News Archives - Page 17 of 24 - Oakmont Communities

Three Tips to Help Seniors Beat the Heat

High 80s, low 90s, no rain. This kind of weather forecast is becoming all-too-familiar throughout Michigan this summer. And while these temps make it easy to get outside and enjoy a ball game or a BBQ with family and friends, they can create a potentially dangerous situation when it comes to dehydration and overheating – especially for seniors.

Along with the physiological changes of aging, many common medications and other lifestyle factors can actually make seniors more prone to dehydration-related issues and complications than younger people. That’s why we wanted to share three great tips to help seniors stay cool doing the summer season.

1. Wear the right clothes for hot temps

Along with its own set of activities, summer also has its own recommended wardrobe – with an emphasis on light, cool, and comfortable. For days like today that make it into the 90s, the Center for Disease Control recommends sticking to lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Wearing the right clothing will help your body’s natural cooling mechanisms do their job, and will help keep you from overheating.

2. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather from inside

Summer makes us want to go outside and experience the sunshine – especially after a long and bitter-cold winter. However, one of the best ways to beat the heat on these scorching summer days is to stay inside, preferably where it’s air-conditioned. Direct exposure to sunlight, even briefly, can not only raise body temps but can also cause sunburn – a condition which makes it virtually impossible to cool down and can easily damage skin.

If you do have to head outside in the heat on a day like today, be sure to wear sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing like a hat and sunglasses. Carrying an umbrella can also be a great way to limit direct sun exposure.

If you’re looking for a place to cool down, many movie theaters, senior centers, museums, and public libraries tend to be comfortably conditioned, so consider spending your time there if you don’t have access to air conditioning at home.

3. Hydrate with water and fluid-rich foods

As we age, achieving proper hydration becomes harder and harder – which makes getting the appropriate amount of fluids a challenge every day. Combine that with the 90-plus-degree temperatures, and drinking the proper amount of water becomes even more important.

Along with drinking the proper amount of H20, seniors can help fight dehydration by eating a diet full of hydration-rich foods. These include cucumbers, watermelon, ice burg lettuce, radishes, and more. Though these foods can be helpful in the fight against dehydration, they aren’t a replacement for getting the proper amount of water in your diet, so be sure to be drink plenty of water, too.

The dog days of summer can be a great time to spend with family and friends, but it can also mean dangerously high temperatures for many. While no general advice like the tips above will replace conversations with your doctor and healthcare providers, we hope these tips will help you stay cool, beat the heat, and enjoy all of the fun activity that summer brings.

Stay Cool!

Note: If you’re prone to bouts of heat-induced dizziness or sickness, or have problems staying hydrated, be sure to have a conversation with your doctor. These tips are not a replacement for medical advice or the opinion of a medical professional.

Oakmont’s 2018 Belle Isle Picnic is a Huge Success!

The annual picnic on Belle Isle has become one of the most popular Oakmont traditions, and this year’s event, held on Thursday, June 28th, surely counts as one of the best!

At around 11 am, Oakmont buses from each of our communities began to pull up to Shed 7 on the Isle’s southwest side, and excited residents, family members, and staff disembarked ready to enjoy a relaxing day of food, fun, and fellowship.

Each community supplied their own picnic dishes, with fresh sandwiches, salads, fruit, chips, lemonade, and other goodies on the menu at every table. Great conversations were had; wonderful stories were shared; and friendships, new and old, were celebrated.

While lunch was served by staff members, the soothing sounds of Wixie Harrington offered the perfect soundtrack to the day, playing hits from all modern eras of music and prompting many to sing along. Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack” was a particularly popular selection.

For Dessert, Screamer’s Ice Cream from Sterling Heights provided the cherry on top – allowing all attendees to indulge in many of their favorite ice cream snacks. It was the perfect treat for the warm June afternoon.

After lunch, many residents and staff enjoyed self-guided tours of the incredible Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, which displays incredible flora from all corners of the globe. Others sat and talked, reminiscing about their memories of Belle Isle from when they were children.

From the food to the fun, and everything in between, 2018’s Belle Isle picnic was certainly one no attendee will ever forget.

See you next year!

Congratulations Martha Teller!

Oakmont Senior Communities would like to congratulate our Director of Sales and Marketing, Martha Teller, on her retirement. After a long and successful career of more than four decades in the workforce, Martha has stepped down from her position with Oakmont to enjoy her time with her husband and family, and pursue creative passion projects at her leisure.

Since joining the Oakmont Team, Martha used her unique skills, talents, and abilities to help build our brand, brighten our communities, and make Oakmont a special place to live and work. Beyond the duties of her position, Martha’s kind demeanor and caring heart also helped her to build many close relationships with our residents and their families from whom we have received countless well-wishes on her behalf.

Despite our sadness at losing Martha, we are so grateful and proud of what she accomplished for our organization, and truly wish her the best during her much-deserved retirement.

Congratulations Martha!

A Leader in the Clubhouse: Bruce’s Return to Orchard Lake Country Club

June 15th, 2018

Rochester Assisted Spotlight, News

A Day to Remember for Bruce

If you don’t know Bruce personally, then there’s a good chance you know his work. A leader in water closet engineering, Bruce is responsible for developing the first pressure-assisted water closet flush technology, which is now found in 60% of all homes in the United States.

After a long and successful career, and raising their son Chris with his wife Sue, Bruce moved into Oakmont Rochester Assisted, where he quickly struck up a friendship with Janell, the building’s activity director, and Michele, Oakmont’s Regional Manager. Delighted by Bruce’s friendship and good nature, both Janell and Michele decided they wanted to do something special for him.

Without letting Bruce in on the secret, Janell began to plan a big surprise. She asked him to keep a certain date in June free on his calendar and told him she was going to take him out to lunch. “It all started months ago when Janell told me to reserve a date in June for a trip,” Bruce said. “I was convinced we were going to a hamburger joint.”

Though Janell may have promised a hamburger joint, where she really wanted to take Bruce was much, much better. Her idea was to arrange lunch at his old club, Orchard Lake Country Club, where he had been Golf Chairman, and which he had talked about so fondly in their time together. Janell reached out to OLCC to explain her idea and let them know that she wanted to surprise Bruce with a visit. Once the staff knew who all of the festivities were for, they immediately said yes and the preparation began.

The Big Day Arrives

Bruce, Janell, Michele, and Bill.

When the day of the surprise finally came, Bruce, his friend Bill who also lives at Oakmont Rochester Assisted, Janell, and Michele, all got onto the Oakmont bus and made their way towards their destination. Slowly, as they began to drive by familiar streets, houses, and landmarks, Bruce began to put two-and-two together – quickly realizing they weren’t headed to the hamburger joint he was promised, and but were instead going to his old club.

They pulled into Orchard Lake Country Club, a place where Bruce has been a member for almost 30 years, and it was like nothing had changed. Staff members knew him by name (and member number), and welcomed him back with great delight. Bruce showed his party through the building and to the elevator which leads downstairs to a dining room for lunch. Little did he know there was another surprise waiting inside.

“When we got in the dining room, there were 17 people there – all of whom I’d known for years,” Bruce said. “And I thought, ‘son of a gun.’ Some of these guys I hadn’t talked to in a long time.”

An Incredible and Emotional Luncheon

A collection of longtime friends and club members had all come to surprise Bruce and honor him at the luncheon. A beautiful lunch commenced, with plenty of laughs, memories, and stories being told. Bruce was totally in his element, holding court at the head of the table and sharing warm smiles with old friends.

As the luncheon came to a close, Bruce went around the room and acknowledged every single person who attended by sharing a memory and thanking them for coming. It was an unforgettable moment for all. “I was overwhelmed by it,” Bruce said of the gathering of friends, old and new. “It was just incredible and emotional.”

One more surprise waited in store for Bruce before heading back home: a guided tour of the newly remodeled golf course at OLCC. Contacted by the club’s head golf pro, Bruce got to head out on a golf cart and see the newly redesigned layout first-hand. When asked how it compared to the layout he played and loved for so many years, he said simply, “well, that’s a whole other story.”

A Thank You Note from Cheryl and Jim – Oakmont Sterling

May 30th, 2018

Sterling Spotlight, News

At each of our Oakmont communities, we are lucky enough to receive frequent cards, letters, and notes of thanks from our residents and their families. These simple gestures mean the absolute world to us, and we are grateful to each and every author who takes the time to share their feedback.

We received the below letter from Cheryl – the niece of a resident who called Oakmont Sterling home for more than seven years. The dedication, patience, and love Cheryl showed her aunt during their near-daily visits constantly inspired us. We are so touched that Cheryl chose to share her words with us, and we wanted to share them with you below:

Note: We have altered the letter slightly to protect the privacy of Cheryl and her family.

To the Directors & Staff at Oakmont Sterling Enhanced:

As you know, my aunt has been a resident at Oakmont Sterling for over seven years until her recent passing. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for taking such wonderful care of her throughout that time. You were truly a second family to her and you made her life safe, comfortable, and very enjoyable.

Since I had a constant presence in her life, I saw for myself first-hand how well she was treated and how the Oakmont staff always went the extra mile to make sure that not only my aunt, but all of their residents, truly felt that this was their “home” and not just another senior facility.

For me, it was especially great to see that Oakmont offered so many activities from crafts, to exercise, to outings, to special events (like the Olympic games – my aunt has her medal to prove she participated), to bingo (with popcorn), to monthly birthday celebrations, as well as holiday celebrations and weekly entertainment. The staff always encouraged the residents to participate in these activities and made it fun to do so.

I can’t say enough about Jodi. What a blessing. While my aunt wasn’t always able to attend all of the activities when she did participate Jodi always helped her and recognized that one of her favorites was doing watercolors. Jodi always encouraged her to participate in that activity. I have several watercolor pictures that my aunt did that I framed and I will always have special memories that while she was “painting” she was happy and had a smile on her face. I have photos of those memories thanks to Jodi. You couldn’t ask for better activities coordinators than Jodi & Debbie. It’s obvious that they enjoy what they do and they pass their enthusiasm onto the residents. They make the day brighter for those who participate in whatever activity is taking place.

Chef Ken always made sure that the residents were happy with their meals and the waitstaff were always cheerful and friendly.

Housekeeping and laundry kept my aunt’s apartment and clothes spotless. I think I need to hire them for myself.

While my heart is very heavy at this time with the loss of my aunt, I take great comfort in knowing that while she called Oakmont her home for over seven years, she was always safe, comfortable, was treated with respect and dignity and was loved by Oakmont’s staff. I couldn’t have asked for a better life for her.

I want to thank everyone at Oakmont, from the bottom of my heart, for helping my aunt live her remaining golden years in the loving and caring environment that she so greatly deserved.

Having been at Oakmont almost every day for the last seven years, I, too, have made great friends and will always remember your kindness, our laughter and our tears. You have become an extension of my family as well, and I appreciate each of you for everything you have done for my aunt over the years.

I won’t be a stranger. I plan on visiting and participating in some activities along the way. Keep the popcorn coming and please remember how much all of you mean to my aunt and to me and my husband.

With much love and sincerity,

Cheryl and Jim T.