By: Jill Springer and Anita Martin, Woodstone of Hutchinson Almost all of us know someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia.  If it’s someone very close to you, like a spouse or a parent, watching the disease progress can be very stressful and difficult.  But it can also be a little scary to try and visit with someone who has dementia when you haven’t seen them in a while and you are not sure what to expect.  Here are some pointers on how to visit with someone who has dementia: Always introduce yourself.  It may seem... [Read More]

By: Jill Springer, Executive Director, and Rachel Garfunkel, Dining Experience Manager, Woodstone of Hutchinson Take a minute to imagine the following scenario.  You are getting older and living by yourself.  You have noticed that it’s not as easy to do all the things you used to do.  You are finally faced with the reality that you are no longer able to live in your own home.  You need a little extra help with some of your activities of daily living and your family is getting concerned about your safety.  You and your loved ones start the difficult journey of looking... [Read More]

By: Jill Springer, Executive Director, Woodstone of Hutchinson Every winter, at least once, I slip and fall on the ice.  In my 20’s, I’d pop right back up.  In my 30’s, it started to get a little annoying.  And now that I’m 40, I actually consider just staying on the ground for a few minutes while I allow my body time to adjust.  Thankfully, I’ve never been injured, but every year it gets a little bit more difficult to bounce back from the fall.  As we age, it is important to change our normal fitness routine to include activities that... [Read More]

Submitted By: Val Corton, Community Life Coordinator, Woodstone – Rice Lake As we look around our beautiful building, we see the work of the Christmas Elves!  Each year we hold our Annual Christmas Door Decorating contest for our residents and staff.  Everyone is encouraged to spread a little holiday cheer by decorating their apartment or office door.  They can be decorated simply, eloquently, or anywhere in between! The decorations can be homemade or purchased. We just hope everyone has a little fun! Then, to add a little more fun into the mix, we post all of the decorated doors on... [Read More]

The task of putting up Christmas decorations is no small feat.  It usually involves ladders, tangled lights, and sticky fingers from the sap of a fresh cut tree.  And let’s not even talk about taking it all down.  So why do we do it?  Science says because it makes us happy.  According to Psychologist Deborah Serani, decorating for Christmas creates a “neurological shift that creates happiness…Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel good hormone.” But what is it specifically about Christmas decorations that make us feel happy?  It could just be the bright lights and color, according to Serani, but... [Read More]

Submitted By: Val Corton, Community Life Coordinator, Woodstone-Rice Lake A few residents here at Woodstone Senior Living Community in Rice Lake took the opportunity to bless a family in need.  We teamed up with the Rice Lake Main Street Association to participate in their Annual Adopt-A-Tree Program.  Businesses and organizations sign-up to decorate a tree.  All decorations must be hand-made and non-breakable. This is the 2nd year that Woodstone has participated in this Community Project.  Our residents not only enjoyed getting together to create something fun, but love the idea of blessing a family that may not have a Christmas... [Read More]

Submitted by: Val Corton, Community Life Coordinator, Woodstone – Rice Lake We have the opportunity to talk to some of the wonderful men that chose to serve our great country!  We even have the opportunity to talk to the wives of these great men! We are grateful we have so many veterans and spouses living here at Woodstone. We took the time to recognize our residents that have served, listen to patriotic music (including their service branch anthems), have root beer floats, and listen to stories being swapped around the table We thank not only those that live here at... [Read More]

Submitted By: Val Corton, Community Life Coordinator, Woodstone-Rice Lake Each year our residents are blessed by our local Middle School 7th graders and their artistic abilities.  We thank Linda Coe for organizing this amazing project and delivering completed projects to our residents! Rice Lake Middle School 7th Graders are given a pumpkin and the opportunity to decorate it however they like.  They bring in their own art supplies and get to work cutting, gluing, coloring, creating!! The possibilities are endless and the outcome is simply amazing! Thank you again for the wonderful blessings! Below are a few of the pumpkins... [Read More]