Village On The Isle named one of the Best Nursing Homes in Venice, Florida!

Venice, FL (February 10^th 2012).  U.S. News & World Report just released their annual “Best Nursing Homes” report and Village On The Isle is one of the best!.  All of the homes shown on the report, which can be found at http://health.usnews.com/senior-housing/nursing-homes/fl, received 5 stars, the highest overall rating, from the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A facility’s overall rating is geared to its performance in health inspections, nurse staffing, and medical care. Village On The Isle is currently the only Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Venice, FL.

Elaine Boyer, Administrator of Skilled Nursing for Luke Haven at Village On The Isle is proud to have received such a favorably rating.  She says, “We are honored to receive this recognition.  The 5-star rating truly reflects our team’s involvement and commitment to the residents, the families and all of us here at Village On The Isle.”

Village On The Isle is a full service, not-for-profit, faith based, continuing care retirement community located less than half a mile from the Gulf of Mexico in beautiful Venice, Florida.  Our goal at Luke Haven skilled nursing facility is to assist our residents to return to their previous home setting or meet their long-term care needs. This is a 60-bed skilled nursing facility providing extensive medical rehabilitation & therapy. Therapy is provided 6 days a week to our residents.  For more information visit  www.VillageOnTheIsle.com/skilled-nursing-facility-florida

Fall is in the air!

What is it that makes us Floridians miss the autumn season? Is it that we are tired of the hot weather, or do we miss the taste of fall? Granted it is nice to have cooler mornings and less humidity but is it the fresh picked crisp apple we miss or the smell of pumpkin pie through our neighbors’ windows. With Labor Day behind us and Halloween fast approaching try explaining to a child what it was like growing up with a true autumn season. Picking apples and pressing cider is as foreign to them as their iPod is to me.

Nothing can describe the excitement in the air as we went to the harvest fair and how for the next few months Mother Nature turned the leaves of the trees into the most beautiful shades of reds, oranges and yellows one could ever imagine. I explained this to my seven year old who stared at me as if I had gone completely over the edge. What was I talking about? They had both seen the leaves turn colors every year… via the internet so what was the big deal? The big deal is that as summer does turn to autumn; we do miss the imagistic landscapes, but the true meaning of autumn is family; and Village On The Isle is family.

The VOTI family is unique, we do celebrate fall; we decorate the campus, invite friends and family to our houses, plan special holiday meals and spend more time with each other. We may not have crisps apples off a tree but we do have fresh baked apple pie. Our apple cider may come from a store, our pumpkins do not have frost on them and they are smaller than what we had up north but on Thanksgiving morning, we the VOTI family will be celebrating our blessings as Floridians’ do with a wonderful meal and a dip in the pool. Come visit us this fall at VOTI and see what you are missing!

This blog was written by Kathleen Blackburn Dietary Manager at Village On The Isle.

At Village On The Isle, “staying connected” is important to us so we’ve structured our community to deliver the In-house IT services you need when you need them. In-House IT Services is focused on providing unparalleled Service and Support to existing and new Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing residents.

When our residents move in, they may ask themselves, “How am I going to hook up my computer, what if I plugged it in the wrong way, what provider should I use…etc.?” At Village On The Isle, we want resident’s transition from their current residence to their new home to be as smooth as possible. Retirement is all about not needing to worry,  so the In-house IT will hook up your computer and all residents at the Village have free access to WiFi (Wireless Network).  In-house IT also provides beginners and basic computer classes periodically throughout the year.

We know that many of our retirees who move in may have family members across the state or even the country.  We have many ways for family members to connect with residents at Village On The Isle.  We showcase our daily activities, events and residents on our Facebook page daily.  This gives others a sense of what the lifestyle and culture is at Village On The Isle in Venice, FL.  We also offer Skype capabilities to residents who may not have a video camera on their computer or for those who are not able to use a computer.  Residents whose family members wish to see them up close and personal can use our Skype mobile phone.  We will assist these residents in using and they will be video chatting with family in no time.

It is reassuring to know that with one phone call or email your IT needs are handled quickly and professionally.

So it’s time for retirement. You’ve spent years building up equity in your home and like most Americans benefited from that equity when it came time to pay for renovations, your kid’s college and unforeseen expenses.  You thought of your home as a piece of your nest egg.  A nest egg you would one day cash in to pay for retirement, right?  WRONG.  When housing prices came crashing down, so did the dream of retirement for many seniors.

With things slowly turning around and these elderly couple’s homes’ being worth more than what they originally paid for them 40 years ago, there are a few things our savvy seniors can do to stay ahead of the game and increase their chances of selling.

STAGING – Hold on to all those wonderful memories, but GET RID of the stuff! Seniors appreciate their belongings far more than the youth today. Problem is, they see value in TOO many of their belongings and when it comes to selling your home, the cleaner the better. Purge, Purge, Purge.  When potential buyers are coming in to a home they are interested in space, they want to visualize their own dream of what the house will do for them, what fond memories will be created there for them.  They are definitely not interested in seeing your memorabilia or coin collection you’ve had since you were 12.

Proper staging requires:

• Cleaned and cleared tables, counters, closets and floors.  (remove trinkets, collectables, picture frames, etc.)
• Fresh Paint, clean walls
• Clean Windows, inside and out
• Warm welcoming scents such as warm vanilla or fresh baked cookies
• Proper furniture placement – There should be enough furniture in the room so it is not empty feeling, but not overcrowded so flow is not interrupted when walking through.

SMALL UPGRADES & MAINTENANCE – Little things starting with curb appeal and “newer” appliances can add value and entice potential homebuyers.

A few inexpensive ideas:

• Fresh cut lawn, new mulch or shells (if you’re in FL) and a few colorful plants once the house is listed.  Keep the plants watered and alive.
• Pressure Clean your driveway and Garage Door.  Depending on roof condition you may want to budget to have all 3 done at the same time.  In Florida most homeowners’ wait until after August (rainy season) to have these services provided.
• New Garage Door. Stay away from color Garage Doors, if you cannot afford a brand new door try to have damaged panels repaired.
• New or “newer” appliances.  If your stove was put in when you bought the house in 1960, please have it upgraded.  If you cannot afford a brand new appliance, chances are there is probably a “newer” model for sale on Craigslist or in your local paper.
• If you have tiled or wood floors have them cleaned.  If your home has carpet, renting a steam cleaner or hiring a service to perform the cleaning will freshen up your home for minimal cost.

Retiring is something we work hard for all our lives.  Selling your home in this economy is possible you just need to be smarter and take some extra steps.

Through health and nutrition, people are living longer and able to live on their own.

But the ability to live longer and healthier lives doesn’t mean that there won’t need to be lifestyle modifications. In American Society, we have the tendency to view mobility (especially the ability to own and drive a car) with independence.

All too often, people that find that they can no longer drive themselves around as they once did. People in this position all of a sudden feel trapped between the four walls of their home with only an occasional outing at the convenience of a friend or relative. This can be very disheartening to those that have long cherished their independence.

At Village On The Isle, our independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing residents don’t need to worry as we provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping, activity outings, churches, and even airports.  We have six buses including accessibility for wheelchairs and we operate 7 days a week.

We have our own dispatcher for resident Dr. appointments. We work with cell phones so the call is answered at all times. We ask for residents to give us at least a 24 hr notice, but of course we never turn anyone down. At Village On The Isle our dispatcher is equipped to record appointments 2 years in advance. Once the resident is finished at their medical appointment, the doctor’s office will call us and dispatch calls the driver for the pick up. For daily, weekly or planned activities we keep a sign-up sheet for the residents. Our drivers stay with the residents for the activity.

We want our residents at Village On The Isle to keep as much independence as they need. We want to give them the luxury of keeping their social calendar full and making outings, shopping and medical appointments very accessible to them with or without a car.  We’d like to think being chauffeured is a lot better than driving yourself!  Wouldn’t you agree?

On the fourth day of July in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.  Keeping in tradition, this very American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

Did you know that in the year of 1776 the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.  Today there are 311,656,330 people living in our independent nation.

Regardless of historians long disputing whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, we here at Village On The Isle gear up all year to celebrate the Fourth of July in style!

Our very own CEO, Tom Kelly will be grilling up all of our Fourth of July favorites at our holiday picnic!  Residents really enjoy the excitement and participate with the staff by dressing up in Red, White and Blue for the day. Keeping the activity calendar full is so important to us at Village On The Isle.  Naturally holidays are a big deal for us!  Wonderful memories are made and shared on these occasions and we enjoy every minute of them!

BE PREPARED!

Calling all alums of scouting: Brownies, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts!  Thanks to two of the founding leaders of scouting, Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Juliette Gordon Low, plus many devoted troop leaders, many of us memorized Morse Code and learned CPR.   By 2011 AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are common, and Morse Code may have been trumped by tweets, so our hard-earned merit badges may not be as useful as they used to be.

But, many of us of can still remember the Scout Oath (“On my honor…”) and the Scout Motto (“Be Prepared”).  And those two teachings will always be useful; no matter how many gigabytes we can Google from our cell phones.

BE PREPARED!  Many folks live alone these days.  Partners have passed, children have moved far away, and we are too tired or too physically impaired to remain close with our neighbors or church family.  And so there may be no one to assist the 911 First Responders if you summon them.

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF, AND BE PREPARED FOR A MEDICAL SITUATION:  Prepare an easy-to-locate list of vital information, so the First Responders (and follow-up caregivers) can do as much as possible for you.

1. Names and telephone numbers (especially cell phones) of key people you wish to be notified.  (Family members, close friends, clergy, etc.)
2. Names and telephone numbers of your primary physician and any specialists such as heart doctors who should be contacted.
3. List of all your medications (prescription and non-prescription), the amount and frequency of your dose.  LIST ANY ALLERGIES!!!
4. Information (membership number and telephone number) for ALL of your medical insurances: Medicare Part A & B, Medicare Part D (prescription coverage), secondary/supplemental insurance.
5. Names and telephone numbers of “official” contacts:  attorney, financial advisor, durable power of attorney, health care surrogate, location of your living will (See January 2011 Archive, “Advance Directives”).

And if you have already prepared such a list, Sir Robert and Mrs. Gordon Low would be proud of you!

Let’s start off with a brief history lesson.  In 1978, three Lutheran Pastors attended a conference focusing on concerns and issues of the seniors and    elders of that time.  Inspired, they returned thinking that it was the calling of the Lutheran Church to have facilities where elders could live with Dignity, in an environment that encouraged a positive outlook on life and to associate with one another in a social and caring community.  Early on, it was determined that a retirement community would not be limited to Lutherans but would be opened to every denomination.  And so, here we are today in sunny Venice, Florida at Village On The Isle, a faith based, not-for-profit, continuing care, retirement community.

So, what is the benefit for a resident to choose a faith based retirement community?  What is the benefit of our resident’s here at Village On The Isle?  In our mission statement you will read, “ … we are committed to sharing God’s love by promoting individual growth and dignity, enhancing the quality of life and meeting the human and spiritual needs of our residents, staff and community.”We strongly believe and practice these words everyday.  You see, the benefits to our residents are that our initiatives are faith motivated.  We answer to a “higher calling” than other ‘for profit’ establishments.  This adds a special dimension to the lifestyle for our residents.  The church relatedness means we really do care for our residents and our daily operations are supported by love and compassion towards each and every person.

We are truly blessed here at Village On The Isle to have Chaplain Don Hillerich provide support to our resident’s spiritual needs and concerns.  He is always available to provide confidential pastoral care and counseling.  Chaplain Don works closely with our Health and Wellness department in a variety of areas such as grief classes and other supplementary programs. Further, he is coordinates weekly worship services, teaches classes on a number of topics such as church architecture and much more.  Don loves being the pastor of this community, he shares with us his enthusiasm for what he does – “I love it! I lookforward to coming to Village On The Isle everyday with EXCITEMENT and APPRECIATION for all the residents and staff.

You have worked very hard, spent time, money and energy giving “your all” to others, children, family & friends.   Congratulations for a job well done!

The answer to your question… YOUR TIME is NOW!

It’s your time to give your all to YOURSELF.  Give yourself that career or lifestyle you have saved and planned for.  Focus on YOU, your health and your future.   Retirement is a time to do just that.  It is hard to change our way of thinking, we are not used to taking time for ourselves or spending money for our wants and needs. We feel we are being selfish, we feel guilty if we try to reach “our dream goals,” even though it has been through “our own very hard work.” We have forgotten how to care for ourselves.  We do not need anyone’s permission to concentrate on our own healthy lifestyle for a change.  I believe it is “never too late” to start a Wellness program and improve your quality of life.  There are three simple things to remember to improve your Health.  Nutrition- a diet balanced with plenty of fruits and veggies.  Exercise- walking, swimming, exercises to increase endurance, strength, balance, & flexibility.   Positive attitude- most important of all, eliminate negative thinking and surround yourself with positive people.  Believe in your value as a human being and your right to a few minutes of personal space, at least several times a week.  Love, honor and value yourself.  Remember, “YOUR time is Now.”

Retirement, Health and Wellness- Village on the Isle

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY…. For most of us the holidays are filled with fun, excitement and laughter, but for many of today’s seniors it can be a time of sorrow and loneliness.   For some, it can simply be a case of the holiday blues but for others, it can trigger a depressive or stress related event.  We all have senior family members or friends that we love & care for, some may live with us, some on their own or many in a retirement community, assisted living or skilled nursing facility.  Regardless of where they are, it’s helpful for us to be aware of certain factors so that if we are/or have a senior loved one in our life we can offer assistance to help them cope.

Many different issues can be attributed to holiday depression & stress. Situations including the loss of a spouse, the loss of friends, or the distance & separation from one’s family can all be contributing factors.  In addition, illness or the illness of a spouse can affect the ability to celebrate the holiday season as they once did.

Signs of Depression or Holiday Blues:

• Sadness
• Fatigue
• Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes
• Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
• Weight loss; loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
• Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing)
• Increased use of alcohol or other drugs
• Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts

The following strategies may help seniors to cope by alleviating or preventing these feelings so that they can enjoy the holiday season:

• DO NOT ISOLATE YOURSELF! If you cannot be with family, invite friends or neighbors over.
• Volunteer YOUR TIME! Helping others is a great way to forget your own troubles.
• AVOID ALCOHOL as it is a depressant and can intensify feelings of sadness.
• SHARING IS CARING! Do not keep your feelings inside.   Sharing your thoughts can help you to feel better.
• WATCH YOUR FINANCES $$ Be care of overspending as this can cause stress.  Remember the grandchildren will not remember the gift as much as they will remember it is you.

Sources not linked above: seniorhealth.about.com/od/mentalemotionalhealth/a/holiday_blues.htm MedicineNet.com