Executive Chef Shares How To Make Healthy Eating Easy (and Fun)!

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

Executive Chef at The Village at Penn State

Chef Craig serving up delicious (and nutritious) food at The Village

Who says healthy eating has to be boring?

Executive Chef, Craig Hamilton, from The Village at Penn State takes the bland out of healthy and replaces it with flavor, comfort, and joy. When people eat the food that Chef Craig and his team at The Village cook, their taste buds thank them, and so does their health.

“An apple a day…” The benefits of healthy eating

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce your risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

Here are additional ways a nutritious diet can benefit your health

Eating a diet rich in high-fiber foods may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Eating foods rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for kidney stones as well as decreasing bone loss.
Reducing your sodium intake may help control or improve certain medical conditions like kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The way we eat affects our health in a variety of ways. When we don’t get the proper nutrients in our diets, our bodies suffer the consequences.

To find out what nutrients you should be getting in your diet read our blog post on proper nutrition by clicking here!

Chef Craig’s healthy eating tips are simple: fresh is best.

Healthy eating for Chef Craig has never been difficult. His leading recommendation for anyone looking to eat a healthy diet is to

Eat whole, fresh ingredients
Eat nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and beans
Try to stay away from foods high in sodium and sugar
Keep processed foods to a minimum
Stay away from fast food
Ask your doctor about the nutrients you should be getting from your diet
Always consult your doctor before changing your diet

“I’ll take fresh and local any day,” Chef Craig states adding that residents will agree. Chef Craig’s tips for healthy eating consist of staying away from processed foods, keeping sugar and salt to a minimum, and avoiding too many heavy carbohydrates. He recommends eating whole, fresh foods as these generally contain the most nutrients.

Chef Craig certainly has a passion for food and healthy eating, but when asked what he enjoys most about his job he responds, “The residents. They push me to be a better chef overall.”

Executive Chef Craig serves up something special for you and your health

For Chef Craig, good food has always been his passion. Growing up in the kitchen cooking beside his mother and grandmother, it’s no surprise he saw a future in the culinary world. Now, his career as an Executive Chef at The Village is more rewarding than ever.

“I’ve been with The Village since day one, nearly 15 years,” he says. Chef Craig explains that The Village offers a wide range of menu items, serving everything from fine dining, to comfort food, and any recipe their residents know and love. Plus, they always keep the health needs of residents in mind.

“Serving healthy foods is very big for us when we create our menus,” Chef Craig explains. Whether it’s adjusting the menu every night, or making last minute changes, if residents at The Village request it, Chef Craig and his team do everything they can to accommodate their health and nutrition needs.

To see what’s cooking at The Village and discover more excitement behind this university-based retirement community, click here to visit their website.

What is Skilled Nursing and Is It Right For You?

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

At times our health can feel more unpredictable than life itself. Knowing that help will be there for you when you need it, especially when something goes wrong, provides peace of mind that is simply irreplaceable.

Skilled nursing care helps provide peace of mind for older adults through the times they need it most. Skilled nursing care offers the same professional support and medical resources you’d receive in hospitals within the comfort of your retirement community. Providing round-the-clock care for individuals whenever they may need it, this level of care empowers older adults to maintain their health and live comfortably with independence and fulfillment.

What does skilled nursing mean?

Skilled nursing: a healthcare center with full-time registered nurses and doctors on staff, providing nursing care 24 hours a day. Skilled nursing facilities also have places to store and dispense medication properly.

The Village at Penn State with Nittany Lion

Residents at The Village love the Nittany Lion!

The care provided by skilled nursing facilities can be short-term or long-term depending on your unique healthcare needs. The Village at Penn State and Paul’s Run, two of Liberty Lutheran’s vibrant retirement communities, offer both long-term and short-term skilled nursing care.

Skilled nursing facilities offer a wide range of services including

Occupational, physical, and speech therapy
Basic nursing care:
- medication management
- assistance with activities of daily life
- 24 hour medical supervision

Is skilled nursing right for you or your loved one?

This is an important question to ask, understanding whether or not skilled nursing is the right level of care for you depends on the type of assistance you or your loved one needs. Skilled nursing is often the most complete level of care for people who’ve experienced an injury or illness that requires medical attention they can’t provide for themselves.

Additionally, with certified medical staff present 24 hours a day at Liberty’s skilled nursing communities, individuals who need assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and/or dining, experience the comfort and peace of mind from skilled nursing services in knowing that assistance is there when they need it. With skilled nursing care at The Village and Paul’s Run, not only are you certain that help will be there, but that the care you receive is from staff who truly care about your health and happiness.

Experience the excitement of university-based skilled nursing care at The Village at Penn State

The Village at Penn State’s skilled nursing neighborhood offers residents a setting that’s equally nurturing and comfortable as it is engaging. A private garden courtyard, lounge, beauty salon, barbershop, and a private chapel are among the many amenities that make residents and their families feel the excitement of university-based retirement communities.

The Village at Penn State dining services

Chefs at The Village preparing delicious AND nutritious meals

Services and staff include

Licensed nurses
Certified nursing assistants
Social worker
Physical, occupational, and speech therapists
Assistance with bathing, dressing, dining, and other activities of daily life
Medication supervision
Fully-furnished private rooms
Chef-prepared meals served three times every day

Within the skilled nursing neighborhood at The Village, you’ll find fully furnished private rooms and warm-hearted care at The Atrium, their vibrant Health Care Center. Their reputable team includes licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, a social worker and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Support includes help with bathing, dressing, dining, and medication supervision. Residents and family enjoy delicious meals served daily by The Village’s staff of chefs who balance fresh taste with great nutrition.

Enjoy independence with resident-centered skilled nursing care at Paul’s Run

“I love this place. For a guy like me Paul’s Run is second to none. The people that work here make this place. They give you love and affection and are all very caring and compassionate.” — Skilled Nursing resident

Paul's Run residents and Eagles cheerleaders

Paul’s Run residents rallying their Philly spirit with The Eagles cheerleaders

Resident-centered skilled nursing care at Paul’s Run consists of a highly-trained team of staff who provide individualized care plans while encouraging the highest levels of independence. With professional nurses and therapists providing 24-hour medical supervision and on-going health assessments, the residents of Paul’s Run don’t just understand that help is available, they feel that they are truly cared for.

Paul’s Run has and continues to earn reputable rankings for their outstanding skilled nursing care. Additionally, the community is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report, and is newly recognized on the publication’s most recent list for Best Nursing Homes, Short-Stay Rehabilitation.

What is resident-centered care?

The goal of resident-centered care is to nurture each person’s dignity and independence. Paul’s Run creates a community built around residents’ preferences. With numerous recreational and religious activities, residents are encouraged to participate in all the community has to offer while having the freedom to make their own decisions on what they do each and every day.

Still not sure if skilled nursing care is right for you or your loved one?

The skilled nursing facilities at Liberty Lutheran’s CCRCs offer a level of care that provides medical assistance for older adults whenever they may need it. With licensed medical staff available 24 hours a day, you can be certain they’re receiving warm-hearted care in a vibrant community that engages and supports them fully. To experience more of the skilled nursing care offered at Paul’s Run visit their website here or see what skilled nursing at The Village at Penn State has to offer you by clicking here.

Wondering the difference between skilled nursing and independent living? Read our blog post about independent living to find out!

Discovering Recipes for Healthy Living at WPSCC

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

When Qussie Murphy retired two years ago, she saw a new opportunity to become more active and dedicated to improving her health and well being.

“I didn’t want to just stay home, cook, eat, and watch TV,” Qussie shares. “I wanted retirement to be fun. At first, I visited another senior center, and I just didn’t feel like it was the right place for me. It was very low key. When I went to the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center it was a whole different experience. People were welcoming and active. There was music playing and people dancing. It was exciting.”

Combining favorite pastimes with healthy lifestyles at WPSCC

Among the many programs that attracted Qussie was the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI). Within a classroom setting, AUNI helps members build dietary habits that promote healthy lifestyles. For Quissie it also provided an outlet for one of her favorite pastimes – cooking.

“I love to cook. I never have a chair in the class. I’m usually one of the people up there with the instructor, helping to prepare ingredients or cook the food,” Qussie said. “When I started the class, it was only offered on Mondays. However, it was so well attended that the instructors felt that they needed to expand. At one point there were 45 or more people coming. So now we offer the class on Mondays and Wednesdays.”

No tears here! Members at WPSCC smiling while learning how to cook healthy recipes.

As one of the programs most active participants, Qussie has used the information she has learned to help her on her own journey to improved health and wellness.

WPSCC helps Qussie achieve major weight loss, and big health gains

“My interest in eating better started about two years ago, around the same time I joined the Center. I didn’t always eat a healthy diet, but now, in part thanks to the Center, I’m very conscious about what I eat,” Qussie notes.

“I am very happy to share that in two years, I have gone from weighing around 225 pounds to a current weight of around 147 pounds. I feel better and I feel energized. The food we eat is fuel, and now I’m proud to be fueling my body with the right stuff.”

Every day, the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center makes a significant and meaningful impact for older adults in West Philadelphia by providing programs that educate, empower, and enrich lives. These programs have never been more important.

“At the Center, our goal is to add years to people’s lives,” says Helen Rayon, the health and wellness coordinator for the Center. “The programs we offer, like AUNI, help prevent major health issues, highlight resources for healthy living, and truly transform lives. We are always ready to help someone improve their health, and it’s wonderful to watch their journey.”

5 Tips from Personal Trainers on Weight Loss for Older Adults

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

The Becoming Center exercise physiologist Kiley

Exercise Physiologist at The Becoming Center, Kiley Sharp

The Becoming Center is more than just a place where individuals come to reach their health and fitness goals, it is the core of motivation for people striving to feel strong, and discover the endless possibilities of living well. An outstanding wellness center located in Montgomery County, The Becoming Center is home to exercise physiologists, personal trainers, and nutritionists who create personalized health and exercise programs on a daily basis. Today, they’re sharing their secrets on how older adults can lead a healthy lifestyle, lose weight, and live well.

Why does it feel so difficult for older adults to lose weight?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015-2016 the prevalence of obesity was higher among adults ages 60 and older than it was in younger adults ages 20 to 39. With older adults representing approximately 41 percent of the obese population in America, and individuals ages 20 to 39 representing just 35 percent, the question isn’t whether or not obesity is more common among this population, it’s why.

Common reasons adults ages 60 and over struggle with weight loss and weight management

Slowing down of metabolism
Decreased exercise due to health issues
Poor nutrition due to changes in physical activity
Muscle loss due to lack of exercise

Exercise Physiologist at The Becoming Center, Kiley Sharp, says, “Several things change in the body with age, including metabolism slowing down and typically several health issues and concerns. As individuals age, it is not uncommon for health problems to surface, which can often make exercise and nutrition difficult to maintain and keep up with.” To stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight, older adults must navigate these new challenges, and The Becoming Center personal trainers are spilling their secrets.

1. Find a fitness routine you actually enjoy doing!

If you’re trying to lose weight, exercise will certainly help. But the key to making physical fitness more routine is making it feel fun, not dreadful. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, only 35-44 percent of adults 75 years or older are physically active. And more than 80 percent of adults do not meet the national guidelines for physical activity. These numbers are certainly concerning, and they likely say a lot about how Americans feel about exercise overall.

Exercise physiologist, Kiley has a simple recommendation, “Every individual’s body is different and what it really comes down to is finding something that is effective for that person and also finding something that they enjoy and are likely to stick to!” Kiley says, revealing in her opinion a key component to creating effective fitness routines.

Director of The Becoming Center and personal trainer, Anthony Byers, enjoying exercise with members

2. Balance cardio and strength training

It’s an accomplishment to successfully fit exercise into your day-to-day. However, if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s important to know what kinds of exercise will be most effective in relation to your fitness goals. Kiley, who works with many older adults says, “With clients, I have found that a balance between cardiovascular exercise and resistance/weight training seems to be the most successful way to lose weight.” Recommending variation and balance, Kiley advises many of her older adult clients that focusing on both muscle building and cardio is more beneficial than simply focusing on one or the other.

According to Dr. Medha Munshi, geriatrician and endocrinologist at Beth Isareal Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, muscles use up more calories than fat, so the less muscle mass you have, the slower your metabolism will typically be. As a result, the slower your metabolism is, the fewer calories you will need. This is why a balanced fitness routine of both weight training and cardio is so important to burn calories and build muscle simultaneously.

3. Don’t forget about nutrition.

Exercise is certainly important when you’re trying to lose weight, but equally important is the nutrition you pair alongside it. Diet along with exercise is what will make your weight loss efforts most effective. According to Dr. Holly Lofton, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of the weight management program at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, to lose one pound each week from exercise alone (without dieting), you’d have to run 10 miles every day. As unrealistic as that is for the average human, it demonstrates the need to balance both fitness and nutrition for optimal weight loss.

4. If struggling with health issues, make safety your priority

While health issues can often make exercise difficult for older adults, personal trainers at The Becoming Center strive to help members reach their fitness goals through safe and effective exercises. “At The Becoming Center, our main priority is safety,” Kiley says emphasizing that even with health issues, it’s possible to maintain your physical activity and weight.

“A large concern some of our members face, is that many of them have either never exercised or have not exercised in a long time due to outside factors such as health issues or time constraints. It is very important for us to ensure that everyone here is doing what’s best for them and that they are doing these exercises safely and effectively.”

Water Aerobics class at The Becoming Center’s therapeutic pool

5. Accountability!

Kiley says a challenge many of her clients at The Becoming Center face is accountability. “Typically when exercising alone, it is difficult to hold yourself accountable and it’s common for a person to plateau or even regress and stop their routine.” Kiley says this is why personal training is so important for the older population. “It helps to ensure that individuals are keeping their schedule and working toward their goals with someone that can hold them accountable.” While it can be difficult to find motivation to exercise on your own, if someone else depends on you, particularly a personal trainer, it makes motivation a little easier.

At The Becoming Center, personal trainers like Kiley work with members to create customized fitness routines that accommodate your health needs in a safe and effective way. Training sessions can range from strength exercises, to balance, to stretching, and more. With a diverse array of programs and established team of personal trainers, exercise physiologists, and nutritionists, The Becoming Center helps adults of all ages become stronger and healthier every day. Click here to visit their website and see how they can help you reach your nutrition and fitness goals.

Bringing Smiles and Youth to The Village at Penn State

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

On Sundays, residents at The Village at Penn State are greeted warmly at the omelet station by Ali Dajani. While making their favorite omelet, he talks with each one about whatever’s on their mind. That’s usually the previous day’s football game (or not depending on how well Penn State played).

Chef Craig and Ali serving smiles at The Village

The Village and the SCAHS Work Experience Program

Ali began working at The Village through a program called the State College Area High School (SCAHS) Work Experience Program. The Village first learned about the program several years ago when another employee who attended SCAHS realized that, with the hours she was working, she could qualify for the program.

The program is a win/win for SCAHS and The Village. “At the time, we were struggling to hire enough employees to cover dining services,” shares Duane Leitzell, Director of Dining Services. “For high school students, this is often their first job. Since we’re in hospitality, we hire smiles and look at how a person interacts with people. We can teach them everything else they need to do the job well.”

In the 2017-2018 school year, SCAHS awarded The Village with their Employer of the Year Award. The program has done so well that last year The Village hired five students.

Pursuing passion at The Village

For students like Ali, they not only get the work experience, but many develop a love for the industry and pursue a career in hospitality and culinary arts. Ali is currently a freshman at Penn State majoring in hospitality management. He has aspirations of continuing on to culinary art school.

“I love being able to do something that I’m passionate about,” expresses Ali. “With the SCAHS program, I could take what I was learning in the classroom and put it into practice at The Village. And Chef Craig has been a great mentor.”

Executive Chef Craig Hamilton adds, “It’s pretty cool to watch how much Ali’s caught onto. I have fun working with all of the students. I get to step out of my normal routine and teach them something that they’re eager to learn. It’s rewarding to watch them grow.”

Forming friendships with residents

And how do the people who call The Village home feel about having high school students working there? Duane shared that the feedback on surveys has been very positive. They love having youth around. While students often feel intimidated at the beginning, they quickly become friends with many of the residents. Some of those friendships even continue to thrive long after the student has left The Village to pursue a career elsewhere.

Discover senior living at The Village at Penn State. Experience our fun and spirited community by clicking here.

Exercises for Arthritis: Diving into Water Aerobics and Beyond

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

The Manor at York Town’s water volleyball team

It’s easy to fall behind in attaining your fitness goals, especially during times of inclement weather. And finding ways to exercise indoors that doesn’t involve heavy gym equipment or a treadmill can feel nearly impossible. Aquatic exercise is not only an excellent alternative for those looking to spice up their indoor workout routine, but it is especially effective for people living with arthritis. For individuals who experience painful symptoms like stiffness and joint pain, water aerobics and other water activities are a great way to get your heart rate up without causing damage or stress to your joints and muscles.

Understanding arthritis and its symptoms

According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. There are currently more than 100 different kinds of arthritis in which the symptoms for each may vary. The most common joint symptoms are swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. While symptoms may range in both pain and severity, the effects they have on your body may prompt you to change certain aspects of daily life, including your fitness routine.

The benefits of exercise

Exercise, while essential to every person’s health and well-being, is especially important for individuals with arthritis. Painful symptoms like joint pain and stiffness may cause people living with the disease to shy away from working out. However, exercise for arthritis can actually increase strength and flexibility around the joints, reducing the pain you experience from symptoms.

Exercise helps people with arthritis to

Strengthen muscles around the joints
Maintain bone strength
Improve balance
Control weight gain
Maintain energy

The Importance of maintaining a healthy weight when living with arthritis

For people living with arthritis, physical activity is critical to maintaining the severity of symptoms as a person’s body weight contributes to the amount of stress put on their joints. In fact, according to Eric Matteson, MD, chair of the rheumatology division at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, every pound of excess weight a person carries around exerts approximately 4 pounds of extra pressure on their knees.

So, for a person who is just 15 pounds overweight, their knees carry an extra 60 pounds of pressure on a daily basis. That can feel tiring and painful on anyone’s body, but it feels especially discomforting for a person struggling with joint pain from arthritis. Exercise can help individuals with arthritis maintain a healthy weight and eliminate any extra pressure on their joints.

What are good exercises for arthritis?

You’ll want to consult your doctor about exercises for arthritis that are best for your specific diagnosis. You should aim to participate in types of physical activity that have minimal impact on joints and work to strengthen the muscles around them. Range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and aerobic exercises are all low-impact workouts excellent for individuals with arthritis to maintain their physical activity. One aerobic exercise in particular that is found to be especially beneficial for people with arthritis is water aerobics. Water aerobics is a great way to get your heart rate up while keeping stress on joints to a minimum.

Jump right in! Why water aerobics is a great exercise for arthritis

Swimming is a fun way to add variation to your fitness routine, but for people with arthritis it’s more than fun, it’s effective and pain-free. Water aerobics is beneficial for individuals with arthritis because

The water’s buoyancy supports your body weight so you experience less impact on joints than out-of-water workouts;
The warmth of therapeutic pools helps to soothe joint pain;
The water’s natural resistance gives you an excellent workout without the use of heavy weights to lessen the amount of pressure on joints;
Exercising in water can help improve balance and range of motion;
Water has greater resistance than air so jogging in a pool can often exert more energy and burn more calories than jogging on land, while reducing the amount of impact put on joints.

Step up your fitness routine with The Manor at York Town

The Manor at York Town, a premier independent living community located in picturesque Bucks County, is the perfect place to kick start your workout routine and reach your fitness goals. With an engaging wellness center full of state-of-the-art equipment as well as an indoor heated pool and Jacuzzi spa, fitness at The Manor becomes exciting and inspirational.

The Manor at York Town heated indoor pool

The Manor at York Town’s heated, indoor pool

“Staying active is essential for older adults. At The Manor, our goal is to provide as many opportunities as possible to maintain the health and wellbeing of our residents so they can enjoy retirement,” says Robyn Fine, director of community life at The Manor. Robyn sees firsthand the beneficial impact The Manor’s wellness programs and facilities have on residents. With access to personal trainers who can design personalized exercise programs, and post-rehab functional exercises, as well as fitness evaluations and nutritional consultations, residents are empowered to live healthfully and maintain their physical activity.

Resident at The Manor, Carol Axler, is proud of her fitness routine and takes full advantage of The Manor’s exercise programs, including their indoor heated pool. “Every morning at 7 o’clock until 7:30 I start my day by working out on the fitness equipment. Then, I go into the Great Room, where we have exercise class from 7:30 to 8:00, and then from 9:00 to 10:00 I participate in water volleyball,” Carol explains, outlining an exercise routine that puts even most young people to shame.

The Manor at York Town resident in heated pool

Carol Axler playing water volleyball at The Manor

For Carol, physical activity has always been important, and The Manor’s wide array of fitness programs opened her mind to new and exciting possibilities. “I had never played volleyball before coming to The Manor. I really got into it once I moved in. Water volleyball provides a different way of exercising,” Carol says about trying water volleyball for the very first time in The Manor’s heated indoor pool. Now, Carol plays on the water volleyball team that meets three times each week.

If you want to hear more about Carol’s experience with The Manor’s wellness programs and fitness facilities click here for her story.

Or, if you want to experience the benefit of exercise and learn more about independent living communities, see what living healthfully and happily at The Manor at York Town can do for you.