Summer is fast approaching and it is the perfect time to cook with fresh herbs. Fresh herbs have an amazing effect on flavor and can transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary one. Herbs can often replace butter and salt and make dishes healthier and tastier. Herbs are most often found fresh or dried. Of course, fresh is the always the best, as their flavor and aroma are more pungent. Dried herbs are normally purchased as crushed leaves or ground. When substituting fresh herbs for dried ones, a ge... READ MORE

In the fall of 2010, one of our activity projects here at The Village at Heritage Point was to move out into the greater community with some service projects. The one I came up with was knitting the little elves, which we decided to name ‘Village Gnomes.’   The first ones were given to our two local hospitals to give to the children to help comfort them.  As I enjoyed knitting more, and yarn was given to me to use, I made many more. I expanded to the Ronald McDonald House, Mon Child Advocacy, ... READ MORE

SUMMER HEAT Summer is wonderful in so many ways. However, for older adults, it can be dangerous or even deadly. Adults older than 65 years are more prone to heat-related illnesses and dehydration during very warm weather. Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. More serious symptoms include muscle cramping, high body temperature and rapid pulse. Dehydration can be another problem during very warm weather. Dehydration occurs when the body has lost too ... READ MORE

by Edith & Debbie Zinn My Mother & I went on the Village at Heritage Point wildflower trip this month. Our tour bus drove to the other side of the mountain along the Cumberland Ridge. According to my Mom, the best thing about the wildflower trip -- was 'getting out and doing something different'! But how good does it get? Thousands (literally) of Shooting Star wildflowers amidst chert chips in a gorgeous open wood on the top of the ridge, with a view across miles and mil... READ MORE

On numerous occasions, people have asked me why I do not make dishes from my native country of Iran. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I thought I would share my Iranian recipe of Kebabs. Kebabs are comparable to grilling steaks to Americans and are always a main entrée for family gatherings in Iran. Kebabs are prepared with beef, chicken, lamb and even shrimp. Main ingredients: Meat (beef, chicken, lamb or shrimp) Cherry tomatoes Ingredients for Marinade: 1 large onion 2 cloves of garlic ½ cup, f... READ MORE

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria in the bladder or kidney multiply and cause bacterial growth in the urine. Older adults are much more susceptible to UTIs due to aging and suppressed immune systems.  Someone with diabetes is much more likely to develop a UTI. The unfortunate thing is that older adults do not show early symptoms and the infection can easily get out of hand prior to diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream that sometimes is... READ MORE

The first day of spring is long behind us, but finally it FEELS like spring.  In celebration of longer days, I would like to share a simple recipe that I often make for my family.  I encourage you to use this recipe as a starting point and add your own twist!   Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese   4 filet mignon- 4-5 oz. each 4-5 large onions- sliced 1/2 c. dry red wine- such as Burgundy or Pinot Noir Crumbled blue cheese Butter or olive oil Salt and pepper  ... READ MORE

Now that I have your attention, I am talking about the importance of drinking WATER, if you are a senior. In the article, “A New Look at the Old”, author Janet Mentes, PhD, APRN, BC, refers to a study where they found 31% of all senior housing residents to be dehydrated.  Dehydration is one of the most common causes of admission to the hospital for seniors. Another study showed that 48% of senior adults who visit emergency rooms are dehydrated. There are many very good reasons to drink five or more... READ MORE

This soup has a special place in my heart.  When I worked at Lakeview Resort, it was a favorite of a very nice lady who lived there, Mrs. Kaufman.  Mrs. Kaufman moved from Michigan to Lake View to be near her son who was a physician at WVU.  Whenever Mrs. Kaufman entertained her family and friends she would ask for our famous Tomato Bisque along with either Bananas Foster or Baked Alaska for dessert.  Maybe some of you know Mrs. Kaufman?  I do hope you delight in this soup ... READ MORE

Many have heard by now that 83 year-old Barbara Walters had a fall and ended up in the hospital. While a patient, Barbara developed an unexplained fever. After many tests, it was discovered that Barbara had Chicken Pox! Chicken Pox in adults can be very serious and cause significant complications. As an ICU nurse, I took care of two adults who ended up very ill and on a ventilator for some time due to Chicken Pox. If you are unsure as to whether you have had Chicken Pox, you can have a blood test to dete... READ MORE

Many years ago, I worked at a busy hotel in Morgantown that hosted a lot of different groups that came in to meet and play a round of golf. Throughout the years, our staff befriended the groups’ contact person and we would give them a box of Truffles every time they came in. They would rave about the delicate, delicious, chocolate sensations that were prepared by our pastry chef. Little did they know that Truffles were invented as the result of a happy accident! The original Truffle was invented by the ... READ MORE

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seniors makeup 9% of the population and drive on a less frequent basis than any other age group. However, older drivers cause 12% of all traffic fatalities and are responsible for 17% of all pedestrian deaths. The American Geriatric Society says older drivers have some of the highest accident rates, second only to teen drivers. So, how does aging affect driving? Factors such as impaired vision or hearing or slowed motor reflexes affect the... READ MORE

On January 24, 2013 people from the community joined Village residents for a complimentary luncheon.  They also had the opportunity to tour and receive downsizing tips from current residents.  Attendees were offered the chance to join The Village wait list for half price. READ MORE

Recently, I was going through my daily blog roll when something caught my eye. It was an article on “The New Old Age” blog, which is a supplement of The New York Times. This blog is a wealth of knowledge for older adults and caregivers on navigating Medicare, alleviating caregiver stress, end-of-life planning and many other issues that concern older adults. The article was titled “ Older People Become What They Think, Study Shows ” . I was instantly reminded of the adage ‘age is a state of mind’ and won... READ MORE

The snow is swirling, the sky is gray and that can only mean one thing: it’s winter in West Virginia. When the air turns crisp and the snow begins to fall, it is an ideal time to curl up around the fireplace and spend some quality time with your family. What better way to do that than with a delicious dessert? Today’s recipe is for Caramel Flan, which is one of those dishes that sounds fancy and complex but is fairly easy to prepare. You will need ramekins to mold the flan. The custard is a simple mixtu... READ MORE

The phrase “going green” can mean different things to many people. For some, it means adding solar panels to the roof and relying on solar energy. For another person, going green means purchasing a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. And for still others, going green is a conservation effort in which they limit the amount of water and electricity they use in the home. Here at the Village, once of the ways we are going green through recycling! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling is ... READ MORE

So, holiday time is past: Good News, Great Cheer, and Dishonest Scumbags! The post-holiday season is wrought with scams and fraud. The Federal Trade Commission reports 25 million Americans are the victims of consumer fraud every year. More often than not, 1 out of 5 times to be exact, the target for these scoundrels is the older population. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, older Americans are targeted because they have a “nest egg” and excellent credit. They are also more trusting and l... READ MORE

Welcome to December’s Chef’s Corner! With all of the holiday festivities, there is temptation everywhere in the form of delicious food. Cakes, cookies, hams, turkeys, all types of casseroles…you name it, someone has cooked it and brought it to a covered dish dinner! You might be feeling bogged down by all this heavy eating and ready to have something light and delicious that is also easy to make. Today, I will be sharing one of my favorite recipes with you. I often cook this at home because it’s a simpl... READ MORE

We would like to extend warm holiday wishes to friends and family of The Village at Heritage Point with this special video. The video features music by The Village Christmas Carolers from our caroling event on December 6, 2012, as well as photos from that day, the employee appreciation party, and the Christmas decor around the community. What's your favorite holiday tradition? Share it in the comments section below. READ MORE

Did you know that individuals 65 years and older account for 1/3 of all prescribed medications in The United States? On any given day, the average older adult is taking upwards of 12 doses of medication and has 6 or more active chronic medical conditions that have been diagnosed. With that many prescriptions to keep straight and additional over-the-counter medications in the home, it’s easy to see how medications could be misused. Medication misuse may be willful or accidental. Many times, an older pers... READ MORE

Staff members are a vital component of a community and The Village at Heritage Point is no exception. Many of our staff members have been with us for more than five years. They get to know the residents and their families and become a part of the community. Recently, we asked staff members why they decided to work in senior housing. READ MORE

With Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, many of us are busy planning menus and doing last-minute cleanin­g in preparation for the invasion of family and friends. Right now, you’re probably planning on getting up with the sun to stuff the turkey and start preparing side dishes. Often, family arrives and spends the day watching football and catching up on each other’s lives until the time we all wait for: dinnertime! You could make the traditional bread stuffing seasoned with onions, celery and ... READ MORE

Whenever outside guests come to visit The Village, the question they most often pose to residents is: “What’s your favorite part about living here?” It seems like a simple question, but with the fine dining options, ample activities and spacious apartments, it can be difficult to choose just one thing. Many of the residents reply that they enjoy all the activities that they can take part in without having to leave the community. Each department at The Village is overseen by a committee of residents. The... READ MORE

Welcome to the brand-new blog for The Village at Heritage Point! It’s our goal to provide an insight into our service rich lifestyle here at The Village, as well as some professional insight from our nursing and dining staff. Our secret to retirement living should be yours too…check back each Wednesday for new content! Starting in December, on the first Wednesday of each month, Wilma Sternthal, RN, BSN, will share nursing tips. In December, the topic will be medication use and misuse. Wilma has been the... READ MORE