1501 E. GANSON ST. JACKSON, MI 49202 JOHNGEORGEHOME.COM

John George Home 2018 Board of Directors Elmer Hitt, President Jeff Karmol, Vice President Kelly Crum, Secretary Robert M. Smith, Treasurer Kevin "Kip" Cunningham K.C. Sykes Joseph Lathrop Molly Kaser Derek Dobies David Garcia Kevin Thomson Martin Griffin Newell Turpel Administrator

Carrie A. Good, MA

STAFF

Jessica Alger, Executive Assistant

Gay Hock, BSW Activities Director

James McGee, Maintenance

Supervisor

Tammy Peterson, Resident Care

Manager

Mary Jo Cavendar, Housekeeping

Supervisor

Ronda Mohr, Dietary Manager

John George Home Foundation 2018 Board of Trustees Jan Maino, President Pat Doher, Vice President Gwen Hamel, Treasurer Jeff Karmol, Liaison Executive Director

Carrie Good, MA

517-783-4134

What are you

Thankful for? At the John George Home we find gratitude in every single day. Many of the men come from situations that have tore them down and often times left them alone in life. These men deserve to go through life with support and friendship. We strive to make everyday a positive and safe living environment for these men. During this season of thankfulness, the guys thought about different things in their own life that they are grateful for.

Every day is a new day and most of the men view life as such.

Residents are thankful for:

Mark– My job & family

David J– To be alive!

Davey– To be here

Steve– For my sobriety

Joel– To be alive and healthy

Larry– To live here

Bill L– For my salvation in Christ

Clint– For my music and movies

Carrie– For the Intern

Our quarterly visit to Liberty Pointe Farm to see our new calf “John George”

Our first trip to the Toledo Zoo. The men had a great time.

My time as an intern has been an eye opening experience. Each resident is unique in their life story and brings individual value to the John George Home. Every conversation, activity, and outing is valuable to the men. I quickly adapted to the friendly community that the Home offers.

Being a part of the staff, allows me to be a part of something greater than myself. The mindset of the staff is to provide a safe, caring, and friendly community to each resident. I have learned that little moments in life make someone’s day. I have witnessed a simple conversation turn around a gentlemen’s day. I have seen how clothing donations, not only clothe the men, but give them an opportunity to show their individuality. Any gift, large or small, will bless the men. I am so grateful to be a part of this community.

-Kaitlyn Gilchrist

Intern Report

Wish List:

Twin Sheet sets

Pillows

Body Wash

Mouthwash

3x, 4x, 5x Clothing

Laundry Detergent

Towels

Wash cloths

Copy Paper

Black Pens

Adult Wipes

Kleenex

Toilet Paper

Electric Razors

Volunteers Needed in

the Activities

Department:

-Arts and Crafts

-Bingo

-Reading

-Visiting

-Transportation to

medical appointments

-Holiday Events

-Cooking class

Education Corner: 12 ways to keep your brain young In January 2018, Harvard Medical School wrote an article discussing the 12 ways you can do to keep your brain young. As we all age, mental decline is common and often times a feared outcome for many. Here are 12 ways to help and maintain your brain function.

Get mental stimulation

Coloring, painting, drawing, and puzzles are all examples of ways to stimulate your brain through activates. By doing these activates, you will keep your mind healthy

Get physical exercise

In order to help your mind, you need to use your muscles. Simple exercises such as going for a walk or riding a bike help your brain. Exercise has a ton of benefits such as reducing mental stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves cholesterol.

Improve your diet

Good nutrition such as fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and unsaturated oils, not only helps your body but it helps your mind. Those who stick to eating a Mediterranean diet are less likely to struggle with cognitive impairment later in life.

Improve your blood pressure

If you are a person with high blood pressure it is important to keep it under control, as it affects your brain. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active, by exercising regularly, are some ways to your keep blood pressure down.

Improve your blood sugar

To help diabetes it is important to eat right, and exercise often. Diabetes is a risk factor of having dementia.

Improve your cholesterol

It is important to learn how to control high cholesterol—a risk factor of dementia.

Consider low-dose aspirin

Think about using low-dose aspirin. Studies have considered it a factor in reducing the risk of dementia.

Avoid Tobacco

There are no health benefits of tobacco use. Choose to avoid Tobacco is all forms.

Don't abuse alcohol

By abusing alcohol, you are putting yourself at a major risk of dementia.

Care for your emotions

Anxiety and depression are real emotions and need to be monitored. The ultimate goal is get plenty of sleep and have good mental health.

Protect your head

Be aware of any head injuries as severe ones increase the risk of cognitive impairment.

Build social networks

Creating and maintaining strong ties with people are connected to a lower risk of dementia.

WELCOME HOME

Nanny

Jeff

Toby

Alan

Donny was born on November 23, 1949. He was raised on 160 acres of farmland in Concord MI. The farm had many animals including cows, chickens, and pigs. His favorite jobs on the farm included milking cows, gathering eggs, and

barrowing the hay. He has two brothers and a sister. Donny is also blessed with loving nieces and nephews. Along with working on his family’s farm, Donny worked hard at his job. He retired from working at Subway after 14 years. Donny enjoyed his job and loved the people he was surrounded with. Although his boss was a State fan and Donny is a loyal U of M fan, the two of them were good friends.

Donny joined the John George family, in December 2015. At first coming to the home, he didn't know what to expect. When he had a chance to settle

down, he felt more comfortable. He expressed, “I got myself a home. I love it!” Donny is active in the house and participates in daily activities with the other residents. On Tuesdays he participates in the Jackson Aktion Club, along with residents Mark and Billy. On Friday, he participates in a round of mini golf with a group of other residents. He uses his dad’s putter and a U of M ball. Donny loves to express his love for U of M.

One of Donny’s favorite things is to spend time in his U of M styled room. In here, you can find him watching movies or playing games, such as bingo and memory games, on his tablet. Upon entering just remember the phrase “GO Blue”.

Resident Spotlight: Meet Donny

Remember when… There was no place to go where you shouldn’t?

“Come again” was painted on the back of the “welcome

to” sign of a town?

If you didn't know what was going on… probably nothing

was?

The only place open all night was the mailbox?

The only place air-conditioned was the movies?

Why is it that the person who snores is always the first one to fall asleep?

Old is when it takes longer to rest than it does to get tired

1501 E Ganson St Jackson MI 49202

Retirement is the best thing that has happened to my brother-in-law.

"I never know what day of the week it is," he gloated. "All I know is, the

day the big paper comes, I have to dress up and go to church."

C L I N T Y W K J T K B M U K O A H K B I L L Y

I N P N N Y S N E O P I I E B T V Z C M T L G T

M A R K V A K Q F M D L S P S R R A Y D O Q P V

J M U V G M H C F V W L C D K V Z V A L M B S X

T V B F D B L C Y D Q S A J B V L K T T Y H E X

B O P R M E E N G O O P U M B I L L L Y J L D J

E S T E Z R K V W N I A J O K O H C V B V P D I

Q B Z D B N W K V N K R G Q R R S C P L N O I M

J F F M X I Z C T Y P T A U T D R S G Q C P E A

U C N E T E N B J X Y H M P L Z B R F N G R C K

H I T X Y W Q X S Y R U R R A F R E D C H K B D

M W I Q W V T K T O I R R Z R V I N J D R A G S

I R D H C Y D U E Y C B U D R U S A F J O N B H

C O M T A L A N V S E P G A Y M D F U U L Z W L

H G A R Y O F C E A B E O V Q M C G H U W R X O

A S N X N G I L B E R T Z I C J S N I Q G X Z A

E K D Z J I M M Y Q W B G D T Z F R Y F W S S K

L E A D Z R B I L L F F Z J Y B P J L P X I W L

F M V A V I D K J I K K C R A F R Q C K S A H E

B J E V A K S R U B G Y R C H A R L E S J X D Y

T O Y I D V N F T B C Z I D S W H I K X B Z I F

Y E M D X O O F Y M J E S S I E H Z C K O V Y Q

N L E G V I A R V N I U Z L N O S R X T R B O B

I R D M M Y D A N N Y P Z R O B E R T T O B Y U

Bill S Jessie Alan

Arthur Bernie Bill F

Bill L Billy Bob

Charles Clint Danny

Davey David G David J

Donny Eddie Fred C

Fred M Gary Gilbert

Jeff Jim Jimmy

Joel Jon Larry

Mark Michael Oakley

Ray Robert Steve

Toby Tom Tomy

Find the Men

Newsletter designed and written by

Kaitlyn Gilchrist, Intern Albion College