Sentinel
October 2016
Senior Living Communities and their Myths
By Mona Schmalz, Community Manager of Three Oaks Circle & Hedwig House
A myth that stops people from exploring
a senior community is the belief that they
have to give up too much. The reality is
that today’s senior communities can provide
gracious living, security, and an active way
of life that can enhance an older adult’s
independence. It’s all about living life to the
fullest and to the best of your ability.
What makes it so difficult for some to
move from their current home? Some
people are concerned that their lifestyle
will be limited by rules and regulations in
senior communities. In reality, there are few
restrictions. Senior experts say independent
living typically provides people more
independence because it frees them from the
bulk of household chores and maintenance
while still providing a spacious, beautiful,
private home.
Do I have to give up my hobbies and just
play games all day? Communities foster a
more active life than living alone. Because
your happiness is a priority, senior living
communities can work with you to find
activities you enjoy.
Those who live in traditional single family
homes often experience growing solitude
as friends move away or pass on, family
relocates, or when they are widowed. Over
time, many can feel trapped and isolated in
their own homes.
Senior living communities offer
opportunities to build new relationships and
social connections with like-minded people.
After all, you want to retire from work, not
life!
Taking Steps to End
Alzheimer’s
By Meghan Davis, Director of Lifestyle Enrichment
Capri Senior Communities is proud to be a
continued partner of the Alzheimer’s Association
and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Walk is the world’s
largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s
care, support, and research. This year, residents and staff
participated in the Walks in Waukesha, Dane, Milwaukee,
Walworth, and Kenosha counties. Capri also sponsored the
Promise Garden, a mission-focused activity in which walk
participants to raise flowers representing their promise to
remember, honor,
care, and fight for
those living with
Alzheimer’s disease.
It makes for a colorful
and moving tribute.
Residents from
Summit Woods in
Waukesha baked cookies for attendees and Glen Choban,
Chief Operating Officer, and Meghan Davis, Director
of Lifestyle Enrichment, were on the Waukesha Walk
committee. “Being a part of the Walk is something very
personal,” said Glen. “My father and mother, as well as my
father-in-law, were all afflicted with this disease. I am proud
of Capri’s commitment to adding more communities that will
serve residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”
Myths about Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
Therapy is too painful/No pain
no gain. Therapists are trained
to work within a patient’s pain
threshold. While therapy is not
always easy, the therapist will work
with you to make it a positive
experience. Therapy should reduce
a patient’s pain.
Therapy is only needed if you’ve
had an injury or accident.
Therapy is very effective in
preventing injury and pain and
promotes mobility, health, and
wellness.
My loved one has Dementia;
therapy cannot help. Occupational
and Speech Therapists are
trained in cognitive assessments
and interventions. They are
instrumental in assisting a person
with dementia acclimate safely
into a new environment. They
also provide caregiver and family
member training on the most
effective strategies to facilitate
the person’s highest level of
independence and quality of life.
Insurance will not cover therapy
and I cannot afford it. Medicare
and most commercial insurances
cover the majority of the cost of
therapy services. The Lessila office
would be happy to answer any
questions you have about therapy
costs and coverage.
Seeing her friend Sally wearing a new locket, Meg asks if there
is a memento of some sort inside.
“Yes,” says Sally, “a lock of my husband’s hair.”
“But Larry’s still alive.”
“I know, but his hair is gone.”
Capri Communities | 20711 Watertown Rd. Suite A | Waukesha, WI 53186 | (262) 798-1224
Editor: Meghan Davis [email protected]
capricommunities.com
What’s New At Capri?
Only Treats at Our Communities
Killarney Kourt, Summit Woods, and
Engel Haus are partnering with local
schools to host on-site trick-or-treating
while Hyland Park and Mulberry Glen
are participating in community trick-ortreating events. Ask your staff at your
community how you can get involved!
Crafting Season is Here
Craft, art, and bake sales tend to pop up
at Capri communities as the weather
cools. The Gables of Germantown
(located at N109 W17075 Ava Circle in
This month
October 1, 1908
Henry Ford’s Model T, a “universal
car” designed for the masses, went
on sale for the first time.
October 8, 1993
The U.N. General Assembly lifted
economic sanctions, imposed
since the 1960s, against South
Africa following the end of racial
apartheid.
October 14, 1947
U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck
Yeager became the first man to
break the sound barrier, flying in a
rocket-powered research aircraft.
October 24, 1861
The first transcontinental telegram
in America was sent from San
Francisco to Washington,
addressed to President Abraham
Lincoln from the Chief Justice of
California.
October 30, 1990
For the first time since the Ice
Age, Great Britain was connected
with the European continent via a
new rail tunnel under the English
Channel.
Germantown) is hosting one of our first
of the season on Saturday, October 22nd
from 10:00am-2:30pm. Stop on by or
check out a fair at your local community!
Harvesting Autumn Fun at Wilson
Commons
Wilson Commons hosted a family-friendly
Harvest Fest in mid-September. Residents,
families, and the public took part in fun
games, a photo booth, face painting,
and, of course, delicious autumn treats.
Staff, resident volunteers, and attendees
worked hard to make it a great event!
Two Wilson Commons residents pose
with cute scarecrows at the outdoor photo
booth during Harvest Fest.
Resident Spotlight
Meet Sally B., Summit Woods
There are bears loose in Summit Woods!
Don’t worry, though: they’re just Teddy
Bears! Sally started collecting bears after
her second husband bought her one to
keep her company while he traveled to
Peru. She’s been gathering them ever
since!
Sally was born in Buffalo, NY. After
WWII, her father got a job at A.O. Smith
and the family moved to Milwaukee.
Sally met and married her first husband
in Milwaukee, eventually moving to
California and then back to Wisconsin.
After her husband passed away, she
married again and lived in Florida,
Ohio, California, and Utah. They had
also traveled to South Africa when
her husband was invited to speak at a
conference.
She is quite a gifted artist and has been
painting since she was a toddler. “My
mother said I would write and scrap
on anything,” said Sally. She was even
offered a job by Walt Disney Studios.
Sally didn’t make a career out of her
drawing, but has contributed her art to
charities, family, and grandchildren.
Thanks for sharing your story, Sally!
Fluffy Pumpkin Spice Cake
Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground, dried ginger
1 (16-oz) box angel food cake, batter
prepared according to direction on box
Whipped topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a Bundt pan with cooking spray. Combine pumpkin,
vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in a medium bowl. Fold in prepared
cake mix with the pumpkin mixture. Pour mixture into prepared Bundt pan. Bake
40-45 minutes on lowest rack. Immediately invert Bundt pan onto a cooling rack and
allow to cool. Remove from pan, cut, and serve with whipped topping.