Check out these Special Events this Month!

Be Sure Not to Miss These Weekly Events

Celebrate the Month With Us!

Groundhog Day – Feb. 2nd
Make sure to check in with Punxsutawney Phil today to know if he sees his shadow. Groundhog Day was first celebrated by German communities in Pennsylvania in the mid to late 1800s. Let’s hope for an early spring!

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14th
This may be one of the most celebrated holidays that is not a day off. Remember to spread the love and tell anyone important how much they mean to you. And hopefully eat a little chocolate if you can.

Random Acts of Kindness Week– Feb. 16th – 23rd
Celebrated throughout the world, this week is a real treat. The importance of doing something nice, even if it’s small, can not be underestimated. So if you missed out on Valentine’s Day, you’ve got another chance to do something kind for someone special.

Physician’s Forum – Feb. 27th
This will be our first Physician’s Forum, and our facility physician Dr. Angel will be there to offer advice and answer any questions you may have. Since it is our first forum of this kind, we would love to see everyone there!

Leap Day – Feb. 29th
What a rare and unique day! Happening only every four years, this is a special day to celebrate. Make sure that if you know anyone who was born on the 29th, wish them an extra happy birthday…they don’t get it that often!

American Heart Month
It is always a good time to be heart-healthy, but this month especially. Take stock of where you are with your body. The heart is the most important muscle you have, so make sure you know your health levels and goals.

Black History Month
Black history is an important and often misrepresented part of our country’s story. Take this month to learn more about black historical and cultural figures such as mathematician and NASA pioneer Catherine Johnson, aviator Bessie Coleman, and Olympic Gold Medalist Alice Coachman. Catherine Johnson was recently featured in the film Hidden Figures.

Deaf History Month
Those who are deaf and people with hearing loss are part of a diverse population across the world. Learn more about influential and notable people in Deaf history, such as I. King Jordan who was the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, musician Evelyn Glennie, and Tony-nominated actor Lauren Ridloff.

New This Month…

This Valentine’s Day, show some love…to yourself. We are big advocates of self-care here at Arbor Springs. Mostly because when you spend much of your time caring for others, you often forget to take care of yourself. Here are some recommendations for anyone who is feeling a bit overwhelmed after the first month of 2020.

Have fun! We tend to overlook the things we most enjoy doing. Try making a list of things you like to do and set aside a time to do them. Treat it like a diet. Make sure you have FUN each day!

Create a space to relax. Either in your room or around the community, find a space that relaxes and calms you. This space may allow you to reflect and appreciate the good things in life.

Move around more! Movement can be great for your mental health. I know it can be hard, especially when moving is not always comfortable or easy. But if you can, even a little bit, movement will help you feel healthier and promote good blood flow to the brain.

Remember what you are grateful for! Find things to celebrate! Acknowledge the joy that your family and friends, your community, favorite activities and hobbies can bring you. Remembering this can get you through difficult times. Perspective is a powerful thing.

Use meditation, mindfulness and focus techniques. There are many books, videos, online resources, and apps to help you with this. I do a five minute Tai Chi video on YouTube every day. It’s pretty easy. Find your own routine and try it out!

Are You Game?

Your mind is a muscle, and it is important to exercise it as much as possible! Many studies have pointed to the wide-ranging benefits of cognitive stimulus. Here are a few games you can play on your own and with others to work out your brain, have some fun, and stay healthy!

Fun Games To Play On Your Own

• Crossword
• Sudoku
• Solitaire
• Dot Games
• Mazes
• Rubik’s Cube
• Card Matching

Have More Fun with More Players

• Play your favorite card game! Check out Bicycle Card’s website to find a new one
• Chess, Checker, and Go
• Dominoes, Scrabble and Yahtzee

Don’t Forget About Mobile Apps!

• Most of the games here are also on mobile
• Google Solitaire is great!
• Connect by playing Words with Friends 2
• Check out brain game apps like Lumosity, Elevate, and NeuroNation

Arbor Care

Support Groups are an essential piece of the Alzheimer’s and dementia care puzzle. We are happy to offer two support groups. The purpose of these groups is to meet regularly to discuss issues related to your loved one’s dementia. They provide education, emotional, and social support.

Arbor Care is a group targeted to the spouses and care partners of those currently residing at Arbor Springs. It is not open to the outside community. Meets Last Thursday of the month | 12p – 1p in  Community Room @ Arbor Springs. (Next Meeting February 27th, 2020)

The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group meets next door at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. It is open to the public and is facilitated by Sarah Stanisz and Seth Reeves.
Meets 2nd Tuesday of every month | 5:30p (Next Meeting February 11th, 2020)
Feel free to call Sarah @ 515.223.1135 with questions about the group.

How You Can Leap into Care This Month!

Be sure to take breaks. Self Care, mindfulness, and taking time off is critical. (See our new article this month!) Make sure to keep an eye on your stress level. Time off isn’t just a European vacation. Take time out during the day, practice meditation and mindfulness, or just find a calming place to go for a few minutes. Small breaks can save you a lot in the long run.

Go to support groups. Sometimes it is hard to accept that you need help. Other times it is just hard to find the time to get help. While it can be difficult, these groups are here for you and are a great resource. You don’t have to say anything or contribute, just come to see if it’s for you.

Set aside time to research. Reading this newsletter is great, but there are a lot of other resources out there to help you understand Alzheimer’s and dementia. Here are a few excellent places to start:

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
AARP is always a great resource
UCLA Health on YouTube has a great video playlist for caregivers

What We’ve Been Up To!

Something Special in the Kitchen This Month!

This month we had Jerilyn interview Ron about his Homemade Spaghetti Sauce before we made it together! We had a wonderful time and loved learning how to make this tasty dish. Read on to find out more and how to make it yourself!

From Start…

…To Finish

The Arbor Bulletin Board

Just a Friendly Reminder!

• We receive many visitors at Arbor Springs. It isn’t possible for Arbor Springs’ staff to recognize and/or know the relationship of every visitor to every resident. Therefore, staff reserves the right to prevent visitors from taking photographs in order to safeguard any resident’s privacy and confidentiality, until the relationship of the visitor to the resident can be verified, and permission is given in writing by the responsible party.
• Staff reserves the right to ask to view photographs taken in the facility to ensure that no other residents or identifiable information about other residents is in the frame.
• Staff have been given this directive from administration in order to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all residents. If you are asked to stop taking a photograph, or asked to see a photograph you have taken, we ask that you comply with the staff member at the time, and bring any concerns you have about the policy to a member of administration. Staff are simply following the instructions they have been given.
• If you are aware of visitors coming to see your loved one, and those visitors have permission to take photographs and/or videos, we ask that you let us know ahead of time.

Couple’s Valentine Sweetheart Luncheon! Service will start at 11am in the cafe. Please be sure to RSVP. Neighborhoods will have regular meal as usual.

Happy Birthday! Let’s Celebrate Together!