Category: News

Thank you to all the wonderful residents, families, caring team members and the community at large for being part of our Jackson Creek community. Check out some highlights of the last two years in this video.

If you are planning to visit an aging parent or older loved one over the holidays, it can be a good opportunity to make sure they are living in safe and healthy conditions. While enjoying their company this holiday season, try to take a moment and assess the state of their house or apartment, observe their emotional state and personal care habits, and check for strange or illogical behavior. These 10 signs can help you determine whether it’s time for your parent or loved one to consider assisted living.

1. House in disarray

Is their home or apartment dirty or disorganized? Look for broken fixtures or appliances, extremely dusty surfaces and dishes piled up in the sink.

2. Unkempt clothing or appearance

Have you noticed poor personal hygiene habits? Take a good look at their appearance, clothes and body to gauge whether they have been taking care of themselves.

3. Expired foods

Check for evidence they are keeping their refrigerator stocked and emptying it when food goes bad. If not, there will be a bad smell coming from the refrigerator or pantry.

4. Medication mismanagement

Is your loved one missing doses of their medication or giving themselves the wrong ones? Check that they are sticking to their correct medication schedule.

5. Change in diet, weight loss or gain

Take note of what your loved one is eating. Do you notice new excessive weight loss or weight gain? If so, it may be a sign they are losing track of their meals or overfeeding themselves.

6. Concerns with their driving

Look for evidence that their car or garage have been damaged. Multiple dents are a good indicator that their driving skills are no longer up to par.

7. Change in mobility

Take note of how much your loved one is moving around. Are they having trouble sitting down, walking or standing up?

8. Experiencing confusion

Look for signs of strange or irrational behavior or statements. Does your loved one seem to have a strong grasp on reality?

9. Dangerous behaviors

Check if they regularly put themselves in harm’s way whether out of forgetfulness or due to a cognitive lapse. For example, have they left the stove on or water running?

10. Mail stacking up

Is there a lot of unopened mail or bills on your loved one’s kitchen counter? If you can, check their financial statements to see whether they are still paying their bills on time.

If you’re concerned about your parent or loved one, don’t hesitate to connect with a member of our Jackson Creek care team. We can provide you with community resources, offer you a well-being assessment, arrange a short-term stay while you assess your options, or introduce you to our senior living options, which include independent living, assisted living and memory support. To reach our team, call (719) 259-1331 or contact us online.

At Jackson Creek, we are grateful for the U.S. military veterans who served our country, and we’re honored to have 38 of them, including Norman F. M., living in our community. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we spoke to Norman about his service in the U.S. Army.

Norman was born 1920 in Muskegon, Michigan, where he grew up and got a job as an apprentice production tool designer. Eventually, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a student mechanic, about four months before Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Norman was sent for basic training at the air base in Wichita Falls, Texas and later participated in programs such as pilot training, bombardier training and artillery training.

After attending army artillery school at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Norman was deployed to Italy and France to serve in World War II, where he was assigned as a Reconnaissance Officer for the 995th Artillery Battalion. When his tour of duty was completed, Norman returned to the United States and was given an interesting assignment as a prisoner of war officer in Gaithersburg, Maryland until the war was over.

During the Korean War, Norman was a commander who led his artillery observation company from Fort Sill to Korea. While serving in Korea, their job was to accurately locate enemy artillery through flash, sound and radar.

“I had a group of men located on the mountaintops with scopes to locate enemy fire as well as men positioned up there to hear,” said Norman. These men were tasked with identifying the location of Korean weapons using microphones buried in the ground several miles away; radars generated pulses of electromagnetic energy that were sent out in the direction of enemy fire to quickly locate enemy guns so soldiers could return fire.

Some of these methods were newer concepts since World War II, so it took a lot of organization to get all the platoons working together and communicating, and Norman played a big role in leading this effort.

“That was, I think, the best army job I had,” said Norman. “I knew how to talk to soldiers, and I knew what they expected.”

Although there were not yet manuals available for this command position, when arriving at an assignment, Norman quickly saw areas that needed improvement and was ready to innovate to correct problems, whether related to designing bunkers, locating the best beams and materials sent over from the U.S., or tracking down the right men to build them. Getting the bunkers installed on top of the mountain was quite a project but was essential for the health and safety of his men, said Norman. Despite some challenges along the way, Norman was glad for his experience in the military and 24-year career in the U.S. Army.

Norman turned 100 this year and after all those years, he simply wants to be remembered as a husband, father and a family man. His biggest hope for the future is that his grandchildren will be able to go to any college they choose — or maybe even join the Air Force one day!

Today, at Jackson Creek, we continue to honor Norman’s sacrifice and commitment as a former U.S. service member, especially on Veteran’s Day, which takes place this year on Wednesday, November 11. Thank you for your service, Norman!

Readily accessible care and frequent peer interaction have always been key benefits for residents at senior living communities. Now, as we navigate life through this pandemic, families of older adults who live alone are increasingly discovering the benefits that senior living communities provide for their loved one.

Not only do these seniors need more responsive care to manage both their health and activities of daily living, but many are also feeling extremely isolated and in need of social opportunities that a home health aide or relative dropping off groceries just cannot provide.

According to the AARP, more than 70 million Americans aged 50 and older have at least one chronic medical condition. With age, these conditions require more care, so transitioning to a senior living community would provide these individuals with the care team and resources needed to handle or prevent a medical crisis.

In addition, senior living community team members can help residents complete daily living activities such as dressing, bathing and medication assistance. They are also trained professionals who can provide care in a way that protects privacy and promotes dignity.

During the pandemic, daily tasks have become more difficult with the new health protocols and social distancing restrictions, especially for those who are physically frail or experiencing cognitive decline. Assisting residents with transportation to procure groceries, prescriptions and other essential supplies is woven into the services provided by many senior living communities, eliminating the concern of their residents on how to get essential goods.

In addition to having health and personal care resources readily available, senior living communities also provide frequent social interaction. This alone tends to improve intellectual and emotional engagement in seniors and helps to ward off the negative effects of social isolation including anxiety, depression and immunosuppression.

Benefits like these have become even more essential in the face of social distancing restrictions during COVID-19. As these restrictions begin to ease, communities looking to increase residents’ social connections are beginning to establish safe visiting areas for families. Many are also providing high-speed internet services throughout their communities and assisting residents with technology, for easier online social interactions with family and friends.

When a formerly homebound senior moves into a senior living community, they have opportunities to walk around the community, enjoy chef-prepared meals and snacks with restaurant-style dining, interact with other residents and team members and take part in stimulating activities. This simply cannot be replicated by an occasional visit from a home health aide or relative.

As a result, there are improvements to the mood and activity levels of the resident new to life in a senior living community. These individuals also experience a positive impact on cognition. In fact, scientists who study how to prevent or forestall the development of Alzheimer’s disease, have come to understand that socialization is essential in combating cognitive decline.

Jackson Creek Senior Living independent living, assisted living and memory support accommodations for seniors are accompanied by frequent resident engagement and accessible healthcare assistance when and if needed. Learn what our community can offer you or your loved one by calling (719) 259-1331 or scheduling your personal tour.

Jackson Creek team members and residents performed in a music video to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, dancing and walking energetically to Queen’s iconic song and performing a choreographed line dance to “The Git Up” song. For the past few months, the Jackson Creek community has been raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s to help advance the Association’s care, support and research efforts. To see Jackson Creek residents “get their steps in” for a good cause, check out the music video on YouTube!

By Benn Farrell

MONUMENT | Like other assisted living facilities facing challenges during COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson Creek Senior Living had to think outside the box to continue to engage and connect with residents safely.

Over the past several months, Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, has been offering door-to-door visits with staff as well hallway-based programs that allow for social distancing and other safety measures at a time when seniors are in a high-risk demographic.

Melinda Sukle, the life enrichment director at the facility, said the staff is always looking for ways to create a personal connection and bring people together. It is that desire to create connection which led to the facility’s most recent tool to engage its residents — an in-house broadcast television channel named JCTV.

The channel features private programming accessible to all apartments and common areas in the senior living community. When pandemic measures first went into effect in March, Jackson Creek Senior Living’s variety of programs was abundant, but as quarantine began to run into weeks and months, the facility wanted to offer additional outlets for residents to remain connected.

Sukle began asking the facility’s volunteers, performers and instructors to create videos. These have included art instruction from JCSL’s watercolor and acrylic artists, exercise videos from its tai chi, balance and senior fitness specialists, spiritual inspiration messages from faith leaders, and musical performances from entertainers like Brian Usher and Bobby Jackson.

“We are also able to use JCTV to show personal messages from staff, including words of encouragement, updates and reminders,” Sukle said.

One of the newest ways JCSL plans to use its television programming is a livestream of programs directly to residents’ apartments and small viewing groups. The first livestream was conducted on Sept. 19 as the facility celebrated Air Force Day, the 73rd birthday of the United States Air Force.

The livestream capabilities also allow the life enrichment staff to broadcast events for small groups, such as karaoke singalongs, in-house church services, trivia sessions and brain games to continue to support residents’ cognitive function, Sukle said.

When JCTV has no in-house programming, it makes use of a multi-faceted senior living management program called LifeLoop, which projects the daily schedule of events, advertises upcoming programming, and provides the weather forecast and important announcements.

“JCTV provides a wonderful alternative to the negativity displayed on most news programs, which is often a go-to these days,” Sukle said. “We are so blessed to have an executive director, corporate office, and ownership team that sees the potential of programs such as this and be willing to invest in them to enhance the lives of our residents.”

The idea for JCTV isn’t exactly a new one for the facility. In fact, when JCSL was built, an in-house television channel idea was discussed. However, management at the time knew installation and implementing such a program would require a financial investment and additional staff support. When the facility opened in 2018, the first phases of installing the channel began, but the final aspects needed to be in place for it to be operational.

Sukle had a conference call with the management and ownership teams during pandemic measures and suggested getting the channel up and running would allow for the facility’s life enrichment programs to continue daily for its 130-plus residents. While Sukle came to the project with prior audio-visual experience, her involvement has required researching possibilities and a lot of learning as she went, she said.

“I keep praying all the moving parts and technical pieces fall into place when it comes time to livestream,” she said. “I love seeing the residents smile and talk about a show they watched and how it brought back such great memories. The time and effort it has taken to get this up and running is well worth it.

“One of our residents told me, ‘I’m getting behind on my reading because of all the great programs on JCTV.’”

Sukle said the television channel can use volunteers with video production and editing capabilities to help create videos. The facility is able to do the in-house recording, but the staff could use help with putting programs all together, she said. Musical or theatrical videos from local performers or high schools to show on the channel are also welcomed. Contact the facility at jacksoncreekseniorliving.com/contact or call 719-259-1331 to volunteer.

“My hope for the near future is to create short, personal videos of each resident, which include some of their life stories and fond memories,” Sukle said. “This would allow our residents to be more connected to one another and learn about each other while still in quarantine.”

JCTV remains one piece of what the facility’s life enrichment program offers. It continues to coordinate small group gatherings of six residents or less, hallway activities, traveling carts, gardening opportunities, personal visits, assistance with video calls and more, the director said.

Originally published in the Tri-Lakes Tribune. Photos courtesy of JCSL Life Enrichment.

Hope Carwile, a private practitioner and Innovations Specialist for Vivage Senior Living, parent company of WellAge communities, is one of 15 wellness experts appearing at the upcoming Virtual Caregiver Retreat for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias.

“It’s exciting because I think this retreat will provide people with a new landscape for how we focus on self-care and how we can build peer support and rapport with our care partners,” said Hope, a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of healthcare experience, primarily in long-term care settings.

Today, Hope’s work consists of bringing person-directed/centered care to WellAge communities and other senior living and memory support communities in the form of innovative interventions such as therapeutic touch, massage, music therapy, aromatherapy, energy work, the Virtual Dementia Tour and much more.

“A lot of these therapies are free in addition to being efficient and effective,” said Hope, who is also an educator in Eden Alternative Associate Training, Integrative Wellness, and Trauma-Informed Care, and a facilitator of Chair Yoga. “There is so much that is accessible to help us self-regulate and be more grounded and present. The path I’m starting to go down now in my career is energy psychology, and how that plays a part in how people live, especially those with progressive dementia.”

Hope brings these types of alternative non-pharmacological methods to WellAge communities to help staff grow their memory support treatment toolkits, from dementia capable care training, to virtual dementia care to “Autumn Colors,” a set of guiding tools she helped develop with input on best practices from numerous long-term care industry specialists.

At this October’s free online wellness retreat, Hope’s virtual session will teach caregivers about the Emotional Freedom Technique known as “tapping,” which soothes by interrupting the body’s stress response and focusing on the upper energy pulls of the body. The practice, which has origins in acupressure and acupuncture, involves the person lightly tapping areas of their own face, head, hands and ribs to release stress and negative energy, sometimes repeating a positive affirmation while doing so.

“We know we hold trauma in our bodies, and by hitting certain points we can allow for some stress release and calm,” Hope said. “It helps the central nervous system by putting you into a parasympathetic state naturally and calmly. It also helps validate those negative feelings and ends with a positive form of acceptance, which kind of tricks the neurology.”

Hope, who will be leading the live session from Denver, said she is excited for caregivers to learn about a new self-care tool to help them cope with the pandemic’s emotional challenges.

“This pandemic has been tragic, but it also blows my mind how resilient and creative people are,” said Hope. “Caregivers are doing the best they can within the restrictions placed upon them. But it’s also been extremely difficult for both caregivers and the people they care for, so it is important to validate that.”

While some form of social distancing remains in place at senior living communities, businesses and public spaces across the U.S., people are coming up with all kinds of ways to stay busy while remaining six feet apart. Here, we have compiled a list of virtual and IRL (in real life) ways seniors can keep themselves healthy, creative, stimulated and in shape, all while taking safety seriously:

Staying healthy

It’s important during this time for seniors to stay in shape both physically and mentally, whether that means trying a virtual fitness class on YouTube, taking a walk in the park or hitting a quiet trail at your local nature preserve. Another good health resource is guided meditation on YouTube, like Joanne D’Amico’s Relax for a While or The Honest Guys channel. Seniors can also find opportunities to participate in socially distanced workouts. For example, at Jackson Creek, staff lead a weekly hallway exercise program over Bluetooth headsets, while residents follow along from their doorways.

Getting creative in quarantine

One way seniors can keep their minds and imaginations stimulated while observing social distancing is sharing recipes for their favorite homecooked recipes with friends, cooking them and then scheduling a phone, Zoom or FaceTime call to compare the results. Nothing says friendship and community like a shared recipe, even if it is prepared apart. Another way to exercise your creativity while staying socialized is to start an online writing group your friends can join via email, and then share your work weekly.

Enjoying books and media

With the internet offering such a gigantic volume of media, music, films and literature, much of it for free, why not take advantage right now? The Project Gutenberg website allows you to access thousands of classic books in the public domain, no library card needed, while there are many sites to stream movies and shows. And, if you’re interested in sampling the podcasting medium, check out this slideshow from Oprah Magazine of the Top 15 Podcasts of 2020 to help you get started

Trying online tours and experiences

There are many virtual experiences available just with a tablet, from museums to zoos to national parks. Seniors can visit Smithsonian Magazine’s virtual travel home page to tour world destinations, or look up Google’s virtual tours of five U.S. National Parks, or even check out a free tour of exhibits within the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Louvre in Paris and others. Jackson Creek has a supply of iPads for residents to use for any of these virtual adventures.

Connecting with others

Staying socially connected is the most important of all the ways seniors can stay busy during this pandemic. Some suggestions include trying Zoom or FaceTime video phone calls with family and friends, whether it’s a simple conversation, a virtual mealtime or watching a TV show together, or volunteering with a nonprofit or political party to call or write letters on their behalf. To encourage this type of social connection, staff and Jackson Creek have set up a Facetime and Skype program so residents can connect with their loved ones at any time.

At Jackson Creek, we’re working to maintain our residents’ quality of life while practicing social distancing and following health and safety protocols. To learn more about life at Jackson Creek, schedule your virtual tour online or call us at (719) 259-1331.