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Experts say that exercising one’s mind and body at any age is beneficial for an individual’s health and helps lead to a longer and more vibrant life. Those are just some of the reasons why Presbyterian Village North is offering courses in April and May through Wellness University, a three-month program with 30 classes covering all aspects of wellness in a college course format. As part of the program and in honor of national Parkinson’s Awareness Month, the community will also raise awareness about Parkinson’s. According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not only healthy but is also a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and daily living activities.

 

“Residents at Presbyterian Village North lead very physically, emotionally and spiritually active lives, and I commend our entire team for coming up with new and interesting ways to keep older adults engaged and involved,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of Presbyterian Village North. “Wellness University is an extremely creative and comprehensive program that allows residents to choose their courses, get grades and even graduate. By combining well-researched physical, spiritual and nutritional components with a little fun, we end up with tremendous participation and fantastic results. I am looking forward to seeing what our residents accomplish during this year’s university on our campus, and I am thrilled that Parkinson’s awareness has been a part of the curriculum.”

 

Wellness University has been designed to help residents learn more about the five aspects of wellness: intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and vocational. Upon the start of the program, residents are asked to fill out a personal wellness checklist, which will help them analyze their current health state and outline areas that may need improvement. From there, the residents can gather an idea of what activities or programs they would like to partake in to help them reach new health goals.

 

Lisa Englander, independent life enrichment manager of Presbyterian Village North, has worked diligently to provide an array of wellness activities and outings that meet varying interests, while exposing residents to new things as well. The community recently held a Greek mixerso sorority and fraternity members could show off their memorabilia, enjoy happy hour and appetizers and reminisce about their college days and Greek life. They started canned food items for the North Texas Food Bank as part of this event and will deliver them in late May. There will also be cooking classes, like the Edible Cookie Dough course on Tuesday, May 19th at 3:00 p.m., to show how to make cookie dough that is safe to eat.

 

Other activities include social events like Yappy hours, historic tours and restaurant outings, games that maintain mental acuity like Mahjong and bingo, opportunities to create artwork including no-sew wreaths and mosaic crosses, devotionals covering different spiritual topics and effects on our lives, as well as tutorial classes designed to help residents with online banking, creative writing, genealogy, online shopping and iPads.

 

“Wellness is so much more than just eating the right things and exercising,” said Kelly. “We must be mindful of all the elements that contribute to feeling well and fulfilled. It is rewarding to hear how much the residents enjoy the programs, tutorials and health opportunities we present to them. Lisa and Shannon have put a lot of effort into planning activities, outings and educational opportunities that benefit the residents’ entire wellbeing. They do a wonderful job of providing a well-rounded experience to each resident within our community. It is a pleasure to see residents living such active, meaningful and healthy lifestyles. They are certainly an inspiration to us all.”

 

During the Parkinson’s clinic, physical therapist Paula Watson and speech-language pathologist Felicia Smith led a discussion on the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG and LSVT Loud programs. LSVT is one of the most widely practiced treatments for speech complications associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). It focuses on increasing vocal loudness and has an intensive approach of one month. LSVT BIG is a standardized treatment protocol that will teach you how to move to your full potential, help you to establish lifelong habits of BIG movement and empower you to improve your quality of life with everyday activities.

 

“We observe national holidays that raise awareness, participate in programs for seniors like Wellness University, Active Aging Week and Texercise, and we add new fitness classes to our regularly scheduled ones to allow residents the chance to try new things, build their knowledge of medical matters and develop healthy habits,” said Shannon Radford, wellness director for Presbyterian Village North. “Last year we tried out laughter yoga for a period of time, and now we are delving into kickboxing. This is the first year we have participated in Texercise and the third year we have participated in Wellness University. There’s always something to do at PVN. Our residents wake up every day and look at their wellness calendar, their activity calendar and special programs and try to narrow down what their day’s activities will entail.”

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Presbyterian Village North (PVN), a faith-based nonprofit continuing care retirement community, was recently recognized for the third year in a row on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 list of best senior-care communities in America. The ranking is based on evaluations and scores in three categories: state-conducted health inspections, how much time nurses spend with residents and the quality of medical care.

 

“We strive to enrich the lives of those we serve by extending exceptional care and services in a faith‐based culture. It is a privilege to receive this recognition from U.S. News and World Report, as it tells us we are successful in our mission,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of Presbyterian Village North. “It’s the little things our team members do every day to ensure they are following healthcare standards while simultaneously meeting the needs of our residents that have made this recognition possible. Our staff’s dedication to excellence and commitment to compassion help us achieve these kinds of accolades. We want to extend a special thank you to each and every team member at Presbyterian Village North for contributing to the wellness of our residents and the livelihood of our village.”

 

The data foundation for this ranking came from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in January 2015. A more in-depth rating and report is available online showcasing how PVN met health and safety standards for food preparation, National Fire Protection Association standards and other standards of nursing-home activities in the latest three state inspections.

 

“Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave us “above average” ratings in every category. We are very proud of that,” said Toni Walker, director of nursing at Presbyterian Village North. “Looking ahead to the future, we plan to focus our energy on developing programs that help progress our sub-acute care delivery model. We welcome and care for people who need varying levels of assistance, and we want to continue delivering the best care possible. By continually expanding our knowledge of evidence based best practices and current developments within that realm, we can stay focused on our mission of enriching the lives of those we serve.”

 

Presbyterian Village North hosts regular meetings called Moments that Matter, in which teammates share positive experiences and recognize people who have demonstrated outstanding acts of kindness that support PVN’s culture of uplifting those they serve. Recently a man in housekeeping was acknowledged by several team members for his devotion, his gentle spirit, his warmth and the compassion that he exudes when interacting with residents. Many noted that he was an inspiration to them. When approached with this positive feedback, he teared up and said, “I look at all of these residents, and I treat them as I treated my own mother when she was in my care. They deserve to be treated just like I treated my mother, with the very best care and utmost respect.”

 

“We were moved greatly by this man’s testimonial,” said Kelly. “It is imperative that we treat others the way we would want to be treated or the way we would want our loved ones to be treated. I recently had the privilege of speaking with the head of a local hospital network who has been involved with PVN since the development stages of the village more than 35 years ago. He relayed to me that it is truly amazing to see that the team at PVN is accomplishing the mission set from the very beginning by the community’s founders. We are still passionate about providing a full continuum of care, in an environment that supports dignity and well-being. That is a remarkable feeling.”

 

“Simply put, we are a ministry of people who are here to serve others,” said Godwin Dixon, president and CEO of Presbyterian Communities and Services. “We end every conversation with, ‘Is there anything else we can do to assist you?’ We do not want residents to feel like they are burdening us. We want them to feel secure in knowing that they can come to us with whatever their needs may be. This level of security lessens their anxiety and leaves them feeling more confident about their lives. Our goal is to go above and beyond in the quality of services we provide each and every day.”

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE NORTH

 

Presbyterian Village North, a Presbyterian Communities and Services community, is a faith-based nonprofit continuing care retirement community for active adults aged 62 or older offering independent living, assisted living, short-stay rehab services, skilled nursing and certified memory care. Nestled among 63 acres of wildflower gardens and putting greens in North Dallas, independent living residents may choose from executive homes, patio homes or garden apartments. Assisted living residents enjoy private apartments, and private and shared suites are offered for licensed nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, memory care and hospice care. Amenities include an 1,800- square-foot wellness center, computer center, billiards room, salon, meeting rooms, woodshop, library, business center, sewing center, pottery and craft center, fulltime chaplain and weekly worship services and a 250-seat performing arts center. In 2011, Presbyterian Village North opened the nation’s most innovative therapy pool, the HydroWorx 3500, with underwater treadmill, gait monitoring and massage jets, as part of its comprehensive wellness program. The retirement community was named one of the nation’s best for 2013, 2014 and 2015 by U.S. News & World Report and Medicare, which ranks it 5 star. For more information, please visit www.prescs.org.

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES  

 

Presbyterian Communities and Services, located in Dallas, is a faith-based nonprofit organization comprised of U.S. News & World Report-recognized continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)—Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North—and the leading hospice services of Faith Presbyterian Hospice. The organization fulfills its mission of empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest by providing a standard for excellence, premier training, quality services and compassionate care. With a 79-year shared legacy, Presbyterian Communities and Services was established in 2008 to join the two CCRCs and hospice organization. For additional information, please visit www.prescs.org.

 

Photos Courtesy of Presbyterian Village North

Photo 1: Presbyterian Village North

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An innovative program to enhance brain health, detect and treat the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia is connecting Presbyterian Village North (PVN) to Diana Kerwin, M.D., Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and cognitive disorders specialist. The partnership is focused on three goals: developing a community-wide brain health program to maintain well-being; implementing therapy programs to prevent and reduce the impact of memory loss; and conducting research to detect and treat early memory loss and preserve memory. PVN has appointed Dr. Kerwin, Medical Director of its memory care program, where she will oversee the care of residents in memory care, all clinical practices, cognitive therapy and memory care research. Dr. Kerwin completed her residency and fellowship training in geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. She is the founder of Texas Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders, a practice that offers patients access to advanced, innovative treatments and procedures for a range of cognitive disorders in adults.

 

“We feel privileged to welcome Dr. Kerwin to our team, and we are inspired by her passion to care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of PVN. “Our community is home to many active and independent seniors, but we also have some of the nation’s top rated care services available on the campus, including specialized care for those with memory challenges. Dr. Kerwin was involved in numerous memory care projects at PVN in 2014, so it seemed natural to have her lead the development of our new memory care programs. Prior to joining our team, Dr. Kerwin worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern University. Her experience in this field will help us deliver high-quality programs, conduct important research and impact lives.”

 

This year, PVN and Dr. Kerwin will begin offering a brain health program and memory assessments to all residents of the community. Opportunities for residents to participate in classes focused on ways to keep their brains healthy, such as memory training activities, physical activities, and guidance in selecting foods to maintain a healthy brain will be available. In addition, PVN will offer brain health assessments, during which Dr. Kerwin and fellow team members will determine if residents are having memory loss issues. Then, they will continue to monitor the state of their memories and help them maintain mental acuity.

 

“I am really excited to continue conducting research with PVN on cognitive disorders and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Kerwin. “We are making great strides and opening our research to families and residents who wish to help us develop clinical practices that will preserve memory, prevent memory loss and detect early signs of memory disorders. We have one study, a computerized test that detects early memory loss, which is already Institutional Review Board-approved. We will offer this test in the second quarter of this year, and anyone at PVN is welcome to participate. Our leadership team has a strong vision. I am grateful to be a part of this mission and help incorporate the best practices for maintaining brain health. We are all working toward providing the best possible quality of life to seniors in retirement.”

 

As the number of seniors living with Alzheimer’s is increasing, PVN saw a need to add to its existing Alzheimer’s program. In preparation for the new programs they will offer this year, PVN is adding 44 additional memory care assisted living apartments as part of $96 million expansion project that includes a state-of-the-art wellness center and new independent living, assisted living and transitional care apartments.

 

“We are eager to begin providing these services to all our residents to encourage brain health and help our seniors thrive and avoid many of the challenges that come with aging,” said Kelly. “With the new programs and the research we will be conducting, we will be able to develop comprehensive treatment plans for residents. All of our efforts aim to prevent cognitive and functional decline, with a special focus for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Once the expansion project is complete, we can offer these services to even more seniors in the Dallas area. We are working hard to achieve the goals we have set to benefit our residents and provide exemplary care to them all.”

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To make their New Year’s resolutions worthwhile, residents at Presbyterian Village North, a nonprofit senior living community in Dallas, signed up for Texercise, a 12-week statewide health promotion program of the Texas government. Texercise encourages individuals and communities to incorporate additional healthy lifestyle habits such as physical activity and improved nutrition into their daily routines. The program started in January and more than 60 residents signed up. To celebrate the completion of program, Presbyterian Village North will host a big party with a fun walk and a delicious breakfast on April 1st at 9:15 a.m. They are calling it “Any Way Any K,” meaning that residents can complete any number of kilometers, by running or walking, to celebrate their fitness achievements.

 

“It is imperative to exercise throughout your entire life, even in retirement,” said Radford. “According to the National Institute on Aging, staying active as you get older can help you keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent, increase energy and improve balance. In addition, physical activity can prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis and reduce depression. We were excited to extend this opportunity to our residents to help them enhance their healthy fitness habits and learn more about all aspects of wellness. This program is excellent because it will give them goals to work toward with the support of neighbors and friends.”

 

The program included new fitness classes, educational activities and social events. Shannon Radford, wellness director at Presbyterian Village North (PVN), lead the program and tailored it to the needs and interests of residents at the senior living community. Two new classes initiated by Texercise are “Tex for 20,” which combines 20 minutes of physical activity followed by a discussion on health, and “Fit for the Health of It,” an educational series featuring informative topics covering heart health, stress management, nutrition, exercise and more. The community also introduced new classes such as a Pilates mat class, “De-Stress Yoga” and “Relax and Unwind,” a class focusing on visualization, aromatherapy and quieting the mind and continued to offer its regularly scheduled classes.

 

“All participants have received incentives for partaking in the exercise and educational classes,” said Radford. “The State of Texas provides pedometers, t-shirts, water bottles, exercise kits and more to older adults as they reach goals they have set throughout the course of Texercise. Residents signed pledges at the beginning of the program stating their desired fitness goals. This pledge served as a daily reminder of their commitment. We are excited to celebrate everyone’s fitness achievements at the Any Way Any K fun walk. We will continue the festivities after the walk and welcome everyone back with a hearty breakfast.”

 

“We were delighted to participate in a program that is sure to change the lives of older adults all over Texas. Wellness is a huge component of the amenities offered at Presbyterian Village North,” said Ron Kelly, executive director at PVN. “We recently broke ground on an expansion project that will feature a new lifestyle fitness center. It will be the jewel of the campus, offering an additional swimming pool, Jacuzzi spa, locker rooms and an expansion of the group exercise area.  This building will have a spa suitable for massages and other spa-like activities, a clinic for physicians and other clinicians and a café that will boast a light and healthy menu. The new lifestyle fitness center is expected to open in 2016. Our team works diligently to provide the best wellness amenities and programs in North Dallas.”

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For independent living and assisted living residents at Presbyterian Village North, Easter is a time to give back to children and show their appreciation for people who make a positive difference in the lives of others. This year, PVN residents will host stuffing parties during which residents will stuff more than 1,000 Easter eggs to benefit the children of Dallas firefighters, children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters and fellow seniors at their community. Additionally, a crafty group at the senior living community will meet to make “no sew” Easter themed wreaths for healthcare residents to enjoy.

 

“I participated in two of the stuffing parties last year and we had a myriad of residents show up to help fill the eggs with candy,” said Agnes Mockovciak, a resident at Joyce Hall, Presbyterian Village North’s assisted living residence. “It is heartwarming to see that many people come together to provide a fun event to our firefighters’ families and to help children who are in need of a little extra love and care. Easter has always been a blessed day, and I believe the Lord is happy seeing us working together to spread His love and goodness into the hearts of these little children. I never participated in a charity Easter egg hunt prior to living at Presbyterian Village North. It’s a wonderful idea and PVN provides everything we need to make this event happen. I’ll be participating in the two stuffing parties this year and hope to attend the hunt for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  It makes me so happy to think of all the kids running around enthusiastically with big smiles on their faces, so I don’t mind setting aside my time to do this.”

 

Assisted living residents of Presbyterian Village North’s Joyce Hall stuffed more than 500 vibrantly colored Easter eggs with a delicious array of candy on March 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Dallas Fire Department Auxiliary, who is putting on the Easter event for firefighters’ families. Other groups and organizations will also stuff eggs and provide special prizes and food on behalf of the Firefighters auxiliary. This Easter egg hunt will take place at the Dolphin Training Center on March 28. There will more than 300 children present to partake in the festivities.

 

Joyce Hall residents met again on March 23rd from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to stuff another 500 eggs for the Easter egg hunt at New Mt. Zion Church as well as an Easter egg hunt that will be held at PVN for children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has paired children with some of the residents, and they visit once a week. PVN picks them up from Hamilton Park Pacesetter School, and the seniors spend about 45 minutes with them.  PVN will host a special party with an egg hunt, games and refreshments for the residents and children on April 1st. During the stuffing parties, additional eggs will be stuffed for PVN residents to enjoy on Easter Sunday.

 

Independent living residents also made no sew wreaths for others to enjoy as well. The group met on March 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to assemble the creative wreaths. The wreaths will be delivered on March 30 and 31.

 

“Easter is more than just candy and egg hunts; it is about coming together for a time of fellowship, a time to commemorate that Jesus has risen, and to make a positive impact on those around us by serving them through acts of kindness,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of Presbyterian Village North. “In addition to the volunteer work, we have a sunrise devotional planned, a special Easter service at our church and an Easter brunch scheduled for Sunday morning. I’m proud to incorporate the faith-based culture in our Easter celebrations and community volunteer work. Our goal is to empower our residents to help make a difference in the lives of others and provide spiritual wellness to all of the faiths here at Presbyterian Village North. Many residents have expressed that they feel fulfilled when they use their time to give back to their community and those in need. We all want to wish everyone a very happy Easter holiday.”

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Many say that love finds you when you least expect it, and Pat and Noel Pittman, residents of Presbyterian Village North (PVN), know firsthand that it’s true. They grew up together, their parents knew each other, and the two went to school together all the way from elementary school to high school.  They went to the same church and frequented the same hangouts all through their school years, but they ultimately parted ways and lived separate lives. Both Pat and Noel married, had children, moved to different states and eventually came back to Texas. They were both widowed when a mutual friend reestablished contact between the two in 2008. Noel was living at PVN, and Pat had a house in Bedford when they decided to meet for coffee. Little did they know that the coffee date would soon lead to marriage, and that this year, they would celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary.

 

“A mutual friend who was my best friend and one of Pat’s bridesmaids reached out to both of us in 2008, asking if we remembered each other and if we would be interested in meeting,” said Noel. “We both expressed interest and set up our first date in Bedford where we met for coffee that November. It was a little awkward at first, seeing as we hadn’t seen each other in more than 50 years, but conversation came pretty easily after a few minutes and we picked up right where we left off.”

 

“If I had run into Noel prior to our coffee date, I would not have known who he was after all those years,” said Pat. “We have both changed quite a bit in appearance, but our personalities are very much the same. We hit it off immediately, due to our background and common core. After that initial meeting, we started meeting up in Grapevine for movies and sandwiches. The first time I asked Noel to meet me in Grapevine, we couldn’t find each other! After waiting for several minutes, I called him to see where he was, and he said that he was right out front, and I said that I was right out front, too. Then we figured out that he was at the wrong theater. I’ll never forget, during one of those first few movie outings, when Noel grabbed my hand for the first time. I felt butterflies that I hadn’t felt in years. It was like I was floating.”

 

Neither Pat nor Noel was looking for love or had even thought about the possibility of finding it after their spouses had passed away. It caught them both off guard and swept them away. One Sunday, after attending a play, Noel suggested taking Pat to La Kostas on lower Greenville, where they had a lovely dinner. At the end of the evening, Noel pulled out a ring and proposed to Pat, who gladly accepted his proposal. Noel had talked to his children prior to proposing, and they were fully supportive of the marriage. Knowing he had their support and love made him feel grateful.

 

“We were married in Pat’s church, Hurst Christian Church, on July 18, 2009,” said Noel. “Pat has been supportive of me and has created a loving home for us both at PVN. She moved to the Village after the wedding, and we have been happily involved in our community ever since. I am the president of the resident council, and she devotes time to volunteering at the Village pantry and participates in a sewing group that makes handmade items for charity. Last year, her group donated more than 5,000 blankets, baby booties and hats, dolls, animals and more to people in need. I’m really proud of her work. We both sing in our church choir and tutor at Stults Road Elementary School as well. We both take great pleasure in giving back to our community.”

 

“I love the fact that Noel loves God like I do, and I think that common faith and values have brought us closer together,” said Pat. “We find joy in giving back to others, respect each other and have a beautiful marriage because of this shared faith. For Valentine’s Day, we plan to attend a special party at our church and have fellowship with our friends. Love is a funny thing. If you’re lucky, it will find you when you least expect it. You don’t have to go seeking it. Focus on yourself, and when you radiate the happiness that comes from being content with who you are, someone will notice your happiness and it will be contagious to them.”

 

Pat and Noel will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary this year and plan to go on a river cruise to celebrate. They both love music and traveling, so they thought this would combine their two passions to make for a very special trip. As for advice to give other couples, the Pittmans suggest that people do not sweat the small stuff and focus their energy on the bigger, more important issues, milestones and challenges. They also say you cannot stop giving 100 percent in a marriage, so always plan on putting in your all.

 

“The Pittmans are proof that it is never too late to find love,” said Ron Kelly, executive director at Presbyterian Village North. “We love hearing the residents’ stories, as each one is unique and filled with special memories. Whether they have been married for five years or fifty, the tales of love are always inspiring and heartwarming. We hope that all of our residents have an extraordinary Valentine’s Day and get to spend it with those they love the most.”

 

Photos courtesy of Presbyterian Village North

Photo 1: Noel and Pat Pittman, residents of Presbyterian Village North, enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with fellow residents at the community.

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Residents at Presbyterian Village North (PVN) and Grace Presbyterian Village (GPV) put on their dancing shoes and started their New Year off with a special lunch and a line dancing showcase in PVN’s McGowan Auditorium. Determined to try something new and stay active, the residents participated in weekly line dancing classes every Thursday afternoon in preparation for the big event. After the showcase, residents from both communities learned a dance routine together and had the opportunity to practice everything they had learned. It was a time of camaraderie that encouraged socialization, active aging and showcased the benefit of keeping your mind sharp by learning new things. Staying active helps seniors age gracefully, and exposing themselves to new learning experiences exercises their minds as well. Presbyterian Village North and Grace Presbyterian Village look for varying ways to engage residents in activities that encourage wellness. According to the National Institute on Aging, physical activity in older adults provides benefits like improved balance, well-being and cognitive functions.

 

Presbyterian Village North, a Presbyterian Communities and Services community, is a faith-based nonprofit continuing care retirement community for active adults aged 62 or older offering independent living, assisted living, short-stay rehab services, skilled nursing and certified memory care. Nestled among 63 acres of wildflower gardens and putting greens in North Dallas, independent living residents may choose from executive homes, patio homes or garden apartments. Assisted living residents enjoy private apartments, and private and shared suites are offered for licensed nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, memory care and hospice care. Amenities include an 1,800- square-foot wellness center, computer center, billiards room, salon, meeting rooms, woodshop, library, business center, sewing center, pottery and craft center, fulltime chaplain and weekly worship services and a 250-seat performing arts center. In 2011, Presbyterian Village North opened the nation’s most innovative therapy pool, the HydroWorx 3500, with underwater treadmill, gait monitoring and massage jets, as part of its comprehensive wellness program. The retirement community was named one of the nation’s best for 2013 and 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Medicare, which ranks it 5 star. For more information, please visit www.prescs.org.

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To make their New Year’s resolutions worthwhile, residents at Presbyterian Village North, a nonprofit senior living community in Dallas, are partaking in Texercise, a 12-week statewide health promotion program of the Texas government. Texercise encourages individuals and communities to incorporate additional healthy lifestyle habits such as physical activity and improved nutrition into their daily routines. The program starts this month and more than 60 residents have already signed up. Texercise not only encourages activity in older Texans, it also provides educational sessions on physical health and nutrition. The program will include new fitness classes, educational activities and social events. Shannon Radford, wellness director at Presbyterian Village North (PVN), will lead the program and has tailored it to the needs and interests of residents at the senior living community.

 

“It is imperative to exercise throughout your entire life, even in retirement,” said Radford. “According to the National Institute on Aging, staying active as you get older can help you keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent, increase energy and improve balance. In addition, physical activity can prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis and reduce depression. We are excited to extend this opportunity to our residents to help them enhance their healthy fitness habits and learn more about all aspects of wellness. This program is excellent because it will give them goals to work toward with the support of neighbors and friends.”

 

Radford worked with fellow team members at PVN to develop the program. Two new classes initiated by Texercise are “Tex for 20,” which combines 20 minutes of physical activity followed by a discussion on health, and “Fit for the Health of It,” an educational series featuring informative topics covering heart health, stress management, nutrition, exercise and more. The community is introducing new classes such as a Pilates mat class, “De-Stress Yoga” and “Relax and Unwind,” a class focusing on visualization, aromatherapy and quieting the mind and will also continue to offer its regularly scheduled classes.

 

“All participants will receive incentives for partaking in the exercise and educational classes,” said Radford. “The State of Texas provides pedometers, t-shirts, water bottles, exercise kits and more to older adults as they reach goals they have set throughout the course of Texercise. Residents will sign a pledge at the beginning stating their desired fitness goals. This pledge will serve as a daily reminder of their commitment. To celebrate the completion of program, we will host a big party with a fun walk, band and refreshments. We are calling it “Any Way Any K,” meaning that residents can complete any number of kilometers, by running or walking, to celebrate their fitness achievements.”

 

“We are delighted to participate in a program that is sure to change the lives of older adults all over Texas. Wellness is a huge component of the amenities offered at Presbyterian Village North,” said Ron Kelly, executive director at PVN. “We recently broke ground on an expansion project that will feature a new lifestyle fitness center. It will be the jewel of the campus, offering an additional swimming pool, Jacuzzi spa, locker rooms and an expansion of the group exercise area.  This building will have a spa suitable for massages and other spa-like activities, a clinic for physicians and other clinicians and a café that will boast a light and healthy menu. The new lifestyle fitness center is expected to open in 2016. Our team works diligently to provide the best wellness amenities and programs in North Dallas.”

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE NORTH

 

Presbyterian Village North, a Presbyterian Communities and Services community, is a faith-based nonprofit continuing care retirement community for active adults aged 62 or older offering independent living, assisted living, short-stay rehab services, skilled nursing and certified memory care. Nestled among 63 acres of wildflower gardens and putting greens in North Dallas, independent living residents may choose from executive homes, patio homes or garden apartments. Assisted living residents enjoy private apartments, and private and shared suites are offered for licensed nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, memory care and hospice care. Amenities include an 1,800- square-foot wellness center, computer center, billiards room, salon, meeting rooms, woodshop, library, business center, sewing center, pottery and craft center, fulltime chaplain and weekly worship services and a 250-seat performing arts center. In 2011, Presbyterian Village North opened the nation’s most innovative therapy pool, the HydroWorx 3500, with underwater treadmill, gait monitoring and massage jets, as part of its comprehensive wellness program. The retirement community was named one of the nation’s best for 2013 and 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Medicare, which ranks it 5 star. For more information, please visit www.prescs.org.

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES  

 

Presbyterian Communities and Services, located in Dallas, is a faith-based nonprofit organization comprised of U.S. News & World Report-recognized continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)—Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North—and the leading hospice services of Faith Presbyterian Hospice. The organization fulfills its mission of empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest by providing a standard for excellence, premier training, quality services and compassionate care. With a 79-year shared legacy, Presbyterian Communities and Services was established in 2008 to join the two CCRCs and hospice organization. For additional information, please visit www.prescs.org. 

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To stay current on events, share experiences of a lifetime, build camaraderie and expand knowledge, about 40 residents at Presbyterian Village North (PVN) participate in a weekly group, the Men’s Kaffee Klatch. Joe Nall, a resident at PVN, has been facilitating the meetings for the last six years. He books speakers for each meeting and helps lead discussions. A resident started the group more than 30 years ago, and the group continues to meet every Thursday at 7:45 a.m. for breakfast, coffee and a weekly discussion and speaker. The residents learn about new topics, ask a variety of questions and form long-lasting friendships.

 

“The meeting format is much like that of a civic club,” said Nall. “We have a jester who cracks jokes during the meetings to lighten up the group, and each week we have a new guest speaker. Some of the topics are serious and others are more lighthearted. During my time as facilitator, I have booked lawyers, doctors, architects, missionaries, preachers, chaplains, authors and others. I have a background in city government and civil engineering, so I book a lot of speakers that pertain to those topics, such as the assistant city manager of Frisco who discussed Frisco’s growth, the D/FW engineers who focused on public works projects, our city councilman and a state senator.”

 

Nall reads the newspaper to look for ideas for guest speakers. If he can get their telephone numbers, he will give them a call to see if they are interested in coming to speak to the group. Other times, a group member has a lead or mentions that he knows someone, so Nall will have him try to get that person booked. Nall also has a friend who is an electrical engineering professor at SMU and sends him recommendations of speakers who have visited his class. Some meetings are full of special traditions, like the meeting before Christmas, when Santa Claus made a special visit, and a local doctor played Christmas melodies on his saxophone.

 

“The best part of the meetings is building camaraderie with our neighbors and friends,” said Nall. “After so many meetings you know just about everybody, and it’s nice to hear what they have been up to and catch up. One of the most memorable meetings for me was when a fellow resident came to share a humble presentation that was full of his life experiences. He was George Patton’s doctor and apparently did a lot of hitchhiking in his youth. One time he was picked up by Bonnie and Clyde in Louisiana! His stories were both thrilling and unbelievable.”

 

When a new member joins the group or a new staff member joins PVN, Nall will ask that they share a mini bio about themselves so the group can get to know them. Coming up, Nall has scheduled a visit from PVN’s new dining services director, as well as a doctor who will speak on prostate health. About 30 to 40 male residents from independent living attend the meetings each Thursday.

 

“We love seeing residents leading social groups and developing engaging activities,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of Presbyterian Village North. “It is heartwarming to see these special friendships forming and to hear the banter and stories that come from the meetings. The Men’s Kaffee Klatch Group is one of many activities and groups available to residents at Presbyterian Village North. Our goal is to provide an engaging environment full of interesting options, and this is just one example of a special, meaningful activity that our residents look forward to each week.”

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE NORTH

 

Presbyterian Village North, a Presbyterian Communities and Services community, is a faith-based nonprofit continuing care retirement community for active adults aged 62 or older offering independent living, assisted living, short-stay rehab services, skilled nursing and certified memory care. Nestled among 63 acres of wildflower gardens and putting greens in North Dallas, independent living residents may choose from executive homes, patio homes or garden apartments. Assisted living residents enjoy private apartments, and private and shared suites are offered for licensed nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, memory care and hospice care. Amenities include an 1,800- square-foot wellness center, computer center, billiards room, salon, meeting rooms, woodshop, library, business center, sewing center, pottery and craft center, fulltime chaplain and weekly worship services and a 250-seat performing arts center. In 2011, Presbyterian Village North opened the nation’s most innovative therapy pool, the HydroWorx 3500, with underwater treadmill, gait monitoring and massage jets, as part of its comprehensive wellness program. The retirement community was named one of the nation’s best for 2013 and 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Medicare, which ranks it 5 star. For more information, please visit www.prescs.org.

 

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES  

 

Presbyterian Communities and Services, located in Dallas, is a faith-based nonprofit organization comprised of U.S. News & World Report-recognized continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)—Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North—and the leading hospice services of Faith Presbyterian Hospice. The organization fulfills its mission of empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest by providing a standard for excellence, premier training, quality services and compassionate care. With a 79-year shared legacy, Presbyterian Communities and Services was established in 2008 to join the two CCRCs and hospice organization. For additional information, please visit www.prescs.org.