8

PLACE

STAMP

HERE 11117 20th St. NE

Lake Stevens, WA 98258

Our mission is to create and

sustain comfortable, caring

environments for those

who depend on us.

Administrative Staff:

LORETTA KREEGER

Executive Director

JANET KRISTENSEN Community Relations Director

RON STONKE Dietary Services Manager

JERRY SONGSTAD Maintenance Director

JEAN REYNAUD

Activities Director

BAILEY BILES Business Office Manager

Receptionist

LINDA FOSTER Registered Nurse

ANN TANIS Registered Nurse

Contact us at:

425-397-7500

Ashley Pointe Newsletter Ashley Pointe Independent & Assisted Living Newsletter— June 2016

P2 Home Safety P3 Chaplain’s Corner P4-5 Activities Calendar P6 June Highlights

P6 Scrapbook P7 The Benefits Of Exercise P8 Mission & Team

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2

Three Areas of Focus for Better Home Safety “The home to everyone is to him his castle and

fortress, as well for his defense against injury

and violence, as for his repose.” – Edward Coke, Businessman, 1552-1634

Our homes are our fortresses, the

place where we should feel safe and secure

in our most vulnerable moments. Here at

Ashley Pointe we value home safety and the

safety and comfort of our residents and

staff. Three areas of focus that anyone can

use to aid in securing their safety at home:

Focus One: Reducing Internal Risks

According to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention one out of three

people aged 65 or older experience a fall

each year. Falls may happen due to external

factors, but many falls may be prevented

with focusing on identifying and preventing

internal risks such as decreased physical ca-

pabilities. Ways to decrease internal risks

include visiting the doctor for checks on

hearing and eyesight as well as regular exer-

cise to promote balance and mobility.

Focus Two: Reducing External Risks

Using preventative measures inside

the home may also help secure home safe-

ty. Ways to reduce external risks such as trip

hazards, fire-safety issues or cuts include

removing clutter and improving lighting.

Focus Three: Protecting Against Others

Finally, it is important to protect the

financial security of your home by being

diligent in protecting your information and

monitoring accounts. Ways to increase

home safety against others include being

scam savvy by not giving out personal infor-

mation over the phone, via email or by mail

and by monitoring personal financial ac-

counts.

Focusing on these three areas will aid

you in feeling secure at home. The month of

June is designated National Safety Month.

Join us in focusing on our home safety

throughout the month!

Safety Tip: Make sure your shoes are in

good repair, are put on properly and tied

to help prevent falls.

7

The Benefits of Exercise

Being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest

things you can do for yourself. Studies have shown that exercise

provides many health benefits and that older adults can gain a lot

by staying physically active. Even moderate exercise and physical

activity can improve health. Being physically active can also help

you stay strong and fit enough to keep doing the things you like to

do as you get older. Making exercise and physical activity a regular

part of your life can improve your health and help you maintain

your independence as you age. Regular physical activity and exer-

cise are important to the physical and mental health of almost eve-

ryone, including older adults. Staying physically active and exercis-

ing regularly can produce long-term health benefits and even im-

prove health for some older people who already have diseases and

disabilities. That's why health experts say that older adults should

aim to be as active as possible. Although exercise and physical ac-

tivity are among the healthiest things you can do for yourself,

some older adults are reluctant to exercise. Some are afraid that

exercise will be too hard or that physical activity will harm them.

Others might think they have to join a gym or have special equip-

ment. Yet, studies show that "taking it easy" is risky. For the most

part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own,

it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because

they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more

visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medi-

cines for a variety of illnesses. .Regular, moderate physical activity

can help manage stress and improve your mood. And, being active

on a regular basis may help reduce feelings of depression. Studies

also suggest that exercise can improve or maintain some aspects

of cognitive function. Exercise is a form of physical activity that is

specifically planned, structured, and repetitive such as weight

training, tai chi, and stretching class. At Ashley Pointe, we have

exercise classes Monday through Friday mornings. Including these

classes in your life will provide you with health benefits that can

help you feel better and enjoy life more as you age. Check the

calendar for dates and times. We hope to see you there!

6

June Highlights

Ashley Pointe Open Mike Variety Show

During Happy Hour on Wednesday, June 8th

All types of entertainment welcomed! Singing,

Dancing, Joke Telling, Story Telling, Skits,

Musical Instruments, Poem Recitations, etc.

Come Join The Fun! Prizes will be awarded!

The start of Straw-

berry season!

National Safety

Month

National Rose

Month

Great American

Brass Band Week

(June 2nd through

5th)

Men’s Health Week

June 12th-19th)

Nursing Assis-

tant’s Week

(June 12th—

18th)

Flag Day (June

14th)

Father’s Day

(June 19th)

First Day of

Summer (June

20th)

World Hand-

shake Day (June

21st)

Ashley Pointe Scrapbook

Showing our Support RED NOSE DAY!

Join us in celebrating the fathers of our community June 19th at Noon

3

Chaplains Corner

June is a big month for my family. My wife and I will be in Minnesota the first week of June to attend

our grandson's graduation from high school. Immediately after attending that ceremony, we will re-

turn to Washington to celebrate with my son as he receives his Master's Degree in Business Admin-

istration.

The story is told of a professor who stood before his philosophy class comprised of men and women

who were anticipating graduation. He had some items in front of him. When the class began, word-

lessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up

a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the

open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it

was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up eve-

rything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents

into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents

your life. The golf ball are the important things--first and foremost your walk with God, then your

family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everything else

was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that

matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have

room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happi-

ness. Commit to read your Bible and pray daily. Worship on Sunday and find a way to serve in your

church. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Honor the vows that you made to

your spouse and go out to dinner on a regular basis. Be a good neighbor. Play another 18. There will

always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that

really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled.

"I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's al-

ways room for a cup of coffee with a friend."

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, re-

member the mayonnaise jar......and the coffee.

And remember Jesus' words: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these

things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

4

5