Aging boomers take in parents as roles reverse – The Denver Post

Aging boomers take in parents as roles reverse

via Aging boomers take in parents as roles reverse – The Denver Post.

Will My Husband Be There?

The other day I had an interesting conversation with a resident who is 94 years old, a widow. I found her in the hallway and stopped by to chat with her as I normally do. I said good morning but as she responded she burst into tears. I asked what was going on. In between her sobs she muttered something which was not that clear. I thought I heard her say “I never expected this kind of life; I never knew this could ever happen to me…” I knew there was more going on with her. I offered to take her to her apartment where we could talk privately.

In the comfort of her home I allowed her to cry while I held her hand and listened. After she calmed down some, I was able to understand part of the reason for her crying. She was upset because she had lost most her teeth and she was not as beautiful as she used to be. “Never in all my life did I ever dream that I would live among old people like those ladies I saw sitting out there! …Look at me, I must be a sight!” Pointing to her face I could see that most of her teeth were missing, and I could sense why her own mental vision of self could upset her so.

We talked about her life; our bodies and the reality of aging. We then talked about our identity as beautiful children of God, defined NOT by our physical appearance but by who we are in God. I assured her of her inner beauty that is reflected on her face as smiles regardless of how she thinks she looks. We also talked about her past as a teacher, a mother, and a wife. Soon we had great conversation going on and then I prayed with her.

A resident assistant came to help her to the Dining Room for lunch but I offered to take her there myself. Before we left for the door, she asked me how she looked and especially her hair. So I took her comb, touched her already well groomed hair and assured her that she looked great. She said “maybe I could use lipstick.” She directed me to her drawer where I found it and gave it to her. She began to apply lipstick on her lips using me as her mirror. Soon she was feeling good about herself and ready to go. In her excitement she “revisited” her past for a moment and asked me: “Will my husband be there?”

This was a greater reminder how we all love to yes, look good, but mostly to feel good about ourselves!

Psalm 34: 2-5
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

1 Samuel 16: 7
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”(NIV)
“… Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart. (The Message)

Submitted by Wanjiru Mukunga, Chaplain at The Johnson Center

A Retirement Community from a Server’s Perspective

In my two plus years at Holly Creek I have learned a fair amount about retirement communities, or more specifically just the community at Holly Creek. I actually can’t speak on other retirement communities. Some of my favorite things about the older generations are their honesty, the sense of community, and my relationship with a few particular residents. Though I’m sure there’s more going on and more to love these aspects are just what I like the best.

The sense of community occurs all throughout my days in this community. Everyone has a sense of belonging. As I walk through the halls to clock in nearly everyone, employees and residents, say hello to one another and stop briefly to talk. It’s very refreshing to actually have some form a relationship with most of the people in these buildings. That alone is a testament to the sense of community. That sort of thing does not happen in public or in other jobs I’ve had. In public people seem only to speak to one another out of necessity, otherwise everyone avoids eye contact and looks down at their phones. During meals residents convene and talk to each other about their respective families, their days, or just about anything else. Everybody is on speaking terms with everyone else here and if they’re not then everyone, myself included, will just come right up and introduce themselves. It’s like a giant social gathering all of the time. Serving them on a daily basis takes a lot of pressure off being overly professional, we can be friendly with one another. The residents are usually understanding if things aren’t going right on my end and vice versa. If I tell one couple their food will be 5 to 10 minutes longer than expected they reply, “we’re retired. We’re not going anywhere,” which is relieving. If they need help with the menu or need to have their order changed they tell me. We take care of each other in that sense. We are patient with each other because we must live with each other. I work for them but it feels like we’re all in this place for a common purpose which I’ve never felt at any job before. It’s nice. So much of what I see exemplifies community lifestyle and general friendship. There is a couple of friends, one that always insists on helping and catering to the other while the other insists that she can do things on her own and doesn’t need to be looked after. That always makes me laugh a little on the inside, they have a quirky friendship. I enjoy feeling like I’m part of a big family.

There are a couple residents I especially like serving. They both like to sit alone and read while being waited on. They are sociable and nice but they understand the merit of sitting alone and being pampered. One reads romance novels, the other reads mysteries. They’re both very gracious and unbelievably nice to me. The one that reads romance novels reads them because she is widowed and misses her husband a lot. I tell her that she carries herself well and seems happy. She always admits to smiling through some amount of sadness which is impressive because she seems like one of the most contented residents I’ve met. I respect that a lot and only wish to be somewhat the same way when I grow up. I think it takes a lot of courage and grace to continue living on as well as she does.

Another friend and favorite resident to serve earned his passage into my heart by way of jokes and a story he told me once. His story is a cliched one I’ve heard a lot about doing what you love. He spent his college years earning a degree in political science but then took an amateur photography class and decided that that was his passion and he made a career out of it. I identify with him a lot because he is a shoulder shrug kind of person too, he doesn’t get riled up over little things and has a good sense of humor about his place in life. He is constantly making half true jokes about how he’s lost and forgetful, even though he’s actually very sharp. I appreciate his humor and personality and also wish to carry myself like him if I ever make it to his age. Plus he comes in for buffets and stays from beginning to end, his table will get occupied and emptied several times throughout the course of one meal; he’s so comfortable being an oddball.

I mentioned honesty earlier. I prefer the honesty that the older generations offer everyone, even when I’m on the receiving end of it. People sugar coat things too much, whereas residents will insist that my haircut looks awful if they think so. I appreciate honest, unapologetic criticisms. They don’t hold back half as much and I like that about them. They speak more directly about things they feel strongly about. They are the same about the good things in life, they are sure to count their blessings.

Residents give me a lot of perspective on life. Seeing them interact and do things together makes me realize that getting older can be fun. I’m impressed that they still find girlfriends, boyfriends, and even get married at their age. They make me realize that a lot of my day to day concerns aren’t of the utmost importance in the long run. They are still fun and funny, they still get out and go travel, and they don’t let old age stop them from being themselves. The community is just a way for them to relax, meet friends, and do more recreational things. Knowing them has changed the way I view my own life.

Submitted by Jacob Roe, Dining Services Associate at Holly Creek

Christian Living Communities celebrates 4 decades of serving seniors

Submitted by Chuck Montera

In 1972 with only $2,000 in the bank, a small group of church and hospital leaders set out to care for aging residents in southeast Denver. With determination and love as the driving forces, that vision has grown into a local senior services organization operating three state-of-the-art retirement communities valued at nearly $200 million today.

Christian Living Communities is celebrating its 40-year legacy this month. The communities have served more than 9,000 seniors over the last four decades with senior retirement living at Clermont Park in Denver and the Holly Creek and Village retirement communities in Centennial.

As one of the oldest senior living and care providers in Denver, CLC has been an industry leader that has helped direct the evolution of sterile, hospital-like settings that were the hallmark of the early ‘70s to the resort-style retirement communities of today.

“I am impressed and humbled by the founders’ focus on mission,” said Russ DenBraber, CLC president and chief executive officer. “My hope is that the words of one of my favorite songs will hold true for those of us carrying on the work of Christian Living Communities . . . may those who come behind us find us faithful.”

A Heritage of Help

The faith-based nonprofit’s story began with the construction of University Hills Christian Nursing Home, after Bethesda Hospital closed its continuing care unit.

Members of the Christian Reformed and Reformed Church of America along with hospital supporters put in place a structure to build and operate a nursing home. They placed a simple advertisement in denominational magazines offering promissory notes that helped raise $627,000 to finance construction. The general contractor, Don Jeltema, was generous enough to build the 62-bed nursing home at cost.

“It was his vision to provide for the elderly,” said his wife, Dottie Jeltema, who is now a resident at the Village in Centennial. “He knew older people don’t like to be put on the shelf.”

Over the years, CLC expanded and evolved to include, Holly Creek, The Johnson Center/ The Village as well as Home Care Services and Adult Day Services. Currently, the organization serves nearly 1,000 seniors each day.

Much of this expansion occurred during the recent recession. Through uniquely structured bond initiatives that allowed even the smallest individual investor to buy bonds, CLC raised more than $100 million between 2008 and 2011 to expand both the Holly Creek and Clermont Park communities.

Industry Pioneer

CLC helped pioneer the assisted living model in Colorado. It was among the first to develop a care level offering help with dressing, medications and meals to seniors who really didn’t fit skilled nursing criteria, but really weren’t safe at home. This new care level also brought the advent of the 12-hour work shift and universal worker concept (i.e., employees who take on multiple responsibilities) long before it was commonplace in the senior care industry.

Additionally, CLC was among the first to move away from institutional care and to provide person-directed care, which gives seniors dignity and control over their lives.

State-of-the-art senior care

On the forefront of elderly care, CLC offers programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Its continuing care retirement communities provide a variety of living and health care options under one roof.

Masterpiece Living, a program based on a 10-year MacArthur Foundation and Mayo Clinic study that empowers seniors through active and meaningful aging.

Memory support and Snoozelen (calming) rooms for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In fact, CLC is working to train at least 75 percent of its staff in the Alzheimer’s Association dementia certification program.

Cutting-edge rehabilitation equipment, such as the Alter G Antigravity Treadmill designed by NASA designers

Community service

Christian Living Communities recently raised more than $42,000 for its Residents Assistance Fund at its annual Aged to Perfection fundraising event at Holly Creek. This fund helps seniors in need who live in a CLC community to afford the services and care they require and deserve.

However, CLC’s mission of caring extends far beyond its own doors. It plays a vital role in the community by supporting other organizations through contributions of time, talent and treasure.

For example, Christian Living Communities has hosted a 9Health Fair for seven years providing free and low-cost health screenings to nearly 5,000 neighbors, it sponsors a regular food pantry, dinner parties and social events for Pinewood Lodge a low-income senior apartment complex, and has supported efforts with Streets of Hope, the Joshua Station and other community organizations.

Since 1972, both employee and resident volunteers have given hundreds of thousands of hours of community service to both CLC and the greater community. In 2011 alone, they volunteered 37,400 hours of their time, or the equivalent of nearly 19 full-time employees.

Vision for the future

CLC is positioning itself to serve Baby Boomers and subsequent generations as they age. Between 2000 and 2010, Colorado’s population 55 – 65 increased by an annual average of 6.1 percent. By 2030, Colorado’s population 65+ will be 150 percent larger than it was in 2010 and guarantees the need for additional senior care and living options will continue to rise.

“Looking forward, we will focus on bringing services to seniors in their home, exploring economical senior living options and integrating emerging technologies into the care we provide,” said DenBraber. “That care will be rooted in the same founding principles of loving others as God has loved us.”

via The Villager Newspaper.
via YourHub

Senior Prom is “An Evening in Paris”

Have you ever wanted to take a stroll down the Champs Elysees` in Paris, or visit the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars? That’s just what the residents at The Village in Centennial were able to do last Thursday evening, May 10th at our annual senior prom “An Evening in Paris.”

Nearly 90 guests, including students from the National Honor Society at Arapahoe High School, attended the prom. The lobby was decorated in black, white and hot pink ribbons, balloon bouquets and fresh flowers (compliments of King Soopers and arranged by Village resident Betty Stagers). The lighted Eiffel Tower and old fashioned lamp posts (courtesy of Dutch VanMaaren) completed the scene.

The Larry O’Connor Trio, the singer decked out in a black and silver sequined dress and the men donning berets, provided wonderful music for everyone’s enjoyment. The students pinned corsages on the residents, helped serve refreshments and danced with whoever was willing!

Last year’s King Ernie Freisen and Queen Elizabeth Carr took their final dance before passing the honors to our newly elected King Stan Dial and Queen Dottie Jeltema. They were thrilled to be chosen by the residents. Barbara Brown, Life Enrichment Associate, had the honors of crowning them and donning them with the purple royal robes. Each also received a gift bag. Other members of the royal court consisted of Betty and Bob Palme, Alvin Vandenberg and Marge Matthews. They all enjoyed a dance as king and queen, princes and princesses!

“It’s always wonderful to have the high school students visit. It brings a spark of young life to our community!” said Bob Palme.

YourHub

LeadingAgeMagazine: Universal Workers Build Skills and Relationships to Enable Person-Centered Care

LeadingAgeMagazine: Universal Workers Build Skills and Relationships to Enable Person-Centered Care.

Residents at The Village Tour Air Force Academy

Recently this month a large group of The Village residents from the Christian Living Communities went on a special outing to the Air Force Academy. We were able to combine all four components of Masterpiece Living; Spiritual, Physical, Social and Intellectual into our outing. It was one of our best field trips.

A tour of the Chapel had been arranged. We learned a lot from the tour guide as to how the Chapel originated, that the end of the pews were sculpted to resemble World War 1 airplane propellers and that the Chapel was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2004.

We also learned that there are five different religions; Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish, Roman Catholic and Hindu all under one roof. We had a great surprise to find out that it was the senior’s last day of classes. On this day a special celebration takes place at the academy. We watched the Cadets as they raced out of their classrooms and jumped into a large fountain of water. An Air Force helicopter flew overhead, circled the field and landed just several feet from where we were observing the celebration. We also saw all 4,000 Cadets line up for meal formation, all in their uniforms, and perfectly in step.

It was a beautiful day for our walk around the academy, sharing lunch, talking with Cadets and spending time together.

Submitted by Christine Lawrence, Transportation Specialist at The Village

Clermont Park Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Time Capsule

Kathy Noon, Mayor of Centennial, Congratulates CLC on 40 Years

Letter from Mayor of Centennial

Aged to Perfection Raises $42K to Help Seniors in Need

More than 325 guests celebrated Christian Living Communities 40th anniversary Thursday evening by attending Aged to Perfection at Holly Creek in Centennial. The event paid homage to the organization’s founders, a small group of dedicated community members who opened University Hills Christian Nursing home on May 7, 1972.

In addition to the anniversary celebration, the evening featured delectable appetizers and a wine tasting as well as silent auction. Haynes Mechanical Systems served as Cabernet Sauvignon presenting sponsor joined by Cuisine Station Sponsors HUB International, AMG National Trust, Guaranty Bank & Trust and Duro Electric.

Altogether, more than $42,000 was raised for the Residents Assistance Fund. The Residents Assistance Funds helps seniors in need afford the services and care they require and deserve.