Outing to UniverSoul Circus

On October 16, 2009, Barton of Chicago Activity Department escorted its seniors to the UniverSoul Circus under the Big Top.  This was Barton’s fourth year attending the circus and everyone had a wonderful time!  The ringmaster this year was Patrice Lovely known as Maggie Shirley Lee Mae Frances Upshaw Jenkins.  It takes seven names to explain who this woman was.  She had advice, wisdom and gossip to share.  Daniel Mtshul,a known as Lucky, was her sidekick for the show.

Lucky kept her up to speed on the new generation and the two of them had the whole crowd laughing throughout the entire show!  This circus allowed everyone to dance, laugh, clap and see the animals do tricks.  It was truly amazing how the animals are trained for that purpose. 

The ringmaster then held a Soul Train Line for the audience to participate in.  After that the UniverSoul Circus featured an amazing line-up of acts from USA, Africa, Jamaica, China, Cuba, Russia and Brazil performing to Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel and Funk music.  The Soul Circus Diva’s (Mindy, Lucy and Cindy) and Twisted Soul (a 14 and 15 year old sister and brother from Africa) also performed. 

The crowd admired how the performers used all these different cultures.  The UniverSoul Circus was definitely a must see!

Barton’s Executive Director Shares How Barton Sets the Standard of Affordable Housing for Seniors

Pat DiFiore, executive director at Barton Senior Residences in Zion, IL, was recently featured in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News to discuss how Barton Senior Residences designed their innovative assisted living centers which have now become the model for the State of Illinois’ Supportive Living Program.  The Supportive Living Program is an alternative to nursing home care for low-income seniors and those with disabilities covered under Medicaid.

DiFiore explained how the demand for senior affordable housing increased after the recent recession when many seniors suffered a financial blow they were not anticipating or able to handle. Barton prepared itself by addressing the need for these individuals and not only created housing that is affordable but that rivals its counterparts in aesthetics and services.

DiFiore stated that Barton operates believing that beautiful, quality affordable housing is possible as long as money is spent wisely and the developers make smart financial decisions.

To read a copy of the article, please visit: www.mcknights.com

October Trivia from Barton of Chicago

Test your knowledge of historical facts about the haunted month of October with Barton Senior Residences of Chicago’s October Trivia questions!

Let us know if these questions were a trick, or treat, to answer!

“Psywar” Is Winning Word at Barton of Zion Senior Spelling Bee!

Sixty-seven–year-old Winthrop Harbor resident, Steffi Smith was named winner of the Barton Senior Spelling Bee, hosted by Barton Senior Residences of Zion, after correctly spelling “psywar”, a noun meaning psychological warfare, in the 31st round at the event on Thursday, October 15.   Smith beat out more than 27 adults, all over the age of 65, to take away the $250 first place prize.

1st Place Winner Steffi Smith

Smith, originally from Springfield Ill., is a retired children’s librarian who also served as a third grade teacher at St. Benedictine on Chicago’s North Side. Her husband, daughter and granddaughter sitting in the crowd cheered her on through all 31 rounds. Smith has competed in many area spelling bee events including the Zion Community Corporate Spelling Bee. She attributes her spelling success to her four years of Latin language studies, “word-a-day” email subscription and her good visual memory skills.

Steffi Smith, Josephine Galassini and Virginia Worker

Smith went though each round effortlessly, spelling other brainteasers such as dactyl, whelk and interreflection. The second and third place winners, 82-year-old Josephine Galassini of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and 87-year-old Virginia Worker of Zion, Ill., didn’t go away empty-handed either.  Second place winner, Galassini walked away with $150 and third place winner Worker was awarded $100.

Participants and everyone who came out to support the Bee received a gift bag and complimentary lunch.  Private tours of Barton Senior Residences of Zion were also provided after the competition.

Register Now for the Senior Spelling Bee This Thursday!

There is still time to register for the Barton Senior Residences of Zion Senior Spelling Bee this Thursday, October 15 at 10am! Super spellers ages 65+ can enter to win cash prizes and the title of Barton’s Senior Spelling Champion by calling (847) 872-1500 and registering.

Cash prizes include a $250 first place award to the senior who can make it through and spell the final word. Second and third place cash prizes will be awarded  and a complimentary lunch will be served at the conclusion of the Bee. Tours of Barton Senior Residences of Zion will be available for anyone interested learning more about Zion’s premier Supportive Living facility.

The Barton Senior Spelling Bee will be held at Barton Senior Residences of Zion  3500 Sheridan Road in Zion, IL.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Latest Cook-A-Long from Barton of Zion

Seniors at Barton Senior Residences of Zion used both their stove and their refrigerator for their latest Cook-a-Long cuilnary creation; refrigerator dill pickles! With the help of Zion Activity Director and expert cucumber cutter Pearl, residents got to work dicing onions (crying all the while), slicing garlic cloves and measuring all the liquid ingredients the recipe calls for. After refrigerating the pickles, they tasted their finished product. The pickles were a success but with mixed reviews, as they were a bit salty for some people, but overall very well liked.

If you’d like to Cook-a-Long with Barton Senior Residences of Zion, just follow the Cooks.com recipe below and be sure to let us know what you think!

Pickling Solution

• 6 Cups Water
• 2 Cups Vinegar
• 1/2 Cup of Canning Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Alum (optional)

Pickle Ingredients

• Enough fresh pickling cucumbers to fill a 1-gallon jar (4-5lbs)
• 1 large bunch of fresh dill weed (about 1/4 lb)
• 1 large onion
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 teaspoons of fresh sliced garlic

Combine all ingredients for your pickling solution and bring to a boil.

Wash the fresh cucumbers. Layer whole, unpeeled cucumbers, onion, cloves, garlic and dill in your 1-gallon jar.

Once assembled in jar, pour the boiled vinegar solution over the top of all the vegetables and let set on your kitchen counter for 3-4 hours.

After setting for 3-4 hours, place your jar in the refrigerator and let the cucumbers pickle for 2-4 days.

Enjoy!

Barton Senior Residences of Zion to Host Spelling Bee for Seniors 65+

Medical experts agree that an active mind is key to maintaining good health.  With this tip in mind, Barton Senior Residences of Zion invites seniors ages 65+ to participate in their first ever Senior Spelling Bee, taking place Thursday, October 15.  Cash prizes, including a $250 First Prize, will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.

The Senior Spelling Bee will start at 10 a.m. and is open to anyone ages 65+, not just Barton residents.  A complimentary buffet lunch and private tours of the Barton residences will be held for those interested after the competition. We hope to see you there!

Pre-register for the Senior Spelling Bee by contacting: 847-872-1500

Barton’s Chief Nursing Officer Talks H1N1 with the Associated Press

Marian Simon, chief nursing officer for Barton Healthcare, was recently featured by the Associated Press in a story on the surprisingly low risk that seniors have of contracting the H1N1 virus widely known as the swine flu. Simon, like most medical professionals dealing with the senior population, agrees that while seniors are not considered at high risk for contracting this specific strain of influenza, they should still follow the proper precautions to avoid catching the seasonal flu.

Simon shared with the AP that she is recommending tenants at all Barton facilities receive their yearly vaccinations for flu and pneumonia, as seniors still face an increased risk of serious illness from these viruses. All of Barton’s healthcare staff are reminding residents that frequent hand washing, proper hygiene and avoiding people who may be sick are the best ways to keep healthy this flu season.

To view all of the Center of Disease Control’s recommendations on the H1N1 vaccine please visit their official website.

If you or a loved one need a seasonal flu shot, please visit the American Lung Association’s Flu Clinic Locator.

Chicago Seniors Learn Healthy Habits

On Saturday August 22, residents at Barton Senior Residences of Chicago attended the RUSH University Nursing Student Health Fair where they enjoyed learning about a wide variety of health and wellness topics. The “Back to School” health fair focused mostly on children, with volunteers from Rush University Medical Center that provided school physicals, immunizations, dental exams and fun activities in preparation for the start of the new school year, our seniors still took away some valuable lessons about staying healthy at any age. Here are what some of our residents liked best about the outing:

The Health Fair was very important to me and all the stations were very interesting. It would be wonderful if the students come back to host another Health Fair. They explained everything to us and treated us with the utmost respect.  - Marilyn Gregory

The Health Fair was astonishing. I enjoyed all the stations, but the station that I enjoyed the most was the Medication Station. The young lady talked about understanding the different between old and new medication. I thought this was very important to learn because I take medication myself and I want to be sure that I take the correct precautions. – Nettie Walker

The Health Fair was magnificent. I think that the student were very presentable and explained everything very well. I also enjoyed the gifts and snacks. All the stations were very impressive and I learned something at all of them. – James Smith

Aloha from Barton Senior Residences of Chicago

In August, Barton Senior Residence of Chicago brought a piece of the Hawaiian island paradise to residents and guests at their second annual Hawaiian Luau! The special afternoon treat included food, fun and live entertainment.

An authentic Polynesian Revue danced the afternoon away and encouraged audience participation while performing traditional Hula and Tahitian dances.

To celebrate the festivities, residents, guests and Barton staff sported colorful outfits, leis, tropical hats and flowers in their hair.

Everyone enjoyed the delicious buffet of island treats and the rest of the afternoon luau!