People from all over the nation in their 70′s and above shared their advice and wisdom for living a live with no regrets. A summary of his findings can be found in his recent book, 30 Lessons for Living-from the Wisest Americans.

Here is a summary of some of their thoughts.

How To Be Happy: The consensus of the elders is that we can’t wait for external events to bring about happiness. They suggest we can make a choice not to brood negatively about life. Don’t think on any past shortcomings or failures. Learn what you can from them, resolve to do better, and live on. Almost all elders viewed happiness as a choice, not the result of how live treats you.

On Aging: “Embrace it. Don’t fight it. Growing older is both an attitude and a process”, an 80 year old man said. The experts advice to the young: “Don’t waste your time worrying about getting old.”

Maintain social contacts. Avoid becoming isolated. When an invitation is issued, say yes. Take steps to stay engaged, and take advantage of opportunities to learn new things. Although many were initially reluctant, those who moved to a senior living community found more freedom to enjoy activities and relationships then they had before.

On Regrets: Travel more when your younger rather than wait until the children are grown or you are retired. Travel is so rewarding that is should take precedence over other things younger people spend money on. Create a bucket list now and start whittling it down.

Vist the web site for more advice and Meet The Elders videos.  www.legacyproject.human.cornell.edu

Jazz 88 All-Stars at the Liberty Hall Theatre

By Robert Bush | Posted January 30, 2012, 3:57 p.m.

Last night, another in a an excellent series of monthly jazz concerts was produced by the folks at Liberty Theatre at Paradise Village. This time, the featured act was the KSDS Jazz 88.3 All Stars, loaded with some of San Diego’s premier, yet under-sung players.

“The All-Stars were formed about eight years ago to do a promotional jingle for the radio station,” says drummer Barry Farrar, who has hosted one of KSDS’ best programs for more than 30 years, the always entertaining “Percussive Profiles,” which airs on Tuesdays at 10-12 p.m.

What makes “Percussive Profiles” such a satisfying show is the fact that it’s put together by a jazz drummer. There’s never a lack of enthusiasm, or absence of inside information, and Farrar, obviously knows and loves, the subject of jazz drumming. He also features live interviews with many drum legends on the show, an extra treat.

Since it’s inception, the All-Stars have focused the bulk of their attention to a celebration of the music recorded on the Blue Note label in the 1960s, and related material, including some excellent originals that reflect a similar oeuvre.

In that spirit, the band burst out of the gates with a version of Freddie Hubbard’s “Gibraltar,” a smoking tune from that tradition. Farrar set up a quasi-Latin groove, then trumpeter Steve Ebner and tenor saxophonist Bob Campbell jumped all over the intricate theme before launching into excellent, idiomatic solos.

As a soloist, Ebner navigates the divide between the breakneck velocity of Hubbard and the more nuanced chops of Woody Shaw quite well. Campbell usually reflects a tone similar to Stan Getz but his lines are more intense, like someone who has studied John Coltrane’s early work as well.

Joining Farrar in the rhythm section were two cats I wish I heard much more often: the ebullient Mikan Zlatkovich on piano, and the powerful veteran Bill Andrews on bass. I remember being enthralled by Andrews’ playing some 30 years ago, and he’s even better now. Zlatkovich is a master of the piano, on the opener, he displayed his absorption of McCoy Tyner, but you can hear everyone from Art Tatum to Bill Evans in his wide ranging personal distillation of the jazz piano aesthetic.

On “Senor Blues,” Ebner blew bright, fleet-fingered excursions with frequent stops at the blues, while Campbell wound tight arpeggios and knotty improvisations with a clear and calm tone. Zlatkovich seemed to watch his own handiwork with an ecstatic wonder, and Andrews took it into the basement with a solo loaded chock full of double-stops and slurring asides.

Blue Mitchell’s “Fugi Mama,” was an island-flavored tune in the spirit of Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas,” and it bounced along joyfully, powered by the manic ornamentation of Campbell and the squeezed notes of Ebner, who shot skeins of scalar harmony into the rafters. Zlatkovich picked up the last line of Ebner’s solo, repeated it, then sent it into several harmonically related neighborhoods before unleashing a torrent of fresh ideas.

Jeffery Smith, the Managing Artist Director of the Liberty Theatre, and a celebrated vocalist in his own right, joined the band for a sensitive, yet powerful reading of Bill Evans’ “Detour Ahead.” Smith has a muscular baritone that retains the clarity of a Johnny Hartman, and the elasticity of Leon Thomas. He’s got a command of the emotional center of a ballad, and he makes you think about the lyrics.

Zlatkovich’s “This Is For Horace,” followed a brief intermission, and it was probably the standout moment of the concert. An excellent, swinging tune, this one also visited the blues in a deep, gutbucket fashion–eliciting exciting solos from the whole band, especially from the composer.

Wayne Shorter’s elliptical, modal masterpiece, “Speak No Evil,” followed. The pianist struck a free, rubato intro that set up the melody, and the furious swing and swagger of its groove. Campbell started out slow and easy, before erupting into altissimo register screams and squeals. Zlatkovich set dizzying streams of back and forth melodic ideas into motion and rocked some explosive block chord harmony. Both Campbell and Zlatkovich tossed in heavy quotes from another Shorter tune, “Witch Hunt,” for good meausre.

To close out this excellent evening of classic mainstream music, the band stormed through Duke Ellington’s ever popular “Caravan.”

Photo by Barbara Wise

Paradise Village retirement community residents love the close access to parks and recreation we have within a few miles of our senior living community.  National City’s own Pepper Park, named after National City businessman and civic leader Leonard Pepper, is a 5-½ acre park with picnic areas, a busy boat launching ramp and a fishing pier equipped with lighting for night fishing.  Paradise Village is located two miles from the beautiful, waterfront area in our city.

Residents venture off on their own to explore these local area gems or are taken in our lovely coach van to a variety of parks, waterfront areas and picturesque places in town.  Our walking club heads out weekly on Saturday mornings.  World renown Balboa Park is only 5 miles away.

Paradise Village offers affordable senior housing in San Diego’s beautiful South Bay!

PEPPER PARK stats:

Special Events Permitted: Yes
Maximum Occupancy for Events: 1,000
Weddings/Receptions: Yes
Location: South Terminus of Tidelands Avenue
Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Researchers say that we will live 30 years longer then our grandparents.   With all this added time how do we use it?  How do we live it successfully?   She suggests that we look at aging as a upward reaching staircase, the upward ascension of the human spirit.

How will you live your third act?

 
The Third Act

Starting this month, the Independence at Home Demonstration is calling for applications to test whether providing coordinated home-care services for patients with multiple chronic conditions will keep them out of the hospital, improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, and lower Medicare costs.

Up to 10,000 eligible beneficiaries, as well as up to 50 providers may participate during the study’s 3-year period. Applications from medical practices to the program are being accepted until Feb. 6.

“When critically-ill patients can remain in familiar surroundings, the benefits are many: the person retains greater control over their lives, families and caregivers report greater satisfaction with the care, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided,” CMS acting administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a statement.

In order for beneficiaries to participate, they must have multiple chronic conditions, have received rehabilitation treatment in the last year, be covered under fee-for-service Medicare, have been admitted to the hospital in the last year, and need assistance with at least two daily activities (such as walking or bathing). CMS will track beneficiaries’ experiences through a variety of quality measurements.

To qualify for the program, medical practices must have experience providing at-home care, they must serve at least 200 eligible beneficiaries, they must use electronic health information systems, and they must provide at-home visits and have available 24/7 coverage. They must also report required quality measures. Practices may apply separately, or multiple primary care practices within a geographic area may form a consortium in order to participate.

Practices that demonstrate a specific savings target as a result of participation in the project will receive an incentive payment if they also meet at least three of six quality measures. The amount of the incentive payment will be commensurate with the savings achieved. Saving targets will be determined on a per capita basis.

If you would like more information on how this program may benefit you here at Paradise Village, contact our Executive Director for assistance.

The Joint Commission Recognized PVH on Key Quality Measures

National City, CA – Sept. 27, 2011 – Out of more than 3,000 hospitals across the country, Paradise Valley Hospital was recognized as a top performer on key quality measures by The Joint Commission.

Paradise Valley ranks in the top 14 percent of all commission-accredited healthcare facilities based on clinical processes data shown to improve care for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

“Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and the Joint Commission is shining a light on the top-performing hospitals that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care,” said Joint Commission President Mark Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH.

To be recognized, a hospital had to meet or exceed 95% performance on a composite score that included all of the accountability measures, and meet or exceed 95% performance on every performance measure that it reports to the Joint Commission. Of the 34 California hospitals recognized, nine are Prime Healthcare hospitals, including Paradise Valley Hospital. Paradise Valley also is one of only three recognized hospitals in San Diego County.

“I want to thank the physicians, nursing staff and employees at Paradise Valley Hospital for adhering to our motto of bringing quality, cost-effective and compassionate healthcare to every one of their patients,” said Regional CEO Luis Leon.

The commission is the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States.

The commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals,” recognizes hospitals that are top performers in using evidence-based care processes closely linked to positive patient outcomes. The 405 organizations identified as attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for the full previous year (2010) represent approximately 14 percent of commission-accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals that report core measure performance data.

Paradise Village residents and staff, however, took great comfort in one another and rode out the electrical disruption in style.  With ample power produced from back-up generators, Paradise Village operations continued with only minimal interruption.  Central services in the Plaza, such as restaurant dining, WiFi internet, all elevators, Club Paradise wellness facilities, and most other services did not experience problems.  In fact, the camaraderie produced through the event was extremely positive!  It even caused an impromptu social hour around both the speech from President Obama and the season opening NFL football game.

“I’m so happy with the response from staff and management and the community was quite prepared to handle this problem!” exclaimed one Paradise Village resident.

Other communities in the San Diego, without generators to back up their electrical systems, did not fare as well.  With some residents stuck in elevators and complete shut down of services and amenities, these communities had a much more difficult time during these long hours.

Thanks go out to staff and residents for such a positive response to an unprecedented blackout.  Paradise Village’s design and construction proved worthy to provide residents and employees safety and security in an otherwise daunting situation.

1. The first thing to remember is that your health is your most important asset.  While spending time in a doctor’s office may not be your favorite thing to do, it is a necessity and will help you maintain staying healthy and therefore increase your quality of life.

1. When you feel fearful about the exchange between you and your doctor, try to adopt a practical attitude.  Detach from your feelings: it’s a fact finding visit – it doesn’t have to be an emotional one.  When you can look at it with the right attitude, you will feel less intimidated and more focused on what the appointment is about.

1. It’s a good idea to take someone with you.  Not only will there be another pair of ears to remember what was said, but you will have your own support system in place during the appointment.  They may also be able to ask the questions that elude you.

1.     Before you arrive, make a list of problems you want to discuss. 

For example: low back pain, left side, 3 weeks – taking Tylenol or dry itchy patch on

 right cheek for3 months

Make your list precise and short – not too many problems per visit.  Give your list to the medical assistant before you see the doctor.  You will feel more in control of the situation this way and the staff will also be able to help you more efficiently.  Repeating what you have learned before the visit ends will help you remember what took place and allows the doctor to see if further explanation is needed.

1. Be sure to ask questions and take notes.  Just like the prepared list of problems, you’ll

want your query to be simple and to the point.  Then if you write down what is being said, you can ask for clarification of a term or specific instructions before you leave.  You can also ask for handouts with more information for your specific problem.

1. It’s a good idea to organize your own medical history.  In an emergency or upon seeing new care providers, you will be able to help track important issues.   Start by listing every medical concern you can recall for the past five years, including past surgeries and medications. For example, you can obtain clinic notes, imaging and tests, lab reports and hospital summaries.

Finally, remember that your health is the number one subject during your visit.  Following these six guidelines will optimize your time with the doctor, and you can continue to focus on what’s most important: you.

His words on running seem to fit perfectly with Generations’ mission of Enhancing Lives and Celebrating the Excitement of Living.  We believe that everyone is an athlete and that wellness is an integral part of life, no matter one’s age.  Here is a quote from George Sheehan’s book, ”Going the Distance”.  Enjoy your road!  Make it an exciting journey!

“To many people, growing old seems like the endgame in chess: life winding down in a series of small moves with lesser pieces.  As I age, I have discovered this is not true.  I am not an elderly king stripped of my powers, reduced to a ragtail army of pawns.  My life is not a defensive struggle of restricted options.  Growing old is a game of verve and imagination and excitement!

The aging game is chess at its best.  The opening gambit may have been made long ago.  The responses long set in motion.  Some pieces indeed have been lost.  But the board is still filled with opportunity.  The outcome is not now a matter of strength, although that still remains, but of faith and courage, hope and wisdom.

The aging game is a sport for which childhood and youth and maturity are no more than a preparation.  Its scope comes as a surprise.  It expands my life at a time when I expected it to diminish.  It demands an excellence that no longer seemed necessary.  It asks me to surpass what I did at the peak of my powers.  Age will not accept second best.

In the aging game I must be all I ever was and am yet to be.  What has gone before is no more than a learning period.  A breaking in.  Life, someone has said, is boot camp.  If it is, age is the combat for which I was trained.  Now I must take this person I have become and make each new day special.  I must make good on the promise of every dawn I a privileged to see!”

Well said, Dr. Sheehan!  We shall go and greet each dawn with excitement!

Mr. Schreven has been walking across the country to bring awareness of the issue of malnutrition in children around the world and to raise funds to combat this problem.  In total, he has walked a marathon each day for the past 100 days.  You can go to www.kidscharitywalk.com for more information.

The Kids Charity Walk is working in partnership with MannaRelief (www.mannarelief.org), a Christian inter-denominational, non-profit organization that provides advanced nutritional support to malnourished children around the world. Since 1999 they have helped over 109,000 children in over 83 countries of the world.

Come and listen to Leo talk about his journey, his secrets to motivation, and his mission.  It’s an evening sure to inspire!

We hope to see you on Wednesday, May 18th at 7pm.

For more information, call 619-475-0383.