Category Archives: Spiritual Well Being

ASK THE EXPERT // Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy?  It is the use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of groups or individuals. 

Music can promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, enhance memory, promote physical rehabilitation and improve communication.  Music Therapists utilize music and effectively help with the improvement of mental and physical health of individuals by using music therapy. 

The idea of music as a healing influence is as old as    ancient philosophy.  The modern birth of music therapy began after WWI and WWII when professional and   amateur musicians visited Veterans hospitals around the country.  Thousands of patients suffering with physical and emotional trauma from war responded to music.   This led doctors and nurses to request hiring of musicians by the hospitals.  It was soon evident that prior training before entering the hospitals would be of      benefit.  The first music therapy curriculum was founded at Michigan State University in 1944. 

Below is some information about Music Therapy.  We are grateful to have a Music Therapist on staff here at Copperfield Hill. 

· Music therapy is not just for people who are or were musicians. Anyone can have a connection with music and can benefit from music therapy.

· Music therapy can be used for people of all ages, from premature infants to older adults and everyone in between.

· Music therapy is a an evidence-based practice and rooted in research, just like physical, occupational and speech therapy.

· There are many different approaches and methods of music therapy.  However, all music therapy is grounded in three main principles: client preference, clinical expertise, and best available research.

· Music can be used by many individuals in ways that make us feel better, but that does not mean it is music therapy. In order to be considered music therapy, it must be performed by a board certified music therapist in a formal setting in which the music therapist and patient/client use music to work toward accomplishing specific goals. (This is the main misconception)

· While recorded music can be used for music therapy, live music is best for accomplishing most goals addressed in music therapy.

* Copperfield Hill’s Music Therapist, Bailey Blatchley, MT-BC contributed to this article.  Learn more at musictherapy.org

Posted in General Information /Health Topics /Human Interest /Spiritual Well Being /Uncategorized /

Reminiscing on Back to School

On August 24th, residents had the opportunity to assist Pastor Jan in filling backpacks for five neighborhood schools within the Robbinsdale School District: Forest Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Meadow Lake Elementary, Neill Elementary and Northport Elementary.

After packing up the backpacks, a number of residents sat and reminisced about what they remember about the first day of school.  These are sure to be memories many of us share.

“I remember that we always took a picture, every year in the same spot.  So we could have a record of how the children grew!”

“The kids walked to school, they didn’t ride the bus.  They walked home for lunch, too.”  If they didn’t walk home for lunch, we packed a lunch.”

“We did our back to school clothes shopping at Sears, and school supplies we purchased at K-Mart.  Back then, there was no Target.”

“I always sewed the kids clothes.  I made the waistbands with elastic so they would get longer use out of them.  The kids would ask, “when can we have clothes that don’t have an elastic waist?”

“Hair cuts were either at the barber shop or in our kitchen.  We trimmed their bangs, you could tell the ones who trimmed their own bangs!”

Backpack2

Posted in General Information /Spiritual Well Being /Uncategorized /

The Different Types of Grief

August is National Grief Month.  Last week our Pastor, Jan Hartsook talked about grief.  She touched on the different things that can cause us grief and the stages that many go through to work through grief.  Here is a little more information about some types of grief.*

• Normal/Common Grief – Many people cope with grief and carry on a normal daily routine despite their grief.  Under the surface, an individual may be grieving and experiencing intense feelings of grief at different times.  However, on the surface, they seem like they are carrying on as normal.

• Complicated Grief – this is grief such that it actually keeps the individual from carrying on their daily lives.  It can lead to irrational thoughts and avoidance behaviors, like avoiding anything that reminds the griever of their loss.  This can feel like a constant presence making one feel boxed in by the grief.

• Inhibited Grief – To avoid pain, some avoid facing the reality of their loss.  They might throw all their energy into something else; avoiding the grief to avoid the pain.  On occasion, inhibited grief can lead to physical problems like headaches, loss of sleep or digestive issues.

• Disenfranchised Grief – We grieve for many things and this is where disenfranchised grief can appear.  Losing something that does not seem worthy of grief, to others, can put more pressure on the griever to push down or suppress their feelings.  Loss of a pet, a job, someone we don’t actually know, these are all examples.

• Absent Grief – Similar to Inhibited Grief, this happens when feelings are silenced and pushed down.  When people act as if nothing has happened it can lead to denial and avoidance.

• Anticipatory Grief – This is when someone starts to feel grief before loss actually happens.   An example is when you know someone who has a terminal disease, and the emotion of grief begins before they pass away.

• Exaggerated Grief – This type of grief is similar to complicated grief where sorrow and the inability to function don’t improve over time.  Sometimes this happens if someone experiences more than one loss at a time or in a short period of time.  Life feels overwhelming and makes it hard for the griever to cope.

• Cumulative Grief – When there are multiple losses in a short period of time, this can cause cumulative grief.

• Delayed Grief – This is just as described, when feelings of grief don’t appear immediately.  It is possible that pent up feelings of grief can get stronger over time, making it more difficult to cope later than after the initial situation causing the grief.

• Collective Grief – This is a type of grief that is experienced by a group of people.  It might be someone in the public eye, like a political leader or celebrity that people are mourning.  It could also be something that comes as a large event like an earthquake, fire or other natural disaster.

Experiencing grief is a common experience.  We all experience grief, we just don’t all do it in the same way.  There is no one way to experience grief.  Individuals need to be able to recognize and be aware of what is causing them grief and then find the best ways to process it in a healthy and healing way.  Understanding the different types of grief might be of help when we are trying to process grief for ourselves, or when we are helping a loved one with their grief.

 

*Used as resources here, there are many, many resources for information about grief:  happiness.com, knowyourgrief.org, grief.com, mayoclinic.org, psychologytoday.com, health.com

Posted in General Information /Health Topics /Spiritual Well Being /

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 /

A Note from our Pastor

Dear Residents, Families and Friends:

This year we are all celebrating in different ways. Many of us are doing so in smaller groups and even virtually. In this time of uncertainty we need to be reminded that God continues to hold the world in his arms and we are part of that world.

There has been much suffering and sadness this year, but there have also been good things, too. We have all slowed down to a certain degree. This has allowed many of us to spend more time to reflect. We have also seen great strength in many people. We have received that strength and given strength to others. We have all changed in ways that are good.

I hope the following scripture versus help you find renewed strength and meaning during this most precious season, Christmas.

Wishing you Peace,

Pastor Jan

Pastor Jan1

 

¨ Luke 1:78-79 “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness.”

¨ Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.”

¨ Isaiah 9:6 “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;   authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

¨ John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,.and the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

¨ Luke 1:10 “The angel said to the shepherds; ‘Don’t be afraid: for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:   to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

¨ Psalm 39:7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”

Posted in Spiritual Well Being /

ASK THE EXPERT

Laughter is the best medicine… 

Staying healthy sometimes seems like a lot of work.  One way to increase our wellness is to simply laugh.  Life isn’t always funny, but there are good reasons, both physically and emotionally, to laugh!

 

  • Laughter makes us healthier.  It lowers our blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and increases muscle flexion.  It increases the circulation of antibodies in the blood stream and makes us more resistant to infection.

 

  • Laughter touches our soul. Laughter is good for us physically – it’s good for the soul.  It brings us closer to one another and there is something that is wonderful about that.  Sometimes laughter catches us by surprise and that can make us feel great.

 

  • Laughter keeps things in perspective.  Laughter helps us lighten up and take ourselves less seriously.

 

  • Laughter helps us stay positive.  Laughter helps us keep our troubles in perspective and that can help us stay positive.  It creates positive emotions and thus a positive frame of mind.  Laughter is much like changing a babies diaper.  It doesn’t last long but it sure helps in the short term.

 

  • Laughter is loving.  We laugh at our mistakes and foibles.  We find humor with our friends and family.  We laugh together.  These positive experiences give us the gifts of joy and love.

 

~stopdoingnothing.com

laughter

 

Posted in Activities /Fun Facts /General Information /Health Topics /Human Interest /Spiritual Well Being /Uncategorized /

Horses at Copperfield Hill

We have our winning names for the horses! Thank you to all staff who took the time and effort to make a submittal. There were many great choices and it was not an easy decision.

First place goes to Cassie, our RN in Memory Care:

Spirit~ in remembrance of the residents lost during the pandemic and their spirits that forever live on in us.

Hope~ for a better tomorrow and strength to continue the fight during the pandemic.

Second place goes to Tanya, our Manor Concierge. Tanya submitted the names “Jack and Jill from Copperfield Hill”.

Congratulations Cassie and thank you for helping all of us to remember this life changing season. We will be placing a sign with these names somewhere near the horses as a permanent remembrance of our journey this year.

Crop Horses

Posted in About Us /Memory Care /Spiritual Well Being /

Ways we are staying connected at Copperfield Hill

There are many ways that Copperfield Hill residents are staying busy during the Quarantine. No doubt, it has been a very challenging time. However, it is essential to keep busy and occupied with stimulating and safe activities that keep us all connected.*

*All activities follow social distancing guidelines.

Here are a few examples:

Outdoor Visitation with Friends and Family.   As of June 23, 2020 – we have welcomed families and friends to come visit their loved ones at Copperfield Hill.  Our policies reflect the guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Health.  We require reservations in advance.  Visits are limited to 2 guests and everyone must be wearing a mask.

448P.L. 207Barb S.

Outdoor Concerts. We have had a number of opportunities to welcome live music to our campus.  Music is the universal language of humanity, it is always a very welcome addition to any afternoon.  Pictured below: CODA, Bagpiper and Mary Hall.

coda 3bagpiper1Mary Hall Lodge

Van Transportation.  Even during quarantine, our transportation service is still helping residents get to and from medical appointment on Tuesdays.

Medical runsBeth with Van

Daily Devotions.  Pastor Jan Hartsook, prepares a handout each week with Daily Devotions.  This has been a great way to stay spiritually connected to one another. Pastor Jan also provides a weekly Bible Study where residents can find meaning and content with guidance. Pastor Jan is also available for personal one on one visits.

March 25_Moment (2)

Activities Cart Deliveries. Each week our Activities team has been making their rounds around the Lodge and Manor. They have used the carts to call “Hall Bingo”, deliver treats such as ice cream, chips and salsa and even happy hour libations. Beth and Erin are putting miles on their cart to keep in touch with residents and add a little surprise and cheer to their day.

Cookies 4 6.2IMG_1845activity cart 2

Grocery Ordering. Beth has helped many of the resident order groceries online. If you haven’t tried it, it is definitely convenient!

grocery ordering

Auto Parade. Yes, our very own van driver here at Copperfield Hill, organized an auto parade to swing by campus.  Horns were honking, fun was had by all.

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Chalk Stations.  Yes, we have had chalk stations set up around the campus.  Visitors are welcome to leave a message or draw a picture.

Chalk StatonChalk 1chalk 2

Individual Arts and Crafts.  Our Activities team has been delivering arts and crafts projects to residents who are seeking an outlet for their creativity.

IMG_1798Lodge Paint 2IMG_1807IMG_1805

 

Posted in Activities /Senior Living /Spiritual Well Being /

Reflections from Pastor Jan Hartsook

Dear Residents, Families and Friends:

These are trying times and I wanted to share some helpful topics along with Bible passages to contemplate during this time of uncertainty. One only has to think of the beautiful image of God holding the world in his arms. That’s a powerful image to hold on to in the midst of the pandemic–and at all times.     Peace, Pastor Jan

Love: Isaiah 43:4, God says to each of us, “You are precious in my sight, and honored and I love you.” This is a beautiful passage in which God assures us that we are all God’s beloved children. Throughout the Bible, God promises to be with us in both the good and difficult time in our lives. In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, God is with us.

Faith/Trust: Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.” God never promised that life would be easy, free from heartache and broken dreams. But God did promise to walk with us and to hold us close. We are assured that we are never alone; rather, God’s steadfast love will always surround us.

Hope: Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Hope is based on God’s promise to be with us always and forever. That hope brings joy: that is, a feeling deep inside of us of warmth, a sense of peace and well being in which to live our daily lives.

Courage: Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.” These are words assuring us that God will be with us in those times which we need courage. God’s strength and guidance helps us to reach out to help when needed or stay strong in the midst of the storms that can rage around us. Pray for courage, knowing God is listening.

Worship Services, Weekly Bible Study and Daily Devotions—I will continue to prepare these weekly hand-outs that you may use on your own. They will be delivered to your apartment.

Remember, God is always with us no matter what may be happening around us. God’s love, comfort, strength, encouragement, guidance and hope never change!

~Pastor Jan

Copperfield Hill Pastor

Posted in global interest /Human Interest /Spiritual Well Being /