Add More Life, Visit Tanglewood Park

by Sharon TerHaar, Director of AgeWell Services of West Michigan

Over the past year, businesses, foundations and generous individuals have helped with over $2 million of renovations to the D and W building in Norton Shores to make Tanglewood Park into a Senior Health and Activity Center. Now that work is almost complete what's next?

Phase Two: we need you! Volunteers are needed to help with many activities and programs. We need tour guides, help with mailings and special events, or people to lead classes by sharing your special hobbies or career talents with others.

Give us a call at (231) 755-0434 to discuss what you might like to do and when you are available. Keep in mind volunteering is good for your health and is an important part of wellness!

Tanglewood Park Events

October 4, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Open House Saturday.

October 6 through 9, 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - AgeWell Orientation Sessions on the activity center at Tanglewood Park. Meet the teachers, see the building, register for fall classes and programs, get info!

October 6 through 10 - Fall class sign up week.

October 11 - Senior Parade of Homes to stop at Tanglewood Park.

October 13 - Fall Classes begin.

October 20, 9 a.m. to Noon - Flu Clinic.

For more information, visit www.tanglewoodpark.info.

Sharon TerHaar is director of AgeWell Services of West Michigan, at 1540 W. Sherman Blvd. in Muskegon, soon to be at 560 Seminole. To find out about Meals on Wheels and other programs for seniors in this area call (231) 755-0434 or 1-800-442-6769 or visit www.nutritionalservices.org.

Between Us Girls!

by Jodi Clock, Clock Life Story Funeral Homes

Many of you may know I'm an import to Muskegon. Born in Minneapolis, I spent my primary years in Batesville, Indiana, graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview and lived in Kalamazoo until Dale swept me off my feet!

As a child, my family vacationed on the Jersey shoreline. Living in Michigan I never understood traveling to the shore while Michigan had the same beauty in our backyard. As an adult I chose to have a cottage in South Haven, where my son Brett and I could enjoy the beach year round while not being too far from home.

Recently my three closest girlfriends (that I met in sixth grade!!) and I all gathered at the cottage for a weekend of fun. One is a doctor from Battle Creek, another, a mom in Valparaiso, the other a teacher in Miami. You can imagine the tears, laughter and exchange that went on.

Outside of the memories, two topics were the focus of our discussions, one happy, one solemn, both relevant for this dialogue. My Miami friend announced an engagement; my Doctor friend shared her recent diagnosis of early onset Parkinson's disease.

Talk about extremes! Both are life changing events - much like a death, they are all marker points in a person's life. ALL must be planned for; otherwise it will be overwhelming and turn into a financial nightmare!

Today's weddings, even on a conservative budget are, realistically, significantly less than a funeral. However, people still continue to happily host a wedding. They spend thousands of dollars in hopes that the union will last when today's statistics prove that there is over a 50% chance it will end in divorce.

A terminal disease can be managed. One must plan and prepare for every aspect of their life including career, parenting, disease progression, medical expense and ultimately their end of life needs, which includes a funeral. This must be done in advance otherwise their assets will count against them when applying for Medicaid assistance.

Not all of us will encounter a terminal disease, or even pay for a daughter's wedding, but each of us will die. Why not plan for the inevitable?

We plan for everything else!

Creating Sanctuary at the Former University Park Living Center

by Sharon Possanza, Director of Hospitality Services, Sanctuary at the Park

Forget everything you know, or think you know, about traditional nursing homes.

Now imagine entering your senior years with confidence and complete control. Imagine your home is as comfortable as the home where you raised your children. Imagine a full life where you make your own decisions, create your own routines and follow your own schedule. Imagine complete confidence in those who care for you, they are your friends, the people you trust in the same way you trust your family.

This dream is not just in our imaginations. This dream is operating right here in West Michigan. This dream is Sanctuary.

Traditionally, the words "nursing home" conjure up images of lonely, depressed older people sleeping in their wheelchairs or the frail elderly who do not interact with others. In a Sanctuary, we honor our elders who have chosen to live full and meaningful lives with us. And we honor our associates who have chosen to live out their calling in caring for our elders.

Sanctuary at the Park (formerly University Park Living Center) is a skilled nursing care and rehabilitation facility. We provide services for our residents who are in need of significant daily living assistance whether they are with us for a short-term rehabilitative stay or become a long-term member of our family.

The quality of the rehabilitative and skilled-nursing care we provide is always a top priority; but the cornerstone of Sanctuary is relationships. We value the relationships among our elders, our care givers and, most importantly, between these two groups.

The culture of Sanctuary means an engaged and vibrant workforce with committed staff who are a consistent and positive presence in the lives of our elders.

The staff at Sanctuary at the Park is warm and friendly. Our work is defined by meeting resident needs. We honor the sacredness of every soul through uncompromising service and standards.

Whether your need is a long-term or short-term nursing home stay, rehab, or respite care, nursing homes today offer many answers to difficult questions and the staff at Sanctuary at the Park is focused on serving our residents with excellent care, endless hospitality and open hearts.

Sanctuary at the Park, a Trinity Senior Living Community, is affiliated with Mercy Health Partners and located at 570 S. Harvey St. in Muskegon. For more information call (231) 672-2202 or visit www.TrinitySeniorSanctuary.org.