Lifelong Learners are GREAT Teachers

The concept of lifelong learning has just taken on a new dimension. Lifelong learners are often described as senior adults who are curious about a topic and interested in learning more. The concept of lifelong learning has been studied and researched. The concept of senior adult lifelong learners as teachers has not been examined. But guess what? We have first-hand experience with how lifelong learners pivot to become the lifelong learning teachers.

Residents at Fellowship-Square Mesa recently completed a three part class on the WPA (Works Progress Administration, 1930s). The resident’s enthusiasm for recalling what they knew about the WPA and learning more about this historical program was off the charts. The class discussion and conversations were non-stop and the leader of the class remarked that she felt as if the topic had “flipped the classroom.” Modern day teachers use this term to describe a classroom strategy where the students are responsible for research and presentation of materials.

Two residents in particular made amazing and historic contributions to the class. Using a website resource, “The Living New Deal,” Robert Protz discovered that the skating rink built in his home town of Thief River Falls, MN had not been identified in the WPA archives. Robert called one of his friends who was still living in Thief River Falls and asked him to take photos of the WPA Plaque (required for authentication) and of the building itself. During this phase of research we also discovered a website existed that told the history of hockey in Minnesota. The photos, Bob’s first-hand account of the rink, and the website have been submitted and accepted to The Living New Deal National Project for inclusion in their archives.

Another resident, Lucy Reich, brought the class information about public housing projects constructed by the WPA. Lucy’s family lived across the street from a housing project in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called “Greendale.” Lucy did additional research and discovered that Greendale, WI was one of three public housing projects built by the WPA known as the “Greenbelt Projects.” The houses were all built around green belts, parks with lakes, and walking paths. The city planners placed the back of the houses (carports) facing the street so the occupants would have unobstructed views of the park like setting. Each community had outdoor sculptures and murals produced by the Federal Arts Program of the WPA.

So, we rest our case. Lifelong learning is about the senior adult learner, not about the teacher or the topic. It is about the experience of learning and sharing what you know or learn. At Fellowship Square-Mesa we believe that the importance of learning is a concept we support every day with our residents. Now we know that in addition to being “learners” they are also “researchers” and “learning leaders.”

Visit us today @ http://www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/

Exercise Makes Me Feel Good

We have enough evidence to know that all of us, yes, you too, need to engage in physical activity every day. A recent article in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease highlighted the importance of exercise. The study discovered that those patients who exercised 2 ½ hours per week had a smaller decline in their quality-of-life
(that means they experienced a more enjoyable quality of life).
We have similar studies for other diseases like arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and diabetes.

The National Institute of Senior Health (nihseniorhealth.gov) provides guidance on increasing physical activity and exercise for senior adults. Research shows that even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging. Fellowship Square-Mesa provides our residents with many choices when it comes to exercising. We have fitness centers, fitness trainers, walking paths, and daily exercise classes that range from Aerobic Swimming to Yoga. Here are a few suggestions for increasing your physical activity.

·         Make it a priority. Put it at the top of your “to-do” list for the day.

·         Make it easy. Walking, stretching, and dancing are great ways to exercise.

·         Make it safe. Talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. The fitness coaches at Fellowship Square-Mesa can help assess your readiness and help you design that meets your needs.

·         Make it social. Enlist a friend or family member.

·         Make it interesting. Do the things you like to do and follow the NIH Guidelines: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.

·         Make exercise an active decision. Multi-task the active way: walk the long way to visit a friend.

Most of all make it fun!  Visit us online today @ www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Blue Lakes Assisted Living

We are pleased to announce our newest advertiser in the 

Phoenix SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Guide!

          Blue Lakes Assisted Living provides what most traditional nursing homes cannot...the same warm, caring atmosphere of your own home with the benefit of professional health care provided by loving staff members and qualified third party providers.  We offer many of the same benefits of a skilled nursing home, in a more social environment and at about half the cost. 

Our exquisite care home is conveniently situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, close to HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, big retail stores and various places of business. We are a family operated business, fully licensed by Arizona Health
 Department for 10 beds.

At Blue Lakes Assisted Living we provide all levels of care, including supervisory, personal and directed. This ensures that our residents can remain in their familiar & comfortable home among friends, even if their level of care increases. Sometimes, all a person needs to appreciate a full and independent life is a little assistance with routine daily activities. In our home, residents feel comfortable and cared for in a home-like environment that allows them to maintain a sense of love and support.

Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care in a warm, loving environment that looks and feels like "home!"

Visit us online today @ www.BlueLakesAssistedLiving.com 

Fellowship Square Mesa Shares Learning with a Purpose

Learning with a Purpose at Fellowship Square-Mesa

Nancy Merz Nordstrom (author of Learning Later, Living Greater) is one of many researchers and authors who have discovered that having a healthy brain requires more than the daily dose of crossword puzzles and Suduko. Older adult learners, who seek continuous education, or lifelong learning, are feeding their brains in a way that day-to-day ordinary activities do not.

Ms. Merz writes, “Like the body needs healthy food, so does the brain – and this healthy brain food is education.” There are, however, other benefits of lifelong learning in a community like Fellowship Square-Mesa.

• Connections. One resident attending a weekly lifelong learning class remarked, “I have passed many of these people in the hall for several years. I’ve seen them on the bus to the theatre but I have never really talked with them or laughed with them. Now we are classmates and I feel as if I have new, close friends that will be with me as long as I am here.” Connecting with new friends, being open to new ideas, having common experiences, creating a strong community; all of these are benefits of lifelong learning.
  
•   Learning with purpose. Another resident said, “As I read and listen to daily news reports, or reflect on a creative idea, I’m aware of a direct connection to a classroom discussion we have had. It thrills me when that lightbulb goes off; I suddenly want to call someone (my daughter usually gets this call) and tell her what I have discovered. She tells the grandchildren and they call because they want to learn more. I feel really good about myself.”
  
•  Opening up to new experiences. We have small group discussions, large group discussions, book studies and book talks; we study famous artists, social movements (19^th & 20^th century immigration), American icons like Frank Lloyd Wright and Grandma Moses.

Fellowship Square-Mesa sponsors lifelong learning programs for every resident.  Every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 – 3:00 ALLE Learning teams with Independent Living residents who are seeking learning opportunities.  All we are missing is you and your brain, won’t you join us?

Visit us online today @ www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/

Person Centered Care

One of the most popular trends in senior adult living is the focus on “person centered care” and “person centered perks.” We know that person centered care is clinical care and is specific and unique to an individual.

While we might think that “person centered perks” is different than care, in reality we can address it the same way. What do we need to do to keep our residents engaged and connected to the world around us? The word “perks” changes the dynamic because we are no longer talking about medicine or therapy. We are talking about “lifestyle.” So now we can ask the question, “What can we do to improve the lifestyle of our residents?”  While we believe that we offer a unique lifestyle at Fellowship Square Mesa we also believe that we need to improve every single day.

1.      Our technology needs to be current and accessible to everyone. We have recently deployed the “Center of Aging Excellence Resident Portal.” This virtual and physical Portal enables our residents to schedule repairs, transportation and even RSVP for a special event, all from the comfort of their apartments. In addition they can view their bill, see an interactive calendar, the weekly menu, TV Guide, and newsletter.

2.      Recreation, exercise, and health and wellness programs need to be robust and include a plethora of options: group classes, individual sessions with a trainer, open gym times, walking programs and health & wellness classes are an example of what we offer.

3.      Lifelong learning classes are available to every resident who lives on our campus: independent living, assisted living, memory care, etc. Classes are presented by our trained staff and include topics that our residents easily relate to: “Anne and Charles Lindbergh,” “Henry Ford,” “Route 66,” “1935, It Was a Big Deal,” and “All that Jazz!” Our residents have an opportunity to engage in conversation and reminisce about their experiences with these topics.

The one size-fits-all approach to lifestyle programs is no longer relevant for our hip residents! Contact us to learn more about our exciting community by visiting our website www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org or by calling 1.888.460.2182