Community Connection Newsletter | November 2020 | News & Announcements
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Learn About DrumFit
A new wellness program you have to try
By: Jacqueline Dillinger
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We rolled out a new program in October -- literally. A new wellness/music therapy program called DrumFit. The program, training, videos and supplies were a gift from a Donor.
It has been a huge success! We have a group of four Assisted Living residents and ten Independent Living residents meeting regularly on Wednesday to drum on big exercise balls.
The program is run by an on-line instructor who leads the group through a series of drumming movements during a fun classic song.
DrumFIT's Music, Motion & Memory Program encourages participants to socialize and move together for brain and body health. Designed for older adults, this unique program uses movement through drumming to benefit both the mind and body. It’s EASY to teach and FUN to learn!
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Here are some reasons why DrumFIT:
- A fun, supportive, and inclusive group activity for older adults of all mobility ranges!
- Improves cognitive function and memory
- Enhances mood, reduces stress and anxiety
- Increases range of motion and/or mobility
- Creates greater appreciation for fitness and health
The residents love it. They have talked about what a good work out it is and how much fun they are having. One resident stated, she was working her brain as well as her body. Another resident stated, that she did not realize what a good workout she was getting until her arms hurt the next day.
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We asked a few of our seniors about their favorite Thanksgiving memories. Take a look at the what they had to say. |
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Barb Rosso
Barb likes Thanksgiving because her family has always gathered to celebrate and continue to gather. The best Thanksgiving is when her family is involved. That's the way it was every year and how they liked it.
The best Thanksgiving dinner she enjoyed was any one that included the turkey, and of course some pie too. Her signature dish would be the actual turkey. She likes the white meat best. When asked if she liked sweet potato pie or pumpkin, she answered pumpkin pie with a lot of whip cream on it.
Barb is most thankful for her family (and of course family gatherings). For her, it's very important to have family gatherings. Some of her family has to travel to get to the house where the main gathering will take place. It was important for family members to put in some effort.
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Shirley Barker
When asked if she likes Thanksgiving, Shirley likes the family gatherings. She is sad that her family can’t do them anymore. As a child she enjoyed seeing her aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, etc.
The best Thanksgiving gatherings were the big family ones. Their Thanksgiving family gatherings got so big that they had to start having it in a local bar. People kept having babies; she was one of those babies.
Her family would dress up for the gathering every year. They have a picture that has been a part of the gathering for 50 years. It is a picture of cousins holding hands at the age of about three years old.
The traditional meal consists of Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Her signature dish was cranberry sauce made with raw cranberries.
Shirley is most thankful that her family still stays in touch. She had talked to her brother, Bill recently. He is about one-and-a-half years younger than she is. She also found out that his whole family is healthy and has no COVID. Her grandson is in Spain and he is healthy as well.
When asked which is better, sweet potato or pumpkin pie, she said, “Pumpkin pie is better.” Her family did not make sweet potato pie; she always had either pumpkin pie or apple pie.
Shirley has a wish, she wishes for one more family reunion.
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Art Wilkes
Art likes Thanksgiving, mostly because the family can get together. In addition, he loves to eat, so he likes Thanksgiving for that reason too.
When asked about the best Thanksgiving he attended, he reminisced about a time when he was a kid and they would have the family get-togethers at his grandparents farm. The kids would play in the barn. Grandma would cook the Thanksgiving meal on an old wood stove. And of course, Art remembers that his grandma was a good cook.
When asked about the food he enjoyed the most at Thanksgiving time, initially he said Turkey with lots of stuffing. Then he mentioned biscuits several times. Bacon powdered biscuits with the special gravy made of gizzards and hearts poured over them. In addition, biscuits with honey on them from the neighbor's bee farm.
Art and Louise’s signature dish to bring to Thanksgiving was the green bean casserole with the crispy onions on the top. When questioned which is better, sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie, his said, “pumpkin, no question.”
Art is most thankful for his family this year, “Our kids have been really helpful to us this past year,” he said.
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Essie Pringle
Yes, Essie likes Thanksgiving, especially as a child. Essie came from a big family; she was the eldest of seven. They would host the dinner at her house and have around 35 people in attendance.
Her mom and aunt made the food. Essie had to set the table, and do most of the clean-up. The kids all ate in the kitchen. The men sat down for the first seating, and then when they were done, the women got to sit down and eat.
Her brothers would go out deer hunting after the meal was over. They didn’t sit around and watch football like so many families do.
One Thanksgiving she remembers, as an adult, she made pies and they were heading to Plymouth for a Thanksgiving meal with her family. The roads were so bad they decided to turn around because it was too dangerous to drive. Her friend Mary found out, and invited them over to her house, so they took their pies and enjoyed a meal with good friends.
Her favorite meal was the traditional meal. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls and of course pies. She was the one who always made the pies, that was her typical contribution to the meal. When asked which she like better between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie, she said pumpkin.
Essie has a lot to be thankful for. She is most thankful for her big family, they are still close-knit even though they are scattered around. She is thankful for her daughter and son-in-law. In addition, she has enjoyed good health, and for that, she is thankful.
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IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are 70 or older – this may be perfect for YOU!
By: DeeDee McVety
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Thank you for being part of the Samaritas Senior Living family. We are proud to serve you.
As a member of our Samaritas family, did you know that in addition to caring for seniors like you, our mission provides both help and hope for nearly 20,000 individuals each year?
Last year, our mission was illustrated through services that included more than 47,000 hot meals at our Westland Family Center and Saginaw Community Center. Our assistance also helped 247 women become confident members of society after being human trafficked, imprisoned or homeless. Samaritas also helped children without a safe home, find a Forever Family to call their own, through adoption.
These services and so many more, are continuing each day – and the challenge of meeting the needs in Michigan is tremendous. As the coronavirus pandemic has raged on, have you wondered how you could help?
If you are fortunate to have an IRA, one option to consider might be a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA Charitable Rollover. While required minimum distributions have been waived this year, tax exempt gifts from IRAs are still available in 2020 and still offer tax benefits.
If you would like to use a gift from your IRA this year to help others who are struggling, please let us know.
A quick call to either of the caring professionals below can help you with a quick and easy step to put your gift to work for those who might otherwise be overlooked and without hope.
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See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
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Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.
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