The Winds of Windsor

A Publication of Windsor Medical Center

ADVENTURES AROUND THE WORLD

Traveling nowadays can be very expensive and with all that is going on with the pandemic, could be almost impossible to do. Imagine though, being able to travel from the comfort of your house! Universal Yums is a company that allows you to do just that! Each month they make up a box, featuring a different country. In the boxes, you receive booklets that are filled with fun facts, trivia, recipes, and actual snacks you can try out. We have been enjoying these boxes now for a few months. Some of the countries we have visited so far include France, Brazil, Scandinavia, and the Philippines. Please join us on our next trip to the United Kingdome. We can’t wait to take the adventure with you!

 

“For to be free is not to merely cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” -Nelson Mandela

 

HOORAY FOR ACTIVITIES!!

On hiatus during this pandemic, activities stayed busy by doing one-to-one visits, helping residents make phone calls and video chats. Though it was not ideal, it was an ability to get out behind our walls. Activities, however, has finally been given the O-K to start having regular, scheduled activities. Check out our activity calendar, also on our website, for specific activities, times, and locations. We are so looking forward to getting to see more of the residents out and about and returning to some sort of normality.

Brain Games for Seniors: What is Neurobics?

You may have heard of something called aerobic exercises, or more commonly referred to as cardio. While these exercises are good for increasing heart and lung capacity, enhancing blood circulation, increasing muscle strength, and endurance, exercising different parts of our brains is important too. Exercises for the brain is called Neurobics. They help to strengthen the brain by making new connections and pathways and maintaining its agility and flexibility. They can also help to awaken different parts of the brain that may have become dormant. Listed below are four ways you can use neurobic exercises.

Breaking Routine

Neurobic exercises encourage the disruption of routine. Think about all the times you have driven home from work and can’t remember how you got home. This is a great example of how your brain checks out when you are doing something you always do. When you break a routine, your brain has to pay attention.

New Learning

Learning new things is crucial to your brain health. When you learn new things, the brain gets practice in making new connections to understand and retain that information.

Sensory Stimulation

When your brain interprets more than one sensory at a time, it causes the brain to create new neural pathways and connections.

Work All of the Brain

The brain is made up of several parts and each one is made to do different things. The more parts of the brain you use, the better.

Other examples of Neurobic Exercises you can do:

1. Choose a different path to go to your room

2. Use your non-dominant hand when brushing your teeth or brushing your hair.

3. Use your watch on the opposite wrist

4. Listen to classical music while smelling your favorite perfume

5. Read an unusual magazine; something you would not have been interested in before

6. Turn wall paintings and photos upside down for a day so your brain sees them in a different context

7. Challenge your brain with mental multiplication! 58 X 12? 8. Close your eyes and try to recognize smells

DINNER BELL

The dining room in the assisted living opened up to residents about a month ago. Although residents were delighted to be able to get back in there, they were only sitting one resident per table. Starting in August, seating has been changed to allow more then one resident per table. Residents were very excited to not be eating alone anymore!

August Birthdays!!

Residents: 8/5 Bill R. 8/16 Judy A. 8/21 Evelyn H. 8/22 John L. 8/29 Vivian D.

Staff: 8/10 Betsy H. 8/16 Kellie D. 8/20 June H. 8/25 Tom S. 8/29 Autumn B.

Staff Shout Out!

The flowers have been in full bloom and looking lovely thanks to our wonderful housekeepers, Garnette (left) and Kay (right).

Did You Know…

August is sunflower month!

• ”Helianthus” is the scientific name of sunflower, Helia for sun, and Anthus for flower. –
• Sunflowers are regularly classified into two categories-tall and dwarf. Despite the popular belief sunflower plants are giants, some don’t get taller than two feet.
• Sunflowers are the symbol of faith, loyalty, and adoration. –
• The sunflower is one of only a handful of flowers with the name flower in it.
• There are 70 different species of sunflowers.
• They are one of the fastest-growing plants, capable of reaching 8-12 feet in just 6 months.
• The sunflower plant is native to North America and is now harvested around the world.
• Using an instinctive action called “heliotropism”, also known as solar tracking, sunflowers can move their heads in synchronicity with the sun’s movement across the sky each day. From east to west, returning each evening to start the process again the next day.
• Not all plants are completely edible, however, you can actually consume the entire sunflower is one form or another.
• The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas and the national flower of Ukraine.
• There are 2 common types of sunflower seeds: oilseed and non– oilseed. The oilseed is the most commonly farmed sunflowers and they have to see hulls encased by solid black shells. They are a common type of bird feeder because they have thin shells and high-fat content. The production of non-oil sunflower seeds is for human consumption.
• Today, about 85% of the North American sunflower crop is grown in North & South Dakota and Minnesota.

Hair Salon Services!

The hair salon is open and has been staying very busy!

If you would like to make an appointment for your loved one, you can do that by calling (330) 499-8300 and hitting the number 6 when prompted.

Have a Question??

We would love to hear from you! Residents and/or family members can submit questions to the Activities Department and we will feature them, with the answers, in a new Q & A section of the newsletter!