Guidedbygoodness,loyalty,faith,andfun

Desert Peaks Leadership Team 575.523.0300

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Leah Kight, Administrator Tracie Evans R.N., Wellness Director Gloria Martinez, Registered Nurse Marissa Ramirez, Memory Care Coordinator TBA, Dining Services Director Pete Frias, Maintenance Services Director Brianna Apodaca, Life Enrichment Director Justin Telles, Business Services Director Kiko Lopez, Transportation Director

Spotlight on:

A New Year 2017 Thanks for your votes!

Vol. 3 Issue 1 January 2017

Greetings from Leah Kight, AdministratorGreetings all. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed the moments with your families and friends. Thanks for all of those who came out to our caroling event-it was a blast and our residents really enjoyed themselves. Special moments like those make our building feel warm and comfortable. I would like to take a moment and welcome Brianna Apodaca, our new Life Enrichment Director, who started with us on December 12th. She is a very creative and motivated person who will excel in her position. Please take a moment and welcome Brianna to the family. She looks forward to meeting you all and working with your loved ones. We have some great events coming up. Be on the lookout for the events. Thank you for choosing Desert Peaks as your home.

Crafts such as knitting and crocheting are no longer viewed as a pastime for the elderly. In fact, they're popular among all age groups-- from 18 year olds to those over 65.

Perhaps most exciting is research that suggests that crafts like knitting and crocheting may help to stave off a decline in brain function with age. In a 2011 study, research led by Dr. Yonas E. Geda, a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic and published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry &

Clinical Neurosciences; found that those who engaged in crafts like knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.

Four Benefits of Knitting:

1. Alleviates Symptoms of Anxiety, Stress, and Depression: Herbert Benson, a pioneer in mind/body medicine and author of The Relaxation Response, says that the repetitive action of

needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation or yoga.

2. Staves off a decline in Brain Function: A 2007 paper looked at the neurological basis for how activities and hobbies like knitting relate to wellbeing and health. They found that

engaging in these activities stimulates the mind, and slows cognitive decline.

3. Helps prevent arthritis and tendinitis: Dr. Barron, in his book titled The Creativity Cure: Building Happiness with Your Own Two Hands said that knitting “can be a great workout for

the fingers, hands and forearms.”

4. It puts you in the present: The great thing about doing activities that we enjoy is that they put us directly in the present moment. All of a sudden, your thoughts disappear, your mind

quiets down, and you are simply focused on what you are doing in that moment.

Let's learn from the wisdom of our elders, and practice some brain health activities together!

To read more stories like this visit Compass Senior Living’s blog at truenorthelderhood.wordpress.com.

Knitting Boosts Brain Health, Happiness

Fun January Facts!

1. The flower symbol of January is snowdrop & carnation. 2. January's gem is garnet which represents constancy. 3. The zodiac signs for January is Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 - February 18). 4. The Common Sense by Thomas Paine was published on January 10, 1776. 5. On January 10, 1920 the League of Nations was established. 6. National Blood Donor Month 7. National Braille Literacy Month 8. National Hobby Month 9. National Soup Month 10. National Staying Healthy Month 11. On January 8, 1798, Amendment 11 to Constitution was proclaimed which modified the Supreme Court's power. 12. On January 4, 1896, Utah became the 45th state. 13. On January 6, 1912. New Mexico became the 47th state. 14. January 8 - Elvis Presley's birthday 15. January 11 - National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States 16. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States - Third Monday 17. On January 2, 1788, Georgia ratified the Constitution. 18. January 26 - Republic Day in India 19. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln. 20. On the first Monday of January, Handsel Monday is celebrated in Scotland and northern England.

Sanchez family having a blast at luncheon Mr. & Mrs. White enjoying their Thanksgiving meal

5525 Cottonbloom Ct. Las Cruces, New Mexico 88007 Phone: 575.523.0300 Fax: 575.523.8687