Fitness Is Fun!

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of creative intellectual activity.”

~John F. Kennedy

Everyone agrees that regular physical fitness and exercise is good for your health.  It helps protect you from the following health problems:

·         Heart Disease and Stroke

·         High Blood Pressure

·         Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes

·         Obesity

·         Back Pain

·         Osteoporosis

·         Depression, Low Self Esteem and High Stress

So why is it that most adult Americans don’t exercise regularly? According to the Centers For Disease Control, only 24.6% of men and a mere 17.1% of women exercise on a regular basis.  One primary reason is “I don’t have the time.”  Another main reason is “Exercise is boring.”  Regular physical fitness does not necessarily mean going to the gym three times a week or more.  You can accomplish physical fitness regularly by simply being active every day.

The Spearly Center believes in putting the FUN back into fitness!  On May 26^th, we hosted the Fitness Is Fun Carnival to promote active physical exercise.  Residents and staff participated at various physical activity game stations and won prize tickets.  Fitness and sports related prizes included water bottles, weight lifting gloves, moisture control workout shirts, weighted exercise balls, hats, sweatbands, coolers, handheld fans, cooling towels, and resistance bands.  Everyone had a great time and were thrilled with the prizes they won. 

Everyone can achieve an active body, an engaged mind and fulfilled spirit. With a little creativity, fitness IS fun!    

Team Spearly Talks The Talk and Walks The Walk at the 2016 NAMI Walk

Juniper Village-The Spearly Center's team, comprised of residents, staff, family members, friends, service providers and generally cool people participated in the May 21st NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk, a 5K Walk to raise money and awareness in improving the lives of those with mental illness.  So far the Colorado walks have raised approximately $155,000, nearly 75% of their $200,000 goal. In addition to being a Bronze Sponsor, the Spearly Team raised over  $500 so far. Team Spearly's group of almost 50 walkers were part of 966 total participants in this past weekends' walks held in Centennial, Pueblo and Grand Junction. This is Spearly's 5th year participating in this event. Even Miles our giraffe mascot got into the act!

NAMI Colorado is dedicated to building better lives for the 250,000 plus Coloradans and their families who are affected by any number of mental illnesses - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder and others. Funds raised through this walk help support their mission to build communities of recovery and hope by educating, supporting, and advocating for individuals affected by mental illness and their families. Donations to Team Spearly are still being accepted online at: http://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.donate Enter Team Spearly, then follow the steps. Thank you!

June 2016 Events in Denver, CO: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center include our:

§  Spearly Sidekicks Salsa Showdown tasty culinary event held in our Country Store because salsa is rich in vitamins and very flavorful, and it can be a healthy snack, or accompany several main dishes, so friends, family and Partners in Caring are invited to taste a variety of salsas and vote for the best one on June 17th at 2:30 pm.

§  Father’s Day Luncheon as Michael Jordan once said, “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do; you never know what you can accomplish until you try,” so please join us in our Main Dining Room as we pay tribute with family, friends and community neighbors to wise and amazing fathers everywhere on June 19th at noon.

§  Live In Wellness BBQ as your Spearly family would like to invite friends, family and community neighbors to enjoy the outdoors, mingle with friends, and feast on grilled favorites, and a special invitation is extended to our first responders for a quick bite on the go, so meet us on the sunny Outdoor Patio for great food, great friends, and a great day on June 24th at 11:00 am.

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center with you as you Live in Wellness.