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Shape Up Your Workout

Studies show that physical activity can reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Physical activity is also important for the management of other chronic conditions that are common among adults with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Structured physical activity programs are proven to reduce symptoms and teach participants how to safely increase their physical activity to manage arthritis and other chronic conditions. Here are ten steps to help you get started and keep your exercise program going:

Find an activity you enjoy. You’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Treat workouts like commitments. Block out time on your calendar to let people know you’re unavailable. 

Think like an active person. An active person thinks of ways to be active. 

Make everyday activities count. Pushing a grocery cart, strolling at the mall, walking the dog and doing housework all have benefits. 

Find a workout partner. Another person or group can make activities more enjoyable and help hold you accountable. 

Find excuses to walk. Take a walk to your neighbor’s instead of calling. 

Aim for 4,000 steps. Walking eases pain, and a recent study found that 4,000 steps a day is enough to boost longevity. 

Stand up. It eases stiffness, reduces disease risk and can prolong your life. 

Join a group activity. There are several chances at Kirby Pines, like yoga stretch, sit-n-stand exercise, water aerobics or line dancing. 

Be mindful of pain. Some muscle aches after exercise is normal, but if pain lasts beyond two hours, do less or modify the activity. 

Take advantage of the many opportunities here at Kirby Pines to stay active and physically fit. Discover miles of walking trails outside and inside. Visit the Oasis to use the equipment or to join a water aerobics class. Find your exercise class in the PAC or at home on the channel 2.1. Consult with your doctor if you need physical therapy to get started. And in a few weeks, reward yourself with a new pair of walking shoes or water bottle for sticking with your program. 

 

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What is Our Business?

Reflections by Maxie Dunnam

“It isn’t any of our business, is it, Lord?” A little girl with a tender conscience asked this question in her evening prayer. She had seen a poor needy man on the street that day. “Oh, Mama,” she had said, “let’s help him.” The mother had answered, “Come along, dear. It isn’t any of our business.” 

That night, when the little girl had said, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” she added, “Oh God, bless that poor man on the comer.” And then remembering her mother’s words that day, she added, “But really, it isn’t any of our business, is it, Lord?” 

Unknowingly the little girl expressed a tragic fact. Many of us grow up conditioned by the feeling that the world and the people about us are none of our business. How untrue! Recall Dickens’ Christmas Carol and be haunted by those words of Jacob Marley’s Ghost. “Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop in the water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” 

Everyman is our business. What happens to the person next door, down the street, across town, yes, even beyond the ocean is our business. We too easily forget one of the clearest words of Jesus, “Inasmuch as you did it unto the least of these you did it unto me.” 

At our age, living in a community like Kirby Pines, it is easy to seclude ourselves, to shut off from others. We even think “other peoples’ lives are none of my business.” The fact is others are our business, and our setting gives us opportunity to take care of business by genuinely caring for one another. 

Because we are “retired,” or at an age that has moved us from a former “active” life, does not relieve us the responsibility of caring. To be sure, there are needs in our community and we can focus our caring locally. But our attention must be broader. I suggest we listen to the news to keep us sensitive to the needs of the world, thus our praying can be focused. And most of us can contribute financially as well as pray. I am convinced that praying and contributing financially to causes that are serving the world is a means of grace that enables us to be more purposefully Kingdom People. 

-Maxie Dunnam  

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Congratulations to Our Employee of the Month: Colesha Cross

Colesha Cross

CNA Gallery Manor 

Describe your family: Loving and supportive.  

Describe yourself in five words: Caring, friendly, reliable, loving and understanding.

What do you do for fun: Enjoy family, watch movies, play games. 

Do you have a pet: A Pomeranian named Pee-Wee. 

What is your favorite food: Spaghetti.  Favorite song: Better Days by Le’Andria Johnson. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Knowing that I provide and care for residents and put a smile on their faces. 

What is something you are proud of:  Thankful and blessed at the person I’ve become and that I am able to help others. 

What would you like people to know about you:  I am a hardworking, responsible person and I put my trust in the Lord.

Friendly, caring, team player, a support to new employees, always going the extra mile …… these are just a few words that describe Colesha Cross and why she deserves to be Employee of the Month. As a long-time employee at Kirby Pines, and as a mentor to new employees, Colesha assists in training orientees based on a team-approach, and always doing what’s best for the resident, other employees, and guests within the facility. No task is too large or small for Colesha to handle. She seeks out the appropriate support to get the job done and completes each function in an excellent manner. We are extremely proud of Colesha and all that she does for Kirby Pines and our residents.

–Rhonda Nelson, Director of Nursing

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Valentine Trivia!

Question: Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14, which coincides with which ancient Roman festival?

Answer: Lupercalia, a fertility festival. The festival was celebrated in honor of Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.your cognitive skills sharp and reduces your chance of experiencing memory loss. This year, make time to play games that’ll force your mind to work in overdrive.

Question: Cupid is the Roman counterpart to which Greek god?

Answer: Eros, the god of love

Question: February 14 is celebrated as National Chocolate Day in which country?

Answer: Ghana

Question: Cupid is believed to carry arrows that have tips made of which two materials?

Answer: Gold and lead. According to legend, if Cupid strikes someone with a gold arrow, they are filled with desire and love for their partner. If Cupid strikes them with a lead arrow, they fall out of love.

Question: In what year did Hallmark start selling Valentine’s Day cards?

Answer: 1913. The company began producing its own Valentine’s Day cards in 1916.

Question: Red roses are often given as a sign of love and romance on Valentine’s Day. Which Greek goddess is associated with red roses?

Answer: Aphrodite. If red roses aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other rose colors that symbolize things like friendship and joy.

Question: According to medieval Europeans, February 14 marked the beginning of mating season for which animals?

Answer: Birds. That’s why it’s common to see birds on Valentine’s Day cards as symbols of the holiday.

Question: Which company created sweetheart candies?

Answer: The New England Confectionery Company (Necco). Fun fact: Some of the most popular messages on those hearts, like “Be Mine” and “Kiss Me,” were first introduced back in 1902.

Question: Who is credited with publishing the first commercial Valentine in the United States?

Answer: Esther Howland. She started selling Valentines in her hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, and was nicknamed “The Mother of the American Valentine.” She used colorful paper and lace to create her Valentine’s Day cards.

Question: Who is the man often credited with creating the first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates?

Answer: Richard Cadbury

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The Heart, Mind, Body Connection

February is, of course, Valentine’s Day! With that, comes chocolate, roses, candy, and all sorts of other heart-themed treats! It seems only fitting that February is also American Heart Month; a time when we can focus on heart healthy lifestyle choices and practices. I think we are all familiar with some of the things we can do to promote heart health – eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight – but did you know that thankfulness has also been shown to help your heart stay healthy?

The connection between our mind and bodies has been the topic of conversation for quite some time, and many forms of exercise, such as Yoga and Meditation, center around that connection. However, there is also a strong connection between the mind and the heart, and this connection has been the subject of recent studies, showing that a healthy heart may lower the risk of dementia and memory loss. Heart disease and dementia share several risk factors, so protecting the heart can also help protect the brain. Thankfulness and positive reactions can help foster heart health. Furthermore, if we can train our brains to turn negative thought processes around and focus on positive ones, we can have a greater positive impact on our heart and mental health.

So, we know thankfulness and gratitude are good for us, but how can we cultivate those positive thoughts? Just like many things, gratitude is a learned behavior, so we can train ourselves to be thankful!

Here are a few ways to start incorporating thankfulness into your lives:

Make it a Habit 

They say it takes 30 days to turn something into a habit. Say “thank you” whenever possible. From the minute you wake up in the morning until you climb back into bed at night, say “thanks” whenever possible. Take notice of all the opportunities to show your gratitude.

Keep a Journal

Create a “Thankfulness Journal” to keep track of all the things you are thankful for. Keeping a written note not only serves as a great reminder to be positive, but it helps reinforce that positivity! And you can choose to keep your journal in an actual journal, or on your smartphone so you can always keep it with you.

Be Present

It is very easy to get lost in “what’s next” and worry about what’s happening next. Instead, try and focus on the present. Enjoy the “now” and be thankful for the little things. Whether you’re enjoying a delicious meal, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying a lovely conversation, focus on being completely present in the moment and appreciate each experience. 

Try incorporating thankfulness into your lifestyle and help support that healthy mind, body, heart connection!

Brittany Austin, National Director of Health and Wellness, Functional Pathways 

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Taking Good Care Of Your Heart

Valentines and Hearts are everywhere this season. February is the American Heart Month reminding us to keep our heart healthy by diet, rest, and exercise. Remember your heart is a muscle and exercising makes it stronger and healthier. Research shows that people who do not exercise have a greater risk of heart disease than active people. Like all exercise programs, check with your physician before beginning any new regimen. So, “What exercise works best for my heart?” Here are a few basic pointers: 

Include Aerobic or Cardio Exercise like walking, swimming, or biking. You should move fast enough to raise your heart rate and breathe a little harder, but not so fast that you cannot catch your breath or be able to carry a conversation. Three to five times a week for 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise is recommended by the CDC. Ten or fifteen minute sessions work just as well as 30 to 60 minutes. Our water aerobics and the Sit and Stand Exercise classes will get your heart rate up without wearing you out. Also the Nustep, treadmill and recumbent bike can raise your heart rate and monitor your heart rate, too. 

Stretching is also important. Be sure to stretch after warming up for a few minutes and after each exercise session to keep your body more flexible. Stretch gently (no pain) and hold your stretch for at least 30 seconds. We offer Yoga Stretch classes to provide full body stretching as well as water aerobics and sit and stand classes that finish with stretching. 

Strength Training uses weights and resistance with stretch bands. The Oasis has weight resistance equipment for upper and lower body work. Do strength exercises 2 or 3 times a week resting a day between sessions. Resistance levels can be increased on the Nustep and the bike. 

It is never too late to begin an exercise habit. Start gradually 10 – 15 minutes at a time and increase slowly… If you experience pain or pressure in your chest or trouble breathing, stop immediately and get medical assistance. A little soreness in the beginning is normal, but if pain lasts more than 2 hours after exercise, it may mean you have overdone it. After a few weeks, you can increase your workouts for longer sessions and add more resistance gradually. Exercise is a key to a healthier heart. Check out the schedule of exercise classes or make an afternoon appointment with Mary Hand if you want to learn more about the equipment in the Oasis. Remember an active life leads to a healthy heart. 

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Doing What’s Best for Everyone at Kirby Pines

Once again, the month we so fondly associate with love, because of Valentine’s Day, is upon us. Do you remember how your first love seemed to transform you into a better human being? Or how much time and creativity you put into making a Valentine’s Day card for someone special? This February has a more unique side to it than most, because this is also the Asian year of the Black Water Tiger. Beginning February 1st, the year of the Black Water Tiger ushers in a year of transformation, rapid changes, and adventure. Everyone is fired up, generosity is at an all-time high, and social progress feels possible again. We can expect rapid changes and sudden disruptions. 

In China, the Tiger is honored as a symbol of strength and valued because it is family-oriented. Though extremely driven, the Tiger’s goal is always to do what is best for everyone. Traits of the Black Water Tiger are: agility and eloquence. Water is an extremely powerful natural force – because it can go around any obstacle in its path and not lose its essential nature. 

The Chinese calendar dates back to the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago. If you were born in 1926, 1938, 1950 or 1962 you were born during the Year of the Tiger. Famous people born during the Tigers years include Queen Elizabeth II, Stevie Wonder, Martin Short, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lady Gaga. This year is significant because it offers all of us the opportunities to transform or develop our creativity, and social consciousness, as well as say goodbye to petty differences. I guess when you stop and think about it, Valentine’s Day allows us to do some of the same. 

So this Valentine’s Day, embrace not only your true love, but also your neighbors here at Kirby Pines. Let go of any differences or misunderstandings you may have towards someone, and wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. 

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

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Congratulations to Our Employee of the Month: Shandrikka Jones

Shandrikka Jones

Shandrikka Jones 

Line Server / Team Lead 

Describe your family: Family oriented, loving, caring and very supportive. 

Describe yourself in five words: Silly, Loyal, Sassy, Nice and Hardworking. 

What do you do for fun: Go to the movies, cook, hang out with family and friends.

Do you have any hobbies or interests: Cooking.

What is your favorite food: Anything that’s good. Favorite song: Anything by Michael Jackson. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Getting to laugh and joke with residents and my coworkers. 

What is something you are proud of:  I have come a long way with my attitude and have learned to relax more and enjoy life. 

What would you like people to know about you:  I’m hardworking, dedicated, easy to get a long with and silly. 

Ms. Jones is the very embodiment of what Kirby Pines represents. She is always first to make sure our Residents are taken care of, first to make sure teammates are lifted up and given credit where credit is due, and first to help pitch in and get tasks done when opportunities may arise. 

–Mark Simpson, Director of Culinary Services

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Kirby Pines Couple Renews Their Vows

couple renews vows

Larry and Karen Anderson along with their Pastor Ricky Cisowski renewed their vows on their wedding anniversary, October 14, 2021. They have been married for 33 years. Mr. Anderson recently moved to Gallery Manor, while Mrs. Anderson will be moving to the Estates in the near future. As a tribute, Larry wrote this poem to commemorate the special occasion and show their love to Kirby Pines, too. 

A Poem by Larry Anderson

As my wife and I were approaching the retirement age, 
we received a book about “Growing Old”. 
We read every page. 
We highlighted the places we considered, 
both of us must agree so no one would be bitter. 
We were determined to have this task done. 
We did not want to leave it for our sons. 
We spent weeks checking out all the places. 
As we looked at the residents and noticed their faces, 
we saw some smiles and some frowns. 
Most of them were upbeat and some were down. 
We did our homework, our research and we were done. 
We selected Kirby Pines as The One. 
With sixty acres of beautiful landscaped grounds, a place 
for picnics and walking, it’s always safe with security around. 
So come and check out Kirby Pines way, 
ease your mind and be ready for that retirement day. 

wedding rings and rose