Administrator of the Year
Jaclyn O'Keefe has been named the 2019 Administrator of the Year by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). Jacki is the Administrator at Heritage Woods of Rockford, a 99-apartment affordable assisted living community that Gardant operates in Winnebago County, Illinois.
Jacki, along with the NCAL Assisted Living Nurse of the Year and the NCAL Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year, will be recognized at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida in October.
Love, Laughter and a Daily Kiss
Earlier this month, Carmen and Mary Siciliano celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary. The couple has lived at the Heritage Woods of Batavia affordable assisted living community that Gardant manages for the past nine years. Carmen, a veteran of World War II, has played his harmonica for residents on many occasions. Mary is a member of the community's Wii Bowling and Bean Bags teams.
A touching story in the Daily Herald newspaper highlighted what the couple says are the hallmarks of their marriage - Love, Laughter and a Daily Kiss. They also were recognized on the WGN Morning News.
Together Again
For another couple, the move to assisted living enabled them to celebrate their 68th Wedding Anniversary together again.
Is Dementia an Inevitable Outcome of Aging?
Genetics and lifestyle are two key factors in the risk of developing dementia. While you cannot change your genetics, research presented at the Alzheimer's Association's 2019 International Conference suggests that how you live your life can have a significant impact.
Another study suggests that socialization can have a profound impact on the risk of developing dementia because you are exercising memory and language skills when you are socially engaged.
A similar report by Health Day News highlights another research study that shows socializing helps ward of mental decline.
Two Gardant Communities Receive National Awards
Heritage Woods of Rockford and John Evans Supportive Living are among less than 100 assisted living communities nationwide to be selected for 2019 Bronze Quality Awards by the National Center for Assisted Living.
Wii Bowling and Trivia Champions Crowned
Following two days of semi-finals and finals at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois, the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition crowned the 2019 Wii Bowling and Trivia Contest Champions.
The Bowling Brooks from Heritage Woods of Bolingbrook finished in First Place in Wii Bowling, and two teams of residents from Cambridge House of O'Fallon took home Second and Third Place trophies and medals.
In the Trivia Contest, second place honors went to the team of residents from Deer Path of Huntley. The community serves adults with physical disabilities. Heritage Woods of Sterling finished in third place.
The Red Hot Trivia Peppers from Heritage Woods of South Elgin was recognized as having the most creative team name.
Health Savings Accounts and Medicare
CNBC
reports that a bill designed to improve Health Savings Accounts comes with a big downside for those on Medicare.
Gardant Community Named Top Assisted Living Provider
Gull Creek Senior Living has  once again been named the top assisted living provider by two Maryland publications. The community, which is located in historic Berlin, Maryland, features senior living, assisted living and memory care apartments.
Why is Where More Important than How?
In a recent blog, Rick Banas of Gardant asks why so many people place more stock on where they live as opposed to how they live. Why is the house more important than your health?
Is Senior Living the Best
Medicine?
A Mather LifeWays Age Well study suggests community living could be just what the doctor ordered for older adults.
Older Adults and Life Insurance
A recent investigative report on Pittsburgh's Channel 4 Action News suggests that many older adults may be paying too much for life insurance.
Music and Stress Relief
A report by Jack Quann posted on the newstalk.com website indicates that listening to music can help reduce stress and boost positive emotions, especially among older adults.
Three New Communities Open for Occupancy
Gardant recently opened three new communities in Indiana.
Heritage Woods of Noblesville opened in May and is located on E. 146th St., east of Indiana Hwy. 37. The community features 100 assisted living and 24 memory care apartments.
Hellenic Senior Living of Elkhart and Oasis at 56th opened in June.
Located on Bypass Road, west of Indiana Hwy. 19, Hellenic Senior Living is an AHEPA National Housing Corp. development that is designed to serve low-income older adults. The community features 136 assisted living apartments. Gardant also manages Hellenic assisted living communities in Indianapolis and New Albany.
Oasis at 56th is located west of Georgetown Road in northwest Indianapolis. The community features 124 assisted living apartments for older adults of all incomes, including those on or who would qualify for Medicaid. Gardant also manages Oasis at 30th on the east side of Indianapolis.
Celebrating Ten Years of Service
Two Gardant-managed communities recently held 10th Anniversary Parties.
Heritage Woods of Huntley held its celebration in July. The community, which is located in the northwest suburban area of Chicago, originally featured 72 assisted living apartments when it opened in 2009. An expansion was completed in 2017, with 30 memory care apartments and nine more assisted living apartments added to the campus. The memory care apartments at White Oaks at Heritage Woods of Huntley are specially designed to serve older adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
The community was presented with a plaque from Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass and the Huntley Village Board that thanked Heritage Woods for its dedication to providing residents with the Love, Compassion and Dignity they deserve in addition to the help and assistance they need.
Heritage Woods of South Elgin held its 10th Anniversary Celebration of Aug. 8. The community opened in the summer of 2009 and featured 142 affordable assisted living apartments that are certified to operate through the Illinois Supportive Living program. In 2012, the community was expanded, with the addition of 18 more assisted living apartments and 32 memory care apartments. White Oaks at South Elgin memory care is one of only five communities in Illinois that are certified by the Departments of Healthcare and Family Services to operate as a Supportive Living Memory Care community.
In 2017, the National Center for Assisted Living produced a touching video that highlighted how one couple living at Heritage Woods of South Elgin benefitted from the Supportive Living Program and having the affordable assisted living and memory care apartments on the same campus.
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| Chuck & Cathy: A Love Story |
Never Too Late to Start Exercising
New research suggests that it is never too late to start exercising. The benefits of regular exercise are numerous and can include lowering the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, says a story posted on the Medical News Today website.
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