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Around The Facility and Beyond
I can honestly say that this is one of the busiest years I have witnessed at Jennings Terrace. Since July of 2004 Jennings has experienced positive changes in staff, rolled out a number of expense reductions and scrutinized the increasing competition in the Aurora area. That was only the fun stuff!
Training and Education
Thanks to the strength and consistency of a number of department heads and supervisors, the overall education, competency and integrity of our staff has increased. The number of opportunities for staff training, through Jennings or outside services has allowed our staff to reach a higher level of understanding of their tasks and careers. One of the most significant training programs was developed by Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. In cooperation with the Alzheimer's Association they have developed a certificate program for the care of residents with Alzheimer's and related dementia that is state-of-the-art. Jennings selects individuals from our staff that have demonstrated a compassion for our residents and a desire to excel to attend these types of programs.
Good Enough, Isn't Good Enough For Jennings
Jennings will always seek to fill our employee ranks with the most compassionate individuals, especially anyone who brings enthusiasm, intelligence and creativity in with them each day. Our measure of employee satisfaction is not whether an employee leaves tired at the end of a day or their shift. Our measure is if they leave with a sense of accomplishment and return the next day ready to do it all again. Not everyone has that capacity and they move on.
Jennings Residents Help Rover Rescue
Some of our Kemmerer Annex residents have a new community service job and Rover Rescue, an area nonprofit is getting some needed clerical assistance. Our residents are assisting with labeling, sorting and starting mailing lists. Rover Rescue finds good caring homes for dogs that have been abandoned or relinquished.
Exercises 1 - 10
The kinds of skills that tend to weaken with age are ones that, at any age, must be used to maintain them. Your brain adds physical capacity, just as your other physical systems do. You can get your brain back "in shape", but it won't stay there without your regular effort. These simple exercises, based in science, can help you keep all the tools in your mental toolbox sharp!
Exercise #1: Recall what you just forgot
Everybody forgets what they went into the next room to get. It isn't a problem with memory. Usually it's a matter of something psychologists call interference or divided attention. Trace your movements back in your mind. Picture what you were just doing and where you were. Pop! You will remember why you are standing in front of a desk with your pen in your hand.
Exercise #2: Remember new words
Any new vocabulary word can be remembered more easily if you take the time to look up its historical source (also known as its etymology). For example, the useful word "captious" will be hard to remember. It means "fault-finding", "quibbling" or "critical." Until you see it contains the same root as the word "capture." In other words, captious means "trying to catch someone in an error."
Exercise #3: Tune in to something new
Tune in to a radio station you never listen to - one of the ones you usually pass over quickly. Don't be quick to reject or judge what you hear, whether it's a music station, a very local public broad-casting station, or a talk station with a bombastic and self-righteous host. Listening to someone you disagree with will give you the opportunity to formulate counter-arguments in your mind.
Exercise #4: Play the devil's advocate
(But Only Among Friends, at First) Set minds do not improve with age. Next time a topic comes up that you have always known about (it could be defense spending, the death penalty, etc.), try making a good argument for the opposite point of view. You may end up feeling more sure of your original opinion, or less sure of it. Either way, it's a good exercise in logical thinking, and it's fun!
Exercise #5: Find a tennis ball
Got a tennis ball handy? Pick a numbers task like balancing a checkbook. Start checking the numbers while you squeeze the tennis rapidly in your RIGHT hand. That will also help you get started solving a crossword puzzle more quickly. Why? Your brains circuits go to sleep when you don't use them so you need to wake them up. The left side of your brain handles simple math tasks. When it picks up activity on the opposite side of your body, it wakes up to monitor it.
Exercise #6: Play charades
Most people are more concerned about their memory than about their prowess in games like charades. In fact, inability to play pantomine games is one symptom of dementia. In addition to the workout that games of charades can give to cognitive skills, they also serve as an excuse for social interaction, and can even provide a little physical exercise. All those factors - mental, social, and physical stimulation - help the brain stay fit and healthy.
Exercise #7: Punctuate creatively
Exercise your skills by punctuating the following two statements in various ways. One makes the woman seem subservient; another makes her seem essential.
"A woman without her man is nothing."
How could you arrange punctuation to mean that the condemned gunslinger was firing before, or after, his hanging?
"Billy the Kid shot the sheriff half an hour after he was hung."
Exercise #8: Work your way to math smarts
One easy way to be the person who can come up with the math answer fast is to practice with everyday figuring. For example, figure out in your head: How much to leave for a tip; how much change the clerk should hand back after you pay for your newspaper; how much more quickly you'd reach your destination if you drove 5 mph faster.
Exercise #9: Stir up your brain cells
Use everyday down-time to stir up your brain cells. For example, while waiting in line at the checkout try to estimate the total grocery bill in your head. Estimate crowd sizes or pairs of shoes on your train. Visualize each of the tasks you plan to complete that day and mentally walk through the steps to accomplish each one (do that the night before and your brain will start solving problems while you sleep).
Exercise #10: The single best 20-minute brain maintenance exercise
If you do nothing else to help your brain help you, walk briskly for 20 minutes at least every other day. A fit body pumps more blood to energize brain cells. For example, walk to pick up the morning paper instead of having it delivered. Trot along with the dog (to benefit you both in different ways). Walk to the next-to-closest bus stop, or, in the morning pack your dress shoes in your briefcase, wear walking shoes and walk from the train station.
Source: International Council on Active Aging
24/7 Assistance Program
When your family can't be there, our family can. When going home isn't the best option, let Jennings Terrace help. Some emergency room visits may not require a hospital stay. The emergency room staff may have checked you out and now you're free to go home. However, you or your family may feel you still need some additional care or supervision. It's difficult to make arrangements, at least at night or on the weekends. Let Jennings Terrace help you.
- Anytime/Any Day Admissions
- Transportation Provided by Ridge Ambulance or Medivan (630) 898-2117
- Short Term and Long Term Stays
- Around-the-Clock Supervision and Security
- Therapy Services
- Social Opportunities
- Furnished Rooms
Jewel-Osco "Shop & Share" Program
Here is an idea you can sink your teeth into! Jennings Terrace, Inc. will hold a Shop ∓ Share fundraising program on July 11,12,13, August 8,9,10 and September 12,13,14 at all Jewel-Osco Stores. By shopping at Jewel-Osco on one of those days, 5 percent of the total purchases, excluding tax, will be donated to the organization. Jennings will use the money generated by Shop & Share for the benefit of our residents throughout the facility.
Anyone interested in helping Jennings by shopping at Jewel-Osco on any of those dates will need a Shop ∓ Share Identification Slip. To obtain a slip, stop by the Jennings business office or call 630-897-6946 ext 11.
Birthdays
July Birthdays
- 8th — Ann Swift
- 21st — Barbara Hughes
- 21st — Dale Patton, Sr.
- 22nd — William Picton
- 30th — Maxine Rukas
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August Birthdays
- 3rd — Josephine Stredde
- 17th — Thomas Springer
- 18th — Ella Livsey
- 22nd — Lillian Sitek
- 23rd — Mary Blatner
- 25th — Gerald Drackley
- 31th — Martha Vaughan
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September Birthdays
- 8th — Mildred Fields
- 11th — Robert Meyers
- 29th — Emma Sokan
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Social Service Shorts
"A Laugh A Day Keeps The Doctor Away"
Can humor actually have healing properties? Research has shown that it does have emotional and physical benefits and promotes well being. Laughter helps relieve stress and depression. It energizes which in turn effects respiratory, cardiovascular and neuroendocrine systems. It can also produce short term pain distraction. Telling a joke creates social cohesiveness which is strengthened even more by group laughter. Humor relates to optimism, warmth, cheerfulness, creativity and self esteem. Watching humorous movies or videos in a research group showed less distress and pain and lower doses of minor medication. Anxiety levels fell and depression improved.
Crack-a-Smile. . . and Keep Laughing!!!
"Where do fireman go for vacations?"
(The Smoky Mountains)
- Jan Clements
A Call to Share
Jennings is seeking a building grant in order to remodel several common shower rooms in Sheltered Care. Lynn Akers, our Grant Writer, informed us that the organizations we are applying to for funds like to see participation from multiple funding sources. Our Call To Share is to all of the friends of Jennings who might be interested in contributing to the shower remodeling project. Anyone interested in more information or making a contribution should contact David Scarpetta at the Terrace.
Price is Only One Distinction at Jennings Terrace...
Don't Forget About Our Quality Care!
- Jennings Terrace — $124
- Aurora Rehabilitation — $165
- Provena McAuley Manor — $177
- Alden of Waterford — $204
Daily Rates are published through IDPH, choose from http://www.idph.state.il.us/
Helping Jennings Meet Its Purpose
Installation of new officers took place on May 25th in the main dining room at Jennings.
The new U.S. flagpole is in place and our flag is flying proud near the Kemmerer Annex entrance. Thanks to the generous contribution from Ed & Mitzie Windett, in memory of Ed's mother, Florence.
The Resident Assistance Trust Fund continues to grow. It is currently at $99,100.00 and can do better with your help. Juan is alreadfy palnning a spaghetti dinner fund raiser in the fall after your busy active summers.
Dates to Remember:
July 20 |
The Auxiliary's 45th Annual
"Ye Olde Ice Cream Social" |
6-8:00PM
Dick Tappen performing on the lawn. |
August 17 |
Fun Day, picnic Lunch |
Great food, bingo and games is the order of the day. |
September 21 |
Fall Party |
Dessert, coffee and program by:
Roger Jacobson |
October 29 |
Christmas at Jennings Bazaar |
All day buffet
Outside crafters — Bake Sale — Grandma's Attic
Phone Jennings for Crafter details |
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