PARKER PLACE
RETIREMENT
COMMUNITY
JULY DATES OF
INTEREST
July 1, 1966—Medicare goes
into effect
July 3, 1930—Veteran’s Administration Created
The Parker Place Post
V O L U M E
1 ,
I S S U E
3
J U L Y
2 0 0 9
Parker Place Retirement Community
July 4th—Independence Day
The Story of Independence Day and America’s Birthday
Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the
signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the signing, the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England’s
King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid
to England. This was commonly known as “Taxation without Representation” as the colonists did
not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. King George
sent extra troops to try to control any rebellion. In 1774, the 13 colonies sent delegates to
Philadelphia to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England but
not yet ready to declare war.
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Frequently Asked
Questions
2
In April 1775, as the King’s troops advanced on Concord, Massachusetts, Paul Revere would sound
the alarm, “The British are coming” as he rode his horse through the late night streets.
July Health Tips
3
The battle of Concord and its “shot heard round the world” would mark the unofficial beginning of
the colonies’ war for Independence.
July Birthdays
3
Construction
Update
4
The following May, the colonies again tried to work out the difference with England but had no
success. By June 1776, their efforts became hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a
formal declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was
presented to the congress on June 28th. After various changes were made, a vote was taken on the
afternoon of July 4th.
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. At the first public reading, the crowd
cheered and the church bells pealed. Even the bell in Independence Hall was run. The bell was
renamed the “Liberty Bell.”
Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been
accepted as the official anniversary of the United States Independence. The first Independence Day
celebration took place the following year—July 4, 1777. By the early 1800’s the traditions of
parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America’s birthday.
Linda Truax—Manager
PAGE
2
Frequently Asked Questions About Parker Place
Q: What is Assisted Living?
A: Assisted Living is a special combination of housing, supportive services, personal
assistance, and health care designed to respond to individual needs of those who need help with
activities of daily living.
“Will I be able to
have my friends &
family visit?”
YES
Q: What are Activities of Daily Living?
A: Daily activities that an individual needs to care for themselves such as; taking medications,
personal hygiene, dressing, ambulating, and transferring.
Q: What kind of activities will Parker Place provide?
A: An Activity Coordinator will plan our monthly activity calendars with several activities
daily; socials, bingo, card clubs, birthday parties, crafts, live entertainment, gardening, book
clubs, outings to stores and special events. If a resident has a special request, the activity
coordinator will help with accommodating the resident.
Q: Can I bring my own furnishings?
A: You decorate and bring your own things to make your apartment your own. You may hang
things on the wall, put up curtains and bring your special belongings. You may also be able to
paint, check with your building manager for assistance.
Q: Do I have to eat ALL of my meals in the dining room?
A: You decide how you spend your day, including if you would prefer to eat in your own
apartment.
Q: What do I do if I have an emergency inside my apartment:
A: You will be provided with an emergency call pendent that you would push in the event of
an emergency. Please ask the manager for details.
Q: Will I have control over the temperature in my apartment?
A: Yes, there will be a thermostat in your apartment for you to control.
Q: Can I have overnight guests?
A: Absolutely, Parker Place is YOUR community and your apartment is YOUR apartment.
Q: Do I have to ask permission to leave the building?
A: You are free to continue your life outside Parker Place and may come and go as you please.
Our staff would however like to know when you will be out just so we don’t worry about you.
“Is there a
place for my
family to
come to celebrate special
occasions?”
YES
THE PARKER PLACE POST
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
3
July Health Tips
Common Sense Ways to Protect Yourself from Heat Illness
Rest, Rehydrate and Relax
Rising temperatures and high humidity levels raise health concerns related to heat illness for all people.
The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends the following ways to stay healthy during hot and humid weather:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, sugar-free fluids—water. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages.
Salt and minerals lost through sweating can be replaced with a variety of foods and beverages (sports drinks, salty foods like
soda crackers, or fruits like bananas).
Work during the cooler times of the day and wear appropriate, loose, light-weight clothing.
Keep up a normal diet, but avoid hot foods and heavy meals. Eat plenty of salads and fruits. Avoid sugary foods and drinks,
as they can make you thirstier.
If working outdoors, wear sunscreen, large brimmed hats and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Ventilation and air movement will help reduce heat-related illness. Use fans and air conditioning whenever possible. Take
cool showers to help cool off.
Pace yourself. Start slowly and pick up intensity gradually. If exertion makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for
breath, STOP the activity.
Take frequent breaks, at least 5 minutes each hour, to drink cool fluids and rest in a shady or air conditioned area.
Take care of each other. Watch the condition of those around you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become
confused or even lose consciousness.
To avoid heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, be aware of your body’s reaction to heat and humidity. A decrease in urination or darkcolored urine, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up are all symptoms of dehydration and potential heat illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately take time to rest in a cool area, re-hydrate and relax.
For more information on preventing heat-illness, visit:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp
July Celebrity Birthdays
Princess Diana—July 1, 1961
Richard Petty—July 2, 1937
Ginger Rogers—July 16, 1911
“Humor is
mankind’s
greatest
“Red” Skelton—July 18, 1913
blessing.”
P.T. Barnum—July 5, 1810
Yul Brenner—July 11, 1920
Isaac Stern—July 21, 1920
707 Hwy 57
Parkersburg, IA 50665
Phone: 319-346-9771
Fax: 319-346-9975
E-mail: [email protected]
A Place That Feels Like Home
We’re on the Web!
www.parkerplaceretirement.com
Construction Update
The rainy weather has slowed down the outside work,
but the interior work has continued. Construction
Site Superintendent, Tad Gardner, is pleased with the
overall progress of the building.
The painting on the north, east and west sides has been
completed. The dry wall is going up on the south. The
cabinets in the kitchen areas in the apartments will be
completed by the end of June. The stone work on the
front and around the fireplaces will also be completed
by the end of the month. The siding can then be
finished on the south side. The floor covering is due to
be delivered the second week in July. The kitchen will
be the first area in the south wing to be completed so
the large equipment can be delivered and installed.
The site (dirt) work will take about two weeks to
complete and will be started when the weather
cooperates and the heavy work is completed on the
building so the front of the property will be free of
large vehicles.
Parker Place is scheduled to be open early this fall.