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Time to Focus on Improving Communication

March 10, 2025

None of us can skip communication in our daily lives. Whether at work or at home, we talk with others in the hope of getting our needs met and sharing a connection. Some people are natural and open communicators while others need some help along the way. Here are some suggestions to ease the way and help everyone get along a little bit better.

  • Assume Positive Intentions – when talking with family, friends or coworkers, try to avoid becoming immediately defensive.  Believe the other party is working to improve the situation and striving for a positive outcome. Although it can be hard, try to be receptive to the idea someone is trying to convey even if they don’t go about it in the best way.
  • Be Clear and Concise – take a moment to prepare your thoughts before speaking or responding. For clarity, limit yourself to dealing with one individual topic at a time. Also, using too many words or fancy language can distract from your intended message and the listener may stop listening.
  • Use Active Listening Skills - which means you listen to understand what is being said and not in order to respond. Paraphrase back to the speaker what you thought they said to make sure you understand before you form your response. Ask open ended questions, not yes or no questions.
  • Watch Nonverbal Communication – these include facial expression, gestures and tone of voice. Be aware of the message you’re sending, such as crossed arms which convey defensiveness or lack of openness. Don’t look at your watch or phone which conveys impatience or the desire to be elsewhere. Use a calm reassuring tone of voice, even when emotions are running high.
  • Email and Texts are Tricky: Use Caution – as these have no tone of voice, they are easier to misconstrue. Whenever possible speak to someone in person or by phone. Written messages are one of the most important times to assume the best intentions of the other party.


Feeling understood and making successful connections is one of the best feelings in the world – good communication gets us there!

Scam Artists: Be Careful and Cautious

I think we’ve all said it, “Why don’t scam artists spend as much time and effort at a legitimate job as they do on scams?” Being a victim of a scam is not only frustrating and aggravating, it eats away at our ability to trust. Awareness is a big key in keeping scammers at bay. Don’t fall for some of the latest tricks scammers have come up with to part you from your money.

 

The Grandparent Scam – by using information found on-line, on social media posts or even from a previous phone call, scammers will impersonate an authority figure and report the grandchild has been in an accident or is trouble and needs a large amount of money immediately. Sometimes the scammer impersonates the grandchild themselves. They’ll request an electronic or wire transfer of funds to “save” the grandchild. In a recent version of this scam, fraudsters send ride-sharing services like Uber to pick up the cash in an envelope.

 

Be suspicious if:

you receive an unsolicited phone call claiming a grandchild (or loved one) is in danger.

the caller asks for money as cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.

the caller won’t let you get off the phone or threatens you if you try to verify the information.

the caller uses deception, intimidation, and coercion to force you to act quickly.

 trust your gut – if something feels off, it most likely is.

 

Be on the lookout for more senior scam warnings in the next newsletter. 


RESIDENT BIRTHDAYS 

3/31 – Janet J



STAFF BIRTHDAYS

3/25 - Maria S

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

3/3 - Cayley C

3/4 - Amber S

3/9 - Amy M

3/18 - Natasha M

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH

Roberta (Bobbi) C.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Amber S.

The Long Straw Club

For the past 20 years, The Long Straw Club has been a cornerstone of our assisted living community, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of the spiritual, emotional, and psychological dimensions of aging. Originally founded by noted gerontologist Robin Avery, the club has been guided by a diverse array of wisdom teachers - including rabbis, priests, ministers, and other spiritual leaders – who have helped members navigate the later chapters of life with insight and grace. Today, under the esteemed leadership of Lloppón Rinpoche, The Long Straw Club continues to foster meaningful discussions, personal reflection, and a sense of shared wisdom among its members. Please join us on the last Tuesday of every month.

Quotes of Note

“There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, Those who are currently caregivers, Those who will be caregivers and Those who will need caregivers.” Roslyn Carter



Staying Healthy This Winter - Tips to Follow

February 26, 2025
Getting sick is never fun and when the weather is cold and dreary, getting sick seems to feel even worse. We all know the general rules to follow to stay healthy and stop the spread of illness, but it never hurts to see a few reminders. 1) Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow. Wash your hands regularly using soap and warm water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water isn’t available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 2) Make sure you stay hydrated. Drinking enough water each day boosts your immune system and helps fight viruses. Studies show any hydration is better than none, so if you don’t like water, drink something you do like such as coffee, tea or juice. 3) Up your Vitamin D intake - low levels can make you susceptible to illnesses and negatively affect your mental health. Sunshine is one free source of Vitamin D. You can also find it in butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, egg yolks, some mushrooms, fatty fish and canned tuna. 4) One of your immune system's first lines of defense is your SKIN. Avoid cracked skin to keep germs, bacteria and viruses out by applying cream or lotion. Limit overly hot showers as they dry out skin. Make sure to apply moisturizer afterwards. Also, don’t forget to apply lip balm. 5) Stay up to date on recommended immunizations like flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumonia. 6) Continue to eat a healthy diet. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Including garlic, ginger, and additional citrus fruits may also boost your immune system. 7) If you get sick - SLEEP. During sleep, important immune processes happen to help your body heal and recover. That’s when proteins that target infection are released and your body has a better fever response.
Two older women are sitting in chairs in a living room talking to each other.

Happy New Year – Means Happy New Habits

January 23, 2025
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The Core Principles of Assisted Living

February 21, 2024
In our assisted living, we focus on and celebrate the 4 C’s - Care, Community, Competency, and Connections. Unwavering Care for each resident is at the heart of our assisted living approach. Our caregivers are dedicated to knowing and understanding the unique needs of every individual in their care and providing compassionate, personalized care that enhances their health, well-being, and quality of life. The secret of providing great care for our residents is in caring for our residents. That is our primary focus.
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