West Valley - January 2023

Happy 2023!

I’m not usually excited about the new year, but something in me is looking forward to this year filled with opportunities to create new memories with my family and friends.

Lately,I have been motivated to get back in the groove of being productive, and accomplishing the many things on my “to-do” list.

If you’re like me and are ready to conquer the items that have be idle on your “todo” list, I want to encourage you to reach out to the many locally owned businesses that make The Grand Season magazine possible.

It’s my hope as you settle into your routine over the next several weeks, you can enjoy the small surprises you encounter each day.

I hope 2023 is filled with hope, happiness and joy!

Whitton Associate Publisher

Melissa

FROM THE EDITOR

THRIVE TOGETHER

Marriage is hard and takes lots of work. No one inherently knows how to be a great spouse; it takes years to become proficient at being in a successful relationship. You can’t know if you can flourish as a couple until you learn the tools to create a happy relationship.

Here are five tips to strengthen your relationship with your spouse:

Learn to Process Your Feelings.

Couples should spend time talking about their feelings

during difficult times. Just as important, if not more so, is validating each other’s experiences and feelings. People tend to want to rescue others from difficult feelings, but sometimes people just need space to process their emotions before they can fully move through them to the other side.

Have Meaningful Conversations.

Couples should try and find time to have meaningful conversations—even if it’s just 10 minutes a day. Ask each

other questions about your childhood, your current goals, and future hopes and dreams. Many couples find even after decades together that there are still things to discover that will deepen your knowledge of each other.

Find Time to Exercise.

Exercise, whether together or alone, is extremely helpful for increasing positive brain chemistry, and working out stress. Taking the time to go on a walk outside the house when possible gives couples a much-needed change of scenery.

Take a Break from Electronics.

Constantly having a screen in front of your face doesn’t allow for quality interpersonal communication. Setting aside a couple of hours a night or a day a week to go tech-free really forces couples to prioritize one another and practice more face to face interaction. It gives the mind a break and challenges us to find ways to reconnect intentionally with our significant other.

Help Your Partner. Asking on a daily basis, “What can I do to help you today?” is a simple way to make sure you are actively working to meet your partner’s needs. Whether it’s a long hug, helping with laundry, or a listening ear, checking in to see what your partner’s immediate needs are is a way of putting a “deposit” in your love bank.

FINDING ASSISTED LIVING

Is 2023 the year when you have to consider moving into assisted living? Or perhaps helping an elderly relative make the move? In either case, your first steps should be gathering as much information as possible.

What type of care is needed? Daily help with everything from bathing to eating to remembering to take medications? Or is a more specialized, secure location needed for memory care? Or something in between?

What facilities are in your area? It will be important that friends and family can visit easily, as well as having access to the same medical care after the move. Going out for lunch locally can go a long way toward keeping relationships intact.

Once you’ve selected a few facilities to explore, start digging for information. Call the state and ask about the licenses, accreditation and safety track records. Call your local fire and police departments about potential safety issues.

Do you know anyone who works in one of the facilities you’re considering, or who knows someone who lives there? Their input could be crucial when it comes to learning about any rules the facility might have, or any staff shortages that could lead to problems with client care or any ongoing complaints about the food.

Then ask for a tour at every facility on your list. Stay as long as you can and ask a lot of questions. Get a copy of

the potential contract to give your attorney to review (ideally one specializing in elder law).

Money: You’ll need to know what everything costs, and by everything, that means all the fees that might not be included in the overall amount. Are clients charged for field trips or special entertainment, for example?

How about laundry costs?

As part of your information-gathering, call AAA Senior Placement at (602) 663-4000, or go online and search for “how to select an assisted living facility.” Look for checklists of questions to ask. You’ll need all the information you can find.

by: By Matilda Charles

FLASHBACK

Answers on pg. 30

1. What was the song, “Calypso” about?

2. The humourous song, “Give Me Back My Man” appeared on which album?

3. Why was “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” split between the A and B sides of the single?

4. Which American singer-songwriter legally changed his name to Sananda Maitreya?

5. Name the late ‘60s song that contains these lyrics:

“Seven thirty seven comin’ out of the sky, Won’t you take me down to Memphis on a midnight ride.”

1. Is the book of Yeshua in the Old or New Testament? Or neither?

2. What prophetess of about 84 years of age approached Mary and Joseph and thanked God for the infant Jesus? Was it Anna, Baara, Junia or Phoebe?

3. What phenomenon had led the wise men to the young Jesus and Savior? Was it a whirlwind, star, rainbow or rainfall of sparkling gold?

4. From Matthew 2, to what country did Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus flee? Was it Jordan, Syria, Oman or Egypt?

5. Where did Jesus live as a boy? Was it Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem or Bethany?

1) Neither 2) Anna 3) Star 4) Egypt 5) Nazareth

ANSWERS:

IMPACT

HEALTHY HABITS

Regardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach. A few tweaks to your regular habits can help you get there. Habits matter. Why not work on making positive habits part of your routine? Here’s a look at some habits to help kickstart your quest. Just remember that everyone’s version of happiness is a little different, and so is their path to achieving it.

The following daily habits may help you achieve more happiness in your life.

1. Smile. You tend to smile when you’re happy. But it’s actually a two-way street. We smile because we’re happy, and smiling causes the brain to release dopamine, which makes us happier.

2. Exercise. Exercise isn’t just for your body. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression while boosting self-esteem and happiness. Even a small amount of physical activity can make a difference.

3. Sleep. Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If you find yourself fighting the urge to nap during the day, or just generally feel like you’re in a fog, your body may be telling you it needs more rest.

4. Practice gratitude. Simply being grateful can give your mood a big boost, among other benefits. You might try starting each day by acknowledging one thing you’re grateful for. You can do this while you’re brushing your teeth or just waiting for that snooze alarm to go off.

5. Give a compliment. Research shows that performing acts of kindness may also help promote your overall wellbeing. Giving a sincere compliment is a quick, easy way to brighten someone’s day while giving your own happiness a boost.

6. Keep a journal. A journal is a good way to organize your thoughts, analyze your feelings, and make plans. And you don’t have to be a literary genius or write volumes to benefit.

INSPIRE REACH FOR THE STARS

The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.

Robert Baden-Powell

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.

Charles Spurgeon

Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel toward what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much.

William D. Hoard

Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have. Zig Ziglar

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

Helen Keller

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

Denis Waitley

Marcus Aurelius

A Message from Sue Royer

“I was born and raised in inner city Chicago, the sixth of eighteen children with fifteen brothers. Being the oldest daughter, I was always a caregiver which I believe influenced me to pursue work in the healthcare industry. Today, I have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Years ago, I volunteered for hospice and knew immediately that helping seniors was my calling. I was soon employed by hospice but I felt something was missing. I realized it was the limited time I was able to spend with my clients. Having my own business allows me to provide the intimate hands on service needed in our community. I am committed to our seniors throughout their lives and I thank the community for the opportunity to serve.”

Sue RoyerDirector

About Us

Since 2002, AAA Senior Placement AZ has been offering FREE services helping seniors find safe, affordable and loving assisted living.

When it becomes too difficult for you or your loved ones to safely manage daily living and/or manage medical needs, call Sue Royer for help navigating the many options available.

We are specialists in all levels of assisted living care resources with referrals to Arizona’s best:

Group Homes

Assisted Living Communities

In-Home Primary Care Physicians

Home Health Care Therapy

Transportation

Private Duty In-Home Care

Respite Care

Alzheimer’s Care

Memory Care

Hospice

Private pay

Arizona Long Term Care-ALTCS

6 Reasons You Should Call AAA Senior Placement AZ

• We are well known and respected in the medical community.

• All clients are given a thorough assessment to determine proper placement needs.

• There is never a fee charged to the senior or their family for our service.

• We are NOT contractually bound to any outside business. This allows us to serve our clients with only their interests in mind.

• Years of knowledge and experience in the field of senior care.

• AAA Senior Placement AZ is family owned, allowing us to give you quality, personalized service.

HEALTH THE BEST MEDICINE

Happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. Indeed, scientific studies have found happiness can make our hearts healthier, our immune systems stronger, and our lives longer. If you need some extra motivation to get happier, check out the ways happiness has been linked to good health.

1. Happiness

protects your heart

Love and happiness may not actually originate in the heart, but they are good for it. Researchers have found happiness predicts lower heart rate and blood pressure. In the study, participants rated their happiness over 30 times in one day and then again three years later. The initially happiest participants had a lower heart rate on follow-up (about six beats slower per minute), and the happiest participants during the follow-up had better blood pressure.

2. Happiness strengthens your immune system

Do you know a grumpy person who always seems to be getting sick? That may be no coincidence: research is now finding a link between happiness and a stronger immune system.

In an experiment, 350 adults volunteered to get exposed to the common cold. Before exposure, researchers called them six times in two weeks and asked how much they had experienced nine positive emotions—such as feeling energetic, pleased, and calm—that day. After five days in quarantine, the participants with the most positive emotions were less likely to have developed a cold.

3. Happiness

combats stress

Stress is not only upsetting on a psychological level, but also triggers biological changes in our hormones and blood pressure. Happiness seems to temper these effects, or at least help us recover more quickly.

4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains

A recent study asked participants to rate their recent experience of positive emotions, then (five weeks later) how much they had experienced negative symptoms like muscle strain, dizziness, and heartburn since the study began. People who reported the highest levels of positive emotion at the beginning actually became healthier over the course of the study and ended up healthier than their unhappy counterparts.

5.

Happiness combats disease and disability

Happiness is associated with improvements in more severe, long-term conditions as well, not just shorterterm aches and pains.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (PG-13)

Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit and visits billionaire Miles Bron’s (Edward Norton) Greek estate, only to discover an actual dead body and dive into a full-fledged investigation. The film also features Janelle Monae, Kathyrn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Dave Bautista and Kate Hudson. (Netflix)

Mack & Rita (PG-13)

This comedy, starring Diane Keaton and Elizabeth Lail, is the tale of an older woman trapped in a young woman’s body. On a whim, she tries a past life regression and wakes up as the 70-year-old version of herself (portrayed by Keaton). At first frightened in her new body, “Mack”soon feels more at home at this age, even renaming herself “Rita,” and connects with her true, inner self like never before. (Hulu)

From

1. John Denver wrote the 1975 song as a tribute to JacquesYves Cousteau and the oceanographic research vessel Calypso.

2. The comical song was released on “Wild Planet” by the B-52’s in 1980.

3. The 1976 disco song by Tavares was 6 minutes, 38 seconds long. While it didn’t top the Billboard chart, it did reach No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club list.

4. Terence Trent D’Arby, in 2001. His debut album won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1989.

5. ”Travelin’ Band” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, in 1970. In 1972, the group was sued by Specialty Records for plagiarism for the music, with a claim that it was too similar to Little Richard’s “Good Golly, Miss Molly.” The suit was settled out of court.

Our lives have become so hectic. We worry about where we need to be tomorrow, stress over what we didn’t accomplish yesterday and are too distracted to be fully present now. If our canine companions could talk, they would advise us to live in the moment by following five strategies.

1. LIVE YOUR PURPOSE

Dogs understand that their purpose is to be our loyal friends and protectors. Are you clear on what your purpose is in life? Determine your priorities. Let your purpose shine in everything you do as a friend, parent, artist or whatever drives your passion.

2. BE PRESENT

When dogs are with you, they are with you; they are not multitasking. We should be as considerate as our dogs. Put down the phone, turn off the computer and focus on the people around you. Listen, reflect, ask questions and share your thoughts in more than a short tweet.

3. BE CHILDLIKE

When out for a walk, dogs take interest in every person, animal or object he meets. As a child, you had a similar sense of wonder, everything was new and worth investigating. Notice the beauty around you and try something new today!

4. BE PLAYFUL

Dogs never tire of playing fetch, rolling in the grass or playing tug-of-war with his rope toy. When is the last time you played just for the sake of it? Move your body, dance, sing, throw the ball, have fun and do not be afraid to look silly.

5. DO IT NOW

It’s time to slow down and enjoy life. That sunset is happening now. Your family members need to be told they are loved now. Our dogs would tell us that life is short and we should enjoy the present!

FIND HAPPINESS

It’s no question that everybody wants to be happy. And because the United States continues to decline on the World Happiness Report each year, the quest for finding true happiness can seem a bit hopeless at times. But, just because numbers show the average rate of happiness

in the country is declining, doesn’t mean your individual happiness should as well! Here are several steps to add to your routine to find true happiness.

1. Experience life

Have you had your eye on a pair of designer shoes that seem to promise everlasting happiness?

Well, not to burst your bubble, but research shows that the happiest people in life spend more money on experiences than on material things. Instead of buying the shoes, go for a concert ticket instead.

2. Practice gratitude

Having an attitude of gratitude is a powerful

action to use against all the negativity in the world. Try writing down three things you’re grateful for every night. This habit could be just what you need to achieve inner happiness.

3. Connect with others

Among your friends on social media, how many of those people do you see on a regular basis? Studies show that taking time to truly connect and spend time with others face-to-face increases happiness levels.

4. Lend a hand

Even though going out of your way for someone can seem tedious at times, science tells us that helping others plays a significant role in your overall happiness.

5. Live in the moment

Many of us are so focused on what happened yesterday or what’s going to happen tomorrow or next week or in 15 years, rather than taking the time to focus and enjoy today. Take a moment, right now, to just be still and breathe.

6. Be kind to yourself

Despite how busy you are, it’s important to take some time to be kind to yourself. Exercise and get your body moving even just a little each day, and aim to get a decent amount of sleep. Be patient with yourself when you make mistakes.

Brandon Rehbein

Dirk Rehbein