Sun Valley Lodge Names Director ofWellness Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

Sun Valley Lodge Names Director of Wellness Center

Sun City, Arizona - November 2, 2007– Sun Valley Lodge announced that Mary Tutunjian of Sun City will serve as the director of the Wellness Center in its assisted living department. This is a new position and was created to attend to the medical needs of the Lodge’s assisted living residents.

Mary is an LPN and brings 40 years of nursing experience to the Lodge. “I am extremely happy about rejoining the Lodge,” said Mary. “I really wanted to work here because it is such a happy place and the quality of care is so good.” Mary previously worked as a staff nurse in the Sun Valley Lodge Health Care Center.

Residential Services Director Marcia Gunnell said the addition of a full time LPN to the assisted living staff was a logical step in the Lodge’s efforts to provide the highest quality assisted living care.

“Mary offers us the medical expertise we need to continue to provide the most complete services for our residents. Adding a full time LPN to our assisted living department is a reflection of our growth and our dedication to service.”

Today approximately half of the Lodge’s residents are on an assisted living plan.

For additional information on Sun Valley Lodge’s assisted living services, contact Marcia Gunnell at 623-933-0137.

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Sun Valley Lodge Prepares Titanic Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

Sun Valley Lodge Prepares Titanic Event

Sun City, Arizona - October 12, 2007– Sun Valley Lodge will be hosting a dinner event on Friday October 20th dedicated to the ill-fated first and final voyage of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

The event will include a screening of the 1953 film Titanic on the Lodge’s new projector, a meal that replicates some of the food served on the cruise ship, and a presentation by local historian Ron Ford.

This is the second time Sun Valley Lodge has collaborated on an event with Mr. Ford. The first event in August centered on a discussion of the Fred Harvey Company’s Harvey House restaurants and hotels along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 1942 film The Harvey Girls was shown.

Sun Valley Lodge Activities Coordinator Bernadette Gromowski says these types of programs are tremendously popular with residents. “Everyone was so excited after the Harvey Girls that you would think I had put together the biggest party in Lodge history. The program is very interactive.”

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30 Reasons to Consider Independent Retirement Living

One of our new residents recently shared with me a letter she wrote to her children explaining her decision to move into one of our independent living Garden Apartments. Part of her letter included a list of things that helped her make her decision. She has given me permission to share her thoughts with others who may also be considering a retirement living facility …

REASONS TO MOVE TO SUN VALLEY LODGE, 1 September 2007
1. Three years ago before my hip surgeries, my doctor suggested it.
2. I will be cared for and content for the rest of my days.
3. I will have a lovely, bright Garden apartment w/ ground level patio
4. I will be served all of my meals beautifully and deliciously in the dining room.
5. I will have apartment cleaning and laundry services.
6. I will not have to worry about car insurance or maintenance.
7. I will be taken and escorted to all medical appointments and hospital.
8. I will no longer be alone for any future medical procedures.
9. I will have any rehab right in the Lodge or my private apartment.
10. I will have the use of all facilities at no charge.
11. I will still be able to work as a Volunteer whenever I wish.
12. I will have friends right there with no outside travel needed.
13. I will have the use of the private Chapel for prayers every day.
14. I will have friends there to visit with & bring in for lunch and dinner.
15. Any outside services will come to me – i.e. foot care, massage.
16. I will not have to worry about and pay for expensive home repairs.
17. No more new roofs or air conditioners or any appliances.
18. I will cut way back on services, magazine subscriptions, and worries about house.
19. I will enjoy Social Programs and lots of entertainment in the Lodge.
20. I will be taken out any place for shopping by our new A/C bus.
21. No more condo fees, argumentative meetings and concerns.
22. No more Recreation Annual Fees.
23. No more lugging heavy bags of refuse and papers out to trash can.
24. No more going out to fill gallon jugs of H2O & carrying into house.
25. No more driving myself to Church fior Mass & Holly Communion.
26. No extensive financial concerns to fret over; most eliminated by move.
27. Everything I need is on one floor in a most pleasant environment.
28. Peace and real quiet in my private apartment for prayer and rest.
29. Beautiful Rose Garden and Fountain, grounds and flowers to enjoy.
30. Bird feeder outside my window to enjoy. And lots & lots more!

Three Years of Assisted Living

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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


Sun Valley Lodge Celebrates Three Years of Assisted Living

Sun City, Arizona - September 14, 2007– Sun Valley Lodge celebrated its third anniversary of providing assisted living services this week. The event coincided with National Assisted Living Week.

Sun Valley Lodge was the first retirement community in Sun City and has provided independent retirement living and skilled nursing since 1965. On September 13, 2004 the Lodge began offering additional services to residents. The assisted living program includes such services as medication assistance, dining escorts, and personal care.

“We wanted our residents to be able to age in place,” explained Residents Services Director Marcia Gunnell. “We wanted to be able to add services as they were needed so residents did not have to move when they needed more care. We decided that we are better able to serve the community by offering a continuum of retirement care.”

Today approximately half of the Lodge’s residents are on an assisted living plan.

For additional information on Sun Valley Lodge’s assisted living services, contact Marcia Gunnell at 623-933-0137.

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Six Things to Look For When Choosing a Skilled Nursing Facility

1. Community Reputation … How long has the facility been in the community? What do people say about it?


2. Survey License … Examine the facility’s license and certification survey. Examine the facility’s record of deficiencies and discuss them with the management.


3. Talk to Staff … Are staff members friendly and willing to answer your questions? Do they know and interact with the residents?


4. Atmosphere … Does the facility appear to be clean and friendly?


5. Food … Examine the menus and visit during a mealtime. Does the food meet your requirements?


6. Talk to residents … Are current residents satisfied with the facility? What do they like and dislike?

Keeper of the Garden

Physical appearance is one of the first things prospective residents notice in a retirement community and Sun Valley Lodge is especially renowned for its colorful and peaceful rose garden. Keeping our garden beautiful all year long is no easy task and Sun Valley Lodge is extremely pleased to have David Young as our Lead Landscaper. David is originally from Mansfield, Ohio and came to Arizona in 1985. He and his wife Lynda are Sun City residents.

David has an extensive – and highly acclaimed – background in grounds keeping that includes work for Deer Valley High School and the Sun City Recreation Center. His athletic fields at DVHS ranked second only to Flagstaff as the top in Arizona and his Rec Center lawn bowling greens achieved a lofty second best in the world status, losing only to a facility in Australia.

He is now turning his attention to shoring up our lawns and taking care of the rose garden. He will also be helping manage our renovation project this fall. In order to keep residents up to date with grounds keeping activities, David will be writing a periodic column in the Chit Chat, our residents’ newsletter, commenting on his activities. He invites questions and comments from residents and is happy to show off his work to those in the community. Please feel free to call us at 623-933-5846 and schedule a visit.

9 Ways to Evaluate Atmosphere at an Assisted Living Residence

1. Do you like the location and outward appearance?
2. Is the décor attractive and homelike?
3. Did you receive a warm welcome from the staff when you toured?
4. Did the staff call the residents by name and interact with them as you toured?
5. Do residents socialize with one another and appear comfortable and happy?
6. Are you able to talk with residents about their feelings for the housing and staff?
7. Are the staff members outgoing and personable?
8. Do staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
9. Are visits welcome at any time?