2018 ISSUE 2 Touchmark on South Hill Newsletter Laughing It gives you life! When Bev Kuhn is asked why she s always smiling and laughing, she quickly answers, It s a good release and makes things go well. She says she laughs at any humor she finds. Pausing, she thinks about an example and then lights up as she describes her fun table of six women who enjoy eating dinner together each evening. One woman brings a book of Yiddish phrases to share with the group. They re common phrases we all know, and that sets the stage for a fun dinner. We re all different and may not agree on everything, but we can talk about anything, laugh, and have a great time. Research has shown there are many real benefits of laughter, from managing pain to reducing stress, and Bev acknowledges laughter played a big role helping her cope with the many demands of caring for her husband for five years as his Alzheimer s disease progressed. It was such a difficult time. I tried crying, but that doesn t work, so I thought I might as well laugh about it. He had a great sense of humor! Before her husband s diagnosis, the couple spent 20 years traveling across most of Canada and throughout the U.S. and Mexico in their RV. He was a jokester! I m not a joke-teller, but I love laughing at jokes when others share them. Born in North Hollywood, California, Bev has lived most of her life on the West Coast. She and her husband owned a metal engraving business and raised three daughters. With her flair for design, Bev also was an interior decorator. Plus, she was a district manager for Avon, overseeing 150 representatives. CONTINUED ON PG. 2
CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 Life and laughter at Touchmark I ve had more culture here at Touchmark since I moved in almost three years now, she says throwing her head back with a laugh. The music is amazing, but that s not all. You can t do everything there is to do there s lots and lots to do. In addition to all the cultural events and activities, you can find Bev bubbling with enthusiasm at happy hours, chatting with people while she walks her dog, and signing up for most anything. At the top of her list is the A-MAY-Zing Race, an activity patterned after the popular TV show, the Amazing Race. I love it! That is the most fun! It s a challenge, and I didn t realize I was so competitive, but I jumped into it. Her team (the Sweet Chicks) has won for the past two years. And we plan to do it a third year: We re tough! That competitive spirit also shows itself when she plays Wii Bowling, another favorite pastime. Having crisscrossed North America with her husband, Bev still enjoys traveling and appreciates Touchmark s organized trips. We went to Cape Cod last fall, and we plan to go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later this year. I m excited to go to the Panama Canal next year. But ask Bev what she likes the most, and she quickly says, The people! Not only the residents but the staff, too: They re wonderful and very caring. When she s not talking and laughing with friends and neighbors or playing Pegs and Jokers, Bev is busy with projects in her home. I adore quilting and have an embroidery machine and a pretty extensive collection of quilts. Whether she s bent over her sewing or raising a glass and toasting life with friends, the one common thread running through Bev s full and fascinating life is laughter. It gives you life! Humor is mankind s greatest blessing. Mark Twain Most people have heard the saying laughter is the best medicine, and while that may be an overstatement, laughter does offer some profound benefits. In fact, recent studies have shown that laughter has the power to reduce stress and anxiety by shutting down stress hormones like cortisol and triggering dopamine production. It also increases oxygen intake by stimulating the heart, lungs, and muscles, and it is a natural pain killer. Here are a few suggestions for increasing your laughter levels: Laugh when others laugh. Sometimes your body just needs to get warmed up, and a few false chuckles can help you get started on the real thing. Learn to laugh at yourself. Laughing instead of getting angry at yourself when you make a mistake will give you more reasons to laugh and may help you be a happier person overall. Browse YouTube. Type in funny videos, and you will find thousands of opportunities to tickle your funny bone. Change up your radio stations. There are a variety of ways to listen to recorded comedy, including CDs, humor podcasts, and satellite radio comedy stations. Schedule a weekly funny movie night. Invite friends or neighbors and suggest taking turns hosting and selecting the film. When accompanied by others, many people are 30 percent more likely to laugh than when on their own. Embrace every opportunity to laugh: after all, our health can be a laughing matter. 2
Health & Fitness Studio Updates Spring is around the corner! Join us for one or many of our fun classes. Remember, there are many benefits to keeping your mind and your muscles active. Senior Fitness Testing: Friday, April 13 Physical Therapist Assistant students from Spokane Falls Community College will administer a complimentary Senior Fitness Test to residents and guests ages 60+. Sessions are at 1:30 pm or 3 pm. The tests measure strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and agility. A few days after testing, participants will receive a report comparing their results with those of others in their age group. Sign up in the activity book or call 509-536-2929 to schedule your preferred time. Parkinson s Disease FUNctional Movement Awareness Day: Friday, April 20, 12:30 pm Join us for several short classes and movement sessions designed for people with Parkinson s disease, presented by members of the greater Spokane community. Programming will include BIG & LOUD, PWR! Moves, Legacy Boxing with KO Parkinson s Disease, and Tai Chi for Parkinson s. All four sessions will begin at 1 pm and repeat throughout the afternoon, every half-hour. We will also have a golf pro in attendance and our pingpong table will be set up, as we have seen anecdotal evidence that these two sports are beneficial for those with Parkinson s disease. Spokane s most-celebrated Mardi Gras Mardi Gras may be synonymous with New Orleans, but last month s Fat Tuesday topped even Touchmark s previous three bashes. During the day, the Life Enrichment/Wellness team transformed the freshly cleaned yet unassuming parking garage into a New Orleans street-scene, complete with real shutters, lights, and purple/green/gold decorations everywhere. The party got underway at 5 pm with a parade of colorful masks, plenty of beads, and waving handkerchiefs as residents followed a seven-piece jazz band through Touchmark. The parade ended in the transformed parking garage, where a Cajun feast awaited partygoers. After dinner, residents and guests danced to highenergy jazz, swing, and jump blues tunes from the popular Hot Club of Spokane band, with local singing sensation Abbey Crawford. KHQ was on-site to capture the spirit of Mardi Gras and the crew didn t even have to travel to the Big Easy! 3
TEAM MEMBER Name: Dawn Bruce Position: Fitness Specialist How would you describe yourself? I am fun loving and adventurous with a side of sass. Life is all about choosing to live exactly how you want. I live with as much fun and adventure as I can muster up, while bringing in as many people as I can to share in the memory-making. Share a bit about your family and growing up. I grew up in a small town in Idaho, the second oldest of five children and the oldest girl. I am surrounded by family on both my mother and father s side and enjoyed weekends with all my extended family. My favorite times as a child were spent with my grandmother on property in Wolf Lodge, Idaho. We hiked together often, and my grandmother would take me on great adventures. What are some of the most significant events in your life? Some of the most significant events in my life are, of course, the births of my three children, Sydney, 28, Zachery, 23, and Ellie, 17. I never thought that being a mother would change my life as much as it has. Another significant life event was going back to school in my late 30s and completely changing career paths. As my youngest child started junior high, I decided to get a degree in fitness and begin a new chapter in my life. How long have you worked at Touchmark? Since 2014. What do you enjoy most about your job? I absolutely love the people! I love helping them stand taller, gain a bit more range of motion, or learn a new stretch. There is nothing better! What Touchmark value do you most closely relate to and why? Compassion. The feeling I get from listening to residents tell their stories, express love for their families, or just thank me for the time I ve given them is so much more of a gift than I could have ever imagined. Outside of work what are your favorite Activities: Training for a 100-mile race, on April 20, just outside of Zion, Utah, called Zion 100. Food: Mexican food and pizza. Movie: None no time! Music: I enjoy all kinds of music except country! 4
Top row: We had fun at the Devonshire Neighborhood Sock Hop. Left: Other neighborhood events included Fragrance in Frames painting and lunch at Zips and Safarri Room Fresh Grill and Bar! Additional community events included a Fruit Basket Upset Dinner, Itialian Dinner Theater, Fall Recovery Class, and a Wii Bowling Tournament with awards and recognitions. 5
Save the date! ELEANOR ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm Lobby Come and listen to this beloved historical figure as she is interviewed by Edward R. Murrow. BING CROSBY TRIBUTE CONCERT Monday, March 19 at 6:30 pm Lobby Sit back and relax as you enjoy songs from this amazing crooner, performed by Michelina Tyrie and Rich Kapeke. PRESENTATION: A BERLIN FAMILY CONFRONTS THE HOLOCAUST Wednesday, March 21 at 1 pm Lobby Resident Evy Woods will give a fascinating presentation on her family s experience with the Holocaust. VIOLIN CONCERT BY MATEUSZ WOLSKI Tuesday, March 27 at 1:30 pm Lobby Join us in welcoming the first chair violinist from the Spokane Symphony, along with a guest pianist, for this special performance. READING BY JASON LUOTO Wednesday, March 28 at 1 pm Hoyles Room Jason will read excerpts from his newly published book Ghosts of the Boys Ranch, describing his experiences working at a residential treatment center for wayward and delinquent boys. THE CIVIC THEATER MINI SHOW Monday, April 23 at 6:30 pm Lobby Join us for a performance of Hello Dolly and sing along to some of the most-loved songs from this award winning musical. View our {FULL} Life calendar online for a complete list of events: TouchmarkSpokane.com Enriching lives We celebrated the lives of seven residents who are turning 100 years of age or beyond this year with a special luncheon and reception. Martha Lu Butler, who will turn 102 on August 1, was one of the honorees. Below are a few observations and suggestions she has for others! Don t worry about things you can do nothing about. The world is so fast-paced. I can t imagine where we ll be 10 years from now! The main thing to remember at this age is to keep your mouth shut! TOUCHMARK ON SOUTH HILL Full-service Retirement Community 2929 S Waterford Drive Spokane, WA 99203 509-536-2929 Touchmark.com 1816521 2018 Touchmark, LLC, all rights reserved