Do you remember the first time you got to read to someone other than in “reading group!” or to hold your own book?  Maybe the pictures remind you of when you heard your grandchild read to you!  10 Epworth Villa Residents and Employees traveled to Britton Elementary School.  This was our first opportunity to be a Reading Buddy!  We were able to provide all the Valentine Treats for the 144 1st graders in  7 classrooms.  The children and teachers were thrilled!

The 34 children we saw that day were the better readers.  The librarian said she had never heard some of them read so well or be so well behaved.  “Maybe they had never been so close for so long with someone with wrinkles.”  Resident, Frans V. laughed.  He also said, “Yes, now some with read with a Dutch accent like me!”  The coordinators were pleased to have volunteers.

Are you ready to participate?  Whether you want to help gather supplies, contribute for the weekly treats or be a reading buddy there is a way for you to give back.  That’s what Epworth Villa is all about!

Epworth Villa nurse, Marla Cordero, LPN was recently featured in the Oklahoma Nursing Times.  Cordero was asked: What qualities make a good nurse?  “I think that a nurse, just like with any other job, will love their job or hate their nurse! Residents like consistency. If a nurse tells a patient or resident something, be sure to follow through with it. Your words should be your honor, making you responsible,” Marla replied. Marla feels like her strongest quality is her years of experience. “I try to help the new nurses with anything that I can.”

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Better balance and boosted confidence. Adding strength training to your fitness routine 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes can translate to better balance. The stronger your body is the more control you will have, which in return will help you feel more confident with walking or any other activity.

Heart health. Performing cardio exercises is not the only way to get your heart rate up. Along with activities such as walking or biking, strength training is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease. There are two factors that go into getting your heart rate up during a strength training session: the number of muscles worked during an exercise and the intensity you perform those exercises.  The best way to achieve both is to choose multi-joint, compound exercises such as squats and push ups.

Reduce aches, pains and injury. Along with your muscles, strength training helps strengthen your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues. Strength training, also known as weight bearing exercise, helps those with osteoporosis increase bone density and improves joint mobility as well as muscle flexibility.  This leads to your body feeling better and can help prevent injuries.

Epworth Villa offers strength training options through our Small Group Strength and Flex and Stretch classes. Residents are also able to reserve Personal Training sessions to find a customizable way to build strength as well.

Use it or lose it!

by: Blaine Jackson, NASM-CPT, Epworth Villa Wellness Coordinator

Reverend Purtell began as a local Pastor for The Oklahoma United Methodist Church Conference in the early 2000’s.  She has served in 3 different districts in the state of Oklahoma.  In 2019, God led her to Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City.  Purtell enters an established congregation that meets regularly in the Brill Chapel.  She will help guide the Religious Life Committee and minister to Residents, their families and employees.

Rev. Purtell also served as a Program Specialist for Early Childhood Development in the Cherokee Nation.  She not only worked with center in the counties of the Cherokee Nation, but also represented the tribe in meetings in Washington D.C. and other parts of the country.  She has also worked as a Social Worker, Educator, Program Developer and Case Manager for the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services and Department of Health.  Rev. Purtell earned her Master of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary.  She holds a Masters Certification in Education from Oklahoma City University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Epworth Villa was glad to welcome Purtell in October of 2019.  Purtell has a passion to learn and strives to be a lifelong learner.  She will continue to engage in the community and local schools through her work at Epworth Villa.  Purtell’s office is located just outside of the Brill Chapel.  When possible, be sure to stop in and say “hello!”

I can remember as a child entering a large city where we lived. As we topped the hill and descended into the bowl toward home, my eyes widened and I gleefully exclaimed, “Look daddy, It looks like a Christmas tree fell over!” The reds and the greens, the flashing lights and the twinkling of car lights in the distance; I remember how beautiful it looked. My parents laughed and commented for years as we would enter another city how it was to see the town through the eyes of a child. (I will add though that my grandfather said the most beautiful lights as Christmas were our taillights. It meant his four grandchildren had been there and that now he could rest!) And again, we all laugh!

The tradition of lights goes back to our Jewish brothers and sisters festival of lights, Hanukkah, with the lighting of the Menorah. Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. A time of celebration and remembering. It is with the eight candles of the Menorah lit each night by the center attendant candle. This year Hanukkah begins Dec. 22. As we enter this time of anticipation and preparation it is a time to prepare our hearts, to see the beauty of the season, to reflect on the past and put light on those things not so Godly and remove them from our thoughts and actions. With the singing of carols, the celebrations, the giving and receiving of gifts, may we also reflect on the true meaning of this season and remember what God calls us to do this Holy Season. Prepare your heart for a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas.

Grace and Peace, Chaplain Marsha Purtell

With winter around the corner, the Residents of Epworth Villa held their annual fall clothing drive.

This bi-annual event allows Residents to clean out their closets and give their items to Skyline Urban Ministries located in Oklahoma City. Jan Neel, Epworth Resident said, “I had a closet of good coats and I only need one. I can help keep others warm this winter with the coats that I am not wearing.”

Each year in the fall and spring there is a clothing drive at Epworth Villa.

Skyline workers said they love receiving donations from Epworth Villa because of the quality and care that goes into providing items. Johnny, a Skyline Volunteers said, “We also like the clothes Epworth Villa donates for our “Dress for Success” patrons.”

This fall the Residents gathered 845 pounds of warm clothing and coats for Skyline.

Creativity and a sense of purpose:

As adults age, their lifestyles and priorities change, and aging well is frequently top of mind. According to a study published in the Journal of Aging Studies, study participants, aged 60 to 93, identified six features of successful aging: a sense of purpose, interactions with others, personal growth, self-acceptance, autonomy, and health. Creative activities, such as writing, painting, or knitting, encourage a sense of competence, purpose, and growth—all of which contribute to aging well.

A sense of purpose is significant for older adults, especially if they spent most of their younger years defined by a career or by raising children and running a household. Once those responsibilities are lifted, older adults can sometimes develop an uncertainty about their purpose later in life. This can affect health and overall well-being. Participating in artistic activities, however, bolsters problem-solving skills and satisfaction that older adults can take into everyday life. Also, when older adults can share their handmade gifts with friends and family, they develop a sense of pride in what they have created.

Creativity the benefits of art on older adult’s health:

It’s no secret that individuals today are living longer and embracing new and different activities well into their older years. Longer lives beg the question, what can be done to age well? Keeping one’s health in check with proper nutrition, physical activity, and regular checkups is typically the go-to answer. But it is also important to consider other, seemingly insignificant activities that can benefit older adults’ health. Participating in and enjoying artistic endeavors – even when seniors are not necessarily creatively inclined – can have a positive impact on health by creating a sense of purpose and keeping the mind busy.

Creative Professionals:

Examples of individuals who turned to art in their late adulthood include Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses) and Grandma Layton (Elizabeth Layton.) Grandma Moses began her career as a folk artist and painter in her 70s and continued for much of the remaining 30 years of her life. Grandma Layton took a contour drawing class at the age of 68 and continued to create for the rest of her life, crediting drawing with curing a 35-year depression.

Creativity at Epworth Villa:

Currently there are classes taught by a former art teacher.  Some of the students are accomplished artists, but some are new.  The veterans of the group are experimenting with new mediums.  For example, one Resident had only painted with oils, but was recently experimenting with pencil drawings and watercolors.    Our core belief at Epworth Villa is Enhancing Lives so People Thrive, and creativity through art, sewing, knitting, quilting, drawing, coloring and creative writing is how we encourage that sense of purpose.  We are thriving together.

We wanted to share this letter to COLUMNIST DEAR ABBY. As many of our friends and clients consider a move, there are naturally some fears. ABBY gives some great advice!

 

Moving to a New Community Brings Out Social Insecurities

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are moving to a retirement community where we won’t know a soul. I hate leaving our friends and the relationships we have formed here. I have never been especially outgoing or good at making small talk, but I know I will have to to fit in.

I believe you have written something for people who have this challenge. Can I get a copy? What are some tips on how to get started? We’re relocating soon. — FACING IT HEAD ON