Merry Christmas!

... from your friends at Sun Valley Lodge

Resident & Staff 2011 Christmas Party

Every year our residents and staff gather together to celebrate Christmas and our community.  Here are some photos from this year's event ...

HCC Christmas Party

Christmas Carols

Our residents were treated to some great entertainment last week thanks to a local Girl Scout troop.

Leave a Legacy, Honor a Memory by Supporting our Memorial Garden

This fall we began constructing a memorial garden designed to honor residents, families, and friends who have impacted life at the Lodge. Our goal is to create a space for reflection that adds to the overall beauty of the Lodge. Thus far we have erected the gazebo and laid the walkway thanks to gifts from former residents and their families. Now we need your help.

Thewalkway leading to the gazebo will be lined with bricks inscribed with the names of donors. This is a great way to memorialize a loved one or express your feelings for Sun Valley Lodge. We have also created an annual Garden Society whose donations will help maintain the Garden throughout the year. And, we are in need of benches and plants to complete the garden. Please help us complete our garden and continue to provide outstanding care to Seniors. All funds raised help us continue to fulfill our mission and provide the highest quality care for Seniors as we have for over 45 years.

We invite you to honor a loved one, leave your legacy, or simply help the Lodge by supporting our Memorial Garden. You can order an engraved brick and join our annual Garden Society through our website:www.sunvalleylodge.org. Or, contact our development office directly at (623)933-0137 extension 129. All donations to the Sun Valley Lodge Memorial Garden are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Long Term Care Benefits for Veterans

The acquisition of long-term care benefits for veterans has long been a subject of major concern for Seniors and their families at the Lodge.  It is a topic we regularly address with our residents and prospective residents because of its potentially huge impact in their financial lives.  In order to keep our residents well informed and make the process of applying for VA benefits as easy as possible, we have enlisted the help of trained and trusted volunteers to help them through the process.  Before sitting down with a volunteer, though, it is important to be as well informed as possible.

The Veterans Administration Non-Service Connected Disability Pension is designed to provide qualified veterans and their surviving spouses with a tax-free pension benefit.  This pension was formed in 1952 under Title 38USC to provide a tax-free monthly pension to help defray the costs of long-term care at home, in assisted living facilities, or in nursing homes.  The pension offers reimbursement for medical expenses not covered by insurance and Medicare.

While it can be frustrating for seniors to file for their benefits, the financial gains for qualifiers can make a huge difference in their lives.  We encourage all veterans and their spouses to carefully review their situations to see if they qualify and explore ways to maximize their benefits if they do.

In order to receive this aid the veteran must have served at least one day during wartime with 90 days of active duty.  Disability does not have to be related to service, but an honorable or general discharge is necessary to have your application considered.

The next area of qualification is medical.  The veteran or surviving spouse must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks.  And finally, assets and income are taken into consideration.  The assistance that comes with living at Sun Valley Lodge is a great way to demonstrate the fulfillment of these two requirements and our volunteers can help make sure you are properly positioned to take advantage of the benefits earned through service to our country.

December 2011 HCC Activities

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December 2011 Inn Living Activites

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Non-Service Connected Disability Pension for Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Michael Kloberdanz
Sun Valley Lodge
Phone (623) 933-0137
Fax (623) 933-5846
mike@sunvalleylodge.org
www.sunvalleylodge.org

Veterans Benefits Workshops

  

Sun City, Arizona – Thursday, December 01, 2011 – Sun Valley Lodge will host two workshops designed to help veterans and their spouses understand the benefits they may be entitled to receive under the Veterans Administration Non-Service Connected Disability Pension program.  The workshops will be held on Wednesday, December 14^th at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Marketing Director Mike Kloberdanz says the workshops are “very important to residents in our community.  There seems to be a great deal of confusion regarding the qualifications needed to access these pensions and the steps needed to submit an application.   We are very excited to be able to help veterans and their spouses negotiate their way through the process.” 

The Veterans Administration (VA) Non-Service Connected Disability Pension is designed to provide qualified veterans and their surviving spouses with a tax free pension benefit. This pension benefit which was established in 1952 under Title 38USC, provides a direct tax-free monthly pension to help defray the cost of Long-term care in assisted living or home care.

The workshops are free and open to the public.  Sun Valley Lodge is located at 12415 N. 103^rd Avenue in Sun City.  Seating is limited.  Please call to reserve a seat.  For more information on assisted living services at Sun Valley Lodge please call (623) 933-0137.

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The Nurse's Clinic

On the third Friday of every month our assisted living manager, Blanche Forrester, plays host to a program she calls the Nurse’s Clinic.  The Nurse’s Clinic is a monthly informational discussion formatted to introduce seniors to community resources and address pertinent issues in their lives.

Edward Jones financial advisor Jonathan Miles was our most recent guest presenter.  He discussed strategies for seniors to create safe income streams.

“What I’m finding,” explained Jonathan, “is with money markets and CD rates so low, it is difficult for seniors to create income.  I like to show how utilizing short duration bonds, investing in quality companies, and taking advantage of some insurance products can stimulate income.”

Past topics have included dentists, massage therapists, and companion care services.  Keep an eye on our activity calendars for a program that interests you and feel free to stop by.  Activity calendars can be picked up outside our activity office or accessed through the “What’s New at Sun Valley Lodge” link on our website.

Memorial Garden

Sun Valley Lodge has broken ground on a memorial garden designed to honor residents, families, and friends who have impacted life at the Lodge.  The garden is being constructed on the northwest side of the Lodge’s central courtyard.  It features a walkway that will be lined with memorial bricks and benches and culminates at a beautiful gazebo.  The walkway and gazebo were constructed with funds donated by friends and families of former residents.  The gazebo is dedicated to Richard Birocci and the walkway to Merle Fachet. 

 Marketing and Development Director Mike Kloberdanz said the Garden “is intended both as a living memorial and as a place of solitude, comfort and reflection.  It is a place where we can all remember some of the people who have made and continue to make Sun Valley Lodge such a special place.

 “We are thrilled that so many people have already chosen to leave their legacy at Sun Valley Lodge.  Funds raised through donations to the Memorial Garden will help us continue to fulfill our mission of providing affordable, quality living choices to Seniors in a trusting environment.”

The walkway leading to the gazebo will be lined with bricks inscribed with the names of donors.   If you would like to order a brick or otherwise support our memorial garden you can contribute through our website: www.sunvalleylodge.org.  Or, contact our development office directly at (623)933-0137 extension 129.

Short Term Stays at the Lodge, Part III

Most residents at the Lodge have settled in to their apartments for long-term stays.  They move in their furniture, bring in their belongings, and decorate their apartments as they see fit.  Many people do not realize, however, that we also specialize in housing options for people with temporary needs.

Skilled Nursing in our Health Care Center

If more care is needed than our assisted living respite program can provide, a short-term resident can stay in our Health Care Center.  The HCC is a fully licensed nursing care facility.  We offer private and semi-private rooms at extremely reasonable daily rates.

Financial Planning for Seniors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Michael Kloberdanz
Sun Valley Lodge
Phone (623) 933-0137
Fax (623) 933-5846
mike@sunvalleylodge.org
http://www.sunvalleylodge.org
 

Financial Planning for Seniors

 Sun City, Arizona – Tuesday, November 15, 2011 – Edward Jones financial advisor Jonathan Miles will be the special guest presenter at the Sun Valley Lodge Nurse’s Clinic on Friday November 18^th at 3:00 PM. 

Jonathan will be discussing strategies for seniors to maximize their retirement assets.  The Nurse’s Clinic is a monthly informational discussion hosted by our assisted living manager, Blanche Forrester.  The Clinic is formatted to introduce seniors to community resources and address pertinent issues in their lives. 

The Nurse Clinic is free and open to the public.  Sun Valley Lodge is located at 12415 N. 103^rd Avenue in Sun City.  For more information please call (623) 933-0137.
 

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Short Term Stays at the Lodge, Part II

Most residents at the Lodge have settled into their apartments for long-term stays. They move in their furniture, bring in their belongings, and decorate their apartments as they see fit. Many people do not realize, however, that we also specialize in housing options for people with temporary needs.

Assisted Living Respite Care

There are many times when short term assisted living care is required.  Respite care is a great solution for seniors needing a little extra help after an illness or hospital stay. It is also used to help out when family members are not able to care for a loved senior for a few days due to illness or a vacation. Sometimes people use our respite apartment just to get a feel for Lodge living and to decide if we are the right place to make home.

For respite care we utilize fully furnished studio apartments and the package includes three meals a day in the Lodge’s dining room, assisted living care from certified caregivers, transportation to local medical appointments, and access to all campus activities.  It also includes any assisted living services we offer including medication management, bathing, transporting, and dressing.  There is a two-week minimum stay in our respite apartments.

Medicare Changes Open Enrollment Period

Every year there is an open enrollment period in which Medicare beneficiaries can switch to an alternate plan. If you want to change your Medicare coverage for 2012, you need to be aware that the enrollment period has changed. Instead of November 15 to December 31 as in previous years, this year the Medicare enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7.

Marv Worthen, Executive Director of the Community Assistance Network (formerly the Sun City Taxpayers Association), describes this period as “the one time during the year people can change to a new plan that will better serve their situations.”  Marv also stresses it is not required that one take any action regarding Medicare benefits.  If no changes are made during the open enrollment period, the previous year’s plan will remain in place.

In order to help people determine the best plan, the Community Assistance Network provides free access to a Benefits Assistance Counselor during the open enrollment period.  CAN is located in the northeast corner of the Sun Valley Lodge and appointments with a counselor can be reserved by calling (623)933-7530.

Short Term Stays at the Lodge, Part I

Most residents at the Lodge have settled into their apartments for long-term stays. They move in their furniture, bring in their belongings, and decorate their apartments as they see fit. Many people do not realize, however, that we also specialize in housing options for people with temporary needs.

Furnished Garden Apartments

We have fully furnished two-bedroom apartments available for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals. The 1,200 square foot units have 1 1/2 bathrooms, full kitchens, washers and dryers, and covered parking.

These apartments have been immensely popular with snowbirds and visiting families. They have also been used by people renovating their houses and folks who just want to see what the Lodge has to offer. And, the rates are hard to beat!

November Assisted Living/Indpependent Living Activities Calendar

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November HCC Activities Calendar

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Achtung!

Octoberfest at Sun Valley Lodge.

October Inn Living Activities Calendar

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Nutrition Seminar

Our residents never stop learning.  Jamie Avalla, our dietary director, recently held a nutritional seminar to help residents make good decisions about their eating choices.

October HCC Activities Calendar

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Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Landscaping

Our maintenance, housekeeping, and landscaping departments gathered today for an employee recognition party. These are the folks who keep our apartments clean, our gardens beautiful, and everything in working order.

Aloha!

... from the Sun Valley Lodge Health Care Center!