The Billiards Group at Kirby Pines recently played their 10,000th game. Watch the video below!
The Future of Wellness… Virtual Reality
VR (Virtual Reality) is where it’s at – the newest and latest technology is being hailed as a fun and interactive way to exercise, escape, relax, travel, and even participate in group activities.
There are multiple platforms available that offer everything from guided meditation to hip-hop and other forms of dancing, to spa treatments and traveling (virtually) to favorite/desired destinations. Virtual Reality can be highly therapeutic and impact physical, mental, and social well-being.
VR has been shown to have a myriad of benefits to users; some of the most notable benefits include:
Mental Stimulation
Virtual Reality systems allow for a multitude of different uses, activities, etc. This includes things like activities for attention, memory, math, and other cognitive activities.
Enhanced Socialization
Virtual Reality can be used as a tool to encourage socialization. For example, multiple users can interact with the same movie or participate in the same events and share their experiences with one another, thus promoting socialization.
Reduced Depression
Many people, especially in today’s somewhat isolated environment, experience feelings of depression or loneliness. The ability to “travel”, interact and experience new places, even virtually, can impact someone’s mood and overall feelings of content.
A Therapeutic Effect
Movement is life! Just getting people to increase their movement, activity, and engagement levels can have a positive, therapeutic effect on overall well-being.
Besides offering a fun and interactive activity, Virtual Reality users report a decrease in feelings of stress, increased relaxation, and better overall mood. VR has also been hailed as a drug-free solution to many stress/anxiety-induced conditions.
In summary, Virtual Reality may be part of a solution in helping to stay active and engaged. With options for all fitness, functional, and mobility levels, virtual reality will likely play a major role now and in future for maintaining and improving all 7 dimensions of wellness.
If you would like to learn more about what Virtual Reality options might be right for you, or how Virtual Reality can help to increase activity and engagement, feel free to reach out to Eric Walker, our Director of Rehabilitation at 901.366.1819.
Jen Callahan, Clinical Outcomes and Reimbursement Specialist, Functional Pathways
Energize! Simple Ways to Revitalize
Are you tired of feeling tired? Does your fatigue rule your daily activities? Do you want to be more active? Years ago the philosophy of growing old was to retire, rest, and take it easy. Today’s way of life for retired folks is stay busy, enjoy your hobbies, and keep moving. Most Kirby Pines residents’ appointment books stay booked up. I would much rather hear someone say, “Sorry I won’t make your exercise class today: I have too much to do.” Rather than I’m too tired to do anything.” The Arthritis Foundation recently printed an article with some great tips to boost your energy level and restore that happy, vibrant feeling.
Try some of these helpful ideas the next time you feel a little drained.
1. Check your posture. Slumping makes your muscles work harder than sitting up right.
2. Make time for quiet time. Prayer and meditation relaxes your body, slows breathing, lowers blood pressure, and relieves worry.
3. Drink a glass of cold water. Dehydration is a major cause of fatigue. Try to get in 8 glasses daily. Water also improves digestion, helps control obesity, and helps kidney function.
4. Be positive with yourself. Speak to yourself with encouragement not criticism. “It’s a new day!” “Take quit out of your vocabulary“
5. Wear red. A brightly colored scarf or sweater can improve your mood and alertness.
6. Listen to good music. Irish folk music with fiddles and accordions is quite invigorating.
7. Laugh out Loud (LOL). A good chuckle, giggle, or side-busting guffaw reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and raises endorphins, our body’s natural painkiller. Read the comics, watch an Andy Griffith rerun, or connect with someone who shares your sense of humor.
8. Get enough sleep.
9. Pop a peppermint in your mouth. The scent of peppermint can decrease fatigue by up to 25 percent.
10. Exercise and stretch every day, several times each day.
Step away from the TV and fatty, sugary foods and step up your energy level with some of the many opportunities Kirby Pines has to offer. Join a card group or play Bingo. Sign up for a Bible study. Join one of the exercise classes that are available Monday through Friday to help with stretching, cardio, exercise and strengthening. Join the Line Dancers or Ballroom Dancers. The Oasis exercise room never closes, and we encourage you to have a workout partner.
It’s all a matter of grace.
Reflections by Maxie Dunnam
It is no happenstance that Paul wrote the largest portion of the New Testament. I am convinced that he is the person who knew Christ best. Believing that, our potential for knowing Christ is enhanced. Like us, Paul did not know Jesus in the flesh. With a note of sadness, he referred to himself as “one untimely born.” His was an experience of faith, as ours must be. Yet there is no doubt about it – Paul knew Christ, and we can know him as well.
Grace is the heart-core of the Gospel. Paul is rather dogmatic in stating that: “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” (Eph. 2:8) In his gospel, John states it more expansively, identifying grace with who Jesus is. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth….. From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:14,16 NIV)
Even a bit of reflection on these three verses of Scripture makes it obvious that grace is important. In our understanding and living the Christian faith nothing is more important.
It’s all grace!
-Maxie Dunnam
Congratulations to Our Employee of the Month: Michael Warren
Michael Warren
Maintenance Tech
Describe your family: Loving, open-hearted, caring and fun to be around.
Describe yourself in five words: Hardworking, funny, laidback type of guy.
What do you do for fun: Watch movies and sleep.
What is your favorite thing about your job: Money and the people I work with each day.
What is your favorite food: Pork Chops.
What is something you are proud of: My daughter.
What would you like people to know about you: I enjoy having fun.
Michael Warren is a valued member of the maintenance team. He is always there to help, and gets the job done in a timely and professional manner. In the years he has been with me I’ve come to respect his expertise and knowledge. We all feel lucky to have him on the team. Way to go Mikey!
– Chuck Neeley, Director of Maintenance
Ballroom Dancing at Kirby Pines!
Ballroom dance is a global activity practiced by all age groups. One such group is seniors who find ballroom dancing not only fun, but also great for their physical, mental and social health. If you have never considered ballroom dance as a potential pastime, take the time to review the following benefits of ballroom dance.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
While often rigorous, ballroom dance can be easily tailored to those that require a lower impact physical activity. A variety of dances can be practiced and performed at a slower pace and intensity, more attuned to your needs. This allows you to make the most of ballroom dance’s health benefits, including improved muscle and bone strength, while lowering the risk of injury or exhaustion. Moreover, the improved posture, balance and motor skills encouraged by ballroom dancing can help prevent falls and other accidents.
PREVENT DISEASE
In addition to the cardiovascular and strength benefits of ballroom dance, recent studies have pointed to a link between the practice of dance and the prevention of disease. While reasons remain difficult to identify, researchers speculate that the increased mental activity required in ballroom dance– such as step memorization and accounting for a partner– may help prevent symptoms experienced by sufferers of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and even chronic heart failure.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY
While many activities suffer from high drop out rates, ballroom dance counteracts this by being a fun, interactive experience. Social activity is also an important factor in the mental health and attitude, and ballroom dance is, at its core, a social activity. Not only can ballroom dancing be done almost anywhere with almost no equipment, but it is at its best when done with other people. Ballroom dance is of course great for couples looking for something new; it also makes it easy for individuals to make new friends, as most dances require partners.
Join us each Wednesday at 2:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center with Dance Instructors, Desiree McCain and Richard Bishop.
There’s More To It Than Meets the Air: BREATHING
We breathe in, we breathe out, usually without even thinking about it. Most of us probably take it for granted and overlook all the benefits mindful, conscious breathing can bring to our daily lives.
Did you know??
- Breathing is the only bodily function you can perform consciously as well as unconsciously.
- The average person takes about 8.5 million breaths per year.
- Breathing slowly with longer breaths can reduce food cravings.
- The world record for breath holding is over 24 minutes!!
- Emotions are regulated by how you breathe.
- Everyone can improve how they breathe.
Considering the monumental number of breaths we take, ensuring they are as effective as possible is important to everything we do. Outside of supplying oxygen, effective breathing provides better food digestion, increased immune response, reduced stress and blood pressure, better sleep and mental clarity, pain relief, increased energy, and improved balance, just to name a few!
To determine if you are a “good” breather or a “poor” breather, try this:
- Put your right hand on your chest and your left hand on your stomach. Take a deep breath as you count to three. When you do this, which hand do you feel moving the most?
- If it’s your right hand (the one on your chest), you’re breathing from your chest. If it’s your left hand (the one on your stomach), you are breathing from your abdomen. You want to do the latter— breathe from your abdomen.
No matter what your activity level, even if you are relaxing in the chair watching your favorite program, take a few minutes 3-4 times a day to be conscious of your breathing and try this exercise:
- Sit or stand comfortably with your back straight.
- Open the palm of one hand as wide as you can.
- Now with the pointer finger of the opposite hand, slowly trace your fingers while breathing.
- Breath in and trace up one side of your thumb, 1, 2, 3. Breathe out and trace down the other side of your thumb, 1, 2, 3.
- Repeat for all five fingers.
If you would like to learn more about how to utilize this and other effective breathing techniques, feel free to reach out to Eric Walker, Director of Rehabilitation at 901-366-1819.
Get the Facts About Exercising Myths
“It is what it is.” That’s what my brother always says when a problem arises. It’s his excuse to avoid facing a difficult situation. Too often we just accept our conditions without looking at options that could actually benefit us. Avoiding exercise is an example. Here is a list of some of the most common myths about exercise and aging:
Myth 1: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway.
Fact: Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Myth 2: Older people shouldn’t exercise. They should save their strength and rest.
Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for adults over 50. Inactivity often causes older adults to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.
Myth 3: Exercise puts me at risk of falling down.
Fact: Regular exercise, by building strength and stamina, prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, actually reducing your risk of falling.
Myth 4: It’s too late. I’m already too old to start exercising.
Fact: You’re never too old to exercise! If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a while, start with light walking and other gentle activities.
Myth 5: I’m disabled. I can’t exercise sitting down.
Fact: Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.
Fact: Check with your medical provider before beginning a new exercise program if you have been inactive.
At Kirby Pines we have many exercise options with a variety of exercise classes from the sit/stand class to water aerobics to Yoga Stretch. Check our schedule and see what works for you. The Oasis has free weights and 10 different machines to build strength and endurance.
The Serenity Prayer [God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference] reminds me at times we really don’t have to accept, “It is, what it is.” Just maybe “what it is” isn’t what it could be.
Now Pay Attention
Reflections by Maxie Dunnam
A person’s actions show you what their words won’t.
As a child, a term I heard often from a teacher or my Momma was, “Now pay attention.” That’s a term we need to hear and pay attention to throughout life.
OK? Now pay attention to these words from the French spiritual writer, Simone Weil. “Those who are happy have no need for anything in the world but people capable of giving them their attention. The capacity to give one’s attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle.”
Time and attention go together. But the truth is we can give people our time without giving them our attention. In his gospel, Mark tells a story which instructs us here.
A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Mark l:40-42)
No wonder Mark put this in the first part of his gospel! The leper said to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” Packed into one beautiful sentence is almost everything Jesus was, and what he was about. “Jesus was filled with pity for him, and stretched out His hand and placed it on the leper, saying, ‘Of course I want to – be clean!’” (Mark 1:41, Phillips) That tells it all.
Jesus listened to the leper. Is there anything that enhances our feelings of worth more than being listened to? When you listen to me, you say to me, “I value you. You are important. I will hear what you have to say.”
Jesus looked at him. He gave the leper His attention.
Jesus not only listened and looked; He touched the leper. To be generous with our attention, we cannot remain aloof; we must deliberately reach out, touch, and become involved.
When I give attention by looking, listening, and touching; the Spirit comes alive in relationship. When I listen and look with mind and heart, revelation comes; the gap between the other person and myself is bridged. A sensitivity comes that is not my own. I feel the pain, frustration, and anguish of the other. Beyond myself and my own resources, I become an instrument of miracle-working love. Healing, comfort, reconciliation, strength, and guidance come to others when we generously give them our attention by looking, listening, and touching.
Pay attention to people that care.
Who are always there.
Who want better for you.
They’re your people.
-Maxie Dunnam
Congratulations to Our Employee of the Month: Cornelius Chambers
Cornelius Chambers
Environmental Services
Describe your family: Happy Family.
Describe yourself in five words: Happy.
What do you do for fun: I like to go bowling.
Do you have any hobbies or interests: I enjoy cooking.
What is your favorite thing about your job: Helping take care of residents.
What is your favorite food: Chicken.
What is something you are proud of: God blessing me with health and strength.
What would you like people to know about you: I want God to keep blessing me each and every day.
Cornelius has dedicated 25 of service years to the residents, staff and guests of Kirby Pines. She can always be counted on to show up get the job done. Cornelius is kind to the residents and her coworkers. Congratulations Cornelius on a job well done.
– Jada Mullins, Director of Environmental Services
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