Java Social and Java Circle Trainings In addition to the Java Music, Java Memory, and Java Mentors facilitator trainings, we are now offering specific trainings for our new Java Social and Java Circle programs. The dates for these trainings have been determined and are...
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Tim is a resident at Palm Garden of Jacksonville located in Duval County in Florida, a Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility. Tim spent a year in bed there after suffering a bad fall. Yet he decided to participate in a unique project that he...
Julie Sagastume and Penny Kessler at Eskaton Care Center Greenhaven
We are at our strongest when we have the ability to experience whatever feelings are passing through—the ones we like and the ones we don’t. We find our deepest confidence when we know that feelings come and go and we can survive them, and...
Pine Meadow Nursing Home in Northbrook, Ontario was awarded a New Horizons for Seniors grant for the Java Project. The Java Project is an evidence-based peer support and mentoring program designed to reduce loneliness and social isolation. The Java Project grant included the training...
Canadian Journal on Aging 2022 Social isolation and loneliness in long-term care settings are a growing concern. Drawing on concepts of social citizenship, a peer mentoring program was developed in which resident mentors and volunteers formed a team, met weekly for training, and paired...
A new article published in the Canadian Journal on Aging highlights a unique approach to addressing loneliness in long-term care. Social isolation and loneliness in long-term care settings are a growing concern. Drawing on concepts of social citizenship, a peer mentoring program was developed...
Many are celebrating this important day. But if you are feeling emotionally exhausted, you are not alone. These past two years have been hard on everyone and happiness seems to be in short supply. Why is it so hard to be happy and is...
After many months into the pandemic, a new grant is a much-needed boost for many Virginia nursing homes, where residents have spent months confined amid often-deadly outbreaks. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and loneliness were a daily reality for many nursing home...
Dealing with emotions, especially grief, is a difficult topic and one that many want to avoid. Yet we want to be able to help support those around us who are going through difficult emotions. These last many months have made all of us vulnerable....
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. — Mother Teresa The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently proposed peer support as a crucial intervention to address loneliness and improve the health of older people around the world. In their...
Amy Layman, Director of Community Life at Oak Grove Health Care Center, a Consulate Health Care center in North Carolina, recently implemented the Java Music Club. The Java Music program is part of the Java Project, which consists of three resident peer support and...
New research published this past week in the Journal of Aging & Mental Health examines the Java Mentorship program as an innovative approach to an ongoing problem of loneliness in long-term care.1 The presence of uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID and physical distancing...
“Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety; after all it is only in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly.” – Ali Ibn Abi Talib It’s 3:00 am. I wake up and immediately get a hit of anxiety. It’s the free-floating...
I’d like to join the long line of those who are thanking the millions of healthcare workers around the world who are demonstrating such extraordinary courage and strength during COVID-19. A special thank you for those working in senior living over these past months...
In the context of COVID-19 and the imposed regulations of physical distancing to “flatten the curve”, the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness of aging Canadians has dramatically increased. The Java Music Club is an evidence-based peer support program developed by Dr. Kristine Theurer,...
Seton Villa Retirement Centre is located in beautiful British Columbia and is a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood community. This centre promotes health, independence, and provides affordable living for seniors. I had an opportunity to interview Michele Cook, Executive Director of Seton Villa, along with...
September 16, 2020 11:00am – 12:00pm PDT This past April, The National Institute on Aging called attention to research which links severe health risks for older people due to loneliness and depression. Some of these health risks include high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety,...
The COVID-19 virus is having widespread and devastating effects for seniors, especially those living in congregate care. Apart from direct physical health concerns, living in isolation with fear of the virus causes significant anxiety. The loss of friends and loved ones further impacts mental,...
Social isolation and loneliness among residents in senior living communities have been epidemic, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. This is despite the best efforts of organizations to provide quality of life programning. Recently two new peer-reviewed articles have been published documenting exceptional results from ...
The Strength of Peer Support at Work Presented by Dr. Kristine Theurer,Founder, President, Java Group Programs, Inc. Health care workers are often under high stress. Sometimes this stress comes from their personal lives and sometimes from challenges they face in the workplace. In this...
Simple Activities for Stressful Times Presented by Dr. Kristine Theurer,Founder, President, Java Group Programs, Inc. This webinar has been voted LeadingAge Knowledge Center’s Best of 2020! Worry serves a useful purpose – it warns us of danger, it motivates us to find solutions. Worrying,...
When I heard about Greta Thunberg, a young girl who began calling for stronger action on climate change from the Swedish Parliament when she only 15, I was impressed at her determination at such a young age. I thought that this was something unique....
“A ray of hope flitters in the sky, a tiny star lights up way up high.” “When a child is born” is my favorite Christmas song. There is something about this beautiful song that has brought me comfort (and a few tears at times)....
Reducing Loneliness and Depression: The Power of Peer Mentoring in Long-term Care Theurer et al. (2020) Loneliness is all around us. It is linked with depression and is arguably one of the most critical health issues facing our society. Yet feeling lonely has a...
Getting a flu shot matters. “Flu and pneumonia are a critical health concern, and in recent years have resulted in over 50,000 deaths annually, making it the eighth-leading cause of death, just behind diabetes,” says Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for...
You may never have heard of a city called Port Alberni. It is beautiful—located on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, Canada and almost completely surrounded by mountains. While Port Alberni might not be as well known as other cities, there is...
Last week I attended the opening of a new beautiful small community, set in a peaceful neighbourhood. It is a place where people living with dementia can live a full life in cottage-style households. This is The Village Langley – Canada’s first dementia-care village,...
Thank you, Revera! This week Java Music, a peer support program, was shipped to all Revera retirement communities across Canada—giving staff evidence-based tools to engage residents and help target social isolation and loneliness. In an effort the enhance resident’s quality of life, many Canadian...
Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program’s (RSVP) Respite Care Program meets the basic needs of caregivers who are faced with the daunting task of providing 24/7 care for elder Nevadans, Veterans and persons living with a disability. This vital assistance is key in reducing caregiver...
By Kristine Theurer, PhD “If it doesn’t help my bottom line, I’m not interested.” I was having a brief chat at a conference with a CEO who operates 10 senior living homes, explaining how peer support and mentoring reduces loneliness and social isolation. I...
Loneliness is everywhere. Peer support – residents helping resident – is a cost effective and powerful approach to ending loneliness in senior living. Yet in the search for a solution, peer support is often overlooked. How can we create creating safe, caring and inclusive...
“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.” – Rachel Naomi Remen Being a good listener is not easy despite our good intentions....
Getting a flu shot matters. “Flu and pneumonia are a critical health concern, and in recent years have resulted in over 50,000 deaths annually, making it the eighth-leading cause of death, just behind diabetes,” says Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for...
Java Mentorship is having the opportunity of getting together with a group of friends and sharing our inner feelings with each other. It gives us the opportunity to share with each other emotionally, physically, and mentally. Emotionally if a tenant, staff member, family member,...
Depression and loneliness contribute to functional declines, and mortality.(1) The associated health risks for loneliness alone are significant and include premature mortality and poorer health(2), dementia and how quickly dementia progresses and numerous poor health outcomes, such as cancer and heart disease(3). Research shows...
“One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others.” Dalai Lama “I’m so lonely here.” That is how one individual living with dementia described their distress. In a recent...
Feeling connected has a significant impact on our health and well-being, but a surprising number of people don’t feel connected.1 We can all feel emotionally disconnected at times. Are you looking for a way to build better relationships—with friends, with those you work with,...
The Java Webinar Series are a partnership between Ontario Centres for Learning Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care hosted at the Bruyère Research Institute, Carleton University and Java Group Programs with funding provided by the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). There are...
Last spring, DayBreak Adult Day Program participated in a 10-week Master Class series at one of our local schools, Columbine Elementary. Master Classes were taught by volunteers from the community. Some volunteers brought their passion, coordination, and dance shoes to introduce ballroom dancing to...
Life is built around our emotions – join us as we explore strategies to deal with emotions that come up during social programs in your long-term care home. Why increase emotional engagement with our residents? We will learn about three ways to increase emotional...
Seniors sing beloved songs, develop meaningful connections in the Java Music Club. Some say music brings people together. A few retirement communities in Ottawa are counting on it, and hope it will help fight isolation and loneliness, too. Researchers at Carleton University brought a musical...
Enjoy an inspiring Canadian CBC radio interview about Java. Join Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan. Find out about a study underway with Carleton University who is investigating the Java Music Club peer support program. Residents are interviewed, – and there is copious laughing and...
Join us for the second of the Java Webinar Series called “Cultivating Empathy”. How can we cultivate empathy in our practice and within the context of therapeutic group programs that we offer? Join us as we explore strategies to cultivate empathy. Register here. We will...
“Happy”, the uber cheerful song recorded by Pharrell Williams, was the best-selling song of 2014 in the United States. “Clap along if you know what happiness is to you…” I sang along every time I heard it—I still do. I love that song. But...
There are many distractions and challenges that can come up when facilitating a group. Sometimes these distractions are created – intentionally or unintentionally – by group members who may not feel emotionally safe. Sometimes it is because there are no clear boundaries set by...
There are many ways to engage those living with cognitive impairment. Here are a few tried and true approaches to consider: Say hello and use the person’s name. When visiting those living with dementia, avoid “How are you?”. Try “How’s life?” It is an...
Rebecca Field Jager is a fantastic writer of all things interesting who lives in Toronto, Ontario. She recently wrote an article in the Canadian Zoomer magazine called “When Bingo is not enough” about the new peer support group phenomenon happening in senior living. Rebecca...
He who has a ‘why’ for which to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’. (Friedrich Nietzsche) We are all searching for meaning. Promoting purpose in life and meaningful relationships is key to well-being (1). A new study reveals key experiences that promote meaning...
Java Group Programs is thrilled to receive an award for the new Java Mentorship Program from Pioneer Network – thank you! We are honored to partner with Pioneer Network and the work they are doing in changing the culture of aging. The award is...
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. Mother Teresa. The Senate Aging Committee recently held a two-part series shining a light on the growing phenomenon of loneliness and social isolation affecting older Americans. “Isolation and loneliness can have serious,...
Do you have the budget blues? Are you looking for a way to enhance the happiness of residents living in your community but you are dealing with an ever-shrinking budget? Well, look no further. Research indicates that investing in mental health has the most...
I still have the privilege of facilitating the Java Mentorship Program at the Village by the Station every Friday morning. I truly believe that the mentors that have been recruited and maintained are doing wonderful things in our building … magic is...
In May of 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) unanimously adopted a global plan on dementia at the 70th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The plan follows ten years of advocacy by ADI for a global response to the growing impact...
Earlier this year a devastating wildfire struck the town of Fort McMurray. The fire spanned 2000 square miles, about 3/4 the size of the State of Delaware) and destroyed 2400 structures, about 10% of the city. It forced more than 80,000 residents to evacuate....
“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” —Alexander Pope As we age, the importance of making peace with others becomes more apparent, and the benefit is that we gain a sense of peace with ourselves. Authors of a recent article in the Journals...
Volunteering is associated with mental well-being, particularly in older adults. Yet we persist in doing things to and for residents, providing a steady diet of light social events, taking away opportunities for them to contribute, to give back. I argue that by providing cruise...
Saskatoon’s Sherbrooke Community Centre, a centre that embraces the Eden Alternative Philosophy, is a warm and welcoming place: there are 263 residents, 100 Community Day Program participants, 500 volunteers, families, friends, students, pets, and over 500 staff. Sherbrooke has also embraced Java Group Programs,...
Are you looking for a new way to put together a social calendar? Imagine this. Every day residents get up in the morning, have their breakfast and then look to see what’s happening that day on their social calendars. Instead of seeing the usual,...
There is no disputing the facts. Studies suggest that almost one in two residents in long-term care homes suffer from loneliness and depression. In the 1960s, Dr. Peter Townsend conducted an extensive study of care homes and found that loneliness was common and that almost...
Research has found that people living with dementia tend to reflect the emotions of those around them. This transfer of emotion is called ‘emotional contagion’. As their thinking abilities decline, they develop an increased sensitivity to other emotional processes. Emotional contagion is a way...
With continuing budget cutbacks and scarcity of resources, value-for-money matters. New research has found a solution that will give you a significant social return on your investment (SROI)1. SROI is derived from analytical methods such as cost-benefit analysis and social accounting and has become...
“For me it has been an amazing and powerful experience as a facilitator. The Java Music Club at Serendipity has helped me to develop a closer relationship with our guests. We became more than friends, we are like a big family. After each meeting,...
The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut is launching a new study on the both the Java Music Club and Java Memory Car programs. The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut is one of only a handful of non-profit providers focused exclusively on caring for individuals...
In a new article in Aging & Mental Health, researchers are suggesting that loneliness can be a self-fulling prophesy – that that the expectations older people hold of aging impacts their later health (Pikhartova, Bowling and Victor, 2016). We often discuss age-stereotyping against those...
Vera is an 82-year widow living with early-stage dementia, newly admitted to residential care. Vera spends her time alone listening to classical music on the radio. Asked how she is adjusting to living at the home, Vera responded: “I think my room is at the...
Although many kinds of interventions are used for those living with dementia, a lack of evidence often undermines their effectiveness. In a systematic review of 363 qualitative studies, the authors of a 2015 research article identified 5 processes, or ‘active mechanisms’ that appear to...
We are an independent living community for seniors (affordable housing with HUD and tax credit apartments). I knew the Java Music Club program had been successful in assisted living and nursing care facilities but wasn’t sure how well it would work in independent living....
Java Memory Care, a new innovative peer support program for those living with advanced dementia, was recently nominated for the product of the year by the Ontario Association for Long Term Care! Java Memory Care is an adaptation of the successful Java Music Club...
Journal of Aging Studies Loneliness and depression are serious mental health concerns across the spectrum of residential care, from nursing homes to assisted and retirement living. Psychosocial care provided to residents to address these concerns is typically based on a long-standing tradition of ‘light’ social events,...
Just imagine a solution to depression so simple, that it can be implemented every day at no additional cost. Those struggling with depression can reap enormous benefits by focusing their attention on gratitude for the good things in life. As an intervention, this is...
A new training video is just out! Watch real life footage on a new initiative for advanced dementia called Java Memory Care. This research-based program offers effective tools and training for staff on increasing emotional engagement among those living with advanced cognitive impairment. Memory...
All behaviors have meaning and ‘aggressive’ behaviors have been called responsive behaviors because they are not unpredictable or meaningless, but rather a response to an unmet need.1 Even though it may not be apparent to us, those in distress always have a reason that...
Java Music Club at National Church Residences Designed with the intention to provide support for loneliness and depression across the long-term care spectrum, Java Music Club has been a continued success across National Church Residences’ facilities.“I’ve been doing Java for about a year now...
Loneliness is not necessarily about being alone—it is the perception of not belonging and feeling isolated that matters, despite being surrounded by others. In residential care—from care homes, to assisted living and retirement homes—this is particularly troublesome as loneliness is associated with numerous health...
Dr. Michael Barber, Chief Medical Officer from National Church Residences and Kristine Theurer, MA (Gerontology), founder of the Java Music Club peer support program, are co-presenting evaluation results of the implementation of the Java Music Club at National Church Residences along with live video...
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New research indicates that friendships formed with peers actually have more beneficial health effects than the relationships with family.2 At first glance this doesn’t seem to make sense as relationships with family are long-term andpeers in a mutual support group are likely fairly new...
Research and experience shows those living with dementia have an increased sensitivity to emotions, and cultivating emotional engagement is what the new Java Memory Care program is all about. “The program is fabulous! I am working with residents with very advanced dementia with help...
Dr. David Sheard presented recently at the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors Conference in Toronto. He has developed a model for dementia care called ‘Feelings Matter Most’, that focuses on nurturing emotions. Mattering means to be of importance and to...
Graceworks Housing Services recently implemented the Java Music Club at Good Shepard Community, in Greenfield, Indiana. “I love the excitement of people coming together and relating together. It was not like this before.” Sharon, Resident. “Helps to lift my spirits and deal with loneliness,”...
Shining a Light on Depression Is it time for us to pull out all stops and shift our primary approach to depression from treatment to prevention? Prevention is better than cure—stop it before it occurs. Keep something from happening rather than fixing it after...
Arbutus Care Centre is part of Revera, one of North America’s leading providers of seniors’ care and services since 1961. Boyd Foster lives at Revera’s Arbutus Care Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia and recently shared about the residents’ experiences surrounding the implementation of the...
Providing opportunities for residents with to support and help one another is an excellent daily intervention and preventative treatment to address unmet needs (Cohen-Mansfield, 2014). Peer support has a significant impact on loneliness and depression and yet we rarely include this concept in programs....
Louisiana LEADER Summit, Marksville Louisiana – March 18-19, 2015 Together We Care, Ontario Long Term Care Assoc.,Toronto Mar 30 – Apr 1 Ontario Assoc. of Non-profit Homes & Services (OANHSS), Toronto Apr 13-15 National Assoc. of Activity Professionals (NAAP), Daytona Beach, Apr 29-May 1...
An overwhelming positive response was received to a recent survey of facilitators of the Java Music Club program in both Canada and the US. 100% of respondents said they would recommend the program to others. The comments and quotes are moving and you can...
Loneliness and depression, high resident to staff ratios and shrinking health care budgets—these are ongoing concerns across the spectrum of care in senior living. An emerging body of research is heralding a different approach to these critical issues. It’s our best kept secret. And...
My name is Sharron Cooke and I am the president of the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC). I would like to share with you an idea that we came up with to use the traditional talking stick from the Java Music Club program...
The Three Keys to Calmness In his book called The Worry Solution, Dr. Martin Rossman writes about the importance of cultivating calmness in our lives.1 When we are calm and relaxed, our bodies and brains repair and renew themselves. (Read his wonderful book for more.)...
New Research Due to a combination of pervasive stereotyping (1), cognitive impairment and complex health conditions (2), those living in residential long-term care face numerous challenges to finding meaning and purpose, establishing and maintaining relationships, and coping with change. Now, new research is demonstrating...
Le Club de musique Java Voilà! The Java Music Club is now available in French. Chartwell recently implemented the Java Music Club in all of their over 180 retirement and long-term care homes across Canada – including Quebec. The French translation was created with the help...
But now she looks forward to Wednesdays Sheila Harry from Abbotsford, British Columbia writes: “The news from the Java Music Club continues to be amazing. Rec staff love leading the group. There have definitely been some transformations in the residents! One lady said something...
Five Ways to Enhance the Use of a Song Please note: If you would like a free PDF of this document, email kristine@javagp.com There is a difference between the use of songs or music as a diversion, and the use of music for therapeutic...
Congratulations Schlegel Villages on your recent CARF accreditation with “Exemplary Performance”! Java Music Club is honored to have played a role. Schlegel Villages newsletter. From www.facebook.com/schlegelvillages “We are pleased to announce that Schlegel Villages has been awarded a Three Year Accreditation award! Two areas...
“We have just implemented the Java Music Club program on one of our floors. We are now into our 6th week. I have a very strong music background and have always stated that music is one of the magical tools to success when working...
Chartwell offers a wide spectrum of seniors housing choices from independent retirement residences with the option of assisted living services to long term care. They have implemented the Java Music Club in over 180 retirement and nursing homes across Canada. “Our program managers are...
Why should we concern ourselves with empathy? Empathy is often thought of as the ability to imagine how another person feels, to walk in their shoes, to see life through their eyes. But it is also an important behavioral trait that helps guide how...
“Each week the residents at the Renaissance count down until ‘Java day’. We have a saying here now with the residents ‘What happens at Java stays at Java’. They thoroughly enjoy it! For me, I’m very happy with this program as it has attracted...
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Mother Theresa In a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion, Cohen-Mansfield (2014) outlines the health risks linked with loneliness, including a large number of chronic illnesses (increased Alzheimer’ disease, heart...
The ‘Golden Years’ are not always golden. A recent study conducted at the University of Waterloo investigated the prevalence of depression among older adults admitted to long-term care or nursing homes in Ontario, and it reveals some startling statistics.1 Three months after admission, depressive...
Storytelling around a photograph is a part of the Java Music Club. Stories use metaphor and imagery to change the way we see our lives and the world, offering healing and growth to everyone – both the teller of the story and the listener....
All behaviors have meaning and aggressive behaviors have been called ‘responsive’ because research suggests that aggression is not unpredictable or meaningless, but rather often a response to something frustrating or confusing. There is an increasing awareness that responsive behaviors are a cause for...
In his book, “A Cry Unheard: New Insights into the Medical Consequences of Loneliness”, Dr. James Lynch calls loneliness a silent epidemic . It is often difficult for those that are lonely to communicate. The need for meaningful human connection and belonging is both...
“Our residents are opening up in ways that they have never done before. We are gaining insight into their lives. The quotes from our staff about the Java Music Club program: “This is fantastic, exactly what our residents need!” From the residents: “When can...
If you have the Java Music Club program at your organization and have not received the updates sent out over the past year, please send us an email. Some emails with attachments bounce so you’ll need to check your junk mail and add us...
The Talking Stick and Flu Season Note: If you would like a free print out of this article please email info@javagp.com We know the flu season can be a particular challenge when using the talking stick at the Java Music Club. Many group members...
The Java Music Club uses an Aboriginal traditional talking stick as a part of the mutual support group program. The talking stick is passed from group member to group member and serves as a reminder to honour each person there and to help participants...
Walk with me…changing the culture of aging together. March 24-25, 2014. Hyatt Regency, Toronto, Canada. Join together with older adults/residents, their families, researchers, service providers and policy makers to learn with and from each other. This is the first conference of its kind in...
Gary Charland, Executive Vice President of Masonic Homes of California is the lucky winner of the windchimes drawn at the Java Music Club booth at the LeadingAge Conference held in Dallas, Texas October 27-31, 2013. The windchimes are an integral part of the Java...
Why should I consider the Java Music Club free three-month trial? Even though many organizations in Canada and the US have implemented the Java Music Club with fantastic results, the effectiveness of this program is best seen with the residents and staff within your...
Loneliness has become a distinct social concern in care homes. Over 50 years ago an ethnographer named Peter Townsend (1962) conducted an extensive survey of residential homes in England and Wales and found 44% of men and 49% of women reported loneliness. One would...
“I cannot even tell you how phenomenal the roll out of the Java Music Club has been. We have a volunteer for each of the groups and their experience has also been so affirming…they are in love with this program and with the impact...
Do you sometimes feel overly conscious or worry about offending someone who is blind? Are you unsure which language to use or how to really include them in your groups? Here are some practical tips on how to support those with visual impairment. If...
The New York Times reported on a phenomenon experienced by many people called Emotional Contagion. In this article, Judith Graham writes: “The term refers to the way we sense the emotions of others through their facial expressions, tone of voice or body language, and...
I came across a recreation assessment form in which a resident wrote: “Please don’t throw balloons at me!” Nothing else. No favorite hobbies, no where I grew up, what I like to be called, or favorite foods. Why would a resident have requested that?...
Those living in long term care communities such as care homes, assisted living and retirement homes face numerous barriers to feeling a sense of inclusion and belonging. It is hard to imagine what it is like living in a place with some many others....
Come join us in August at the Pioneer Network 13th Annual Conference: Hear the Voice, Honor the Choice: August 11- 15th, 2013 in Bellevue, Washington. The Java Music Club will be presenting a full one and a half hour workshop at this national culture...
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) Annual Conference was held in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 7-9th, 2013. The mission of ALFA is to advance quality of life for seniors and their families and ensure a future of innovation, entrepreneurialism and excellence in senior...
LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo: Dallas, Texas, October 27, 30, 2013 Join us in Dallas for 4 days of exceptional learning and endless networking opportunities at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting and EXPO. Find solutions to your community’s most pressing challenges in sessions related to...
Another pilot is underway – it is the all new Java Caregivers Support Group. The purpose of this structured program is to provide opportunities for caregivers to share their challenges and what has helped them to cope. The focus is on caring for the...
Pioneer Network 13th Annual Conference: Hear the Voice, Honor the Choice: August 11- 15th in Bellevue, Washington. Pioneer Network’s highly anticipated national conference is the nation’s largest and most successful conference of its kind. The four-day conference is a showcase for innovative thought and...
Kinsmen Lodge and Village by the Station in British Columbia have launched a pilot of the new and enhanced Java Mentorship Program. The Java Mentorshop Program builds on the Java Music Club, using the club members to build a mentorship team that regularly meets...
The Java Music Club in Assisted Living Kinvillage Campus of Care – Delta, British Columbia, Canada For 30 years KinVillage, in the heart of Tsawwassen, South Delta, British Columbia has provided seniors and others with a wide range of programs, health care, recreational and...
Java Music Club Facilitators Village by the Station, Good Samaritan Society, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada Michelle Rolston, Andrea Jones, Suzanne (SZQ) Lionello Village by the Station is a unique community offering seniors multiple levels of support and the opportunity to age in place. The...
How to Demonstrate Empathy Residents will often provide the most valuable information about what is going on for them through their voice and body language, rather than what they say. Using active listening skills, a group facilitator can help resident expand and elaborate on...
This was written by a spouse of one of our residents. He brings his wife to the Java Music Club religiously and as you can see from his poem it seems to make his whole week! He shared it with us today. Submitted by...
Many older people with Alzheimer’s dementia and behavioral symptoms can be withdrawn from chronic antipsychotic medication without detrimental effects on their behaviour. A subgroup of the international healthcare research organization the Cochrane Collaboration, recently tracked what happened when people with dementia were taken off...
Those living in long term care communities such as care homes, assisted living and retirement homes face numerous barriers to feeling a sense of inclusion and belonging. It is hard to imagine what it is like living in a place with some many others....
I came across a recreation assessment form in which a resident wrote: “Please don’t throw balloons at me!” Nothing else. No favorite hobbies, no where I grew up, what I like to be called, or favorite foods. Why would a resident have requested that?...
The Journals of Gerontology released a study in 2012 that examimed those over the age of 65 living with multiple chronic conditions. What they found is that those with a purpose in life and positive relations with others had lower levels of inflamation and...
Meeting the mental health needs within the long-term care sector is an increasing concern. Studies reveal that 44% of those living in long term care have symptoms of depression yet only a small proportion actually receive an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional...
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) Annual Conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 7-9, 2013. The mission of ALFA is to advance quality of life for seniors and their families and ensure a future of innovation, entrepreneurialism and excellence in...
The Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors will be holding their 2013 Annual Meeting and Convention with this year’s theme Great Places to Live and Work on April 29 – May 1, 2013. The Java Music Club will be presenting a...
The Ontario Long Term Association is hosting its annual convention April 7-9th in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The opening keynote speaker will be Peter Reed, CEO of the Pioneer Network. The Java Music Club will be there! Read more
The Ontario Research Institute for Aging’s 2-Year Progress Report (2011-2012) is now available on their website. The report profiles the Schlegel Research Chairs, provides highlights of research projects and also research-to-practice activities, including the implementation of the Java Music Club. Dr. John Hirdes and...
The Java Music Club was recently at the Ontario Long Term Care Association Applied Research Education Day held February 13th, 2013 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. The program was one of the four presentations at the inaugural Innovator’s Den. It...
Why is valuing someone more important than liking them? It is easy to like the people we like. Those that are friendly and get along with others, ….those that enjoy the same things we do—we are conditioned to like them. Everyone is human and...
Three Rounds of Gratitude – An Activity Program What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it….I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life. Oprah Winfrey The following practice...
I was living on my own, but then had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. I needed to change my circumstances so have now been living at Kinsmen Lodge for over three years. I moved here because I was told it has...
This lady moved into our Care Home three years ago with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and Depression. At 66 years of age she was one of our young people but she chose to often isolate herself in her room and was reluctant to...
I’d like to share with you a true story about the incredible power of mutual support. There was once a woman I’ll call Edwina, who was transferred to a care home where I worked because of repeated “incidences” of aggression. It was her third...
The research that went into the development and evaluation of the Java Music Club is now published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Gerontology. Click here to read the abstract.
Mutual Support Groups: Building Relationships – Targeting Loneliness and Depression (Long Term Care Fall 2012) The Java Music Club is now in the fall issue of this professional magazine. Published for over 20 years, Long Term Care is a relied on source of current,...
In its comprehensive report, “Why Not Now?”, the long term care innovation expert panel has a vision for Ontario’s system of care for older adults that: Promotes health and well-being; Empowers older Ontarians to make informed choices and take control of their lives and...
The Journals of Gerontology released a study in 2012 that examimed those over the age of 65 living with multiple chronic conditions. What they found is that those with a purpose in life and positive relations with others had lower levels of inflamation and...
The Java Music Club held a draw for a beautiful hand-made set of Treeworks Windchimes at our booth at the LeadingAge Conference in sunny Denver, Colorado. Laurence Dahl, LNFA, Executive Director/CEO of Eden Hill Communities in New Braunfels, Texas, is the lucky winner. Congratulations...
Read about the moving real-life stories of Java Music Club group members and facilitators…and for anyone who is struggling with life, here’s a little helpful advice. I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. It’s wonderful being in the Java Music Club program. It gives me...
This issue’s suggestion is around the use of questions. There are many things to think about when facilitating a group and one of them is how we use questions
Loneliness is a common source of distress, suffering, and impaired quality of life in older persons.
The single most important activity to add to your life is service. To find creative ways to be of help to others in our communities.
Introducing The Java Music club in six LTC homes with the goal of including residents in the betterment of the lives of their peers far exceeded expectations.
Loneliness, isolation and depression are epidemic in Canada’s long-term care facilities. Therapist and researcher Kristine Theurer worked with frail seniors for years, knowing that something was missing in the way caregivers and the system try to help them. She has developed a new model...
The Java Music Club was represented at the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference held in Vancouver, BC, a wonderful opportunity to network and link up with researchers from around the world who are doing similar work.
The Java Music Club will making a debut in the US at the upcoming Pioneer Network Conference held in the first week of August in Jacksonville, Florida. The theme of this conference is “Building a Bridge to a New Culture of Aging” and the...