices of society, the people’s indifference to poverty, or the environment – urging people to change now in order to avoid future catastrophe. The Jeremiahs are perhaps long gone, but if we listen carefully we can hear the prophets of our day. They could be journalists, or musicians, or perhaps even children. There are no special qualifications required, and the message, doesn’t have to be conventionally religious. The inspiration of their message if it is for the good, can be seen ultimately to have its origin in the divine, but the action is earthly, urgent and rooted in the now. Some believe that part of the supernatural outworking of creation is that God has placed the future inside the present. Are we ready to discern and listen to those speaking the truth about what is necessary this year in order to win a hopeful future for ourselves and the generation to come? May it be, that our hearts and minds may be open to those voices, and to God speaking through them. *

Points of Pride

Empowered power.

Dosia Carlson & Mim Hoover

Some of the most powerful people I know are living right here at Beatitudes Campus.  I stand back in awe of how, when asked to take responsibility for some aspect of our community’s growth, a vision that once seemed grand soon pales in comparison to what the resident(s) actually create.  A few weeks back, at the Arizona LeadingAge Conference (an organization that unites non-profit communities like ours), there was a powerful exhibition of purpose, power and empowerment – and it was by our very own Beatitudes Center for Lifelong Learners.

Dosia Carlson and Mim Hoover, with the help of Nell Bennett, who was not able to be present, put together a presentation, aptly titled, Success Story.  It wowed the administrators from the other communities who sat in on their workshop.  In the workshop, the participants learned how, when residents in a community like ours, are given a task to create, that the sky becomes the only limit, far surpassing what any one staff person could ever create or do.  The resident-run, Lifelong Learners Team, have created, not only a success story of a program in terms of number of participants and diversity of class options, but have impacted the lives of almost all those who participate and  have been given a sense of purpose in creating excellence.

As I said at the beginning, we have not a resident on Campus who is not gifted with immense power and talent.  The true sign of a successful community is how capable is it in empowering its members to be free to use their gifts toward the betterment of the entire community.  The ultimate job of administration in a community like ours is to facilitate the freedom to excel, and clear the path for creativity and ingenuity for any resident ready to take our community even further toward our goal.

I can testify for our administration that few things are    more gratifying than seeing our residents work together with us to accomplish great  things, making our community innovative and on the cutting edge of our field.  More and more of you are taking leadership roles and bringing great transformation to us with visions and ideas that we as staff would never come up with.  To just name a few –  the Environment Committee, the Garden Club, the Recycling Program, our English Language Assistance program, the resident’s Life Enrichment Team who plan our outings and activities and that is just the beginning.

You are leaders and models for senior communities, and I thank you for being a point of pride (and also for letting us boast a bit to our competitors) when it comes to residents with power and purpose lived out.

National AMD & Low Vision Awareness Month

February is National Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month, and many of the residents at Beatitudes experience low vision in various forms. Macular degeneration causes loss of central vision and is one of the most common low vision diagnoses amongst older adults, but others on campus have glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and numerous other visual conditions. What many don’t realize, however, is that almost all older adults experience age-related changes in vision.  These age-related changes frequently include increased sensitivity to glare, diminished ability to see contrast, increased sensitivity to light changes, decreased depth perception, diminished visual acuity or sharpness, and decreased ability to see in dim light.  For example, according to University of Kentucky researchers, an 80 year-old needs four times the amount of light to see things as clearly as they did in their 20s!  Thankfully, there are a number of great resources in place to assist residents at Beatitudes Campus to navigate age-related vision changes.

The Low Vision Support Group meets on the second Friday of each month at 1PM in Boardroom East to share resources and support for those who are coping with varying degrees of vision loss. This group is open to ALL residents, and it publishes a reference list of eye doctors, optometrists, specialists, and local organizations that provide services for the visually impaired. In addition to sharing news and information about the latest developments in eye care and vision technology advancements, the Low Vision Support Group makes buttons available to residents with low vision, so that they can easily identify themselves to others.  You may notice your friends and neighbors wearing a button that says, “I HAVE LOW VISION.”  When you see others wearing these buttons, please be mindful of the fact that they may not be able to see your face clearly and may need extra time to orient themselves to their surroundings.  As a courtesy to all residents on campus who may have low vision (whether or not they wear the button), please identify yourself when you say hello.

As an occupational therapist and Director of Success Matters, one of my roles also includes working with individual residents to help make their environments more visually accessible —  from home lighting to computers.  For individualized information on setting up your apartment for improved visibility, feel free to call me, Jessica Meyer, at x16110.  Please contact Mark Pelkey at x15586 or Mary Lou Philips at x18371 for additional information about upcoming Low Vision Support Group meetings.

Hello Beatitudes!

I was asked to write my first article while Jon Schilling was on vacation.  Since I’m one of the newest full time employees, I thought that it would be best for me to take this opportunity to introduce myself to Beatitudes Campus.

I am a personal fitness instructor, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine since 1996.  I worked as a fitness instructor in various Health Clubs and Medical Clinics. Most of that time I worked at Mountain Shadows Resort and Golf Club in Paradise Valley.

I am a new full time employee, but I am not new to this campus.  Many of you know me from my previous positions.  I started working here for Beatitudes at Home in July, 2012.

I later became the group instructor in the Functional Fitness class.

I left Beatitudes at Home to work in a physical therapy clinic in 2013 for two years, but I continued to be the instructor for the Functional Fitness class.

From the beginning, I made it clear that I enjoyed working with the people in this environment and that I wanted to work here full time.  The average age of my fitness clients, over the course of my 20 year career, has always been 50+ years old.

My new position title is Fitness Specialist.  My duties include Fitness Center Attendant, Personal Fitness Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor.

Now that I am here full time, I will channel all of my studies into fitness training for residents 65 years and older.   This means that I will find the best ways to address age related physical illnesses and injuries.

I am gathering as much literature on dementia as I can find, so I can create effective workout strategies that best serve residents who may suffer from this terrible disease.  I also want to be able to offer useful tips to help friends, relatives and caregivers to communicate with them through troubling times.

The physical therapists who work on campus are wonderful!  I have a good relationship with them.  Residents who have suffered from an illness or injury that work with the campus therapists may want to extend their physical rehabilitation long after they have been discharged.  I can do one on one fitness sessions to extend the physical therapist’s treatment strategies within my limitations as a Certified Fitness Trainer.  It has been three months since I have been a full time employee on Campus.  I DO NOT need any more time to analyze my decision to take this position.  I already concluded that I made the BEST decision to join this team.

I feel very comfortable with the staff and the residents.  I enjoy getting opportunities to share laughs with everyone, especially when I “goof up” during my fitness classes.

If I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet, please stop me in the hallways, come to one of my fitness classes or stop by the Fitness Center.  I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!

Success Matters Welcomes Josephine Levy

Thank you for welcoming me to Beatitudes Campus – I am so happy to be here as the new Success Matters Resource Navigator, a position that will enable me to work with residents to find needed resources and answer questions. This is a new position that will develop under the guidance of Jessica Meyer, who is already a tremendous resource herself as well as a delightful colleague.

I first became interested in learning more about the aging process when I was a hospice volunteer. From that six-year experience I learned firsthand that we are all part of this great thing called living and dying, and that we are intimately tied to one another throughout this whirlwind of a journey. I also learned how to double-bag trash cans, haul laundry bags, and make a great grilled cheese sandwich.

At that time I was working as a high school guidance counselor; before that I taught English for nine years. Some people might wonder about the shift from working with adolescents to older adults, but I see it as a natural transition. Both younger people and older people are faced with issues of changing identity and growth. Both are subject to stereotyping and generalizations. It seemed to me that our society does not take the time to appreciate the subtleties of the aging process.

My academic interests culminated in a Master of Arts, Gerontology degree from USC. This exposed me to a wide range of social, political and biological issues that affect our lives. I completed the USC Andrus Gerontology Center’s Executive Certificate in Home Modification, as well as the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation. I realized how much the physical living environment plays a key role in maintaining dignity and autonomy, and how we can alter it to suit our changing needs. Too often we assume the problem is within ourselves, when really, it is in the physical barriers we have created that surround us.

Most recently, I worked as the Managing Director of Tempe Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a volunteer-based nonprofit that provides resources to Tempe residents who are aging in place. My work in this capacity solidified my interest in providing resources to others that help make aging a more satisfying experience.

I’m a Phoenix native and although every summer I can’t believe I still live here, that seems to be the case. I have a husband, four cats and a dog who surround me with affection, joy and chores. I enjoy yoga, reading newspapers, watching Frasier reruns and desert landscaping. Again, thank you for welcoming me to Beatitudes Campus and I look forward to learning and growing along with you on our common journey.

The Informant – January 2017

DAVID RAGAN, Senior VP of Resident Services, called the first meeting of the New Year to order at 2:15PM. He noted that the campus continues to be one where residents reach out and care for each other. For the New Year, David had some new definitions which served to start the year off with a laugh. For example, the word balderdash is defined as a rapidly receding hairline, coffee is the person upon whom you cough, and abdicated is when you have lost all hope of a flat stomach.

It’s All On A Continuum

printed-wall-mural-00032-time-tunnel-continuum-abstract-vinyl-bYou made a beautiful decision. Maybe one of the best decisions you could have made for this time in your history. You had choices, but you chose, brilliantly, to live in a community where, if your living situation should become less than optimal with your quality of life decreasing – you have wonderful choices. That is because you chose to live in a community that offers you a continuum of increasing possibilities. Change is hard, but you made a hard choice that I believe guarantees the highest quality of life possible for you.

The definition of continuum, according to Merriam-Webster, is a range or series of things that are slightly different from each other and that exist between two different possibilities. As I see it, if a resident wants to maintain a high quality of life, even as some abilities decrease, because they live at Beatitudes Campus they have the beautiful option available to them to enter into an environment of support that will return that quality of life right back to them with one move along the continuum.

Every day I give thanks that we have options for our residents so as to enable them to live life to the fullest. However, a phenomenon takes place, in more instances than not, that so often breaks my heart when it occurs. That is when by all educated observations, a resident who would greatly benefit from utilizing the continuum by flowing through it to a higher level of assistance, would rather stay where they are often risking so much physically and emotionally. The benefit of all that Beatitudes Campus has to offer seems to be wasted and worthless. We often say it, “We will always defend the right of our residents to make their own choices – right choices and wrong choices. But it is heartbreaking to those who know what a difference it would make if only the continuum was embraced as a positive hope for the future.

Being a minister serving churches and visiting multiple communities like ours, I saw my parishioners and listened to them while there. After doing so, I am not naïve as to the many fears and reasons for resisting moving to higher levels of care. Because I am aware I, and my colleagues who feel similarly here at Beatitudes Campus, have worked hard to obliterate the stereotypes that plague higher levels of care feeding into unnecessary resistance. It often starts when considering moving to a community like ours and dreading the move and then, after doing so wishing one had moved “ten years earlier”. I can’t even count the number of times I have heard this.

The same is so true for accepting the opportunity to move to higher assistance apartments. It seems to be so dreaded and, upon finally doing so, life suddenly gets so much better when compared to the months leading up to the move. I have said it a 1000 times, the same Campus, the same dining venues, the same friends, the same activities and events. Nothing changes except for the building one now lives in. One can still do everything they want to do with a little added help available to do so. It is not a decline at that point, it is a step forward toward being safer and freer to not have to worry about the many little things when one was without assistance. Those little things prior to the move and no longer being able to do them were, in almost every case, diminishing the quality of life prior to moving.

If I could, I would remove all of the stigmas and fears and open up everyone’s eyes to all of the continuing possibilities in the continuum

If I could, I would remove all of the stigmas and fears and open up everyone’s eyes to all of the continuing possibilities in the continuum. For now, I hope you might have opened your eyes and, if not for you right now, at least help one of your neighbors see that when the time is right, there is no greater gift to self, family and friends than that of accepting the care and assistance that will truly lift you to a higher level of success. It is a great choice. It is really why you chose to live here. Take advantage of it. After all, we are all on a continuum when it comes to life and there is no end when it comes to the highest quality you deserve.

Tips to Improve Your Health at Work

Eight hours in a chair in front of a computer, five days a week can take a toll on your body. From avoiding eye strain and tension neck syndrome to passing on those extra calories that co-workers leave invitingly on their desks, experts give WebMD 10 tips that will help you stay healthy and in shape at work.

  1. The snacks that your co-workers so nicely place on their desk can add a few hundred calories to your daily diet if you’re not careful, and they can leave you with unwanted pounds if you help yourself day after day. “If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind, so if you know someone has a candy dish on their desk, walk around his or her desk so you don’t feel the temptation,” says Dawn Jackson, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “Take a break, get a breath of fresh air, and skip the candy. Or, if you are hungry, have fruit at your desk, like cherries or grapes.” Three out of five Americans are overweight, explains Jackson, which means there is likely more than one person in your office who is dieting. “In most offices, people are trying to lose weight, so go in with people and get fruit bowls instead of candy bowls,” says Jackson. “And see if you can get people to replace their candy bowls with something healthier.”
  2. Drinking an adequate amount of water — eight to 10 glasses every day — can help keep you hydrated. Many foods are also good sources of water; fruits like oranges, grapefruit, grapes, watermelon, and apples can help keep you healthy and hydrated. “The 3 o’clock lull that many people feel at work can be due to dehydration, so drink lots of water,” Jackson tells WebMD. “Set goals: Bring a 16 ounce bottle of water to work and try to finish it by lunch, and then fill it up again and finish that by 3 p.m. By 5 p.m., finish a third bottle.” Another tip from Jackson: Set your computer alarm to go off so you remember it’s time to refill.
  3. One of the most important things you can do during the day to stay healthy and in shape is to exercise. “Walking during lunch is a great idea,” says Jackson. “Not only are you burning calories, but you’re de-stressing and refreshing.” Jackson recommends you find a walking partner whom you can depend on for a daily walk –someone who will drag you out even if you claim you’re too busy. If you really can’t get out during lunch, park farther away than you normally do so you have a short walk to work in the morning and evening, or make it a habit to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  4. Eating a healthy lunch is an important part of a balanced diet. But eating reasonable portions is an important part of your health. “Eat a healthy lunch at work, but also practice portion control so you aren’t consuming too many calories and then sitting in a chair all afternoon,” says Jackson. “Many times, it’s not that you are eating unhealthy food, it’s just that you are eating too much.” For instance, Jackson explains that pizza isn’t inherently bad, it’s just that a person will eat three or four slices too many, and that’s where the problem lies. Instead, share a large slice of piece of pizza with a co-worker, and then eat a salad that’s packed with veggies.
  5. Tension neck syndrome (TNS) can occur when the neck and upper shoulders are held in a fixed, awkward position for long periods of time, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It can happen to people in the workplace who talk on the phone for a most of the day or type a lot. “You want to make sure your neck isn’t bent to the side for long periods of time, ” says Alan Hedge, professor of ergonomics at Cornell University. “Tension neck syndrome can cause neck and shoulder pain, muscle tightness, and tenderness. So use a speakerphone, a shoulder cradle, or use a headset at work when you’re on the phone.”
  6. Eyestrain is another problem that can be encountered in front of a computer. It can cause headaches, difficulty focusing, and increased sensitivity to light, according to the University of California at Davis. To prevent eyestrain, Hedge tells WebMD, “The distance to the screen from your eyes should be about an arms length away. You should also be able to comfortably read what’s on your screen at that distance, without having to squint.” If you can’t read your screen from an arm’s length away, simply increase the font size on your computer.
  7. A healthy tip that all of us want to hear is that vacations are an important part of staying healthy at work. “It’s very beneficial to get away for a long vacation that will help you recharge your ‘batteries,'” says Jonathan Kramer, a clinical psychologist and president of Business Psychology Consulting. “Vacations help reduce stress and get your mind off work, especially if you’re having a conflict, such as a problem with your boss, a co-worker, or a project.” Stress can impair your immune system, increasing the risk of illness, explains Kramer, so minimizing it is essential — and fortunately, vacations are just the way to do that.
  8. Another way to stay healthy at work is to avoid long stretches of long days. “Occasionally, people focus on the task at hand and getting a project done, and they aren’t aware of the impact it’s having on their health,” says Kramer. “They may not be aware of it until the stress is at a really high level, and it’s affecting their relationships and their moods.” This, explains Kramer, is another type of stress, commonly referred to as burnout. Burnout can also impair a person’s immune system, as well as interfere with sleep and his or her ability to concentrate.
  9. Your keyboard, mouse, and phone can harbor thousands of germs that are just waiting to make you sick. So get out the disinfectant. According to Science Daily, researchers at the 100th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology reported, “We know that viruses can survive (remain infectious) for hours to days on a hard surface … if a virus such as the rotavirus (a diarrheal virus) were on the surface of a telephone receiver, infectious doses could easily be transferred to persons using the telephone.”
    To clean these objects, the National Consumers League recommends using a disinfectant cleaner or spray that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and proven effective against a wide variety of viruses.
  10. What’s the most important thing you can do to stay healthy at work? Kramer sums it up for WebMD. “The most important way to stay healthy at work starts with self-awareness,” says Kramer. “Know yourself and know your limits and do the best you can to stay within those limits given your job. Know when to take breaks and know when to take a vacation. And get plenty of exercise, which helps you both physically and mentally, both at work and at home.”

Working Safely

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Have you ever been injured on the job? Maybe you slipped in the kitchen or tripped over a stray cord, but what are the first steps you should take?

All work-related accidents and injuries need to be reported to your supervisor immediately. You then need to go the the Sierra Springs Nursing Station which is located on the 3rd floor of our Heath Care Center. There, you will be evaluated and then determine if you need to be sent out to our MBI facility for treatment and rehab. If you are scheduled for rehab, you must complete all sessions and have a release from your doctor to come back to work. In some instances we have light duty work that you can perform in your department or another department. See Human Resources for details. Call 911 for any life threatening injury.shutterstock_107156552-300x300

As of Friday, June 17th we are 10 days without an injury. We are coming off a streak of 145 injury free. We’d like to hit that high of a number again but we need your help to make this a safe work environment. First, make sure you have all the proper equipment for the job. This could be your non-slip shoes or gloves but includes a wide variety of items. Second, keep your eyes open for potential dangers. Is there a rug that could be a tripping hazard? Did someone leave an electric box open that should be closed? Is there a large puddle of water on a slippery deck? If you can, clean or adjust the area to make it safe. If you do not have the skills or equipment to make it safe you need to report it right away. Remember, you aren’t only keeping yourself safe when you spot and fix these things, you are protecting your fellow staff, the residents, and any visitors we have on campus. So let’s all work together to make Beatitudes a safer place for everyone here.

Shake Up The World—Get Ready for Earth Week

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Beautiful roses in front of the Welcome Center/Nelson Administration Building at Beatitudes Campus

Beatitudes Campus is alive with sights of color. I have yet to pass by a blooming tree or flowering rose bush, when walking from the Plaza Bistro to the Welcome Center/Nelson Administration Offices, without seeing you residents in awe of all of the life springing up around us. What a beautiful world!

All around this planet, people will be observing Earth Day next week. But here, on our Beatitudes Campus, we are planning for Earth Week! Elders for a Sustainable Future, plus other residents and staff, are designing special events from Sunday, April 17th (creation-focused Vesper services) to Saturday, April 23rd (Community Garden Party). In addition to week-long offerings like daily TED Talks about our environment, there will be daily specials such as a Landscape Stroll to learn more about trees and other plantings that beautify our grounds. Be sure to attend the Friday night program, Mothering EARTH, a multi-generational presentation including children from CASA Academy.

Don’t miss Tree Talks during Earth Week. Do you have a special memory of a favorite tree? Do you have a story about how trees have impacted your life – for better or maybe not so much? When I was a little boy, a friend and I built a little bench for two high up in an Orange Tree where no one could see us. We spent hours sitting, talking and dreaming. We even put a seat out further on a limb so we could peak through and keep track of everyone down below. I can still smell the Orange Blossoms as I became a part of that tree every Spring. To this day, I drive by the old house and I can see the now aged tree in the backyard and wonder if my little fort is still there. I have yet to work up the nerve to ask if I can take a look to see. What are your tree stories?

Watch the Community Channel for daily thoughts, and a special edition of the Roadrunner Extra is coming, all dedicated to the beauty of our world and its precious existence.

You might want to promote the week by posting on your apartment door a beautiful picture of nature. Also, consider signing the pledge to do your part to Reduce/Recycle/Reuse. With your involvement, this promises to be a memorable EARTH WEEK.

See all Earth Week related gatherings and events here: https://bcampus.org/events/tag/earth-week/