Grief is an inevitable part of life. Whether you experience grief in moving away, ending a marriage, financial setbacks, or the loss of a loved one, we will all feel this deep sense of sorrow known as grief at some point in our lives. Although there is no universal way to grieve, especially in the context of the death of a loved one, it is essential for us to develop coping mechanisms to navigate grief in a healthier manner. 

At Mountain Vista Senior Living Community, we understand the profound impact of losing a loved one. That is why we have established a supportive environment where individuals can find comfort and support during times of grief. Led by our Spiritual Director, Cindy Pincus, we now offer monthly caregiver and grief support sessions right here at Mountain Vista. When experiencing the loss of a loved one, we may experience feelings of guilt, anger, loneliness, depression, or anxiety. Processing these emotions can be difficult at times when we are grieving, however we are here to remind you that you are not alone in your journey with grief. 

Each person’s path with grief is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve a loved one. Our aim for our monthly support sessions is to provide a safe space for individuals to express the emotions they are experiencing and receive companionship and guidance in return. For more information on our individual or group support sessions, please call (303) 421-4161 or email Cpincus@abhomes.org. 

Now that we have discussed some common experiences and feelings associated with grief, along with some of our own resources, we will now go into some of the steps that we can take to help us understand how we can cope with grief… 

Join a support group:  

• Joining a group where individuals share their personal experiences with grief can be incredibly validating and empowering.

• Monthly support groups are held at Mountain Vista Senior Living Community- lead by Spiritual Director, Cindy Pincus. 

Ask for help from your loved ones:  

• Grief can leave you feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, and can make it difficult for you to complete everyday tasks. It is okay to ask for help from your loved ones during difficult times. 

Try journaling prompts to help you feel more control over your emotions:

• Journaling is a comforting way to process certain memories or thoughts about the person who has passed. It can also be used to track your journey with how you have coped. 

Reach out for professional help:  

• Grief counselors can help provide valuable emotional support and techniques for the pain of loss. 

• Professional help can help you to move forward through your grieving process and develop new perspectives. 

As you are going through your journey with grief, be gentle and patient with yourself. Remember that the process of grieving can look incredibly different for each person, and that you may experience different emotions multiple times before reaching a place of solace. If grief is disrupting your everyday abilities, seeking professional help may be something that may benefit you. Healing may take time, and it is important to seek support throughout this challenging time. Mountain Vista is here for you! 

Mountain Vista Senior Living Community in Wheat Ridge will be hosting a Caregiver Burnout Support Group the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6pm starting April 9, 2024.

Caring for a family is a labor of love, but it can also be emotionally and physically taxing. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply in need of support, our Caregiver Burnout Group is here for you. At Mountain Vista, we recognize the incredible dedication of family caregivers and the unique challenges they face. Led by our chaplain Rev. Cindy Pincus, this group provides a nurturing environment where you can share your experiences, learn self-care strategies, and connect with others who understand the challenges of caregiving. Whether you’re seeking practical advice or simply a listening ear, our doors are open to you.

For more information, please contact Mountain Vista Marketing Director Lisa Weber at 303-421-4161 or by email at lweber@abhomes.org.

Mountain Vista was recently profiled in an article in the local Gazette newspaper.  The article focused on Mountain Vista’s people, history, culture and commitment to care. To read the full story, click here.

The month of March is known for St. Patrick’s Day, the return of daylight savings time, unpredictable weather, and of course… Social Work month! Here at Mountain Vista, we have our Social Services department which consists of two wonderful team players; Sabrina Langstraat and Sarah Preston. Our Social Services team members work incredibly hard, with their main goal being to advocate for our residents’ needs and overall well-being. With such a strong passion for helping others, it’s evident that the Social Services department has a long-lasting impact on our community here at Mountain Vista. Each day in the department is unique, involving interactions with different residents, family members, and individual care plans.

Sabrina, a Social Services Assistant at Mountain Vista, shared that her favorite part about working in the department is getting to know each resident personally and helping them adjust to living here by introducing them to all that we have to offer. She finds her role incredibly rewarding and feels like she’s truly making a positive impact on the lives of our residents and their families. “I know I am making a difference in the lives of these residents when they are happy to see me every day, and that they are comfortable to come and talk to me about anything.”

We are so grateful for the dedication and hard work of our Social Services department. Sabrina and Sarah play a crucial role in fostering a supportive and caring environment for our residents. Their commitment to advocating for the well-being of others is commendable. Thank you, Sabrina and Sarah, for all that you do for our residents here at Mountain Vista!

We all have those songs that we listen to that bring us back to a specific time or memory. Whether you prefer country, classical, jazz, or rock music, some of our favorite songs will evoke memories and even emotions. Music is a powerful tool for individuals of all ages, but when playing music for older adults with cognitive loss, it can be enormously influential for their well-being. Research has shown that listening to music can work to improve one’s episodic memory, which is correlated with remembering specific events associated with our emotions. Here at Mountain Vista, we have seen the influence that music can have on our residents firsthand, so we try to incorporate musical activities into their daily lives as much as we can.

Annie Lozano, who is the Director of Resource Development at Mountain Vista and is shown here, will occasionally sing and play her guitar for residents who reside in the Memory Care Unit. Typically, the residents gather around the table while Annie plays familiar songs for them. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, the Rolling Stones… You name it! When asking Annie about the connection between music and memory, she expressed how she feels that music can trigger positive memories and can comfort older adults with dementia. She added, “As confusing as the day might be for them, music can take them back to the present. Sometimes all it takes is a familiar song from their past to give them a sense of comfort.” Not only can music physically relax older individuals, but it can also be a useful tool for allowing them to feel more connected with one another and have some fun!

Our music activities and events here at Mountain Vista provide entertainment for everyone. Whether we are doing karaoke, sing-alongs, watching a musical performance, or playing music individually for a resident, music is almost guaranteed to put a smile on our resident’s faces. The magic of music is powerful, and it is so important for us to take advantage of it!

Who doesn’t love to go on a trip to the bowling alley and spend some time with your pals? On January 30, we recently took a few of our residents to the local Bowlero for a fun outing, where they were able to spend some quality time with one another in a community setting and challenge each other to some friendly competition while having a blast! Taking our residents out into the community and participating in social activities is influential for their overall wellbeing, which is why we emphasize our activities programs here at Mountain Vista.

One of our residents that attended the bowling outing spoke up on why she feels socialization is beneficial to her own physical and mental well-being. She expressed, “When I get the chance to go on an outing here at Mountain Vista, I feel like an active community member. On the bowling trip, I was able to socialize with individuals in our community and see people from all walks of life. It gives me a deep sense of meaning and purpose.” This resident also mentioned how her socialization levels are interconnected with her physical, mental, and cognitive well-being. “When I socialize with others it gives me the chance to be more physically active, learn about others life experiences, and even keep my mind busy. I feel like socializing has allowed me to be more cognitively active, which is crucial for my health.” 

Through our scheduled activities and outings that take place here at Mountain Vista, we aim to improve all aspects of well-being, including social health. Our scheduled activities and outings, such as the recent excursion to the bowling alley, are beneficial for our residents in so many ways. Not only are they fun, but they also foster meaningful connections and promote the overall health of our residents. It sounds like going bowling is right up our alley! 

Mountain Vista Senior Living Community Health Center in Wheat Ridge was recently ranked third in Colorado as part of “America’s Best Nursing Homes 2024” by Newsweek Magazine. The following is an excerpt from that article:

Families across the nation entrust nursing homes with the health and dignity of their loved ones. Finding the right facility is not just about numbers; it’s about ensuring your family member receives the care and attention they deserve.

To support families as they consider their options, Newsweek has partnered with respected global data research firm Statista to create our third annual ranking of America’s Best Nursing Homes.

The rankings are based on five data sources, including performance data, peer recommendations, management of the COVID-19 situation and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For the first time, resident satisfaction data for nursing homes, based on National Safety Goals from The Joint Commission and Google Scores, has been added to the scoring model.

This is a tremendous honor for the community, especially since one of the data sources used to earn this ranking was from peer recommendations. For those who have been part of the Mountain Vista community, either as a resident or as a staff member, this recognition is well deserved. 

We recently asked some of our staff what they enjoy most about working at Mountain Vista. The unanimous consensus was the wonderful bonds they’ve formed not only with one another, but with the residents.  Here are some of the examples of what the Mountain Vista staff had to say:  “Priceless moments;” “more friends that I can count;” “so many wonderfu
l people under one roof;” “the wonderful residents I have grown to love;” “awesome coworkers who care.” 

Mountain Vista has a history of offering seniors and families choices for housing and health care services. The foundation of our mission ensures our number one priority remains the safety and well-being of residents. 

Again, we congratulate our staff members, past and present, who have worked to make our community a success. We look forward to another year of excitement, fun activities and new friendships. You can read the entire Newsweek article here:

https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-nursing-homes-2024-150-beds

Join Mountain Vista Senior Living Community in Wheat Ridge on Thursday, June 16th from 2-3pm for a special presentation about the historic Tuskegee Airmen.