News from Park Plaza: Singing, Dancing, Piano Concert + Resident Spotlight

Every few months, Programs Assistant Tanya will book Vrezh to come and play at Park Plaza Senior Apartments in North Hollywood, CA.

He is absolutely delightful and JUST what the residents at Park Plaza respond to. He speaks their language, he knows their songs and he is able to – unlike anyone else – whip them into a frenzy of singing and dancing.

The residents at Park Plaza are NEVER as alive and festive as when Vrezh is there.

Focus on Resident “Ovsanna”

~ From Tanya Kutukdjian, Programs Assistant at Park Plaza

This month’s spotlight is on Ovsanna. She is a regular bingo group member, and up until last week, that’s all she participated in. She would sit in the lobby during our performances and not want to join the crowd and engage in any dancing or socializing. On Monday, during Vrezh’s music and dance night, she not only came and sat with a group of residents, she danced the night away. It was such a pleasant surprise, even the other residents loudly and joyfully cheered her on as she hit the dance floor with Vrezh.
She participated in several dances with him as well as other residents and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy and proud of herself. I know this was a huge step for her and she felt accomplished. I’m sure she will look forward  even more to our events now as an active participant rather than an observer.
It was also very nice to see the residents support and encourage her with such genuine kindness and compassion. (Ovsanna is on the left).

~Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Program Director

 

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News from Metro Compton: Garden Club

At The Metro at Compton Senior Apartments in Compton, CA, the Garden Club meets once a month with Lilibeth, who is part of the Master Gardener program. She volunteers two hours of her time on a monthly basis to answer any questions regarding the garden. Residents enjoy planning and planting the seasonal fare as much as they enjoy tending, then eating their harvest!

~ Sandra Vargas, Regional Program Director

 

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News from Olivera: Painting Class

Residents at Olivera Senior Apartments in Pomona, CA, enjoy expressing their creativity in their weekly painting class. And you can see how much fun they have!

~ Meloney Morse, Regional Program Director

 

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News from Vermont Family Apartments: Fitness

In Fitness Class at Vermont Family Apartments in Los Angeles, CA, residents discussed the importance of stretching their bodies before any type of physical activities, even getting out of bed in the morning and before getting ready to start the day. Instructor Mirta demonstrated light stretches for the neck and shoulder area, as well as full leg stretches and exercises, and then asked residents to try the movements, too. These women were up to the challenge!

~ Sandra Vargas, Regional Program Director

 

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Sharing Resources

We’re building a Resources Page on our EngAGE website and would like to invite you to contribute. If you read an article or see a post that contains valuable information about creative aging, changing how we think about aging, intergenerational experiences, living in community, health issues affecting older people, or anything else you think is relevant, please feel free to share a link with us. If you discover organizations that we should know about, please share those links, too. You can comment here on the blog, or email engagedaging@gmail.com. We’d like to create a rich source of knowledge that will benefit all of us. Thank you!

 

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Welcome to the Team: Tracy Freeburg

EngAGE is delighted to welcome TRACY FREEBURG to our team! Tracy joined EngAGE in 2015 as a Program Assistant  (a position she holds now at Cotton’s Point Senior Apartments in San Clemente, CA), and she has recently been named Program Director at Tavarua Senior Apartments in Carlsbad, CA.

Tracy is an Iowa native, but being married to a US Marine has given her the opportunity to live in many different locations. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Leisure Services with a minor emphasis in non-profit organizations, from the University of Northern Iowa. She has held positions planning events for the Fiesta Bowl, teaching fitness classes at the YMCA, and serving as an x-ray technician and medical assistant.

Tracy and her husband have three young boys named Jakob, Kael, and Myles. In her free time she likes spending time with family, exercising, and enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather and beaches. She appreciates the opportunity to get to know the amazing residents at the EngAGE communities she serves.

 

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Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 through December 7

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. This is the time to compare plans for 2018 and make sure you have the coverage that’s right for you at a price you can afford.


You cannot use Open Enrollment to enroll in Part A and/or Part B for the first time (do that here), but here’s what you can do during open enrollment:

  • Anyone who has Medicare Parts A or B can join or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
  • Anyone with Original Medicare (Parts A & B) can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Anyone with Medicare Advantage can drop it and switch back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B).
  • Anyone with Medicare Advantage can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Anyone with a Part D prescription drug plan can switch to a new Part D prescription drug plan.

Visit the National Council on Aging’s helpful website devoted to Medicare issues for more information.

 

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