Category Archives: global interest

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY – OCTOBER 10th  

“Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority”

The date October 10th, was set aside in the early nineties by the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). The intention is to raise awareness and open the conversation of the importance for funding and education for those with mental health and society at large.

Those who experience mental illness live in an unequal world. Stigma. Discrimination. Lack of support. These are some of the realities. The good news for those with mental health, the awareness campaigns have started to create traction with change in support systems and stigma in society.

The goal of World Mental Health Day is to create awareness so that people living with mental illness can live better lives with dignity.

HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Do group therapy in the workplace or community groups

Creating a space to allow for people to openly express themselves and talk through emotions is beneficial.

Practice self-care

Create regular sleep routines, implement healthy food choices, exercise. Find time for yourself.

Follow the theme

Research the subject. Awareness provides information for oneself and provides tools for empathy towards others. Ask yourself, how can I assist family members or friends who have mental illness?

Sources:

https://nationaltoday.com/world-mental-health-day

https://www.rethink.org/get-involved/awareness-days-and-events/world-mental-health-day

Posted in General Information /global interest /Health Topics /Human Interest /

How We Got Through It

In March of 2020, we could never have imagined what lay ahead for our world and our community. As we look back on the past sixteen months, we can see an evolution. Navigating the uncertain waters of the pandemic will no doubt be remembered as the biggest challenge we know. Our reactions, teamwork, attitudes, sense of humor and determination are all pieces of the puzzle that when put together, pulled us through. We all looked out for our neighbors, co-workers and all the individuals who support Copperfield Hill. We learned a lot and as we creep back to normalcy, when asked what helped us get through, residents and staff gave us their thoughts:

♥ Activities with Beth and Erin

♥ Staying in touch with people through work, seeing family, time with my husband, Zoom/phone calls and prayer time with God

♥ Essential Caregivers, my car, activities

♥ Allowing me to move in to Copperfield Hill during the pandemic

♥ Daily Delights and the activities cart that visited the apartments, weekly COVID updates were informative and encouraging, the staff> Calmness and support from the residents, they endured a lot and it was done with kindness

♥ Faith in God

♥ Family support of my belief to wear a mask and follow mandates

♥ Prayers, thank you notes/emails from residents and families

♥ Painting my house, yard work and watching Netflix with family

♥ Family, friends, my dog and lots of good books

♥ My strong faith in Christ and love for helping people

Our lives were all changed, but the main comment in regards to what got us through, was the presence of human connection. That is something we have and cherish at Copperfield Hill!

Posted in About Us /Activities /General Information /global interest /Health Topics /Spiritual Well Being /

Signs You Should Check On A Loved One’s Mental Health

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – What better time to touch base with a friend, neighbor or family member who might be experiencing stress in their life.  The path to obtaining the help one might need starts with the recognition that there is an issue, open and honest discussion and reaching out to those appropriate providers who can help with treatment towards improved well being.

Below are some of the most common signs that someone might be experiencing challenges with their mental and/or physical health.  It is always recommended to seek out professional help and consultation.  Consulting  your primary care team is a great place to start.

1. Becoming socially withdrawn

2. Experiencing difficult life events

3. Reckless behavior

4. Changes in sleeping habits or experiencing difficulties sleeping

5. Changes in eating habits

6. They constantly express being “busy” or overwhelmed by things

7. They are acting out of character

8. They are emotionally distant

9. Loss of concentration and/or ability to focus

10. Excessive worrying or fear

11. Changes in libido or sexual drive

12. Physical ailments without an obvious cause, examples:   headaches, stomach aches and elusive body “aches and pains”

13. Losing interest in leisure activities

14. Prolonged feelings of irritability

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To learn more about the signs of mental health and to find resources about mental health:

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The Depression Project

 

 

Posted in General Information /global interest /Health Topics /Uncategorized /

February is…

NATIONAL HEART HEALTH MONTH

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In 2010, the American Heart Association presented a strategic plan to reduce cardiovascular disease in the United States. It identified seven of the most important behaviors people can follow to protect their cardiovascular health.

Exercise: Regular exercise improves nearly every aspect of your health.

Eat right: Seek out foods such as nuts, whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, seafood, yogurt, and healthy fats.

Blood Pressure: Get your blood pressure checked, make sure your heart isn’t working harder than it should be.

Cholesterol: Know your cholesterol level and keep it low.

Keep blood sugar levels down: Exercise and diet help keep blood sugar levels in check.

Maintain a healthy weight: Fat cells release many substances that increase inflammation, promote insulin resistance, and contribute to atherosclerosis.

Don’t smoke: Smoking and the use of tobacco products isn’t just bad for your lungs, it is bad for your heart too.

Posted in General Information /global interest /Health Topics /Heart Health /History /Human Interest /Independent Living /Nursing /Safety /Senior Living /

A Timely Message

The Vaccine is Arriving

The release of the Coronavirus vaccine has been greeted with mixed  emotions by the public. At Copperfield Hill, we welcome this event with joy. The people we serve can remember the events of the Polio epidemic in the 40’s and 50’s. People were “scared to death”. Then came the vaccine, the public was vaccinated and polio disappeared.

However, one difference for the Coronavirus vaccine will be the elimination of long lines. Copperfield Hill and other senior housing communities will have high priority and receive the vaccine ahead of the general public. Our residents will be able to receive the vaccine from the comforts of their homes.

 

First Round of Vaccination is January 13, 2021

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Posted in About Us /global interest /Health Topics /Nursing /Senior Living /

The History of Friday the 13th

Friday, November 13, 2020

In a good year, Friday the 13th carries its reputation of bad luck. In a pandemic year, who knows what it will bring.

The origins of the Western fear of the number 13 is unclear. Some date it back to a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party and a 13th uninvited guest arrives.  Others relate the fear of the number 13 to the Code of Hammurabi. The Code allegedly missed a 13th law from its list of legal rules. This event is commonly viewed as simply, a clerical error. However, superstitious people will point to this as proof of 13’s longstanding negative associations. There is a biblical theory as well.  The Last Supper was attended by 13 guests.  Jesus and his 12 apostles attended and one of those apostles went on to betray Jesus.

Why Friday though? Most people look forward to Friday every week. It is the sign of another work week done and ushers in the happiness of the weekend. The negative association with Friday is linked to religious and cultural origins. Biblically, Friday is seen to be more ominous because it is the day Jesus was crucified.

Friday and the number 13, how did these two “unlucky” things get paired together? There are infinite theories and most have been dismissed. Friday the 13th really gained attention and hysteria in the 20th century.  An author by the name of Thomas Lawson published a book titled, Friday, the Thirteenth, which is about a stockbroker who deliberately chooses to crash the stock market on this given date. The following year, the New York Times became one of the first channels to recognize the superstition. Fast forward to the 1980’s when a new movie franchise was born. It featured the anti-hero, Jason Voorhees terrorizing infamous Camp Crystal Lake. “Friday the 13th” became a popular culture phenomenon and added to the superstitions attached to the date.

Fri13

Sources: wikipedia.com, History.com and CNN.com

 

Posted in Fun Facts /General Information /global interest /History /

What causes leaves to change colors?

It’s all about Chemistry:

Not all leaves turn vivid colors.  Only a few species of deciduous trees produce the beautiful colors this time of year.  In Minnesota, most notably, we have aspen, maple and oak.  Soil moisture, precipitation, temperature and light all contribute to fall color.  Light, the lack of it, is the main agent.

As autumn days grow shorter, thus less light, chemical changes in deciduous plants cause a “corky” wall to form in between the twig and leaf stalk.  This “corky” wall or abscission layer eventually causes the leaf to drop.

The chemical change seals off the vessels that supply a leaf with nutrients and water.  It also blocks exit vessels, thus trapping simple sugars in the leaves.   Reduced light, lack of nutrients and not water add up to the chlorophyll (which makes the green color) to die.

Once the green is gone, other pigments take over.  Carotene (yellow) and anthocyanin (red) exist in the leaf all summer but are overpowered by chlorophyll.  The brown in autumn leaves is a result of tannin.

Sugar trapped in the abscission layer is largely responsible for the vivid colors.  Sunlight acting on the trapped sugar also helps to manufacture anthocyanin (red).  This is why colors on bright fall days are crisper and duller or more pastel during times of rain.

A wet growing season and a dry autumn filled with sunny days combined with cold frost free nights helps produce the most vibrant colors of fall.

 

Source: Farmer’s Almanac 2020

 

This is a helpful graphic to sort out all the information above:

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Posted in Fun Facts /General Information /global interest /Uncategorized /

Who was Leif Erikson?

October 9th marks Leif Erikson Day

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Leif Erikson  is generally believed to be the first European to reach the North American continent.  He was son of Erik the Red, founder of the first European settlement on what is now called Greenland.  Around 1000 A.D., Erikson sailed to Norway where he was converted to Christianity by King Olaf I.  Losing his course returning to Greenland, Erikson landed on the North American Continent.  Due to the abundance of wild grapes that were growing there, he called it Vinland.  He spent time on Vinland and returned to Greenland.  He never made a return trip to North America.

The location of Vinland in North America has been debated over the centuries.  In the early 1960’s excavations at L’Anse aux Meadows, on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, uncovered evidence of what is believed to be the base camp of the 11th century Viking exploration.

Upon Erik the Red’s death,  Leif took over the Greenland settlement.  He had two sons, Thorgils and Thorkel.  Thorkel became chief after his father’s death in 1025.

In the late 19th century many Nordic Americans celebrated Leif Erikson as the first European explorer of the New world.  In 1964, President Johnson declared October 9th as “Leif Erikson Day”.

DID YOU KNOW?

Down at the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul, there is a statue of Leif Erikson.

MN LEif Erikson

Source: History.com

 

Posted in global interest /History /

Happy Fourth of July!!

To our Friends and Family –

We wish each of you a very Happy Fourth of July! Since 1776 America has celebrated Independence Day.  We celebrate and commemorate the adoption the the Declaration of Independence.

At Copperfield Hill, one way we show our spirit is by lining our property with American Flags.  We hope you enjoy the weekend celebration of the 4th with  friends and family.  Social Distancing of course!

 

You can learn more about the Fourth of July by visiting the Library of Congress website: www.loc.gov

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Posted in Fourth of July /global interest /History /Human Interest /Uncategorized /