Lasting Love, An Observation
posted by Jack and Rita: Monday, October 19
There is a story to be told in my retirement community. It is a story of love. It isn't puppy love, young love or the many-splendored love of years past. It is lasting love: love over time. Not sexual, but simply love of each other as partners. Care is love. Care of what was, what is and what will come. We walk slower now, can't see as before, and hold hands for warmth and support. Aging is not uniform or equal. Time takes from each at its will and whim. We pray first for the other partner to stay well then our self. Our bodies slow differently: Alzheimer's disease steals bit by bit the light of knowledge. Nerve systems weaken and short-circuit. Arteries clog. One partner becomes the light, another helps recognition. The story is the caregiver. Care given daily, constantly, wearily shows lasting love. "Until death do us part" is recalled while time flows onward. Love becomes duty; honorable, enduring and necessary. How does one tell the story of lasting love? I tell it by admiring the spouse pushing a wheelchair providing mobility and togetherness, by applauding those who read to the other with dimming sight, and by praising those who explain, interpret and encourage loved ones unable to remember their world. Any lapses in the past are forgotten with today's love; a lasting love. Labels: active retirement community, Chicago independent living, Jack and Rita, senior living facility, senior retirement communities, the garlands
Better Balance Report (Part 4)
posted by Sandra: Monday, July 13
If you've been following our better balance report since it started in January, here's a review of what we've learned: - Your sense of balance needs to be used often to stay in good shape.
- When you were younger, your daily activities exercised your sense of balance and kept it in good condition.
- As you get older, and your activity level decreases, your sense of balance gets less stimulation, causing the quality of your balance to deteriorate.
- Strong legs can help prevent falls and improve quality of life.
- There are many simple changes you can make to your home to decrease your chance of falling there.
- The combination of doing balance exercises, increasing leg strength, and reducing tripping hazards gives you the best chance of avoiding falls, maintaining independence and enjoying a high quality of life.
~Mike Ross, author of "The Balance Manual," www.balance-exercises.com  Labels: better balance report, Chicago assisted living, Chicago independent living, Fitness and Activities, senior retirement communities, upscale senior living
Virtual Bowling Competition
posted by Jack and Rita: Thursday, November 13
 "The Wii Bowling Tournament" created a murmur of excitement as the many contestants and fans followed the signage to the game area. Wii is a game played electronically on TV sets. The Garlands chose the two large sixty inch TVs in the Grill and Timbers Lounge for the competition. The mixed bowling contest between three senior retirement communities in the area, Sedgebrook, Lincolnshire and The Garlands included about eighteen players, eleven women. Community names identified both teams colorfully attired in long hip-length sports shirts which made for an impressive group. "Virtual Bowling" truly lives up to its name. A player holds a remote control in hand, securely attached by wrist-strap. On the TV a complete bowling lane is shown with ten king-pins set up. The player first adjusts a guiding line on the alley remotely to direct his aim. She or he then holds down a trigger allowing them to swing the control at the TV. (Wrist-strap prevents the control from escaping to damage the TV) The control electronically releases a ball at the virtual pins. The TV, in brilliant color, shows accurately the path of the ball and records the hit with real sounds and actual pictures of pins falling in all directions. Both teams, dominated by women, are dedicated and talented. This day, the Sedgebrook players showed a superior ability. The four person Sedgebrook team that I watched all bowled over 200 with a high of 245, truly remarkable scores. I noticed that our team was closing in on that level. Our congratulations go out to the Sedgebrook bowlers. Wii bowling is almost real: the sounds of pins flying, the curving of the ball down the alley, the long view of pins, the replay close-up view of fallen pins and automatic scoring make it enjoyable to play and watch. It is easy for everyone to play--in fact, one of our most spirited woman players bowled from a wheel-chair. Jack Roche Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago independent living, Jack and Rita, senior living facility, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement home
Hawaiian Luau and Royale Polynesian Revue
posted by From the Executive Director: Monday, August 25
Experience upscale senior living at The Garlands and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture at the same time! Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening at a Hawaiian Luau complete with a Hawaiian-inspired feast and a performance by the Royale Polynesian Revue featuring music and dance from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. The Royale Polynesian dancers will entertain you with music and dance from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. Be dazzled by costume changes and a Don Ho-eque singer. Leis will be provided. The Garlands Chef Hans has prepared an exceptional menu of greens with citrus segments, berries, Macadamia nuts and hearts of palm with rice wine vinaigrette; Hawaiian seafood salad; whole barbequed suckling pigs; char grilled barbequed pork tenderloin; char grilled Opakapa topped with papaya salad; pineapple coconut chicken; whipped sweet potatoes; fried rice; banana fritters; stir fried peapods, sprouts, sweet peppers and water chestnuts in a Teriyaki glaze; tapioca pudding with caramelized pineapple; coconut cream pie and a tropical fruit display. The Luau will be held Friday, August 22, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington, IL. The cost is $40 per person for dinner and entertainment with a cash bar. Reservations can be made by calling 847-304-1996 by August 19. Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago independent living, From the Executive Director, senior living facility, upscale retirement home, upscale senior living
Construction Update
posted by Tom Herb: Monday, July 28
This Phase II construction at The Garlands is going to set the standard for active retirement communities nationwide, and will shift perceptions of what independent senior living can be. As such it is a complex and sophisticated undertaking. Since it's raining today, I thought I'd explain a little about our plan of attack. We are building the second phase of The Garlands in three vertical sections--starting with the east, moving to the center and finishing with the western portion of the building. We are building vertically vs. horizontally (meaning floor-by-floor) because we feel there are better economies of scale in doing so. In this manner we can have greater efficiencies with the tradespeople, meaning our lead trades can go in creating the "bones" of the first third of the building and then clear the first vertical, making way so the following tradesmen--mechanical, electric and plumbing--can start their work. Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago independent living, Phase II, senior living facility, upscale retirement home
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