As you look to future healthcare needs, it’s hard to prepare for everything, especially for something as unique as a worldwide pandemic. But, with a little planning, you can be ready for most foreseeable situations and hope that your plan also holds steady against even the most unpredictable circumstances. It’s time to plan, so you’re prepared for tomorrow.
Fortunately, that’s what Beatitudes Campus and other Life Plan communities offer—a safety net of sorts. They provide true peace of mind for your future healthcare needs by offering virtually everything you need at the community.
For example, in Beatitudes Campus’ onsite clinic, Mobile Valley Physicians, physicians and nurse practitioners can help you with primary care and podiatry services as well as coordinate rehabilitative therapies and lab tests and help you manage any chronic illnesses you have. Better yet, they can make house calls when you don’t feel like coming into the physician’s office.
Beatitudes Campus also offers ongoing in-home care and support as well as a variety of health services in the onsite health center. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, need to regain strength or manage pain, our rehabilitative experts can tailor a program just for you. If you ever need long-term nursing care or memory support, we offer several levels of care.
Beatitudes Campus Residents Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
As for the pandemic, Beatitudes Campus has been at the forefront ensuring residents are able to stay safe while receiving the essential services they need. We’re privileged to be part of the early vaccine rollout and getting vaccines into the arms of those who are most vulnerable to the coronavirus. All residents and staff will have the opportunity to be vaccinated on January 26, 2021, with second follow-up on-campus clinics occurring on February 23 and March 23, 2021.
MSNBC’s Vaughn Hillyard joins Beatitudes Campus resident Harriet “Hootie” Redwine
as her partner of 39 years receives the COVID-19 vaccine.
Joining the vaccination program is just one example of Beatitudes Campus’ commitment to caring for seniors and their families. We’re a nationally recognized, award-winning leader in senior living because of our innovative programs, exceptional healthcare and vibrant, purpose-driven lifestyle.
Whether it’s ensuring you’re surrounded by enjoyable amenities and supportive services or securing early access to a critical vaccine, Beatitudes Campus helps you plan ahead and prepare for predictable—even unpredictable—circumstances. That’s real peace of mind.
Visit our video gallery and follow us on Facebook to see more about life at Beatitudes Campus.
Let’s talk about it!
Want to experience Beatitudes Campus for yourself? Call us today at (602) 883-1358 or submit a form online.
The holidays at Beatitudes Campus are a magical time of year, especially traditional holiday celebrations. Twinkling lights create spectacular displays. Resident musicians play festive music. Carolers sing. Secret Santas leave gifts. The faithful attend special services. Residents lead charitable events to help those in need. And prior to the pandemic, residents and their guests would mix and mingle, dine, and dance at holiday and New Year’s Eve parties.
From November through early January, it’s truly a wonderful time of year at Beatitudes Campus. It’s all made possible by the hard work and dedication of residents and staff. The maintenance teams spend days trimming trees and decorating buildings with holiday décor and thousands of lights.
Traditionally, throughout the community, you’ll see residents spearheading dozens of special events, programs, and activities that celebrate joy and friendship, faith and generosity. You can jump in and help or simply pick your favorites and enjoy.
If you love a slice of chocolatey bûche de noël, caramel apple pie, or red velvet cake, why spend all day in the kitchen? The Campus restaurant culinary staff and pastry chefs create delicious and decadent holiday treats all season long.
Different But Just As Joyful In A Pandemic
While this year’s holiday season is definitely different and some traditional activities aren’t possible, the staff and residents at Beatitudes Campus are finding happy and safe ways to enjoy the holiday spirit.
“Everyone is pulling together to make this the safest possible celebration even though we cannot get together with our families and friends like we usually do,” said Beatitudes Campus resident Cynthia Cielle.
Instead of a big Christmas dinner held on campus, residents enjoyed a holiday meal delivered to their door. Live choirs and concerts, strolling carolers and musicians gave way to broadcasted performances. Instead of holiday parties, small but special moments brought smiles.
“This year, we’re doing little pop-ups like handing out hot cocoa as residents walk by and giving gift bags to those who live in assisted living and the health center. The staff created a Christmas parade with floats. We took videos to broadcast on the in-house TV channel. To keep everyone’s spirits lifted, the Spiritual Life department created a variety of programs held mostly on the closed-circuit TV channel,” continued Cielle.
Hopefully, soon, we’ll be able to get back to big, boisterous celebrations, beautiful choirs, and bustling volunteer efforts. In the meantime, most residents feel grateful that Beatitudes Campus is ensuring life goes on even in a pandemic.
Follow us on Facebook to discover how Beatitudes Campus sets a safe and festive backdrop for your spring, summer, and winter holiday traditions and to see more stories from our campus.
Let’s Talk About It!
Want to experience Beatitudes Campus for yourself, call us today at (602) 883-1358 or submit a form online.
New neighborhood features 34 Patio Homes
PHOENIX, AZ, December 10, 2020 — Beatitudes Campus recently completed construction on its newest expansion — a neighborhood of 34 Patio Homes. Located on the Myrtle Avenue side of the 27-acre community, the new residences are part of a larger master plan to enhance and expand Beatitudes Campus. A coordinated effort ensured residents could move in easily and safely.
“Beatitudes Campus was great. A personal relocation manager helped with all of the details, including downsizing, packing and unpacking,” said Debbie Gilman, who moved into a Patio Home with her husband Mike. “Beatitudes Campus staff helped us set up our TVs, connect to the Internet, hang pictures and rearrange furniture.”
Albert Chung, who moved in recently with his wife Cathy, agreed, “Even with the pandemic, everything went smoothly and worked out as planned. They kept the main road clear and only allowed two families to move into the neighborhood at a time.”
In celebration, Beatitudes Campus is holding an outdoor grand opening on Thursday, December 10 for a limited number of guests to allow for social distancing.
“Our new Patio Homes are the latest milestone in our ongoing plan to enhance our community and offer even more choices,” said Rod Bailey, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “We’re committed to building for the future and serving older adults, their families and the local community.”
The single-level, attached Patio Homes feature a mid-century modern design with sophisticated features and finishes, a full kitchen, garage, and front and back patios. They come with a lifestyle package that includes full access to Beatitudes Campus’ services, programs and amenities.
About Beatitudes Campus
Beatitudes Campus is a not-for-profit life plan community founded by the Church of the Beatitudes. Since 1965, Beatitudes Campus has been dedicated to serving the needs of seniors. The community offers an engaging, vibrant lifestyle with convenient services and amenities, and enjoyable activities directed by the residents themselves. Residents have access to healthcare onsite, including rehabilitative therapies, memory support, assisted living and skilled nursing care, if ever needed. Beatitudes Campus is open to everyone, regardless of faith, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Rodney D. Bailey, MSW, PhD
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
602-995-6107
rbailey@beatitudescampus.org
For some, the season of giving and gratitude comes once a year. At Beatitudes Campus, it truly lasts all year long. Volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of how our residents have shown their involvement. Hundreds of residents spend thousands of hours helping others, from tutoring students and assisting with English language translation to visiting homebound seniors and organizing sustainability projects.
Resident musicians hold live performances on campus while artists exhibit amazing artwork at Beatitudes’ Annual Art Show. Some join in parks and rail cleanup programs. Others help organize charity events.
Giving back is such a deeply important part of our senior living community that we have an entire CARECorps™ volunteer program designed to connect residents with opportunities to serve. Their impact starts right here in the Beatitudes Campus community and reaches out to local communities all around Phoenix and the state of Arizona. It’s one of the reasons Beatitudes Campus is an award-winning place to live.
Be Inspired: Learn How Residents Share Their Time & Talents
Dedicated resident volunteers use their time and talents in countless ways. Not even the pandemic can stop them because they’re Beatitudes Strong.
Bridging The Gap With Tech
Joining a team of other residents with tech-savvy skills, Marc Adelman helps people setup and use their TVs, computers, video calls, email, cell phones and other smart devices. This year, we’ve all learned how very important technology is in keeping us connected to family and friends.
Before the pandemic, Marc helped create the computerized tracking system for the Gaming Connection™, a special calendar that organizes all of the game and puzzle meetups happening across campus. Residents use the system every day to find fun things to do while staying safe.
Continuing Education
Residents manage and operate the Beatitudes Center for Lifelong Learning™, which features an expansive program of college-style courses taught by college professors, entrepreneurs, artists, campus staff and resident experts. Normally, the program includes three in-person semesters packed with classes. During the pandemic, resident experts have been teaching virtual classes on the closed circuit TV channel.
Giving Their Time
Like the lifelong learning program, residents manage and operate the Backstreet Boutique thrift shop, whose proceeds benefit the Beatitudes Auxiliary. Although it’s not as open as often with the pandemic, our resident volunteers are the heartbeat of this shop.
Shaping The Future
Residents serve in an array of campus organizations designed to enhance life, including the Welcome Committee, Dining Committee, Health and Wellness Committee, faith-based groups and more.
Through the Welcome Committee, resident ambassadors help new residents settle in and find their way around. Being a part of the Ambassadors program provides potential residents a personal view of life at Beatitudes Campus.
Many residents are actively involved with The Studio, a residents’ think tank that works with the Beatitudes Campus leadership to foster and create innovative resident-driven programs for the future.
Be Impactful: Are You Looking For Ways To Show Your Gratitude & Give Back This Season?
Here are five things you can do right now while staying safe during the pandemic.
1. Donate Food & Essentials To A Community Pantry. So many individuals and families are in dire need of the basics during the pandemic, especially those working on the frontlines in grocery stores, warehouses, restaurants, food processing plants, gas stations and medical centers. Show your support and gratitude by making a drop-off donation to a community pantry near you. Better yet, let your friends and neighbors know what you’re doing and ask if they would like to contribute to make a bigger impact.
2. Give Blood. Blood is almost always in short supply at hospitals and with the pandemic the situation is getting even worse. Show your support and gratitude for health care workers by giving blood. While it may not sound like much, by doing so you’ll literally save lives. Find where to donate on the Red Cross website.
3. Ordering Takeout? Tip As If You’re Dining In. All across the country locally owned restaurants are on the brink of closing because of the effects of the pandemic. Support small businesses and their employees by ordering takeout and show your gratitude for the risk they’re taking by tipping as if you’re dining in.
4. Ask A Local School How You Can Help Disadvantaged Students. As schools move from in-person classes to remote learning, students and their families are struggling to adapt. Many students need simple things like a desk, chair or printer. Others need tutoring and help with homework. Some students are left alone while their parents work and need the reassuring voice of an adult. Show your support for educators and students caught up in this crisis by helping where you can. If you have extra office equipment and the school knows of students in need, consider donating it. If you can help with a school subject and are savvy with computers and video calling, consider tutoring a student virtually. If you have time to spare, consider joining Big Brothers Big Sisters or AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent program to keep kids company virtually while they’re alone.
5. Wear A Mask. Show your support and gratitude for all of the exhausted healthcare workers out there by wearing a mask. Lead the way in your family, among your friends and in your neighborhood. Wearing a mask is a simple step that helps protect you and others. Most importantly, if you feel sick, contact your doctor, stay home and take care of yourself.
Follow us on Facebook for more volunteering ideas and to read about amazing resident stories from our campus.
Let’s Talk About It!
Want to experience Beatitudes Campus for yourself, call us today at (602) 883-1358 or contact us online.
Staying Active Offers Big Benefits for Older Adults
In honor of National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 27, we invite you to mix more motion into your routine. Whether you’re learning to exercise for the first time or are a fitness enthusiast, now is a great time to take the next step toward better health.
Physical exercise offers significant benefits for all older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other well-respected researchers. Being active helps maintain your ability to live independently and reduces your risk of developing diabetes and some cancers. It can help control arthritis pain, reduce your blood pressure, and improve your stamina and strength as well as your mood and emotional well-being.
Given those benefits and so many more, it’s essential that we stay physically active as we age. It’s also why Beatitudes Campus proudly fosters an engaging, active lifestyle. And, because everyone enjoys different types of activity, we offer a wide variety of fitness and wellness opportunities. From line dancing and tai chi to walking and water aerobics, from putting on the golf green to Wii bowling and more, there’s something for all ages and all fitness levels.
CDC Fitness Fast Facts
- Improve your energy and stamina by doing activities and exercises that get your heart beating faster several times a week.
- Get stronger by making your muscles work harder at least twice a week.
- Virtually all types of motion counts as exercise, including walking the dog, doing laundry, taking the stairs and playing catch with grandchildren.
- Among adults aged 65 years and older, walking and gardening or yard work are, by far, the most popular physical activities.
Try a Class
If you’ve ever played sports or enjoyed playing outside with your kids or grandkids, you know that exercising with others can be a lot of fun. It brings laughter and camaraderie and provides motivation and social support.
The best fitness classes bring together all of those elements plus an experienced instructor who takes the guesswork out of what to do, how to do it and when. If you’re looking for motivation and expert guidance while staying at home or want to try a class before taking it in person, check out the free exercise videos on the Beatitudes Campus Fitness YouTube channel.
Free Exercise Videos on the Beatitudes Campus Fitness YouTube Channel
Beatitudes Campus’ fitness trainers Mike Smallwood and Camille Beaubien lead you through a variety of exercises that promote strength, balance, mobility and flexibility. You’ll also find instructor-approved tai chi and yoga videos posted by residents. You can follow along in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
For most exercises, all you need is a chair and hand weights. If you don’t have hand weights, you can use something around your home that has some weight and is easy to grip. For example, try a filled water bottle, canned goods, a book, or bag of rice or beans.
Beatitudes Campus is all-in with fitness and wants to help you stay active and motivated. Be sure to join our fitness trainers Mike and Camille as they guide you through various wellness activity YouTube videos from home!
If you’re looking for additional research and education on the benefits of physical activity, check out this science-based guide from the CDC for the benefits, how to track your progress, and more.
Growing Stronger — Strength Training for Older Adults
To learn more about all of Beatitudes Campus’s fitness and wellness opportunities call us today at 602.883.1358 or contact us online at BeatitudesCampus.org.
At Beatitudes Campus, we’re leading the way in memory care and support. But, it hasn’t always been that way. Like so many other places, we took a traditional medical approach focused on organizational goals rather than each individual’s routines and preferences.
That all changed in 1997 when a team of caregivers at Beatitudes Campus began a multi-year journey of researching and developing Comfort Matters®, an innovative, person-centered way of supporting those who have trouble thinking.
“Advocacy and social justice are fundamental principles of Beatitudes Campus because of our roots in the United Church of Christ. We started with those commitments and beliefs,” explained Tena Alonzo, Director of Education and Research and Director of Comfort Matters at Beatitudes during an interview with ACCESS Health International, a healthcare think tank and advisory group.
In working with health experts around the country, what they learned changed everything about how to support people with dementia.
“We discovered that we didn’t know much about taking care of people with dementia. It took time to develop the culture, policies, and procedures to become as radically person-centered as we are today. It was a labor of love for everyone.”
Taking A Holistic Approach That Respects Autonomy
Tena and her team, which included Karen Mitchell, Registered Nurse and Comfort Matters Educator, realized that engagement, autonomy, and choice bore huge benefits for individuals with dementia—as they do for all people.
“If we can help people sleep when they are tired, they can wake refreshed and more often be their best selves. If people can eat what they want when they want—day or night, they tend to be healthier, happier, and live longer. If they’re able to enjoy their favorite and familiar activities, they feel content and calm,” said Alonzo.
The team found that caregiving in such a holistic way dramatically reduces the number of medications, which in turn reduces side effects and helps people feel better overall. With Comfort Matters, individuals experience lower rates of incontinence, less sundowning, and decreased hospitalizations. The Beatitudes Campus staff is happier, too. Less employee turnover means more continuity of care and more familiar faces for residents—a win-win for everyone.
Truly Knowing Each Person
The concept of serving people in such a profound way that respects their personal attachments to routines and preferences and honors the individual and their life experience became the mission. To make it happen, the team upended and recreated the existing care model that had been ingrained in society for 100 years. They pressed forward, educating and collaborating with Beatitudes Campus management and staff, doctors, regulatory agencies, and families.
Today, the entire Beatitudes Campus staff is empowered to engage and provide comfort to residents. From housekeepers and maintenance crews to the nurses and everyday caregivers, every single person is encouraged to be innovators and share ideas so we can all meet residents where they are.
With families as our partners, we can be better caregivers and help guide and educate families through this time, according to Alonzo. Because we see dementia in a different way, everyone—families, staff, and other residents on campus—feel more empowered and less afraid.
Translating What We Learned Into A Dementia-Friendly Place To Live
Beatitudes Campus serves people with all levels of physical and cognitive ability. Some live in their own apartment or patio homes while others live in suites designed for skilled nursing care, memory support, or assisted living. Because we care and respect each other, you’ll find residents of all abilities laughing and enjoying time together—eating lunch, putting on the miniature green, tapping their toes to a musical performance, and more.
Hard work, unyielding devotion, and the willingness to innovate—that’s how Beatitudes Campus transformed into a dementia-friendly community, and why we’re different.
“Most residents have 65 or more years of life behind them. We honor that person because of their life experience,” said Alonzo. “We must have a culture that allows people to be themselves. That is the heart of person-directed living.”
Here, you can read more about Tena Alonzo and her team’s innovative approach to helping people live with dementia. To learn more about Beatitudes Campus’ extraordinary memory support options, call us today at (602) 833-1358 or submit a contact form on our website.