Bethany Village

Bethany Village Pastor Bob Ashburn reflects on the month of February.

February is longer this year because it’s a leap year, but it’s still the shortest month of 2012. Despite this short time, it is packed with so much.

Love is celebrated during this month because of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. Saint Valentine’s Day was originally a Christian holiday, celebrating the life of a man who opposed a Roman ban on marriages in the Third Century. Valentine became a martyr, but his name lives on because he was right. Marriage and family are so important to any society – and love certainly is the foundation of marriage and family.

Lent, the penitential season of the church year, begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. We start the season with ashes, not as a sign of how dirty we are, but rather as a sign of how we have been cleansed. Ashes were used as cleaning agents in ancient times, much like soap and detergents are used today. Lent is 40 days long, but does not include Sundays, so the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter is 46 days.

Feb. 29 only comes around every four years. We have this extra day because the revolution of the earth around the sun doesn’t fit perfectly with our 24 hour days. If we don’t have this extra day, the seasons and our calendars just won’t agree. To keep things in order, we are given the gift of an extra day. Take this day, then, to remember how much love there is in your life and the cleansing that you have received from God.

(Centerville, OH) On January 19 Bethany Village, sponsored by Graceworks Lutheran Services, unveiled the designs and redevelopment construction plan for nine new Grand Cottages that will replace 12 original cottages constructed in 1972. Aptly named “Grand”, the new cottages are 50% larger than the cottages they replace and are loaded with pleasing amenities, comfort and safety features achieved through universal architectural design.
 
More than 100 invited guests attended the reception and unveiling presentation to learn more about senior housing options and trends in retirement communities from Bill Serr, President and CEO of Graceworks Lutheran Services and George Oberer, Jr., President of Oberer Companies, the project developer.

“Our commitment to the community is to meet the needs of area seniors and this means offering the very latest in housing options,” said Bill Serr.
 
“Today’s retirees want new construction, fresh approaches to daily living, bright and open floor plans and smart spaces. This is a unique opportunity to experience new construction at Bethany Village. Although we will continue to remodel and enhance other cottages and residences as opportunity allows, brand new construction may not be possible again for several years,” he stated. Construction begins in March and plans call for cottages to be completed by the end of the year.

Mr. Serr noted that even during the recent downturn in the real estate market and ongoing slow economy, Bethany Village remains “stable and vibrant, thanks in large part to listening to our customer’s needs and wants and careful planning.”
 
The unveiling event also featured reality video testimonials by five Bethany Village residents about what it means to live at Bethany. They were present to answer questions. See the video on the website www.bethanylutheranvillage.org.
 
The $1.9 million project for the nine new Grand cottages caps off new construction on Bethany Village’s 100-acre campus in the foreseeable future. Bethany’s master plan, which peaked in 2009 with the $47 million expansion program, added 60 new residences for the nationally accredited continuing care retirement community that is home for more than 750 adults over the age of 62. Bethany Village was founded in 1946. 
 

Did you make a resolution to get fit this new year? Maybe you just want to add a little cardio into an already existing workout routine. Whatever the case, walking is a great option -- especially for seniors! Places like Bethany Village offer safe and expansive walking trails for both exercise and pleasure. Bethany's full time exercise physiologist Christy Trittschuh has some tips to integrate walking into your everyday routine. Here are her top five tips:

1. Time is more important than distance. Strive for 20 to 30 minutes a day. You can start with even 5 minutes of walking at a time and build from there.

2. Wear shoes with a rubber sole, good arch support and cushioning.

3. Pedometers are good to measure the distance. You can make great strides by just adding one more block at a time to each walk.

4. A buddy is a good support system and encouragement tool. Find someone who will hold you accountable for doing the exercise. You will also feel secure that someone is with you.

5. Always remember: if it is icy, move your workout indoors.

Finally, do you need a little help sticking with your resolutions? Christy has help with that as well. She says to:

1. Do activities you enjoy.

2. Integrate fitness in your schedule.

3. Use the buddy system for motivation and support.

4. Stay off the weight scales.

5. Start off slowly.

6. Remember: you’re unique.

7. Don’t work too hard – go at your own pace.

8. Reschedule missed workouts.

9. Make fitness a habit.

10.Have a plan for what you want to achieve from your workout.


Finally, if you're already an avid exerciser, you might consider another popular resolution aimed at older adults. Some of these include planning a fun trip, reading a self-help book and committing to laughter.  

Did you make a resolution for 2012?

Bethany Village Pastor Bob Ashburn reflects on the holiday season.

We have many celebrations in December. Those of us in the Christian traditions are celebrating the birth of Jesus our Lord. This is the assurance for us that God is with us and that God is willing to go to extreme measures to be with us. Even though the date has been set for December 25th, we do our celebrating all month long or even longer. There is a radio station here in Dayton that began playing Christmas music on November 1st this year! The giving in the Christmas tradition goes back to the gifts of the Wise Men (their holiday is January 6th) and to St. Nicholas (his holiday is December 6th). When we talk about the twelve days of Christmas, however, these are the days from December 25th until January 5th.

In the Jewish tradition there is the celebration of Hanukkah. This is a holiday that in 2011 begins on December 20th and continues through December 28th. The celebration commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian army in the Second Century BCE. The celebration is the "Festival of Lights" because God’s miracle during the victory had to do with an oil supply for lights that did not go out. Today, families celebrate this festival through the lighting of lights, through gift giving, through eating of foods cooked with oil, and through the playing of games.

Now, notice that in our December celebrations we have traditions of giving and sharing. We remember at this time, no matter what our faith, that we have something to give to others and that we have received so much from others as well. May your December be filled with much giving and much sharing.

Under any circumstances, moving is wrought with all kinds of stress. But when you are leaving a house you’ve called home for a long time, friends and neighbors whose lives have intertwined with yours, a church that has been a pillar of strength, and a community of people who have made up the fabric of your life – well, it’s just more than anyone can be expected to embrace joyfully. Faced with this kind of profound change, many people need a helping hand to help them make a smooth transition.

The majority of people who move to Bethany have been in their homes for more than 30 years. The house itself is like a family member. That’s a lot of memories – and often meaningful personal possessions – to leave behind. And when the transition is rushed, there is even less time to prepare for the move emotionally.

To help make moving easier for new residents, Bethany Pastor Bob Ashburn established a moving transition support group here at Bethany. The group had its first meeting in September, and although it was small, feedback was positive.  The group will become the "first stop" for new residents wanting to balance their feelings of loss with their anticipation for a happy future Bethany.

We encourage open discussion so people can share their coping strategies and learn they are not alone in feeling sad or even fearful about making such a dramatic change. The goal of the support group is to help residents learn that nothing will – or should – replace their memories. And most of all, they can find new friends, new traditions, and lots of fun, peace and joy at Bethany Village.

What if a vanilla milkshake could help ease the effects of Alzheimer's disease? Axona, the manufacturer of medical milkshakes, funded a clinical trial that provided some promising results. Researches found that patients who consumed the medical milkshakes found short-term positive effects in cognition and memory. Still, researchers caution that there isn't enough evidence to conclusively say whether the milkshakes really work or not.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5.4 million Americans have the disease. Alzheimer’s affects 1 in 8 people over 65 and causes memory loss, mood and personality changes. Currently Alzheimer’s disease is fatal. A number of prescription drugs are available to fight Alzheimer's but there is no cure.

Axona is available by prescription only and contains 217 calories. Patients mix the powder with any type of liquid. The reason why the Axona milkshakes just might be a breakthrough is because the brains of Alzheimer's patients don't convert glucose into energy as efficiently as healthy brains. According to Axona, the shake contains caprylic triglyceride, a compound derived from coconut oil that is metabolized in the liver to produce ketone bodies which serve as alternate brain fuel for Alzheimer's patients.

For more information on this promising "sweet" drug, visit the Wall Street Journal. Or help find a cure and join Bethany Village in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's.
 

To demonstrate our support for the Miami Valley Alzheimer’s Association, Bethany Village–Graceworks Lutheran Services is once again a benefactor-level sponsor of the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

Bethany’s involvement has grown steadily since we first participated in the walk. Last year, 29 Bethany employees and residents signed up for the event. This year’s 1.5-mile walk takes place on Sunday, September 25, at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. Registration/check-in is at noon, with the walk kicking off at 1:30 p.m. (Click for registration details.)

The Walk to End Alzheimer's, which is held annually in the fall in nearly 600 communities nationwide, is the country’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, education and research. Since 1989, this all age, all-ability walk has mobilized millions to join the fight against Alzheimer's disease, raising more than $347 million for the cause. Money raised in each community goes to the local association chapter.

The Alzheimer's Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Today, more than half of all Americans know someone with Alzheimer’s.  Write a comment about your level of awareness of Alzheimer’s and why you want to see an end for this disease.

After the sizzling summer most of the country has experienced, it’s hard to believe that we’ll soon be complaining about how cold it is, how much snow we have to shovel and how treacherous those ice-glazed sidewalks can be. With autumn fast approaching, now is a good time for seniors and their families to give some thought to future living arrangements. Is home becoming too much to handle? Are safety and the everyday demands of upkeep and yard work becoming issues? Is selling the house and relocating to a retirement community beginning to look like a smart move?

Having counseled many seniors and their adult children who are exploring Bethany Village as an option, I can share with you three guiding principles for families making this very important life decision:

·  Don’t wait until you are in the midst of a crisis to start looking at retirement communities. You won’t have the time, clarity and peace of mind needed to make an informed decision. It’s much better to start exploring before you feel the pressing need to act. Just because you are investigating choices doesn’t mean a move is immanent; it simply means you are investing some time and thought in deciding the next step in living arrangements.

·  Put your feelings on the table. Adult children often approach talking to their parents about selling the house with some trepidation. It can be difficult conversation wrought with emotion. Sometimes, however, an older person may have already been thinking about making the move and welcomes some assistance in sorting out feelings and coming up with a strategy. Sit down together and make a pros and cons list. What are the benefits vs. drawbacks – financial, social, lifestyle, health, safety and mobility – of selling the house and moving to a retirement community? Visit some retirement communities to learn more about amenities and costs. Keep an open mind and be honest about your fears and concerns.

·  Be realistic about selling your house. There’s no denying that the economy has been rough on real estate sales. Sometimes, older people may resist selling in today’s depressed market, choosing instead to “wait until things get better” so they don’t lose a penny of the equity they always planned to leave to their children. Recently, an adult child visiting Bethany Village told me that she explained to her parents that waiting to sell was not their only option. If they really wanted to give her a meaningful gift, they could give it to her right now by moving into a place where she had the comfort of knowing every day that they were safe, active and relieved of the burden of maintaining a house.

Ultimately, you may conclude that staying put is the best choice, at least for the time being. Having fully explored the options, however, means that everyone involved in the decision-making process will be that much ahead of the game if and when moving into a retirement community starts looking like the next logical step in safe and happy senior living.

What is your main concern about moving to a retirement community? Please make a comment below.

If you feel like you’re sitting on the sidelines while the communications technology parade marches by, listen up. One of the most popular video/voice calling technologies – Skype – may be all it takes to get you in on the fun.  It’s popular here at Bethany Village where the first resident used Skype two years ago to video conference with her family reunion that was in the Rocky Mountains.  To get started, you’ll need:

• Access to a desktop, laptop or tablet-style (like an iPad2) computer
• A high-speed internet connection via your cable service or telephone provider or a wi-fi connection, which is offered in many public places
• A webcam (a video camera that now comes built in to most computers)
• Skype software, which is free and also provides free, unlimited telephone calls to Skype members, so you can talk face-to-face with live video

Some seniors may think this set-up sounds too complicated, but it’s really easy to get started. (Isn’t this what tech-savvy grandchildren are for?) You can also use Skype on a smart phone – Blackberry, iPhone or Android, for example.

Skype has a number of great features, but the one most seniors will enjoy most is video conferencing – that is, making a telephone call directly from your computer to someone else’s computer and establishing a connection that allows you to both talk to and see each other in real time. It’s free to other Skype members and doesn’t matter how long you talk or the distance of the connection, including international calls. Here are just a few of the things seniors can do using Skype:

• Communicate with family and friends in far-away places
• Share in special moments and celebrations with children and grandchildren
• Tell grandchildren a bedtime story
• Join in a meeting – for example, a book or garden club

I use Skype daily to chat with my five grown and college-age children. For example, my son is coaching kids soccer now. I used to coach him, so it’s fun to talk about his team. We are urging my mother, age 82, to get an iPad so she, too, can join in the fun.

One caution: When you set up Skype, you will be asked to create a profile, which will be available to anyone using the service. Remember: Don’t list your home phone number in your profile and take advantage of all the privacy settings Skype offers.

To learn more about Skype, their free services and their premium options that require subscription expense, go to:  www.skype.com

Tell us about how you use Skype to communicate with your family.
 

In our blog two weeks ago, we wrote about our favorite ways to celebrate the July 4th Holiday. We wanted to follow up and share with you the menu from the annual picnic celebration that the residents at Bethany Village enjoy so much. 

Residents bring assorted desserts potluck-style to share a sweet ending for their meal of fried chicken, potato salad, rolls and "Angie’s Famous Baked Beans." Angie is a member of the Bethany Life Enrichment staff where she plans and presents many events, such as the picnic. Rachel Abshear, Life Enrichment manager, says, “The residents love her baked beans and request this favorite dish year after year.”

Thanks, Angie, for sharing your recipe:

Angie’s Baked Beans
2 (16 oz.) cans pork & beans (drain beans)
1 Cup salsa (any type)
½ Cup tomato ketchup (any type)
½ Cup light or dark brown sugar
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon mustard (any type)
1 Tablespoon molasses (any type)
¼ Cup B.B.Q. sauce (any type)
Combine all ingredients in a large pot and cover.
Preheat oven and bake at 375 for 1 hour or until
beans thicken; stir occasionally.
(Yields 6 or 8 servings)

What’s your favorite Baked Beans recipe?

Many veterans call Bethany Village home. These brave men and women served our country in all branches of the military and continue that service here at Bethany. An official veterans group is active on campus and recently coordinated a donation drive for the Blue Star Mothers. The drive collected things like socks, batteries, eye drops, candy and much more that our enlisted men and women need while stationed away from home.

During July, Americans remember the anniversary of our independence. At Bethany, residents celebrate just the same. There are cookouts, summer concerts and other activities to stay engaged. If you don’t like the heat, no worries: everything at Bethany is connected, meaning you can still workout in the Fitness Center, have lunch with friends in the Bistro and take an art class all in the comfort of air conditioning.

If you are ready to proclaim your independence, you should first call 937-436-6850 to make a personalized appointment. A senior living counselor will work with you to make sure you get the most out of your visit and help determine if Bethany is the right place for you.

Remember, while your neighbors are working on the lawn in the August heat, you could be sitting on your new patio, sipping iced tea. Or playing bridge with new friends. Or enjoying an art show. Our move-in coordinator can provide advice and help with the downsizing process.

Are you planning to visit communities like Bethany Village over the summer?

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19. The blog writers at Bethany Village share their personal and favorite tips about how they honor their dads on Father’s Day. What are your plans to celebrate Father’s Day? Please include your comments. Click on the bloggers’ names to see their photos and read their biographies.

Karen Kuhn says:

If your Dad is living, make every effort to visit him on Father’s Day. My Dad died at a young age, but my family would always have a summer picnic-style meal to honor him.

Bring the tackle box and go fishing for a few hours. Take along some lemonade too.

Take time to select a card for Dad with a message that will make him smile or laugh out loud.
  
Take a picture of your Dad with your family gathered around to mark the day.

Robyn Nelson says:

When my dad was still living, he loved to go for rides in the car out in the country. My dad had Alzheimer’s disease so this was one of the activities that we could do together that he really was able to participate in and enjoyed so much-- we would drive by all the old places that he remembered from his childhood and I loved to hear his stories. Of course, before returning home, we always made a stop at the ice cream stand for a chocolate malt! I really miss those rides!

Allyson Crawford says:

Every Father’s Day, I like to invite my dad and dad-in-law up to my home for a cook out. I’m a strict vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean I force that on my male meat eaters! To the contrary, my husband likes to grill steaks for everyone to enjoy.

After the cook out, there is usually dessert – perhaps an ice cream cake, or something else special. Then presents. Both dads like to work outdoors, so the gift is usually something to do with gardening or tools. Then the entire family sits around and enjoys the day together. It’s a low key time, and a great afternoon together.

Rachel Abshear says:

Use a website such as blurb or shutterfly to create a picture book of memories of you and your father.

Send (in the mail) a letter to your dad telling him how important he is. Everyone likes to get that isn’t a bill!  And a personal letter is so unusual nowadays.

Create an experience for your dad—take him to a new exhibit at the discovery or art museum or try a fun entertainment locale (like the aquarium, zoo, or Entertainment Junction in West Chester).

Plan an overnight trip to his hometown and let him drive (or ride) around telling you stories about the good old days and his favorite hangouts.

Jenita Sullenger says:

I take all the time in the world and do it early to find just the right Father’s Day card. My dad is very sentimental and I am the only girl of three boys so I relish the opportunity to find just the perfect "Daddy’s girl" card. I have been so blessed that it takes me more time to only decide on one (so he usually gets two or three) since he fits all the Hallmark cards.

Arlene formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA). Currently, she consults with organizations serving older adults on issues of aging and strategic planning. She developed her exhibit while still at COA as a meaningful way to celebrate a milestone. As her 25th anniversary with COA approached, the staff wanted to give Arlene a gift; instead, she asked them to let her think about a way she could give back to them. That led her to create her exhibit. In 2003 she did her first portrait, which is called “Simply Red.” She continued to photograph older adults in various places, capturing the essence of aging and life through their expressions.

She says, “I feel a personal bonding with the people in the portraits. Some of them stay in touch with me. So I wrote a coffee table book with their stories and portraits which was published and released in 2009 in Westminster, London, and then the book was released in the USA in January 2011.” The book is also on display at Bethany’s Art Center. She appreciates the value of the Art Center, giving Bethany residents opportunities to create, engage in, and view art, and the friendliness of the Bethany community during her visits.

In addition to opportunities in the Cincinnati area, Arlene has displayed her photographs in Boston, Washington, DC, Montana, Great Britain, the Middle East, and Sri Lanka. Many of her photos were taken in those areas as well. Last year she exhibited in Switzerland at their national aging conference.

Arlene hopes that through her art people realize that the emotions attached to aging are universal and powerful. She says, “It does not matter where in the world you are; we have the same feelings and commonality of aging. Feelings about the fears and joys of aging cross all cultures.”

To sum up her exhibit—the product of her passion for serving older adults and taking pictures—Arlene notes: “People are drawn to beauty, and this exhibit shows the beauty of aging.”

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8

The blogger team at Bethany Village shares their favorite tips and advice about how to honor Mother and celebrate her special day.

Larry Ramey says:

Call mother and say "I love you." Send flowers with a card included.

Karen Kuhn says:

Take a picture of your Mom and yourself together: priceless.
Give fresh cut flowers. No cooking for Mom on Mother’s Day; you take care of her meal---go out to her favorite restaurant or get her favorite carry out.
Take time to select a card for Mom with a beautiful message and add your own personal sentiment. If your Mom is living, make every effort to visit her on Mother’s Day.


Robyn Nelson says:

Unfortunately, my mom is no longer with me, so part of what I do to honor her memory on Mother’s Day is to reminisce with my children about wonderful memories we have of her. When my mother was living we would prepare a special meal to take to her and spend the day visiting. My mom loved lilacs and tulips, so I always make sure I have a bouquet for my table. The scent of lilacs always reminds me of my mother.

Cathy Bourquin says:

Think as adult children: our Mom’s often have most of the "material" things they need or want. So when my Mom was alive, I would take a day and devote to her and what she wanted done or wanted to do. It may be planting flowers, going shopping or cleaning out a closet….something that made her feel good.

Artie Taylor says:

Invite the rest of the family to be at mom’s house and cook out and have her just mingle with everyone visiting.
Go to the garden center and select some items to plant at her house.
Go to church.
Call her the morning of Mother’s Day and pick her up, and take her to breakfast.

Pam Blumensheid says:

Give her the best gift of all -- your time and conversation!
Spend time together over coffee or a cool drink on the deck or porch.
This is a great idea for a daughter: Schedule a pedicure or manicure for mom – and go with her and have one yourself! Then you can be pampered together.
If you can’t be with her in person, schedule a group Skype call and include as many of our siblings as possible. Make sure to account for different time zones.
If you live near your mom, fix brunch and share it with her. Make sure you call ahead to tell her what the plan is. Then go to her kitchen with all the fixings and cook brunch. Include a small bouquet for the table.

Allyson Crawford says:

For Mother’s Day, every year I select my mom a special gift, take her to lunch and get her some flowers. She doesn’t like flowers that die – rather – flowers that she can plant in the yard and grow all summer long. Now that I’m married, I do the same thing for my mother-in-law.

Meg Wulfeck says:

Post on Facebook…"Top 5 Reasons Why I Love My Mother".
As a child, I would write her poems.
Send her a card.
Take her out to dinner.
Pay a visit.

Barbara Wells-Seay says:

I lost my Mom in April. I’d like to say "Hug your Mother and hold her tight and most of all tell her that you love her."

Rachel Abshear says:

Take her out for an experience—i.e. spa day (both of you getting facials or massages), a tour of the current exhibit at the art museum and lunch, a trip to the zoo or museum of discovery if she’s an animal lover, a make your own pottery day, etc.
Send her a gourmet food basket with her favorite treats.

Jennita Sullenger says:

With my Mom no longer alive, I LOVE planting a perennial in my butterfly garden to honor/ remind me of her or add to my garden statuaries.

My three brothers have started calling me since she died and we reminisce so I get the best of both worlds: being honored by them as a mom and smiling with them because of the blessing my mom was in our lives.

Deb Dicus says:

Go out and have ice cream together.
Go to church with her.
Buy her a new outfit to wear on Mother’s Day.
Coordinate for her to get her hair done.
Call Mom and thank her for everything she has done for me and my siblings.
I send a card with money for my sister to buy flowers for her garden as she lives out of state.

What are some of your favorite tips to honor mom?