Diakon Senior Living Nursing

When is the last time you wrote someone a letter?

Hand-written letters are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but let’s not discount them completely! For hundreds of years it was one of the only ways for people separated by distance to communicate and most of us can still remember the feeling of excitement of receiving one in the mail.

Take some time to write a letter today and maybe stoke interest in a new generation of letter writers!✍️✉️

According to the Library of Congress (www.loc.gov), electric string lights were invented by Thomas Edison in 1880, after which he strung them all over his laboratory at Menlo Park. It wasn’t until 1882 that his friend and Illumination Company partner, Edward H. Johnson, hand-wired a strand with red, white and blue bulbs and wrapped them around his Christmas tree in lieu of the traditional candles placed in the boughs.

While string lights didn’t catch on in popularity for quite some time due to a general distrust of the “new-fangled” idea of electricity, they are certainly popular now… and not just for Christmas time! But today is National Christmas Lights Day, so let’s celebrate that invention that has led to bright, twinkly, colorful displays everywhere you look this time of year and go hang some lights!

In the spirit of giving thanks, we extend our deepest appreciation to our dedicated staff, generous donors, passionate volunteers and everyone who has supported our mission of service to our neighbors throughout 2023. Your unwavering commitment to showing kindness to others has been the driving force behind the positive impact we've been able to achieve.

May this Thanksgiving be a time of reflection, appreciation and connection with loved ones.

Wishing you a warm and joyous Thanksgiving!

This week, Diakon was recognized as one of the 2023 winners of the Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business “Empowering Women” award.

At Diakon, we believe that empowering women contributes to the success of everything we do. Not only do we make it a priority to provide the tools and opportunities for our female employees to achieve their goals and maintain a healthy work-life balance, but we also want to uplift the women we serve. There should be no age limit on empowerment, which is why we have programs in place to assist females from infancy through their senior years.

You can read more about the award by clicking here: https://www.diakon.org/news/diakon-recognized-for-empowering-women/

Thank you to our veterans for your courage, dedication and service. 🇺🇸

This week we take time to recognize all of our allied health professionals who work together to provide quality health care across the nation. At Diakon, we are proud to partner with so many wonderful people who work hard at creating and implementing care plans for all of our residents/clients!

Happy National Pumpkin Day! Pumpkins are beautifully decorative and lots of fun! Here are a few things you can do with pumpkins today to celebrate this simple but versatile gourd:

1. Bake a pie or make a hearty soup. There are so many wonderful recipes with pumpkin, including popular pumpkin lattes. Try a new recipe today!
2. Carve or paint them. Jack-o-lanterns may be common enough this time of year, but carving a creative fall design or even creating fairy houses are both fun ways to make pumpkins stretch through the season.
3. Use them as planters or candles. Using some basic tools and carving techniques, you can create a decorative planter for your mums or base for your tabletop candles.
4. Compost. When the fun is done, unpainted ones can be donated to local zoos or farmers for their animals or added to your compost pile.

In honor of Nation Clergy Appreciation Month, we’d like to send a huge thank you to the clergy that we work with here at Diakon. Whether you’re involved in the more “big picture” tasks or the tasks on campuses, we appreciate all of the support, guidance and collaborations!

A special shoutout to our senior living, on-campus clergy, who provide daily support, comfort and community to our residents and staff. You make everyone’s lives so much better!

Happy National Good Neighbor Day!

Good neighbors often become good friends! Whether it’s laughing over something in your backyard, asking for advice or borrowing a cup of sugar, a good neighbor can brighten your day and provide support.

Have a good neighbor? Tell them today! And don’t forget to BE a good neighbor yourself!

Happy National Dog Week!

This week is observed to celebrate man’s (and woman’s) best friend and encourage adoption of the ones that have yet to find their forever homes. All shapes, sizes, breeds and ages are special and should have a family! 🐶

Share a photo in the comments below of YOUR furry “best friend!”

Never forget.
9.11.2001
🇺🇸

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Did you know… Labor Day celebrates the women and men who campaigned tirelessly for workers' rights in the labor movement of the late 19th century. Their hard-fought wins are the reason for many of the rights we enjoy and take for granted today, such as a 40-hour work week, safe work conditions, paid time off, and sick leave. Those workers saw that there could be no freedom and liberty in this country without economic freedom for the working class. The holiday honors the source of this nation's strength—American workers, unions, and labor leaders.

No matter how you decide to celebrate Labor Day 2023, take some time to reflect and pay tribute to all the laborers, past and present, who helped build America and make it the country it is today. (thepioneerwoman.com)

Happy National Lemon Juice day! Besides the obvious uses for cooking and baking, lemon juice is a very versatile product! According to almanac.com, here are some of the other ways it can be used:

-Rinsing your hair with lemon juice after shampooing with create more shine.
-Clean discolored utensils in the kitchen with a cloth dipped in lemon juice, then rinse in warm water.
-Fresh lemon juice in water removes soap film from refrigerators and ovens.
-Rub your hands with fresh lemon to remove fish or onion smell. This works on wooden cutting boards etc, as well!
-Burying lemon and orange peels just under the surface around your garden makes squirrels and cats less likely to dig in your garden.
-Mix one part lemon juice and two parts olive oil to create furniture polish.
-Brighten those dingy white socks by boiling them in water with a slice of lemon.

What are your favorite recipes or household hacks for lemon juice?

Seniors should be amongst the most treasured people on our planet! If their experiences and amazing stories aren’t enough, their contributions to society and the impact on their loved ones' lives should make us hold them in high esteem. So much of who we are today is built on things they accomplished, and we shouldn’t take that for granted!

We love the residents at our senior living campuses, as well as the clients we provide services for, and are thankful for the opportunities we get to know them better!

On this special day (and every day!), we encourage you to spend some quality time with the seniors in your life. Maybe volunteer at a senior living community or simply send some cards. Pay for the senior’s drink ahead of you in line or at a different table in a restaurant.

Brightening up THEIR day will brighten up YOURS!

Summer is starting to wind down and we hope you have been enjoying every minute of the sunshine and warmth! 🌞

Today is National Hawaiian Shirt Day, so have some fun and pull out those brightly floral shirts to brighten your (and everyone else’s) day!

Today is National Book Lovers Day! There’s nothing quite like being transported to a different time or location through the pages of a good book. For those of you who would rather find yourself engrossed in the words on a page, rather than most anywhere else, this day for you! 📖

Comment below with the name of your favorite book and inspire someone else to fall in love with books, too!

August is National Eye Exam Month!

According to the American Optometric Association (aoa.org), eye exams are recommended every two years for ages 18-64 and annually for anyone aged over 65. Exams make sure that your eye prescriptions are correct and can even indicate other health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Eye health and clear vision is important to your everyday life, so be sure to get your checkups!

Did you know...

🌎 Our planet’s natural resources consist of air, sunlight, soil, minerals, fuels and water. All of these things are found in nature and used by people. This number of people on earth is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2037. All of these people use the earth’s natural resources every day.

🌎 Because these resources are getting used up so rapidly, many people are concerned they will become depleted. For this reason, many individuals and organizations want to stress the importance of conserving our natural resources.

🌎 Here are a few of the ways you can help conserve our natural resources:
1. Plant trees to reduce soil erosion
2. Reduce, reuse and recycle
3. Carpool with co-workers
4. Shut off lights when leaving a room
5. Go digital instead of printing things on paper
6. Volunteer for community cleanups
7. Use non-toxic cleaning supplies
8. Make your own compost


(https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-conservation-day-july-28/)

“The Moon” by Robert Louis Stevenson 🌝


The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

🐝 Did you know… because of the importance of pollination, bees are integral to the complex and biodiverse ecosystem that we all depend on to survive? While their reactions may not always be the most pleasant, these tiny buzzing friends are necessary for plant survival and growth and for maintaining many species’ habitats! Modern development is a contributor in reducing the number of safe places for bees and this could lead to a larger problem.

We can help by planting bee-friendly flowers, not using pesticides that are harmful to bees and by not stepping on a bee!

Happy 4th of July! Wishing you and your family a peaceful and safe Independence Day celebration! 🇺🇸🎆

Juneteenth is both a celebration of freedom for Black Americans and a reminder there is still work to do to safeguard equality for everyone. Together, let’s learn from the past to ensure a better future built on a firm foundation of truth and understanding. We encourage the support of our Black communities today and every day by actively listening and learning how to be an advocate for, and facilitator of, true equality.

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing men who selflessly fulfill the roles of dads, granddads, uncles, mentors and coaches. What you do to help guide and shape our future generations is so important!

It’s that time of year again… time to break out the flip flops and get ready for summer! Happy National Flip Flop Day! 🌞

What’s your favorite thing to do wearing flip-flops?

Did you know that the lyricist and composer of the song “America the Beautiful” never met? According to historians, Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words for her poem “Pike’s Peak” in 1893, but those words wouldn’t be permanently attached to a melody until it was published in 1910, to notes composed by Samuel A. Ward. The final composition was even in the running for our national anthem but lost out to “The Star Spangled Banner”. 🇺🇸

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Persons of all ages can struggle with their mental health, whether it’s situational or ongoing. Below are some resources and tips for you and/or your loved ones. Check on someone today!

Children's Mental Health:
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org), children are just as capable to develop mental health conditions as adults are. Here are some of the early signs:
• Grades in school start to drop
• Extreme worry/anxiety
• Consistent nightmares
• Consistent aggression
• Consistent temper tantrums

If your child is experiencing anxiety, there are ways to help them reduce their anxiety:
• Be an emotional rock for your child, regardless of how anxious the situation may make you. Being there for them matters first.
• To help reduce anxiety, have your child do things you know that they are good at. It will help boost their confidence and, in turn, reduce their anxiety.
• Recognize situations where you may be contributing to your child's anxiety. Whether it is yelling at traffic while they are in the car, or being seen stressing in your house, know when and where it is safe to feel these feelings so that your child will not see and be influenced. (afineparent.com)

For ADULTS:
Mental health should be a priority in everyday life. If your mental health seems to be dwindling, here are a couple of ways to improve it:
• Go to bed with the temperature in the room between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping it cool when sleeping will help keep you cool.
• Start the day off right with a cup of coffee or tea. Coffee/tea consumption can lower rates of depression and help keep a good day good.
• Smiling is able to help lower your heart rate and calm you down. Think of a funny joke or memory and help boost your serotonin by smiling!

SENIORS are affected too:
Anyone can experience mental health issues, regardless of their age. Here are some examples of what older adults can go through in terms of mental health issues:
• Anger, irritability or aggressiveness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Difficulty concentrating, a feeling of restlessness or a feeling of being on edge
• Alcohol/Drug abuse
If an older adult you know is having problems with their mental health, be sure to reach out to them about it. And if it gets more serious, communicate with their health care provider to see what is available for them to help take care of their issues.
(nimh.nih.gov)

Please reach out for help if you know somebody needs it. Contact the NAMI Helpline (1-800-950-6264 or [email protected]) or call/text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Know that you are not alone! ❤️

This Memorial Day, we remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives for our country. May they always live in our hearts to inspire and motivate us.

Sending you warm wishes on Memorial Day in remembrance of the true heroes we lost. 🇺🇸

Let today be a reminder of just how special moms are. Thank you for the hard work, patience, love and care you put into raising your family.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms and caregivers who encourage and support us. Your love makes the world a better place! ❤️

Even though the apple pie is largely proclaimed as an American dessert, the first printed pie recipe was found to be from England in 1381! Whether warm or as is, with ice cream or not, this gooey crusty dessert is a much-loved item. 🥧

Happy

Today, National Nurses Day, we’d like to acknowledge the integral role that nurses fill here at Diakon. Their compassionate care, hard work and perseverance provide hope and comfort to those they serve. ‘Appreciation' isn’t a strong enough word for the gratefulness we feel. Thank you for all that you do! 💜

Did you know that the traditional shape of pretzels may have originated in the 15th century? According to nationaltoday.com, “The unique knotted shape of pretzels became a symbol of union in Switzerland in 1614, with weddings of royal couples featuring pretzels to represent the bond of matrimony. According to legend, this may also be where we get the phrase “tying the knot” from.” Happy Pretzel Day!

A good source of potassium and vitamin C, bananas are a healthy snack. Split one around some ice cream and it might not be as healthy, but it IS enjoyable! Happy National Banana Day! 🍌

Do you like to garden? Today is National Gardening Day… a day to celebrate getting your hands dirty and helping something grow! Fruits and vegetables, flowers and herbs – gardeners enjoy bringing something to life and helping it thrive. 🪴

Interested in plants native to Pennsylvania? Be sure to follow Diakon’s Wilderness Center Greenhouse’s page for tips and native plant sales!

https://www.facebook.com/DiakonWildernessGreenhouse/

Vitamin C is not only a boost for our immune system, but can promote healthier hearts, eyes and even skin! This essential vitamin can be found in many fruits and vegetables, not just citrus fruits. Be sure to add some vitamin C to your plate today! 🍊

Today is National “Take a Walk in the Park” Day! Pennsylvania has many beautiful state parks where you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather: https://stateparks.com/pennsylvania_parks_and_recreation_destinations.html

But if you can’t make it out to one of those, a stroll through a local park could be just as lovely! 🌞

Happy first day of spring! Soon flowers will be blooming and birds will be singing (although after such a mild winter, that may already be happening!).

What is your favorite activity to do this season?

Artichokes are one of the oldest foods in the world and are a healthy addition to most meals! Versatile enough to go with almost any meal, artichokes are also packed with vitamins and antioxidants. What is your favorite way to enjoy artichokes?

Salty, sweet or a bit of both, popcorn is a time-honored snack enjoyed at any age! Fun fact: Nebraska produces the most popcorn in the Unites States, nearly 250 million pounds per year! Comment below with your favorite way to enjoy this classic snack.

Happy National Popcorn Lover’s Day!🍿

Why Give to Diakon on ?

Our services make a true difference in lives! Our wide range of programs provides you with choice in the type of ministry you wish to support. You can support adoption and foster care, benevolent care at our senior living campuses, community-based services for older adults, at-risk youth programs and individual and family counseling.

Please click here for more information about how you can support our mission!

https://www.diakon.org/giving/online-donation/