Lifetime Living: Spring 2015

LIFETIMELIVINGMAGAZINESPRING 2015

What Makes You Happy?

TAKE AARP’S

HAPPINESS SURVEY

APPS THAT

INSPIRE

THE KEY TO MINDFULNESS

MEDITATION

EVELYN S. TOM S. HENRY S. EUNICE J.

Mayor HeathOn the Gift of Life Itself

REFLECTIONS OF

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY

The Happiness

Issue

CONTENTS

Spring 2015FEATURE STORY

7 WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPYFour remarkable residents share their passions and discuss what has made each of them happy over the years.

By Gracy Vargas

EVELYN, MUSICIAN

8 A MUSICIAN AT HEARTFollowing her life-long love of music, Evelyn S. took on the challenge of being a music student at age 50 to become a remarkable music teacher in her own studio.

TOM, NATURE & BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER

9 FOR THE LOVE OF NATURELearn how a mechanical engineer’s child-hood interest became a lifelong passion making Tom S. a very happy naturalist.

HENRY, PASTOR10 A HIGHER CALLINGPastor Henry’s love of people inspired him to a calling and a joyous life of service.

EUNICE, TEACHER11 LEADING A LIFE OF

GOODWILLIn her lifelong passion to teach, Eunice J. made indelible marks upon many and was given a gift that will span generations.

“I can still play thethings I memorized.”

“Nature photography is just a delight, because you’re

looking at beautiful things and beautiful places. It all comes together

so nicely.”

“I love being a pastor. I think it’s the greatest

profession, vocation, and blessing that anyone can do.”

“School would end on Friday; I’d get all my records cleaned up. Saturday

morning I would do my laundry. Sunday I

would go back to school.”

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Employee Spotlight

4 DONALD DONALDSON, CNADonald Donaldson’s love of nursing earns him appreciation from patients and industry recognition.

From The President & CEO

5 THE GREATEST GIFTAfter decades of service, Mr. Loewenberg shares his thoughts on what really makes him happy.

From The Chairman

6 THE GIFT OF LIFE ITSELFA life with a spiritual focus leads former Boerne Mayor and current Board member to relish the gifts that each day brings.

Snapshots

12 MOMENTS OF JOYTake a visual walk down memory lane and see the many talents of Morningside Minis-tries’ residents.

Mindfulness Meditation

14 A NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD PROBLEMDr. Balldin explains how mindfulness can truly improve one’s life.

Satisfied With Life?

15 TAKE THE HAPPINESS QUIZTake AARP’s happiness quiz and decide what changes you will make today to impact your emotional well being for the better.

2014 Caregiver Award

16 OUR 3 RECIPIENTSThe Elizabeth McGown Training Institute and mmLearn.org shined a well deserved spotlight on three outstanding caregivers who enrich the lives of others daily.

Ask The Geriatrician

17 THOMAS WEISS, M.D.If you are a caregiver or know someone who is, you will not want to miss this incredible series brought to you by mmLearn.org.

What Makes People Happy?

18 WE ASK OUR RESIDENTSReflections on what makes our wonderful residents happy!

Tom & Carolyn Jaco

20 LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESSFrom a life of service for our country to a life of service to so many in need, General Jaco shares the founding principles that guide his life.

21 Donor Recognition

Food For The Spirit

22 STIMULATE YOUR SOUL WITH SPIRITUALITYChaplain Dennis shares his thoughts on how to be happy - body, mind and soul.

Social Media

23 APPS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SAVVY SENIORApps that help keep you spiritually, men-tally and emotionally happy.


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LIFETIME LIVING MAGAZINE 3

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Donald has worked as a cer-tified nursing assistant for the last 17 years and was

recently recognized by LeadingAge Texas as Nurse Assistant of the Year for his exceptional work ethic and pro-fessionalism. Donald goes above and beyond to ensure that Chandler Health Care residents and their loved ones always feel at ease; residents, family members and staff admire him for the time he takes to develop a relationship of mutual trust and respect with each resident in his care. Donald humbly attributes much of his knowledge, skills, and commitment to working for an organization such as Morningside Ministries that creates an environment where people listen. Although he received a Certificate of Merit in 2010 when completing Restorative Nursing Skills Training, Donald prefers to work directly with residents, a calling he says is very close to his heart. When asked what his career plans are for the future, his response has always been the same: “I’m doing now exactly what I love to do.”

Donald Donaldson, CNA at Chandler Health Care

A t the start of every year the question we often ask ourselves is “What will my New Year’s resolution be?” Oftentimes, we make a list of goals, but by March, for one reason or another, we haven’t been consistent

in achieving them. I do not believe one ever has to wait until the next year to make a promise to oneself. To realize a promise however, takes daily commitment and a change in perspective. If you are an individual who sees the glass as half empty, challenge yourself to live every day not with the notion that the glass is half full, but with the belief that you have a pitcher to fill the glass! As Aristotle once said “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” I encourage you to ask yourself “What makes me happy?” and live the answer. You may find your happiness in friendships, your favorite foods or in the love of family or your pet. Try changing your perspective, you deserve to be happy!

Sandra Scott, Senior Editor

The Greatest Gift

SEND US YOUR STORY:

Your opinion matters! Letters to the Editor are a great way to share your opinion on feature stories or important issues you would like to see featured. Letters may respond to current issues in your community, health, and local or state govern-ment. Please let us know if there is a resident you would like to see highlighted in our Resident Feature Series. We would love to hear from you. All letters to the editor are welcome and will be considered for feature stories, publication or post-ing online.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORMorningside Ministries

700 Babcock RoadSan Antonio, TX 78201

Open letters to other people are not admissible. Letters must be signed by the writer and should have complete address and con-tact information. Letters must be

400 words or less.

4 SPRING 2015

Happiness, however it finds us, is a much needed part of life. It feeds us, heals us,

opens us to others and to the world, inspires us, and gives us hope and promise. It is the greatest gift that will ever come our way, and we cannot live and thrive without it.

I have had wonderful fulfillment in my work at Morningside Ministries. I know that we are touching lives and making situations better for older adults and families. Part of the happi-ness comes from this recognition and achieving goals, but much also comes from the striving. Knowing that there are still opportunities to be gained and areas to grow in service makes "striv-ing” a great source of happiness.

At Morningside, I see employees bringing happiness to residents who live with us. Happiness comes from knowing that someone cares, and we have employees who care deeply. Being cared for and served by those who see their jobs as a giving and loving ministry brings tremendous comfort and happiness.

Of course, my four children make me happy. To see them as adults with strong minds and even stronger

opinions brings me great joy. To watch and hear them interact, laugh, dis-agree, accept their differences, and care deeply about each other is a won-derful thing for a father. When children are not happy, content and fulfilled, Dad is not happy.

I am a boy from the Deep South. Southern accents, balmy summer nights, the smell of honeysuckle and magnolias, a pasture filled with the glow of fireflies, the sound of crickets in the early evening, dogwood trees and azaleas—all of these make me happy because I am reminded of my growing up years in Mississippi. There is an aura in the South that does not exist anywhere else. It is difficult to explain. You really have to experience it to understand it, there is no place quite like it.

Relationships make me happy, particularly those I have formed at Morningside Ministries with residents, employees, and family members. My job as President brings me into contact with talented, wise, and gracious resi-dents who value their life experiences and mine, as well. I know employees who are caring, committed, strong and determined, and always striving

to be better. It is a great delight and privilege to share a laugh, a story, a joy, a family detail, and even a very personal somber moment with both groups. Happiness comes from caring about others and knowing they care about me.

There are so many more things that I now realize make me happy. Writing this article on happiness has given me a new appreciation for how joyous and happy my life really is! No more moping for me. My life really is filled with much joy and content-ment. Thank you for allowing me to reflect on my personal happiness and joy. Give it a try yourself – you will be amazed to discover just how happy you really are.

The Greatest Gift

Happiness is a personal thing. It is not something we find. It is something that finds us in the common, ordinariness of life.

ALVIN LOEWENBERG is responsible for the administration and manage-ment of a 650-employee organization that serves over 800 retired seniors each day. He provides leadership and guidance for Morningside Ministries and works to advance its mission and purpose to provide a caring commu-nity for older adults.

ALVIN LOEWENBERG, PRESIDENT & CEO

“Happiness comes from caring about others and knowing they care about me.”


It’s worth the effort to share a few of the blessings I have received that make my life pleasant and

challenging and happy.First comes my family – my soul-

mate wife, our two daughters and their families, and our two grandsons. In so many ways, day after day, year after year, my life has been enriched - some-times reshaped - by the family my wife and I have created. All of them, each in his or her own way, can make our lives so much happier, so much more inter-esting and vital, once we understand that the bonds of love don’t erase differences but rather highlight how valuable each one of us is in a family and in the eyes of God.

My identification as a Christian has brought me joy, even though it has sometimes been challenging, even disappointing. To serve our Lord and to love others and the world around us in His name can give purpose and direction day after day. Even the smile on my face may speak more effectively

than I realize about what the Christian faith means to me.

As an ordained United Method-ist minister, it comes naturally for me to think of public service as pastoral work. What has helped me most, and brought some happiness along the way, is that I have always thought of my years in public service (twenty years as Mayor of Boerne) as a Christian duty which I have taken on voluntarily. The pastor has no special privilege – each one of us is a servant in the Biblical perspective, and each one of us can find happiness and satisfaction in life lived for others.

My commitment to the Church, to its ministries (like Morningside’s pro-grams), and to public service have brought me much happiness. Perhaps it is a stretch to say that I really like long committee meetings, but some-times they are the place that real work and penetrating analysis get done by committed servants!

Simply staying alive and alert to the world around us can bring daily happiness. There are some delight-ful moments in life we can anticipate, others come as a surprise: reading a well-written book, watching an older person find simple pleasure with long-time friends, watching the sun rise over the Gulf, making a new friend… and so on.

Yes, the key is to stay alive and alert to what is happening to us and around us, for the gift of life itself brings the greatest happiness we can have.

The Gift of Life Itself

The gift of life itself brings the greatest happiness we can have.

PATRICK HEATH, CHAIRPERSON

THE HONORABLE PATRICK HEATH is the Chairperson of Morningside Min-istries Foundation, Inc. Mr. Heath is the former Mayor of Boerne and has served Morningside Ministries for over 15 years as an active member of both Morningside Boards. He was recently named as the recipient of LeadingAge Texas’ 2015 Board Leadership Award.

“My commitment to the Church, to its ministries (like Morningside’s programs), and to public service have brought me much happiness.”

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Happiness comes in a plethora of forms and the things that makeus happy can be physical, emotional or spiritual in nature.

The residents featured in the following pages embody this concept. Each hold their own passions, hobbies and enjoyments that help

them reach their happy place. As you read their compelling stories,take a moment to ponder what brings you joy, and embrace

the happiness life has to offer.

BY GRACY VARGAS

FEATURE STORY

What Makes You Happy?Embracing Your Happy Place


Many people live their entire lives without dis-covering their passions,

but this is not the case for 85-year-old Menger House resident Evelyn S. Evelyn vividly remembers the moment in her childhood when her mother purchased a piano especially for her because, in her own words, “that’s when I fell in love with music.”

Evelyn was enchanted by music when she was only eight years old. She took several years of piano les-sons throughout her childhood and teenage years before enrolling in the University of Texas at Austin as a literature student. After her grad-uation, Evelyn put music on hold for a few years to focus on her marriage and support her husband, Phillip, as he served in the military. When the couple moved back to Texas from Japan, however, Evelyn rediscovered music when Phillip surprised her with a brand new piano. For her 50th birth-day he presented her with her very own guitar, which she learned how to play in the most unusual manner: by becoming a student at the University

of Texas at San Antonio.Evelyn’s guitar instructor at the

time suggested she take classical guitar lessons with a music pro-fessor he knew at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “They wouldn’t let me take lessons unless I signed up as a student,” Evelyn shared. “So I was a 50-year-old freshman in music because I didn’t have all the music requirements. I said whatever you want me to do, I just want some guitar lessons,” Evelyn said with a big smile on her face.

What began as classical guitar lessons led Evelyn to complete her third degree, a bachelor’s degree in music education. “It was like coming home to what I really loved,” she said as she reflected on her fulfilling experience as a UTSA student. With a music degree in hand, Evelyn then opened up her own music studio where she worked with students and their parents for nearly 15 years.

Evelyn remains actively involved with music as a resident of Menger House despite facing new challenges with her failing eyesight. Calling upon

her extensive musical background, she founded the Hand Chime group at Menger House shortly after she moved in, which she still leads to this day.

In her own words, Evelyn shared her view on happiness: “My dear, if you want to know what happiness is, it’s not to be able to do something and find out you can do it! You can. You may not be able to do it as well as you did before… I can’t play the piano anymore, can’t read the score fast enough….But I can still play the things I memorized. I’m a lucky woman. Very blessed.”

A Musician at HeartEVELYN, MUSICIAN


8 SPRING 2015

A Musician at Heart

A nifty cell phone application helps nature photogra-pher Tom S. keep track of

the birds he has spotted at Menger Springs since he and his wife, Edie, moved to the community last year. “I’ve counted 53 species of birds here,” Tom says excitedly as the application appears on his phone screen.

Tom’s exposure to nature occurred early on; he spent much of his youth living on a farm with his family in northeastern Pennsylvania. Tom’s father, an avid outdoorsman, gave him his first bird guide when he was only six years old. His upbringing and early exposure to the outdoors helped him appreciate the beauty of nature and everything it has to offer.

After attending college, Tom worked as a mechanical engineer for IBM for 34 years, a job that allowed him to visit many places around the world. He loved traveling so much that he continued doing it after his retirement; he has visited all seven continents and 98 countries to date.

By the time Tom retired in 1996, photography was in the early stages

of turning entirely digital. It was becoming easier for beginner pho-tographers to purchase professional equipment and shoot high-quality photographs for personal or pro-fessional use. “As the photographic revolution progressed into digital image capture, my interest increased dramatically,” Tom explained.

Armed with his love and knowl-edge of nature, Tom eventually purchased a digital lens camera and began taking photographs outside his home. “I had the good fortune, in Kerrville, to live on a ranch, Tierra Linda Ranch. I would take a minimum of 100 images a day because I had butterflies and birds and grey foxes and a lot other things,” says Tom of his early interest in photography.

“Nature photography is just a delight, because you’re looking at beautiful things and beautiful places. It all comes together so nicely.”

Tom’s impressive portfolio includes action shots of birds in flight, images of blooming, color-ful flowers, pictures of critters he has encountered over the years and stunning portraits. A certified Texas Master Naturalist, he previously taught photography courses at Ker-rville Arts and Cultural Center, held a gallery show of his work and contin-ues to work with Schreiner University as a volunteer photographer.

These days, Tom spends his time taking dazzling images at Menger Springs and continues learning about birds. “This is what excites me,” Tom says, pointing to his bird watching app with a smile on his face.

For the Love of Nature

TOM, NATURE & BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER

“Nature photography is just a delight, because you’re looking

at beautiful things and beautiful places. It all comes

together so nicely.”

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Any person would expect an older man in his 70s to be happily retired, but this does

not apply to Menger House resident Pastor Henry S. Henry has been the Senior Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne for 20 years and continues serving his congregation with the same joy and passion that encouraged him to pursue his voca-tion as a young man.

Born and raised on a farm out-side of Crawford, Texas, Henry’s first job was at a grocery store in nearby McGregor, Texas – according to him, this is where he first discovered his fondness for human interaction. “With the opportunity to work on the farm you do everything about your-self, you’re just there. But to be able to work in public was really the intro-duction of people. I got to love being around people,” the pastor said of his first employment.

Growing up, Henry was very involved with his church and had perfect attendance for 13 years. He

considered becoming a pastor as a young boy, but it was not until after he married his high school sweetheart, Frances, that he felt prepared to join the ministry. “I was working in the grocery store – I remember the time, putting out a case of Welch’s grape jelly – and it came to me that I was pre-pared to be a pastor. Just out of high school, no college, we had eight years of college and seminary in front of us,” Henry recalled with exceptional detail.

After he completed his formal edu-cation, Henry served as the pastor of various Lutheran churches in Texas, was called to serve as the Assistant to the Bishop of The Southern District of The American Lutheran Church, and elected Bishop of the Southwest-ern Texas Synod of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for a four-year term. On the first Sunday of September in 1994, Henry and Fran-ces settled down in Boerne as Henry answered a call to serve as Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, from which he has yet to retire.

Pastor Henry’s impressive accom-plishments as a dedicated member of his ministry and community can only be explained by his true passion of serving others.

“I’ve come to decide that relation-ship is my passion – people,” Pastor Henry explained. “I love being a pastor. I think it’s the greatest profession, vocation, and blessing that anyone can do. It’s probably the only vocation in the world where people welcome you into their lives. Whether it’s a sad occasion, or it’s a happy occasion, a wedding or a funeral, difficulties or a family gathering they welcome you in like one of the family. I think you always have that feeling of being a

part of people,” he shared.

A Higher Calling

HENRY, PASTOR

Leading a Life of Goodwill

“I love being a pastor. I think it’s the greatest profession, vocation, and blessing that anyone can do.”

h

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A unique book sits on a book-shelf inside Eunice J.’s cozy assisted living apartment

at Cibolo House. Titled “Do You Remember When? My Life Story,” the spiral-bound book is Eunice’s auto-biography written in her own words – and at 96 years old, she continues to add chapters to the story of her life.

Eunice’s life story began in 1918 in the small town of Lexington, Texas. After she and her parents survived the influenza pandemic of 1918, the family moved further south to Live Oak County where Eunice attended and graduated high school. In college, Eunice quickly completed 60 hours of semester work and earned a four-year teaching certificate.

With her teaching certificate in hand, Eunice taught in various elemen-tary, middle and high schools for several years as she continued to attend school during the summer to finish her degree, which she did in 1943. “School would end on Friday; I’d get all my records cleaned up. Saturday morning I would do my laundry. Sunday I would go back

to school,” Eunice explained. During her time working as a

teacher Eunice met Frank, her husband of 58 years. The couple married in 1942, had two daughters together and lived in South Texas where they became well-known for their special connection to Tynan’s Volunteer Fire Department. Frank and Eunice lived across the street from the city’s only fire station and always showed their support by giving moral encouragement and monetary donations.

When Frank passed away in 2000, Eunice continued supporting the fire department with thoughtful dona-tions. After 10 years of fundraising, the residents of Tynan successfully raised $45,000 and a new fire station was built in 2014. Eunice, however, didn’t expect what happened next: “Somebody in the community said ‘Well it’s never had a name, it needs a name. It’s a new build-ing; we’re going to dedicate it and going to do it in your honor.’”

Eunice moved out of her home in Tynan and moved in to Cibolo House to be closer to her daughter, but her

and her late husband’s noble ges-tures will always be remembered with the Frank and Eunice J. Fire Station in South Texas. “Both of us could see something and it needed to be done and nobody was doing it so we did it if we could do it,” said Eunice with a smile on her face. “We’ve been honored.”

A Higher Calling

EUNICE, TEACHER

Leading a Life of Goodwill

“School would end on Friday; I’d get all my records cleaned up.

Saturday morning I would do my laundry. Sunday I would go back to school.”

a


If you stop and talk to a resident during your visit to any of our three communities, chances are you will run into a talented artist, photographer, musician or poet who is still exercising his or her creativity. Residents stay active and in high spirits every day thanks to engaging activity schedules that have something in store for everybody: music sessions, writer’s groups, reader's theatre, arts and crafts, dancing… and so much more!

1) In celebration of San Antonio Fiesta, the Meadows lobby is transformed into a festive runway for the annual Fiesta Style Show, featuring the Meadows’ own residents and staff members as models!; 2) Meadows resident Beverly B. submitted her intricate cross stitch of a colorful flower arrangement into Leading Age’s 2015 ArtsInspire competition; 3) Wayne V. of the Meadows submitted a painting of his own into the ArtsInspire competition; 4) Morningside offers a variety of engaging group activities, such as creating colorful Fiesta flowers!; 5) Chandler Residents Marjorie B. and Light C. had a great time during a show put

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SNAPSHOTS

Moments of Joy

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on by the Air Force’s touring performance ensemble, Tops In Blue; 6) Meadows residents and staff members Ralph W., Adam D., Nick O. and Chaplain Dennis came together and put on a great show during The Meadows’ annual talent show in January; 7) Artist Anita K. was a finalist in this year’s ArtsInspire competition for her stunning series of Guatemalan-themed pen and ink drawings; 8) Menger residents Elayne D., Mary D. and Jean H. enjoy refreshments and good conversation during a scheduled outing; 9) Morningside Ministries is home to an impressive number of musicians, such as singer and ukulele player Nick O.; 10) Menger House residents create works of art in a bi-monthly watercolor class led by San Antonio artist Lesta F.; 11) Shirley J. joyfully admires a wall in her apartment that showcases her original works of art; 12) Tom S. holds up the watercolor card he created for his valentine and wife, Edie, during the Watercolor class at Menger House.


Mindfulness involves the development of your ability to notice emo-

tional and physiological reactions to everyday events. It is you coming off of “autopilot” and being present in your thoughts in actions without passing judgment.

Research has shown that mind-fulness may be helpful in treating numerous psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-com-pulsive disorder. It can even help with memory!

A study conducted by Harvard researchers and published in Psychia-try Research Neuroimaging reported that individuals who participated in an eight-week mindfulness program appeared to have changes in the brain associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. The study reported that the improvements seen in the brain are not just a result of the participants’ time spent relaxing, but of actual changes in their brain struc-ture. One of those changes occurs in the hippocampus. The hippocampus, buried inside the temples on each side of the brain, is associated with emo-tion and memory and is covered in receptors for a stress hormone called cortisol. Studies have shown that the hippocampus can be damaged by chronic stress. After participat-ing in the mindfulness program, each

individual showed increased amounts of grey matter in the hippocampus, providing them the ability to process more information.

Mindfulness can be particularly beneficial to seniors and their care-givers. These benefits include:

• Reducedhealthcarecosts:Astudyin Journal of Social Behavior and Personality found that seniors who participate in mindfulness had fewer hospitalizations compared to a con-trol group.

• ItmayslowAlzheimer’sdisease:Astudy found that meditation may protect the brain against anxiety and stress, which can worsen Alz-heimer’s symptoms.

• Decreases loneliness: Mindfulnesspromotes connectedness among participants.

• Improved longevity: Studies haveshown that mindfulness may prevent cellular aging and may decrease mortality rates.

• Caregiversmaybenefittoo:Care-givers who engage in mindfulness have been shown to have reduced levels of stress which can reduce the adverse effects of caregiver stress on physical and mental health.

Mindfulness should be enjoyable and effortless. Start by breathing in.

During the time you are practicing mindfulness, pay attention to your breath. Become aware of it. Stop talk-ing – not only through your mouth, but also in your mind. Try to slow down your thoughts and focus on your breathing in and breathing out. When you do that, your mental thoughts should slow down, or stop. The object you are focusing on is your breath. You don’t have to make an effort to stop your thinking, just bring your attention to your breathing, and your mental thoughts should slow down.

It takes some practice, but over time mindfulness could help you center yourself in the present moment and provide useful therapy. If you are interested in learning more about mindfulness, I suggest you visit the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Centers webpage. The center pro-vides free guided meditations, as well as weekly podcasts about meditation at www.marc.ucla.edu.

Mindfulness MeditationA New Approach to an Old Problem

When was the last time you took the time to do nothing? For centuries, people have been using meditation to relax and refocus their lives. One newer approach to meditation is called mindfulness.

DR. VALERIE BALLDIN is a clinical psychologist who specializes in neu-ropsychology in the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio located at 8300 Floyd Curl Drive.

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Results

31-35 .............Extremely satisfied

26-30 .............Satisfied

21-25 .............Slightly satisfied

20 .............Neutral

15-19 .............Slightly dissatisfied

10-14 .............Dissatisfied

5-9 .............Extremely dissatisfied

People who score in the “extremely satisfied” range feel their lives are very rewarding and have gone very well, though not necessarily perfectly, Diener and his son Robert Biswas-Di-ener explain in their book Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psycholog-ical Wealth.

“Satisfied” scorers are generally happy and feel very good about their lives, yet see room for improvement.

“Slightly satisfied” people feel life is going well, but they are not quite where they would like to be.

The “neutral” category means the good and bad stuff in a person’s life are in a dead heat.

People in either the dissatisfied or slightly dissatisfied category need to ask themselves whether it is because of a recent bad event or because their lives are heading in the right direc-tion but aren’t there yet. If it’s either of those causes, they probably don’t need to worry about the score, write Diener and Biswas-Diener.

If they are usually “down,” they should consider whether their expectations are simply too high or whether they need to change something significant in their lives. In any case, they may need to seek help from a person they trust, such as member of the clergy or a mental health counselor.

Finally, the “extremely dissatisfied” scorers need to make very serious efforts to turn their lives around, and that may require professional help.

Happiness is ...

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychologist at the University of California Riverside and author of the 2007 book The How of Happiness, explains that happiness has a thinking and a feeling component. To be happy emotionally means experiencing fairly frequent positive emotions and relatively infrequent negative emotions. To be happy at the cognitive level is to feel happy with your life, the progress you are making on life goals or the direction in which your life is going.

By: Tina Adler, from: AARP Bulletin, July 15, 2010, Tina Adler is a freelance writer who covers health, science and the environment.

Source: AARP, Reprinted with permission.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale is a measure of life satisfaction developed by Ed Diener and colleagues

in 1985. It’s stood the test of time and is still used today. Try it out on yourself.

Below are five statements that you may agree or disagree with. Using the 1-7 scale

below, indicate your agreement with each item by placing the appropriate number

on the line preceding that item. Please be open and honest in your responding.

SATISFIED WITH LIFE?

TAKE THE HAPPINESS QUIZ

7 Strongly agree

6 Agree

5 Slightly agree

4 Neither agree nor disagree

3 Slightly disagree

2 Disagree

1 Strongly disagree

Statements

____ In most ways my life is close to my ideal.

____ The conditions of my life are excellent.

____ I am satisfied with my life.

____ So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.

____ If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.


Joyce Hernandez accepted the Family and Professional Caregiver Award on December 9, 2014.L-R: Alvin Loewenberg, Joyce Hernandez, Maria Wellisch and Nina Rios.

It takes a strong, compassionate and selfless person to care for older adults, and the winners of

the 5th Annual Elizabeth McGown Care-giving Legacy Award each embody these exceptional qualities.

Three caregivers were hon-ored during the 5th Annual Elizabeth McGown Caregiving Legacy Awards Ceremony: Jan Natalie Killilea of Flor-ida was awarded the Family Caregiver Award, Christopher Miller of Arizona received the Professional Caregiver Award, and Joyce Hernandez of San Antonio was honored with the Family and Professional Caregiver Award.

Since 2010, the Elizabeth McGown Training Institute at Morningside Min-istries has held the annual Elizabeth McGown Caregiving Legacy Award to honor those who provide excep-tional care and inspire others to make a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of older adults. Named after lifelong caregiver Elizabeth McGown, the award recipients are selected from nominations received online.

“We received so many extraor-dinary caregiver nominations from around the United States,” said Nina Rios, Executive Director of mmLearn.org. “The selection committee was overwhelmed with the response from families and organizations that wanted to pay tribute to their employees or family members.”

Caregiving comes naturally for Joyce, the winner of the Family and Professional Caregiver Award. Joyce began caring for seniors in 2007 after she helped her friend, a professional caregiver, care for one of her clients. Her experiences helped her make the remarkable decision of leaving the administrative field to become a full-time caregiver.

Over time, Joyce unknowingly began to suffer from stress, a reper-cussion that unfortunately affects the majority of caregivers. When she dis-covered mmLearn’s free online videos, they became an immense resource for her. “Without the videos, I wouldn’t have known I needed help … I needed

to take care of myself,” expressed Joyce of the caregiver stress videos. “This program has had a big impact in my life. It has been truly a blessing.”

Joyce collaborated with mmLearn as they competed and won a grant offered by The Humana Foundation last year. mmLearn will use the $350K grant to expand its reach by produc-ing new videos in both English and Spanish to continue providing valuable information to caregivers like Joyce.

These days, Joyce enjoys spending time with her family and former clients she still keeps in touch with. One tip of advice she has for caregivers is to “make time for prayer daily, to open up your hearts and put on a beautiful smile while caring for others.”

Annual Award Recognizes Three Outstanding Caregivers

MMLEARN.ORG is committed to pro-

viding quality online training that

improves the quality of care received by

older adults to anyone seeking practical

ways to meet the physical, emotional

and spiritual needs of older adults in

their care. The program also helps train

staff across all three of the Morningside

Ministries Senior Living Communities.

16 SPRING 2015

Annual Award Recognizes Three Outstanding Caregivers

Ask the Geriatrician is a series of monthly programs developed by mmLearn.org that discuss important topics relating to older adults and address the shortage of geriatricians available tomeet with older adults and their caregivers in the United States. Featuring Dr. Thomas Weiss

of Radiant Research, this quarter’s new presentations will discuss the following topics:

ASK THE GERIATRICIAN

DR. THOMAS WEISS

HEROIC AGING: NEUROPLASTICITY

An introduction to neuroplasticity, the idea that has replaced

the formerly-held position that the brain is a physiologically

static organ.

STATE OF THE UNION INDEMENTIA RESEARCH Learn about imaging,

medications, genetics and non-pharmacological approaches.

POTPOURRI TOPICSA discussion on areas including light, sleep and the emerging

evidence that ties them to sundowning.

TOP 5 CAREGIVER VIDEOSON MMLEARN.ORG

Understanding and Approaching Challenging Behaviors in Dementia

I Don’t Have Dementia— But It Is Driving Me Crazy!

The Nature of Coping (a three part series)

Caregiver Stress: Identifying and Reducing Strain and Stress

Identifying and Reducing Strain and Stress

To view our videos, visitwww.mmLearn.org and select a topic

on the left-hand side of the home page.

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This is a fabulous and invaluable series. I have seen numerous videos from the ‘Ask a Geriatrician’ series. The speakers, EVERY ONE OF THEM, are outstanding!~ Family caregiver

I'm grateful that you would dedicate a space for continuing education for caregivers at no cost. Thank you. ~ Pastoral caregiver

What a GREAT webcast! I help seniors/caregivers organize

their medical information into med info storage and health

tracking binders. This was enormously affirming of what

I do, and empowering. Great speaker! Thank you!

~ Healthcare professional

This was a masterful explanation that even I, a lay

person, could understand.~ Pastoral caregiver

About Thomas Weiss, M.D. Specializing in psychiatry, Dr. Weiss is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio and has practiced medicine for 34 years. Dr. Weiss has

been a contributing physician for Ask the Geriatrician since 2010. His past presentations include “Behavioral Management in Dementia,” “Caring for the Hateful Patient,” and “Caregiver Stress.”


Ruth K., Menger HouseLaughter with friends.

Irene P. Menger HouseSeeing smiles and happy faces wherever you go,

as it always is around MM.

F. Ramirez, Chandler Healthcare

Getting well and having my

daughter with me.

Anita C., Chandler Healthcare

My grandchildren when they

come visit me.

D. Martinez, Chandler Healthcare

Being in good health.

Rollin P., Chandler HealthcareBeing around other ministers

and memories of my mother’s cooking.

Lydia R., Chandler HealthcareTalking to others and being around people.

Margie, Cibolo AL

Everything!

E.E. Webb, The Meadows

Just being here at Morningside

with wonderful, caring people.

Wanda, Cibolo ALMy baby.

Eunice J., Cibolo AL

That God gives me life every day!

Betty F., Menger HouseBeing with family and dear friends.Jackie, Cibolo AL

Going home.

Elouise F., The MeadowsBeing a resident at The Meadows since 2004, and being with friends.

E. Garza, Chandler HealthcareGet together with friends.

Ruth D., The Meadows

To love and be loved!

What Makes People Happy?CINCO VIDEOS PARA

CUIDADORES EN MMLEARN.ORG

Cuidándose a usted mismo

Mensaje espiritual: unaoración para los cuidadores

Para los “caregivers”, el cuidar a otros es una jornada de fe, esperanza y amor

¿Cómo vemos los Latinos la experiencia de cuidar de los nuestros?

Caregiver Stress Related to Dementia, Estrés de cuidadores relacionado a la

demencia, subtitulado en español

Para ver nuestros videos, visite la página de internet www.mmLearn.org

y seleccione “en Español.”

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18 SPRING 2015

Residents from The Manor, The Meadows, Chandler Estate and Menger Springs were asked to share the things that make them happy. Here are some of the wonderful answers they gave.

Elaine B., Menger House

Feeling safe and being

with people I truly enjoy.

S. Augustine, Chandler HealthcareBeing alive, and thanking God every day for being alive.

Anita C., Chandler Healthcare

My grandchildren when they

come visit me.

Mary W., Cibolo ALThe staff makes

me smile.

E.E. Webb, The Meadows

Just being here at Morningside

with wonderful, caring people.

Rita, Cibolo ALSeeing my girls.

Dick S., The MeadowsIn knowing that others have

benefitted in having known me.

Bob C. , The Manor Kaulbach

I just count all my blessings...

realized how blessed I am!

Gloria G., The Manor KaulbachKnowing my children and grandchildren are healthy and moving along in their lives.

Doris C., Menger HouseEnjoying family and friends!

Doc W., Menger HouseA sense of well-being which is provided by the staff.

Menger House residentActivities, friendly greetings, food,

love and concern.

Joyce, Cibolo AL

Seeing a friend.Ava, Cibolo AL

My girls.

Elouise F., The MeadowsBeing a resident at The Meadows since 2004, and being with friends.

E. Garza, Chandler HealthcareGet together with friends.

What Makes People Happy?


According to Tom Jaco, “One guiding principle we have always lived by is ‘Life, liberty

and the pursuit of happiness.’ He and his wife, Carolyn, agree that the mean-ing of happiness keeps changing as life moves forward. Carolyn and Tom have been volunteers and donors at Morn-ingside Ministries for the last 12 years. “Being part of Morningside brought us happiness in more ways than I could ever have expected,” Carolyn says as she reflects back on those years.

Carolyn and Tom Jaco first met in 1953 at their small Methodist church when they were just 15 years old. Think-ing back over all those years, Carolyn exclaims, “Little did I know then what an adventure life would be for the next 62 years!” Married after five years of dating, the young couple would spend 35 years traveling around the globe with the U.S. Army.

Along the way, Carolyn and Tom raised three children, and today have six grandchildren and three great-grand-children. Seeing the big smiles on their faces when they talk about their three generations of children, it’s easy to tell what Carolyn and Tom’s greatest pride and joy is these days.

While in the Army, Tom rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and

commanded the 5th U.S. Army at Ft. Sam Houston. Before retiring from the Army, both Carolyn and Tom par-ticipated in many different volunteer activities. After retirement, their com-mitment to service continued. “We feel even more obligated to continue to help in some way—to do something that benefits others,” shares Tom.

True to these words, Carolyn directs her energies volunteering at the Assistance League of San Antonio. “I especially love Operation School Bell that provides lower-income children with the clothes they need for school. It’s so rewarding to see the kids’ faces light up when they come to pick out their new clothes.”

Since retiring, Tom has served on the Board of Directors for many local non-profits, including as Chair of the Board of Directors at Morningside. “Serving at Morningside was like a ministry to me,” says Tom. “It felt like family, especially knowing that several board members had their own family members living here.”

In 2004, Carolyn’s dad, Lyman Mooney, decided to move to San Antonio from his native Missouri. Won-dering where a retired music teacher and church choir director could find happiness in San Antonio, Carolyn immediately told her dad, “There’s only

one place for you, and that’s Morning-side.” Mr. Mooney first moved into a retirement apartment and later into the assisted living center. Mr. Mooney passed away four years later at the age of 99. “Tom and I remain grateful for the loving and compassionate care that my dad received there during the last years of his life,” says Carolyn.

Even these many years later, Carolyn and Tom love coming to Morn-ingside and visiting with staff members and residents. “We remain big support-ers of this wonderful ministry. We can see the personal care and affection that each resident receives at a time when that’s so important.”

TOM AND CAROLYN JACO have been involved with Morningside Ministries for the last 12 years as volunteers and donors. It brings them happiness and fulfillment in life to serve the senior community.

TOM & CAROLYN JACO

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

“Serving at Morningside was like a ministry to me.”

a

20 SPRING 2015

TOM & CAROLYN JACO

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Mrs. Beverly AckerMr. Frederick AdjeiMs. Ogechi AguMr. John W. AhearnMs. Leslie Ann AlejandreAlice and Tom AndrolewiczMr. Andres ArellanoMs. Krystal AyalaMr. Reginal BaileyMs. Tayana BalderramaMr. and Mrs. Alan E. BattagliaMr. Jay BeamesderferMs. Janet BellMr. and Mrs. Robert F. BlucherMs. Dena BookerMs. Marguerite BotkinMrs. Nona F. BrooksMr. John BryantMr. Paul Vincent Gabriel CalderonMs. Sandra Cantu-GriffithMs. Michele ChamlessMr. Daniel ChegeMr. Truman S. ConnerMs. Hilda D. ContrerasMr. and Mrs. John W. CooperMs. Abbey CruzMs. Elizabeth CuellarMr. German CuellarMrs. Tabitha CuevasDr. Light CumminsMs. Susann De VineyMs. Kimberly DeikeMr. and Mrs. Craig DixonBishop and Mrs. James E. DorffMr. and Mrs. Griffith DoyleMs. Claudia DullMrs. Helen Galloway EdkinsMs. Rosinique EdwardsMs. Maria ElicotMr. Nathan ExomMs. Velma FergusonMs. Maria FloresMr. Xavier FloresMs. Laura FloresMs. Antonette GomezMs. Sylvia GomezMs. Gloria GonzalezMs. Dolly J. GorresMs. Rebecca Guzman

Ms. Allison HarringtonThe Honorable and Mrs. Patrick HeathMs. Melissa HernandezMr. Francisco HerreraMs. Monica HerreraMs. Penny HolmesMs. Ruth E. HuberMs. Elizabeth W. HughesMs. Jennifer HyltonMrs. Doris M. JordanMs. Mary KeelingMr. and Mrs. Frank A. LaCavaMs. Jennifer LaytonMs. Vanessa LedezmaMr. Alvin A. LoewenbergMr. Harold R. LongmireMr. Frank LosoyaMs. Amanda LottMs. Joyce LovelaceMrs. Iris MaahsMs. Minnie MackMr. and Mrs. Peter MaddoxMr. Eduardo MaldonadoMs. Nancy ManzelloMs. Jeanette MaresMs. Nancy A. MaresMs. Jessica MaresMs. Vanessa MartinezMs. Jennifer MeluginMs. Loretta MendezMs. Julie C. MinorMs. Deborah MoosMs. Amanda MoralesMs. Alicia MorenoMs. Blanca MorenoMs. Amber MoyMs. Josephine MoyaMr. Nolan MyersMr. Christopher NaughtonMr. David NeveMs. Catherine NwogwugwuMs. Fransheska OrtegaMs. Leticia A. OzunaMr. Andres PachecoMs. Jessica PalomoMs. Shelly PascualMs. Lydia PeralesMs. Aurora A. PerezMr. Stephen Platt

Ms. Terri PutmanMr. Joel PutmanMr. Sergio RamirezMr. Luis RamosMrs. Sadalinda RamosMr. and Mrs. E.F. RaschkeMs. Mary RaymondMrs. Martha RedmanMs. Adelene RendonMs. Delia ReyesMs. Treshanna RichardsonMs. Nina RiosMs. Lydia RochaMs. Mary RodriguezMs. Juana SanchezRev. Daniel F. SchorlemerMrs. Marsha SchrankMrs. Heidi SchulzMr. Gabriel SolisMs. Alisa StewartMr. and Mrs. Stanley R. StickneyMr. Fred M. StokesMs. Christina SubiriasRev. and Mrs. Philip TaylorMrs. Helen ThompsonMr. Derol ToddMs. Missy ToddMr. and Mrs. Leon E. Travis, IIIMs. Martha C. TrevinoMs. Priscilla TrujilloMs. Vicki TschirhartThe Rev. Timothy and

Mrs. Elizabeth TurnerMs. Imelda ValencianoMs. Jessica M. VelasquezMs. Vanessa VelozMr. and Mrs. Eldon WebbMs. Sandi WellsMr. James WhitisMs. Barbara WilsonMs. Marjorie WiltshireMrs. Mary M. WindhamIrene Wischer Charitable

Remainder TrustDr. and Mrs. Charles R. WisemanMrs. Margaret WoolleyMr. Ivica YurishichMrs. Anita Yurishich

Donors Morningside Ministries would like to thank all of our generous donors for their support of our mission.

November 1 thruDecember 31, 2014


SOCIAL MEDIA

Apps and Technology for the Savvy Senior

At Morningside, we encourage residents to engage in both spiritual and physical activities so they can achieve overall wellness.

When an infant reaches up in its crib and touches the mobile suspended

there, every part to the mobile moves. That is because there are no indepen-dent parts; everything is connected. When one part moves, they all move.

The same is true for the human body. When one part is healthy other parts benefit.

Because physical activity promotes physical well being it should not be sur-prising to learn that some of the most popular activities among residents of Morningside involve movement. Our activity professionals encourage res-idents to participate in group settings which also promotes socialization, a key ingredient to emotional health because it combats isolation and loneliness. In fact, some of the most popular activities on our campuses are among groups of ten and more. These activities vary from chair exercises, balance classes, Tai chi to Laughter Yoga and Wii Bowling. Participat-ing in activities in groups stimulates friendships and camaraderie in a fun

and social environment which, in turn, promote healthy emotions.

But physical activity is only one stimulating item that a resident will find on a Morningside activity calendar.

In one of his letters to Timothy, the Apostle Paul speaks to the issue of physical health. In 1 Timothy 4:7-8 he writes, “Have nothing to do with god-less myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godli-ness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Paul’s words indicate the positive value of maintaining good physical health but as you can see he does so in order to promote the lasting significance of spiritual health. Excuse me – make that eternal significance.

Research has shown that spiritual-ity and the practice of one’s faith limits the negative effect of stress and con-tributes to overall health when faced with multiple dilemmas common to the aging population. One study completed in 2004 by researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study of Aging demonstrated that fre-quent religious service attendance was associated with fewer difficulties with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).

This is precisely why Morningside Ministries has chaplains who, along with our interns and seminarians, lead worship and visit residents at every level of care on every campus. We welcome new residents as they make the transition into the community and encourage them to engage in both spiritual and physical activities.

And so we encourage residents to stay physically fit, emotionally bal-anced and spiritually alert. It is all a part of “Caring for Those Who Cared for Us.”

CHAPLAIN DENNIS SMITH has been a spiritual leader at Morningside Minis-tries for 15 years. Together with Father Jeff Mead, he spreads joy throughout Morningside’s three communities by hosting engaging prayer services and providing residents with spiritual and emotional support.

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT

Stimulate your Soul with Spirituality

“Research has shown that spirituality and the practice of one’s faith limits the negative effect of stress and contributes to overall health…”

22 SPRING 2015


SOCIAL MEDIA

Apps and Technology for the Savvy Senior

Latest research suggests that there is definitely a science behind the “feeling” of happiness. Since the latest findings, app developers jumped aboard the “happy train movement” and started creating and developing apps that let anyone with a smartphone, laptop, computer or tablet have access to useful tools to maintain and improve their

own happiness and perception of the world. We researched and tested the latest and greatest apps designed specifically for happiness, inspiration and brain training, and came up with a comprehensive list of some of our personal favorites.

DAILY INSPIRATIONS

This inspirational app delivers a daily bible verse, personally curated by an

ordained pastor with a Ph.D in theology, to your phone every day for free! You can set your custom delivery time to

the morning, afternoon or at night right before you go to bed. You can even

share the verses with your family and friends on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail

with the click of a button.

HAPPIFY

Make 2015 your best year yet with the app that utilizes the science of happiness and delivers it directly to your fingertips.

Happify will give you daily tasks and activities to help accomplish your pre-

determined goals. For just a few minutes a day, the exercises and games help you break free of negative thinking patterns

and give you the tools to learn how to cope with tough situations and by

inspiring you to push further. Track your happiness score as you go!

LUMOSITY BRAIN TRAINER

Research has proven that the majority of your happiness and well-being starts in your brain. Lumosity trains your brain to be healthier, sharper and more positive, ultimately leading to a happier lifestyle. Each day you are given 35 daily training

sessions of 7 brain games designed specifically to enhance your cognitive

abilities including memory, attention span, flexibility, speed at which you process

information, and problem solving. Who knew training your brain could be this fun?

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT

Stimulate your Soul with Spirituality

Want to share your happiness?... Connect with us on...

FACEBOOKMorningside Ministries

LINKEDINMorningside Ministries

TWITTER@MorningsideM

YOUTUBEMorningside Ministries

BLOGMMLiving.org


The time to act is now while you can still enjoy construction savings on available floor plans. The Overlook is 85% pre-sold, so don’t delay!

The Overlook…A Retirement Lifestyle Beyond Compare

Opening in Fall 2015, The Overlook at Menger Springs will offer sophisticated living options, unsurpassed services and amenities, innovative programs and a full continuum of care in the beautiful Hill Country town of Boerne. Now is the perfect time to give yourself the peace of

mind of a well planned future that you deserve. Choose the plan that covers all of the “what-ifs” life can bring and secure limited time construction savings while they last!

A Brand-New Community from a Reputable Organization.

Morningside Ministries, a faith-based, not-for-profit and mission-driven

Continuing Care Retirement provider has been serving seniors in the greater San Antonio area for 53 years. The Overlook

is Morningside’s newest community and provides maintenance-free, luxury apartment residences with unparalleled services and amenities with an on-site continuum of care for optimal peace of

mind for you and your loved ones.

Assurance of a Well Planned Future.

As a resident of The Overlook you are assured that if you ever need more

care, that care is available on the same campus by a team of experienced and dedicated professionals. Residential

style accommodations are available from Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and a state-of-the art, on-site

Rehabilitation Center should your needs ever change.

There Will Never Be a Better Time.

By reserving now, you can take advantage of a compelling financial arrangement and future healthcare

discounts at no risk to you should your situation change between now and time of occupancy. Limited-time construction

discounts make this the best time to reserve your apartment home.

Call (830) 816-4497 today for an appointment while inventory lasts.

Lifetime Living: Spring 2015

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Transcript of Lifetime Living: Spring 2015