Living better — and longer
The following article was submitted by Holland Home and appeared in the Grand Rapids Press Health Section on Sunday, March 10.
Bob Bode, a resident at Holland Home’s independent retirement living complex, Raybrook Estates, is living proof we don’t have to accept disability as an inevitable component of aging.
Bob walks the halls of Raybrook Estates six days a week — a trip just shy of a mile and which takes him 30 minutes.
He also exercises for 25 minutes, six days per week, on the NuStep — a recumbent cross trainer available in Raybrook’s William C. Buiten Wellness Centre.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he participates in a half-hour senior exercise class on the campus, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he takes a balance and stability class.
Bode will turn 91 in March of this year.
Not about genes
In 1998, the MacArthur Foundation commissioned a study to determine just how and why we age. The study revealed that, contrary to popular belief, the biggest impact on how we age comes not from our genes and heredity but from our lifestyle. A full 70 percent of the aging process is determined by the choices we make.
It is possible to live long, without significant disability, if we maintain our physical and mental skills, reduce our risk for disease and stay productive and engaged with life.
Most age-related changes can be reversed or halted by positive changes in environment and diet, exercise, stress management, medication and other lifestyle choices.
In other words, “use it or lose it.”
After the study was released, the Mayo Clinic, University of Michigan and other experts on aging used the findings to create Masterpiece Living — a program that addresses the components of successful aging.
Holland Home has made Masterpiece Living available free to residents on their Breton Woods and Raybrook campuses.
“At Holland Home, we have a strong commitment to wellness for our residents. Masterpiece Living allows us to offer them a cutting-edge program that is guaranteed to help them live better, longer,” said David Claus, president and CEO of Holland Home. “Masterpiece Living is based on four core beliefs that include staying physically and mentally active; maintaining social engagement; adhering to the belief that age does not have to be limiting; and finding ways to make a difference to others and to the community.”
Exciting results
Masterpiece Living has been in place for three years on Holland Home’s Breton Woods campus.
“The results have been exciting,” said Amanda Baushke, director of Masterpiece Living. “We took measurements of our residents’ medical and lifestyle risk factors in 2009 and again in 2011. Our residents have seen a significant drop in both factors.”
Some of the results have been quite impressive. The percentage of residents with high triglycerides dropped from 15 percent of those studied in 2009 to less than 1 percent in 2011. Tobacco use declined from 8 percent in 2009 to barely 1 percent in 2011. The percentage of participants engaging in a regular exercise program went up 20 percent, while those practicing safety measures such as using sunscreen, wearing a seatbelt and installing fire and smoke alarms, increased by almost 20 percent as well.
Recovering from a fall
Two years ago, Bode had a bad fall that required physical therapy. Determined to regain his strength, Bode joined the Masterpiece Living program when it was introduced on the Raybrook Campus eight months ago. The program encourages walking, and Bode received a pedometer to track his steps. Since starting the program, he has increased his speed and, even though he uses a walker, he is “keeping up with the Joneses.”
On a recent trip to Colorado, Bode’s daughter gifted him with a half-hour ride in a Piper Cub. Not content to just sit back and enjoy the scenery, Bode took over the controls for almost half the flight. The instructor said not only was Bode the oldest student he’d ever had, Bode also outperformed all his younger students.
Bode plans to continue his fitness regimen as long as he can. His advice: “Make it part of your routine.”
“Everyone can benefit from applying the principles of Masterpiece Living,” Baushke said. “Regular exercise, both physical and mental, and staying involved with friends and the greater community all contribute to living better, longer. And most of important of all — don’t use age as an excuse to limit yourself.”
March 19th, 2012 | Posted in Breton, General, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Opera Grand Rapids comes to Breton Ridge
You are invited to sample the retirement living we enjoy at Breton Woods with a special Christmas performance by members of Opera Grand Rapids!
Thursday, December 8 at 2:00p
Breton Ridge
2772 Pfeiffer Woods Drive
Grand Rapids
Refreshments and tours will follow this special performance.
Please RSVP to 616-643-2730
December 1st, 2011 | Posted in Breton, General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Announcing the Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre
For many years our facility has been known simply as Breton Manor. We have recently changed the name to the Breton Rehabilitation & Living Center to more accurately reflect the breadth of our rehabilitation program.
At the Breton Rehabilitation & Living Center, our comprehensive rehabilitation team provides individualized and goal-oriented treatment programs specifically for the older adult. Our focus is to help patients reach quality outcomes and return home.
Our rehab staff
With an emphasis on rehabilitation, our staff provides innovative treatment approaches to assist patients in returning to their previous lifestyle. Our rehabilitation professionals include occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and speech language pathologists.
About our services
Our program delivers the highest standard of quality care in the most cost-effective and value-added manner. Individualized treatment programs are designed to serve geriatric patients in a wide variety of clinical categories.
The Breton Rehabilitation & Living Center
For those needing in-patient rehabilitation, our Breton Rehabilitation & Living Center has private rooms available in a clean and cheerful environment. Lounges and outdoor patios provide ample space for visiting with family and friends. Meals are prepared on-site by a professional chef, and recreational activities are available.
For more information
For more information about rehabilitation at The Breton Rehabilitation & Living Center, to request an on-site evaluation of your patient or to arrange a tour, please contact (616) 235-5113.
We welcome referrals from physicians, discharge planners, social workers, family members and case managers.
June 28th, 2011 | Posted in Breton, Fulton, General, HomeCare, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
HomeCare’s telehealth service featured on eightWest
Why shouldn’t healthcare be as advanced as you are? Now there’s a service that is: Telehealth — home healthcare for the 21st century.
On Friday, February 18, the TV program eightWest featured our HomeCare program’s telehealth service. eightWest host Rachel Ruiz interviewed Carolyn Flietstra, executive director of HomeCare of Holland Home, as well as Carlton Bauman, one of our residents who uses telehealth. You can watch the segment below.
(Both HD and closed-captioned versions of this video are available at YouTube.)
You can learn more about telehealth by visiting the telehealth section of our website. For a free consultation to help determine if telehealth monitoring is right for you or your loved one, call (616) 235-5113.
February 11th, 2011 | Posted in Breton, General, HomeCare | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Applications being accepted for ArtPrize, Fulton-style
It’s time for ArtPrize again — Fulton Manor style, that is. Applications for submission of art work will be accepted at the front desk until September 24. The contest is open to staff, residents and family members and friends of Fulton Manor. Art work is due by October 1.
ArtPrize will run from October 8 to October 29. Works will be displayed around the Fulton Campus. It promises to be an exciting exhibit! Plan to spend a morning or afternoon enjoying the art work, and be sure to cast your vote for your favorite. The top ten works will be announced on October 21 at 2:00 p.m. The top four winners will be announced on Friday, October 29 at noon in the Main Dining Room.
September 20th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, Fulton, General, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Second annual Holland Home Remember Me Walk
The second annual Holland Home Remember Me Walk campaign kicks off on Monday, August 2nd! Proceeds from the walk will benefit our Memory Care program and our Memory Care residents.
The walk will take place on Saturday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Stanaback Park, off Pfeiffer Woods Drive, adjacent to the Breton Woods campus. Everyone is welcome to participate! Refreshments will be available. Canine companions are also welcome.
Last year we were blessed with beautiful fall weather, and participants thoroughly enjoyed walking through the park which was blazing with exquisite autumn colors. We were fortunate to raise almost $25,000! Proceeds went to our benevolent fund for our memory care residents as well as toward the purchase of advanced tools for our memory care program.
Donation envelopes can be obtained at all Holland Home campuses and the corporate office. Or, they can be mailed to Holland Home Remember Me Walk, 2100 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546.
We look forward to seeing you on October 9th!
July 30th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, Fulton, General, HomeCare, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Breton Ridge presents Sundaes on Friday!
Enjoy an ice cream sundae on Friday, July 23 or Friday, July 30 at Breton Ridge! Tour our newest independent retirement living building where we’ve cut entrance fees by up to $90,000! Open house: 1:00p to 3:00p.
2772 Pfeiffer Woods Drive
Grand Rapids, MI, 49512
For more information, call (616) 643-2730
July 19th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Holland Home wins silver award in national media contest
Holland Home has won a silver award in the 19th Annual National Mature Media Awards. The recognition was awarded to “The Holland Home Experience,” a fictionalized account of a resident working her way through the Holland Home continuum of care. The three-part piece appeared in the Winter, Spring and Summer 2009 issues of New Horizons.
Holland Home also received a Merit Award for our radio advertisement “The Retirement Bundle.”
Hundreds of organizations participate annually in the National Mature Media Awards including Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, retirement housing organizations, writers and publishers, as well national organizations such as AARP, Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, Mayo Clinic, the National Institute on Aging and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
July 8th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, Fulton, General, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Come see new Breton Ridge apartment suites at the Senior Parade of Living
Join us at Breton Ridge for the Senior Parade of Living on July 15th, 16th and 17th. The Thursday to Saturday extravaganza opens the doors to the very best in retirement living in greater Grand Rapids.
Visit us at Breton Ridge where we are now offering the lowest prices ever on our brand new apartment suites! Learn about our pioneering Home Buy-Out Program which is making retirement living affordable now. Combined with the lowest monthly fees in the area, and Holland Home’s promise of lifetime care, we know you will fall in love with living at Breton Woods!
Visit us during the Senior Parade of Living:
Thursday, July 15, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, July 16, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Register for FREE door prizes at Breton Ridge, 2772 Pfeiffer Woods Drive, Grand Rapids, MI.
For more information, call the Sales and Information Centre at (616) 643-2730.
July 6th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Up to $90,000 off your retirement!
We’ve taken up to $90,000 off retirement living with the lowest prices ever on our brand new apartment suites at Breton Ridge! Come see for yourself why our residents are in love with living at Breton Woods.
Enjoy one of our Open Houses — June 18 and 25, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, contact (616) 643-2730.
Breton Ridge
2772 Pfeiffer Woods Drive
Grand Rapids, MI, 49512
(map)
June 18th, 2010 | Posted in Breton, General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter