Spectrum Enriched Senior Living Magazine by Alive Publishing Group

Enriched Senior Living summer 2010

The

Fountain of

Youth

The secret to longevity is no secret at all

A Publication of Spectrum Retirement Communities, LLC

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DIRECTING THE WAY TO THE FUTURE! Do we have the most innovative activities program around? You bet cha!

• Conductorcise Fitness Program • Hollywood Legends Lecture Series • Great Destinations Travel Series • HUGS Good Will Program

• Arabesque Ballet Fitness Program • BrainFitness Classes • World Events Weekly Round Table Discussions • Broadway Theatre Appreciation Series

Visit a Spectrum Community today and be a part of what’s happening. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you!

888.516.2188

www.SpectrumRetirement.com

CONTENTS

08 Spectrum Wellness

Inside Spectrum

the fountain of youth Uncovering the secrets behind a long healthy life

amazing centenarians These two residents have quite a story to tell!

looking ahead

and the winner is...

Spectrum Lifestyle

Spectrum Advisor

having fun is good for you Time with friends nourishes both body and soul

go ahead...make my day An active lifestyle leads to a positive outlook

everything but the kitchen sink The Parkrose Kitchenettes are one hot band

the single men of crestview This unique group is at the center of all the fun

New Spectrum community in Arizona to open soon

Delectable delights from our first annual recipe contest

a gradual onset Recognizing the different stages of Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

the place for me Questions to ask when looking for your new home

Welcome to Spectrum On b e h a l f of a l l of us a t Sp ect r u m Retirement Communities, we hope you enjoy the third issue of our Enhanced Senior Living magazine. So many of you have taken the time to let us know how much you enjoyed reading our previous issues and we greatly appreciate your feedback. Here, for your reading pleasure, is another edition of our popular magazine. We hope you enjoy reading the articles in this issue of Spectrum Magazine as much as we enjoyed preparing them for you. John Sevo and Jeff Kraus Managing Directors Spectrum Retirement Communities, LLC

John Sevo managing director Jeff Kraus managing director Robert Landau editor & vice president of fun rlandau @ spectrumretirement.com Kathleen MacDonald Vice President of Marketing Joe Mikalajunas senior vice president and chief operating officer

Phil Luebbers Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Maureen Regan Cannon vice president â&#x20AC;&#x201C; group publisher

mregan @wiesnermedia.com Brendan Harrington editor

Lindsay Hayes creative DIRECTOR Susan Humphrey director of digital media

WIESNERMEDIA, LLC 6160 south syracuse way, suite 300 GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO 80111 (303) 662-5200 PHONE (303) 397-7619 FAX WWW.WIESNERMEDIA.COM WWW.CUSTOMPUBLISHINGCO.COM

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A Place Like Home Caring for your aging parents can be a challenging and emotional time. You have so many questions, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where to turn for the answers. That is why we wrote A Place Like Home, a comprehensive guide to finding the best retirement living option for your parents. This informative booklet is full of great ideas and important questions to ask as you search for the next, and best, move. Call 888-684-1160 today for your complimentary copy of this invaluable resource.

WELLNE SS

The

Fountain of Youth

Is there a secret to long life? Science says yes ... but it’s no secret. By Taylor Moss Spectrum Retirement Communities

What is the secret to living to be 100 years old? Every interview with a centenarian asks that question, and the answer is invariably something concise like “enjoy life” or “don’t drink too much.” The answers are almost always good advice to live by, but is it possible to find more definitive answers backed up by real data rather than anecdotes? For a long time, this was a hypothetical exercise, as there were just too few centenarians around to draw any real conclusions — at least any conclusions with scientific validity. Recently, however, epidemiologists have begun to identify longevity “hot spots” around the world, where there are an inordinate number

of centenarians relative to the size of the local population. Dubbed “Blue Zones” by the authors of one early study, these areas not only contain many more centenarians than they should, these individuals are also of relatively good health, still active and without chronic health conditions. Their curiosity piqued by finding these “hot spots,” scientists set to work trying to identify the causes behind such extreme longevity. There are two Blue Zones where the ages of the oldest people in the populations have been verified using rigorous methods, though popular health books add more locations faster than they can be verified. In this article, I’ll focus

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on the first two, since they have been studied more carefully. These locations are in Sardinia, Italy and Okinawa, Japan.

Longevity Hot Spots Sardinia was the first longevity “hot spot” identified by epidemiologists, and is by far the best studied. The island of Sardinia is quite large and varied, and the Blue Zone only occupies a small, mountainous area in the central eastern part of the island. Here, a group of small villages exists pretty much as they have for the past several centuries, with little intrusion from the outside world. Most of the people make a living herding sheep or

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So, do these Blue Zones offer us any real insights to longevity? Absolutely, though they really aren’t all that secret.

goats, and there are small farms and gardens as well. They favor a particular kind of dark, red wine called “black wine” in Italian. Overall, their diet is very heavy on plants, particularly whole grains and legumes, with occasional meat from their livestock. Okinawa, Japan, like the Blue Zone of Sardinia, has historically been quite isolated. Life in Okinawa traditionally involves tending small farms or gardens, along with small scale fishing in local waters. Their diet is mostly vegetarian, heavy in green, leafy vegetables, soy, and orange-yellow root vegetables. Red meat is a rarity, with soybeans being the major protein source, supplemented with fish. Also in common with Sardinia, most of the

work is done manually, and so the people get a good amount of exercise simply by going about their daily lives. The most obvious common denominator between the two locations is the mostly vegetarian diet low in red meat. Soybeans or other legumes provide most of the protein for these populations. Some variance exists, with Okinawa having more green vegetables in their diet, and Sardinians consuming much more red wine and olive oil. Interestingly, and surely not coincidentally, every major health organization recommends a diet sourced mostly from plants, heavy in green vegetables, with little red meat. There is a longstanding body of evidence that such a diet corresponds to lower risk for heart disease, cancer, and many other chronic conditions. The Mediterranean diet is particularly well studied. The diet is defined as being high in vegetables (not potatoes), fruits and nuts, and whole grains, with fish as the major animal protein and oils, particularly olive oil, as the main source of fat. The emerging consensus from myriad stud-

longevity to spread in the populations. Particularly for Sardinia, the isolation of the population led to much inbreeding amongst the few original families, and could have increased the prevalence of some helpful genes among the people. Of course, the genetics of longevity are highly complex, involving not just the genes but their interaction with the environment through an individual’s diet, activities, exposure to bacteria, chemicals, etcetera. Thus, identifying genes that

The most obvious common denominator between the two locations is the mostly vegetarian diet low in red meat. ies is that changing to a Mediterranean or similar recommended diet can indeed lower the risk of everything from heart attack to stroke to cancer. These gains have been observed in groups of all ages, so switching to a healthier diet can yield real reductions in disease risks no matter your age. Still, diet alone does not seem sufficient to explain the differences between these Blue Zones and the rest of the world. Another common thread between Blue Zones and a possible contributor to their longevity is genetics: Both of these populations have been historically, or still are, very isolated. This isolation could have allowed particular genes that help confer

help to confer unusual longevity is an exceedingly difficult task, and the genes that are most beneficial could easily vary between environments. Even without definitively identified genes, it seems logical that there is some level of genetic cause at work in the Blue Zones. So, do these Blue Zones offer us any real insights to longevity? Absolutely, though they really aren’t all that secret. Eat right, exercise, and be born with the “right” genes. While not much can be done about the last bit, everyone can benefit from adopting a healthy diet and doing moderate exercise, allowing themselves the longest and healthiest possible life.

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Having Fun Is

Good For You By Jamie McClung / Spectrum Retirement Communities

An active social life promotes a variety of health benefits

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No matter oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age, socialization is what makes a person feel like part of society. People need human contact just like they need sunshine. This becomes especially important as we age. Research shows that having a healthy social life is as important to survival as regular exercise and can actually add years to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Just as loneliness can hurt a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, socializing can save it. Social activities like bingo, church, art classes, gardening, and going to movies are all known to have physical health benefits and help maintain friendships. As we age, friends and family truly can be lifesavers. Recent studies suggest that elderly people who enjoy dining with friends and take part in social activities live an average of two and a half years longer than those who spend most of their time alone. Seniors get even more out of socializing than just a few extra years of life. Friendships and

The social activities at Spectrum Retirement Communities enrich lives, create lasting friendships, rejuvenate the mind and add years to one’s life. activities reduce stress, help people feel worthy and needed, and stimulate the mind. Staying active is also likely to build and strengthen bones, joints and muscles. Non-socialization can affect the mind and body negatively, and this stress can lead to depression. So, it is important to remain active and maintain a healthy lifestyle — even a trip to the beauty salon can provide an instant and positive effect on a senior’s mood. With the special variety of unique social activities offered at Spectrum Retirement Communities, residents say that their social life is more fulfilling than ever. There is always something to do and someone to share stories and a laugh. With limousine and shuttle service, residents have the freedom to explore activities outside the community like going to art museums, participating in local events and attending the symphony. The idea is to always be a part of the greater community: Volunteering, mentoring and tutoring are just some of the ways Spectrum’s residents continue to make a difference beyond their apartment homes. Spectrum Retirement offers a variety of social activities to promote health and friendships, and stimulate the mind. We encourage all residents to participate in our engaging activities and utilize the amenities provided. Spectrum Retirement offers community dining, gardening, meeting rooms for clubs and activities, libraries, movie theaters, a beauty salon and fitness center. There is always an interesting activity going on, including Conductorcise, engaging lecture series, art classes, Brain Fitness Classes, cultural events, ballroom dancing, musical theater, and so much more. So go out, socialize and get active! The social activities at Spectrum Retirement Communities enrich lives, create lasting friendships, rejuvenate the mind and add years to one’s life.

Friendships and activities reduce stress, help people feel worthy and needed, and stimulate the mind.

For more information about Spectrum and the social activities offered, visit www.spectrumretirement.com.

Always Active, Always Young At Spectrum, we believe that an active soul is a young soul. That’s why we emphasize fun activities, to do with close friends and as a community. Here are just a few of the unique activities we encourage:

Conductorcise Get your exercise and a few laughs along the way. Conductorcise combines classical music with aerobic exercise in a fun and social environment.

arabesque This new fitness program is a win-win for the brain and body, combining exercise with ballet history.

brain fitness classes Twice weekly gathering of friends to share brain teasers, word games, trivia, and more.

lecture series and cultural events Spectrum brings the world to you, with intriguing guest speakers and special cultural events.

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Spectrum residents make remarkable turnarounds through enriched activities programs

Go Ahead... Make My Day!

By Robert Landau, Vice President of Fun Spectrum Retirement Communities

No one ever said making the transition to a senior retirement community is easy. After the dust settles though, many realize that it’s one of the best moves they’ve ever made — and that’s when remarkable things start to happen. The value of getting out and participating in life is revealed as residents enjoy the myriad activities available with new friends. And simply being active can make all the difference in the world. We recently asked our Directors of Fun, Spectrum’s core of activities professionals, to share stories of residents who have been transformed by our one-of-a-kind activities and events programming:

Sue

Lindsay

Sue has been an activities professional for many years and has brought her special touch to Plumbrook. Recently, she presented a fashion show in which her residents were the stars. “It truly was amazing to see,” Sue says. “We had a resident who recently moved in participate in the fashion show. What made this so special was that she had never participated in anything up until this point. You should have seen her come out of her shell! She worked that runway and won the crowd over. She’s now one of our most popular residents. The change in self esteem was so noticeable in everyone that participated in the show that day. Heck, I even strutted my stuff down the runway and felt super doing so!”

Lindsay has been making her mark in Lincoln Meadows Assisted Living division in many wonderful ways. Spectrum’s Conductorcise method of aerobic exercise using classical music has been making a huge difference in the lives of her residents. “We had a resident who would barely come out of her apartment to participate in things,” says Lindsay. “Thanks to the amazing healing power of music, she came to a Conductorcise session one day. Next thing I know she’s conducting up a storm. Not only that, but she’s now leading our Conductorcise exercise group from time to time. It’s a great thing when you see residents participating on a level that changes things for them.”

Plumbrook Sterling Heights, MI

“The glow of happiness in his eyes is something I’ll never forget.” TANYA

lincoln meadows senior living Parker, CO

DAVID

park meadows senior living Overland Park, KS Exercise hasn’t only been making a difference at Lincoln Meadows. Just listen to what David, Executive Director of Park Meadows Senior Living has to say: “Rene, our assistant activities professional, took over facilitating exercise for our Assisted Living residents. Up until that point in time, about five residents would show up for those classes. Rene took it upon herself to involve our residents and incentivize them when they reached certain plateaus in their exercise regimens. It’s amazing, but that class of five has now grown to a class of no less than 40 people. Our residents love that class, and it’s all because of Rene and her level of professionalism, fun and commitment.

the villas of Shelby Shelby Township, MI “We have a resident that had never left the building,” says Tanya. “All attempts to get him to participate in things before I started here would always fail. When I heard that we actually had someone who wasn’t taking advantage of all we had to offer, I just had to do something to change that, to shift the energy so to speak. One day I went up to him and told him that he just had to come on a sightseeing drive we were about to do.” Finally, he went. “The glow of happiness in his eyes while he was on that trip is something I’ll never forget. It was so special, you could just tell he loved the trip so much! “What’s happened since that day for him? He’s always a big part of most outings we do here! He loves to dine out with us and goes with us just about every time we offer that type of trip. In fact, a trip without him just isn’t the same!” s p e ctrum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

LIFE S T YLE

Everything but the Kitchen Sink! A great exercise for mind, body and soul By Robert Landau

“ C r e a t i n g a k i t c h e n Band is nothing new to me. I’ve done so for about 10 years. I just wasn’t sure it would work here,” says Carolyn Lincoln, Director of Fun for Spectrum’s Parkrose Senior Living in Liverpool, New York. Whatever trepidation Carolyn had initially, doubt was no longer an issue because the newly formed Parkrose Kitchenettes’ star is definitely rising! In case you don’t happen to know what a Kitchen Band is, in Parkrose’s case its 17 residents and volunteers from the greater community at large playing together in a band. But it’s what they play that makes it so fascinating. Wine glasses tapped with a carrot peeler, sauce pans, wash boards, a roster rack, a frying pan, cookie tins and a grater played with a spoon are just some of the kitchen staples played by the band members. Think it sounds far fetched? Think again. The Parkrose Kitchenettes recently did their 12

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thing during a run of standing-room-only performances of the popular musical Mary Poppins. Judging by the audience’s response, the band could have added a few more performances just to accommodate demand. Very much like our famous Jug Band at Spectrum’s Ocean Ridge Assisted Living in Coos Bay, Oregon, the Parkrose Kitchenettes are taking the musical world by storm! Carolyn explains,“The residents and I pick a show that includes music. I’ll conduct the shows.We’ll do complete shows, skits, anything that has drama and music combined. We’ll practice the show for four to five months. It

Very much like our famous Jug Band ... the Parkrose Kitchenettes are taking the musical world by storm!

takes that long because we actually pick each song apart and then we see how we can add to it. Then we pick props and do all kinds of things that will liven up the show.” “Mary Poppins featured a Parkrose resident who had never performed before in the lead role,” she continues. “You would have never known it watching her act out the role.” So how did audiences that attended the musical during its run feel about what they saw and heard? “There was such a buzz around here after each show,” says Carolyn. “It was a high. Since this was the band’s first show, no one knew what to expect. To say that they were pleasantly surprised is an understatement!”

Carolyn continues, “The residents had a blast because they were getting a chance to do something that they’ve never done before in their lives. What a great exercise for mind, body and soul when you really think about it. We are thinking of taking this show on

“What a great exercise for mind, body and soul. We are thinking of taking this show on the road and already there is demand to do so.”

strength

compassion

hope

innovation

the road and already there is demand to do so.” So next time you hear about a Kitchen Band, know that someone somewhere is having a blast participating in a show that has the power to change their lives. Says Carolyn, “So many residents are truly proud of what they are able to achieve working together in this way.”

expertise

Healthcare Excellence ng d amo Ranke als it p s ho the top ation n e in th ent for pati n! tio c fa s ti sa

Close to Home Centura Health complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in the provision of any care or service on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual preference, ancestry, age, familial status, disability or handicap.

With leading medical experts, cutting edge technology and a broad array of clinical services, Parker Adventist Hospital is committed to excellence in healthcare. Parker Hospital offers the following specialty services: ● 24/7 Emergency Department and a Level III Trauma Center ● Emergency Care for Kids, 24/7 by The Children’s Hospital ● The BirthPlace with a Level IIIA NICU caring for babies born as early as 28 weeks ● The Trio Breast Center using advanced digital technology and breast radiologists ● Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery and Total Joint Replacement ● Parker Adventist Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine For more information on all of our services or to find a physician, go to parkerhospital.org

9395 Crown Crest Blvd. ■ Parker, CO 80138 303.269.4000 ■ Located at E-470 and Parker Road

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LIFE S T YLE

The Single Men of Crestview!

A unique community has developed, offering newfound camaraderie and respect

Nobody understands what it’s like to be in your shoes better than someone who is going through the very same events and emotions you are. So imagine: You’re a male in the latter stages of life, alone, not By Robert Landau knowing what to do with each day as it comes. How do you find the motivation to make it through? How do you put a smile on your face when all around seems faded and gray? Here’s how: You pick up your spirits, pack up your stuff and you move into an apartment home at Crestview Senior Living in Crestwood, Missouri! Why? Because out of 110 residents, no less than 30 are single men who were once in your very situation. Crestview’s Director of Fun, Tracy Bowe, explains: 14

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If you really think about it, men at this stage of life don’t often get the respect they deserve. Previously, they were the head of the household, held down pretty good jobs and were, more often than not, a major factor in bringing in monthly life-sustaining income. Now they no longer work and some even find themselves living alone after their wives have passed. It can be a pretty difficult situation to suddenly find yourself in. Everything you used to do and stand for no longer exists. How do you find life after life? Well, I’m proud to say that it’s thriving here at Crestview Senior Living. Our cadre of single male residents are extremely important to us each and every day. I was even recently told that one male resident really feels as if his voice is

Our single male residents love that we do things for them specifically. They receive a very personal and compassionate touch and are very well respected here. always heard here. Our single male residents love that we do things for them specifically. They receive a very personal and compassionate touch and are very well respected here. These men hang out together through activities and they feel motivated to organize themselves. They also do a great job attending activities that we feature just for them on our calendar every month. We do special lunches out on the town for them, they go to museums and attend local events as often as possible. Fun is an extremely important part of the puzzle here as well. These guys have fun getting together and do so in the name of fun every time they attend an event with each other. If you think the single ladies who live at Crestview Senior Living aren’t aware of their male counterparts, think again. The ladies absolutely love it! It’s like being on a cruise, but not having to worry who will dance with you every night because there are plenty of men to go around and satisfy this often overlooked gap in the proceedings. Not only that, but most of these single men end up finding new meaning in life. Many choose to continue to hold down jobs while others volunteer. One resident in particular volunteers at a local Alcoholics Anonymous facility and finds meaning counseling others based on his past experiences and what he’s learned from them. There are also a lot of veterans and Crestview makes a special point to honor this fact just about every month. Other unique and specially crafted events cater to this most important single male resident demographic. To that end, Crestview even has a bus driver who happens to be a

retired fireman. Last month, all of Crestview’s single men visited a local restaurant owned and run by local firemen. The guys delighted in seeing fire fighting paraphernalia and loved hearing heroic stories of the trade. Indeed, the single male contingency has found a home at Spectrum’s Crestview.

Spectrum’s Networking Singles!

Did you know that Spectrum Retirement Communities has its very own Senior Singles Network?

The company is piloting its innovative senior singles program at Crestview Senior Living in Crestwood, MO. “Once we had our first meeting, the singles group took on a life of its own!” says Tracy Bowe, Director of Fun for Crestview Senior Living. “The singles themselves decided what they wanted to do next and it’s been that way ever since. Recently, our singles network hosted a 20-piece swing band that attracted a huge amount of senior singles from outside our community. Now we feature one big event each and every month. We also do quarterly dances that really work with the amount of single men we have here at this Spectrum community.” s p e ctrum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

Amazing

Spectrum

Centenarians Good, honest, clean living is the secret to longevity for these Spectrum residents By Robert Landau

Our popular series on Spectrum’s centenarians continues with two special Spectrum residents that are 102 years old. Read on to hear their incredible stories. 16

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lavina fowlds, 102 honesty is the best policy Amazing Lavina Fowlds grew up in Spokane, Washington. She now makes her home at Spectrum’s Redwood Heights community in Salem, Oregon, and wows the crowd there on a continual basis with her vibrant personality and beautiful, heartwarming smile.

Spectrum: Can you tell us a

little about your family? Lavina: I had quite a few sisters and brothers and they were all fine, but what I really remember about my childhood is watching my mother cook. She was so good at it that it made me want to cook in the worst way. Her homemade cinnamon rolls were the best in

town! I can still smell the amazing aroma … gets me crazy hungry just thinking about it! Spectrum: What were some

of the things you liked to do best during your childhood years? Lavina: I wish I could say “cook” but it never really came to that. I liked to sew, I enjoyed going to

Spectrum: Do you still do that? Lavina: Not as much anymore. I do miss

it, I had such a good time!

Spectrum: Did you marry? Lavina: I sure did! We met at church

way back when. It just seemed like God put us together. We didn’t have a wedding. He wanted one, his mother wanted one, but I didn’t. I wanted us to save the money and use it for other things. He loved me, so he went along with it. He was a jeweler up in Canada and then went into the bakery business here in the States. We had three children, two sons and a daughter. The closeness we had was so very special. We held no secrets. He told me to rest more since I was doing so much storytelling at the time! Spectrum: May we ask how old you are? Lavina: Sure. I’m 102.

Sunday school, I also volunteered a lot but most of all I liked to tell stories. Something about that just clicked for me and I ended up telling stories for many years to follow. Now, I’m talking about being a storyteller. I loved that. I did it because I wanted to teach people lessons but I also liked it for the entertainment value. Spectrum: What type of stories did you

like to tell?

Lavina: Stories that had morals, the

story of Jesus and such. I never told stories like the book said. Half the time I wouldn’t even read from the book. It was as if I was the character and, just like an actress, I played it out. What fun! I think that’s what drew people in. I’d tell stories to anyone who would listen, but I mostly shared them with groups of people.

Be honest in everything you do, even if it hurts you. It’s such a great feeling to be honest. Spectrum: What’s your secret to living

to such a wonderful age? Lavina: Honesty. Be honest in everything you do, even if it hurts you. It’s such a great feeling to be honest. Be honest with people. Most of us like to put on airs and we really shouldn’t do that. It’s a waste of time, you know? Don’t say you don’t like a person until you really know them. You can learn so much from people by just being open to them and not judging them. It’s how I’ve lived my life and I urge you to live yours the same way too!

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Spectrum: What was life like in Detour,

Michigan? Edna: I loved it. It was truly a good life. You could depend on people, they were honest. There’s something to be said about life in a small town, you know? Spectrum: What happened after Detour? Edna: I went to Detroit Business School,

where I learned how to type. I wanted to become a typist and earn a living. That’s where my husband came in. Spectrum: What did he do for a living? Edna: He was a Tugboat Captain. They would

go out and help big steamships pull into the dock. Spectrum: Did you ever ride with him? Edna: Yes, once. I never did it again because

Edna Kelley, 102 good Clean Living! Meet our second 102-year-old. She’s got no less than 17 great grandchildren and nine grandchildren, and each one thinks they are Edna’s absolute favorite. Edna Kelley, resident

I didn’t like being on the water. I was always afraid of drowning.

Spectrum: What to you think the secret to

long life is? Edna: Clean living. That’s really it for me. I never smoked, I never drank. I was, and am always considerate of others. I treat people as I would expect to be treated by them. I would also say to always do what you feel is the right thing in any and every situation. Appreciate life, it is very precious. Clean living and appreciating life. It’s the best combination. You should try it!

Appreciate life, it is very precious. of Spectrum’s Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park, Michigan, is content with who she is and how her life has panned out. We sat down with her not too long ago and this is what this great lady had to say. Spectrum: Where did you grow up? Edna: I come from a little one-horse town

called Detour, Michigan. It was really pleasant growing up there. I had four sisters and three brothers. My mother took care of the kids while my father was a grocery store clerk. He ended up buying the store when the original owner retired.

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Marie Tester, Maple Heights’ Director of Fun, tells us that although Edna is 102 years old, she has few to no wrinkles. She once asked Edna what she attributed this to and Edna replied that not only did she never smoke or drink, but she also used to drink the vegetable stock when she boiled her veggies as that’s where she feels all of the vitamins and minerals are. Edna has also always stayed away from fast food.

INSIDE

A sister Spectrum community

Spectrum’s Newest Community is Almost Here! The Spectrum family is growing, with a new community in Arizona to open soon Jamie McClung Spectrum Retirement Communities

Co n s t r u c t i o n o n S p e c t r u m ’ s n e w e s t community, Palos Verdes Senior Living in Peoria, Arizona, is coming along right on schedule. Opening in November 2010, Palos Verdes Senior Living features 140 independent, assisted and memory care apartment homes. Spectrum’s innovative activities programs will be a featured part of daily life at Palos Verdes along with a variety of amenities including dining areas, a fitness center, theater, beauty salon, memory garden and more. Palos Verdes Senior Living is close to shopping and other public amenities and just minutes away from sports and cultural venues. A new medical center is being built nearby as well. For more information about Spectrum and Palos Verdes Senior Living, visit www.spectrumretirement.com. s p e ct rum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

INSIDE

And The

Winner Is...

Residents at Spectrum retirement communities across the nation not only dine on great food each day, they also know how to cook it. We decided to hold a national recipe contest open to all Spectrum residents and were inundated with excellent gastronomic responses. Executives from Spectrum’s Food Service Division selected the winners, three of which we are pleased to publish in this issue of Spectrum Magazine.

Julie Nodson Rigden Farms

Tamale Pie 1 lb. Ground beef 1 Large onion 1 Garlic clove Salt and pepper to tase Brown beef. Add onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Put in large baking bowl. Add and mix together. 1/2 2/3

Can – 10 oz. Las Palmas chili sauce

Can water

1 Medium bag of Fritos 1 Large can of creamed corn Half a can of pitted olives, halved Pour rest of chili sauce, plus 1/3 can of water over this. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, cover and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour. Serves 6 or more.

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Jean currie maple heights

georgia pecan french toast 6 Eggs 2 Cups milk 1/2

tsp. Cinnamon or nutmeg

1 tsp. Vanilla 12 Slices (8 oz.) French Bread, cut into 1” slices 1/2

Cup chopped pecans

Grease 9"x13" casserole dish. Place bread in a single layer in the dish. Beat eggs, milk, cinnamon or nutmeg, and vanilla. Pour the mixture over the slice of bread (if using whole slices, turn slices once). Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve warm with maple syrup.

mollie v. miller parkrose estates

german sour cream twists 3 1/2 Cups sifted flour 1/2

tsp. Salt

1 Cup butter or margarine 1 pkg. Active yeast 2 tbs. Warm water 3/4

Cup sour cream

2 Eggs well beaten 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 Cup sugar (vanilla sugar if possible) Sift flour, salt, into mixing bowl. Cut in shortening. Dissolve yeast in water. Stir into flour mixture with sour cream, eggs, vanilla. Mix well with hand. Cover with damp cloth and refrigerate 2 hours. Boil half of dough on sugared board in 8"x16". Fold ends toward center with tiny overlap. Sprinkle with sugar, roll again to same size. Repeat a third time. Roll to about 1/4" thickness. Cut into strips 1" x 4". Twist ends in opposite directions, stretching slightly. Place in shape of horseshoe on ungreased sheet pressing ends together to keep shape. Bake at 375 degrees about 15 minutes until delicately brown. Remove at once.

Treat yourself

By Kathleen MacDonald, Vice President of Marketing, Spectrum Retirement Communities

Spectrum Retirement Communities is known for its first rate dining program. But have you ever heard of a retirement community offering beef tenderloin and lobster tail? How about rack of lamb, New York strip or seafood platter at affordable prices? This month Spectrum is introducing an innovative new dining program for our residents who want to treat themselves to a fine restaurant meal without the restaurant expense. Spectrum serves the highest quality USDA choice Angus beef, Canadian lobster and New Zealand lamb on its Treat Yourself menu. The great news? These specials are offered to our residents in addition to the menu items, daily specials and lighter fare items for half what they would be charged in a restaurant. “It’s our way of providing our residents with an opportunity to enjoy a very special meal without having to deal with the expense and hassle associated with going out to eat,” says Dennis Van Wynsberghe, Vice President of Dining Services for Spectrum. So come visit a Spectrum Retirement Community near you, bring your appetite and prepare to be wowed! s p e ctrum / s prin g 20 1 0

advisor

A Gradual Onset Knowing the stages of Alzheimer’s disease can help family members recognize early symptoms

The Alzheimer’s Association recently completed the fascinating and informative study that follows. We’d like to thank the Alzheimer’s Association for contributing this article.

Experts have documented common patterns of symptom progression that occur in many individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and developed several methods of “staging” based on these patterns. Progression of symptoms corresponds in a general way to the underlying nerve cell degeneration that takes place in Alzheimer’s disease. Nerve cell damage typically begins with cells involved in learning and memory and gradually spreads to cells that control other aspects of thinking, judgment and behavior. The damage eventually affects cells that control and coordinate movement. Staging systems provide useful frames of reference for understanding how the disease may unfold and for making future plans. But it is important to note that all stages are artificial benchmarks in a continuous process that can vary greatly from one person to another. Not everyone will experience every symptom and symptoms may occur at different times in different individuals. People with Alzheimer’s die an average of four to six years after diagnosis, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to 20 years. The framework for this fact sheet is a system that outlines key symptoms characterizing

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seven stages ranging from unimpaired function to very severe cognitive decline. This framework is based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., Clinical Director of the New York University School of Medicine’s Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center. Within this framework, we have noted which stages correspond to the widely used concepts of mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe Alzheimer’s disease. We have also noted which stages fall within the more general divisions of early-stage, mid-stage and late-stage categories. Stage 1

No cognitive impairment Unimpaired individuals experience no memory problems and none are evident to a health care professional during a medical interview. Stage 2

very mild decline Individuals at this stage feel as if they have memory lapses, forgetting familiar words or names or the location of keys, eyeglasses or other everyday objects. But these problems are not evident during a medical examination or apparent to friends, family or co-workers.

resident of A Lincoln Meadows in Parker, Colorado shares time with Memory Care Coordinator Brook McMaken.

Stage 3

Stage 4

mild cognitive decline

moderate cognitive decline

Early-stage Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms. Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice deficiencies. Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or discernible during a detailed medical interview. Common difficulties include: • Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associates • Decreased ability to remember names when introduced to new people • Performance issues in social and work settings noticeable to others • Reading a passage and retaining little material • Losing or misplacing a valuable object • Decline in ability to plan or organize

(Mild or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease) At this stage, a careful medical interview detects clear-cut deficiencies in the following areas: • Decreased knowledge of recent events • Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic. For example, to count backward from 100 by 7s • Decreased capacity to perform complex tasks, such as marketing, planning dinner for guests, or paying bills and managing finances • Reduced memory of personal history • The affected individual may seem subdued and withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations

Alzheimer's disease first entered medical literature in 1907, after being uncovered by German physician Alois Alzheimer.

There is no current cure, but early recognition, appropriate treatment and support can make life better for the 5.3 million Americans living with the disease. s p e ct rum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

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Stage 5

moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease) Major gaps in memory and deficits in cognitive function emerge. Some assistance with day-today activities becomes essential. At this stage, individuals may: • Be unable during a medical interview to recall such important details as their current address, their telephone number, or the name of the college or high school from which they graduated • Become confused about where they are or about the date, day of the week or season • Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; for example, counting backward from 40 by 4s or from 20 by 2s • Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion • Usually retain substantial knowledge about themselves and know their own name and the names of their spouse or children • Usually require no assistance with eating or using the toilet Stage 6

severe cognitive decline ( Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease) Memory difficulties continue to worsen, significant personality changes may emerge, and affected individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: • Lose most awareness of recent experiences and events as well as of their surroundings • Recollect their personal history imperfectly, although they generally recall their own name • Occasionally forget the name of their spouse or primary caregiver but generally can distinguish familiar from unfamiliar faces

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• Need help getting dressed properly; without supervision, may make such errors as putting pajamas over daytime clothes or shoes on wrong feet • Experience disruption of their normal sleep/waking cycle • Need help with details of toileting (flushing toilet, wiping and disposing of tissue properly) • Have increasing episodes of urinary or fecal incontinence • Experience significant personality changes and behavioral symptoms, including suspiciousness and delusions (for example, believing that their caregiver is an impostor); hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there); or compulsive, repetitive behaviors such as handwringing or tissue shredding • Tend to wander and become lost Stage 7

very severe cognitive decline ( Severe or late-stage Alzheimer’s disease) This is the final stage of the disease when individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, the ability to speak, and, ultimately, the ability to control movement. • Frequently individuals lose their capacity for recognizable speech, although words or phrases may occasionally be uttered • Individuals need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence • Individuals lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support, the ability to smile, and the ability to hold their head up. Reflexes become abnormal and muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Learn more at www.alz.org.

advisor

“Bingo everyday at 3 p.m.? Thanks, but no thanks!”

The

Place For Me

Questions to ask when you are looking for your next home

In many cases, two sets of questions tend to emerge when you tour a community: your questions and the questions your loved ones ask. Either way, asking as many questions as possible helps to define that particular community experience and what it would truly be like to live there. On the day you visit a community, it might be helpful to bring a camera along, particularly if you plan to visit more than one. What is the energy of the community when you By Robert Landau walk in the door? Does it feel like a happy place? Are any activities occurring? Do the residents seem content? While you are waiting for the sales representative to meet with you, see if you can get a good sense of what’s going on before you get the tour. s p e ctrum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

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impaired. A good wellness program helps slow down and can even reverse the aging process. In a congregate community, residents should have access to a number of progressive wellness options. Many communities say they have such a program, but do they really? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind if a wellness program is important to you or your loved one.

While you are on tour, make it a point to observe the staff. Did they greet you? Were they friendly and helpful? Did they smile? These are important things to be aware of as these are the very people that will be catering to you. As you would when you first look at a potential new home, cover all your bases and make sure that by the time you leave the community you have all the information you need to make an educated decision. It might also be helpful to come back another day. Are things any different? Seeing something for the second or even third time can help fill in a lot of blanks and refresh one’s memory.

Many communities say they have some sort of wellness program. What should I look for when it comes to that? That’s a very important question. It’s no secret that as we age, special attention needs to be paid to our nutritional, physical and mental well being. All of these work together and if we are out of balance in any one of these areas, our ability to function on a daily basis becomes

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Does the community have any or all of the following: • A dedicated physical rehabilitation facility complete with trained geriatric specialists? • A good nutritional diet consultation program that has the best interests of the resident in mind? • A personalized exercise program that offers the resident real physical benefits? • Ways to exercise the brain? • Ways to enhance the memory? • If necessary, ways to help with weight loss?

In a congregate community, residents should have access to a number of progressive wellness options. Many communities say they have such a program, but do they really? These are all components of an effective wellness program that can really make a difference in one’s life. Programs such as these work better in a congregate living setting than at home. Spectrum Retirement Communities offers one of the best activities, wellness and socialization programs in the country. Stop by a Spectrum retirement community near you and see why.

Your New Home When visiting a new community, it's important to ask the right questions and get a strong feel for the atmosphere. Of course you can always go back, but showing up with some prepared discussion points can be a big help. Here are some suggestions and things to consider.

What levels of care do you offer?_ __________________________________________________________ How many different apartment styles are there?_ __________________________________________ How is your activities program different than anyone else’s?_______________________________ How big is the bus?__________________________________________________________________________ Can I meet the Activities Director and get a copy of the month’s events?___________________ Can I meet the Executive Director?__________________________________________________________ What previous experience do key staff members have?_____________________________________ What type of security does this community feature?_ ______________________________________ Do you have an entrance fee?_______________________________________________________________ What is the daily/monthly/weekly fee?______________________________________________________ What does that include? What doesn’t it include?___________________________________________ What services are provided for an additional fee?___________________________________________ Are there any other charges that I need to be made aware of?______________________________ Is there more than one elevator?____________________________________________________________ How clean is everything?____________________________________________________________________ Even if the community is older, does it look new?___________________________________________ Is there a staff member available 24 hours a day seven days a week?_______________________ What are the grounds outside like? Can one go for a walk or have a barbecue?_ ____________ What is the quality of food like? ____________________________________________________________ Take a look at the menu, meet the chef._____________________________________________________ Is the dining area clean, comfortable and well furnished?_ __________________________________ What’s the wait staff like?_ _________________________________________________________________ What procedures are in place if there should be an emergency?_____________________________ Do residents have access to an emergency notification system?___________________________ s p e ctrum / s u m m e r 20 1 0

“Moving into a Spectrum Retirement Community has exceeded our expectations, it’s been a gReat deCiSion.” Perfectly appointed communities, affordable month-to-month senior living, flexibility and choice, with no expensive buy-in...

you’ll live life to the fullest!

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