Village at Valley View

Supersized Spending

A 30-second TV commercial cost about $40,000 during the first Super Bowl in 1967, compared to about $8 million in recent years.

Age Is Just a Number

“You’re only as old as you feel!” New research says there’s some truth to this classic adage. Studies have linked subjective age—how young or old you feel, not your actual number of years—to a longer lifespan. Ways to feel younger will vary from person to person, but doctors suggest finding hobbies and activities that are important to you, such as spending time outdoors or playing a game from your childhood. Using assistive devices to boost independence, such as a walker or hearing aids, also affects subjective age in a positive way.

Be Mindful of Missed Calls

If you notice a missed call from an unknown phone number, resist the urge to satisfy your curiosity and call back. Scammers can spoof numbers that look similar to ones you regularly call in the hopes you’ll answer. When you return the call, it verifies that a person is assigned to your phone number, prompting the scammer to try again another time.

Make Passwords Hack-Proof

Create a hard-to-crack password by using a phrase, such as a random combination of four or more words. Or string together the first letters in the words from a line in your favorite song. Tech experts say short passwords are easier to hack.

Love and Be Loved

“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” —Rupi Kaur

Smitten With Gloves

Gloves have long been associated with romance. Knights were said to carry the glove of a sweetheart in their helmets to bring them good luck. In Victorian England, a suitor would gift a pair of gloves to the girl of his dreams, who’d wear the gloves in public if she returned his affections. A Latvian tradition calls for brides to fill a hope chest with hundreds of handmade mittens as a sign of devotion.

Layered in Warmth

Older adults are more sensitive to cold weather yet may not notice their body temperature dropping. The best way to stay warm is to dress in layers, even when indoors.

Employee Spotlight: Teresa Lehman

This month, we are proud to feature Teresa Lehman, our LPN and Wellness Director. Born and raised in Ashland and the Colestin Valley, Teresa is a fourth-generation Southern Oregonian who attended Ashland schools and completed nursing school in Redding, California. Her strong local roots and love for the community shine through in her work.

Teresa is especially close to her sister, Nicole, as well as her niece and nephew. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, fishing, riding ATVs, and spending time with family. Her passion for memory care began as a CNA at Ashland Hospital, where she discovered her love for listening to residents’ stories and providing compassionate care. We are grateful for Teresa’s dedication and leadership at Village at Valley View.

Super Bowl Sunday!

Super Bowl Sunday is a special time for our community to come together, enjoy tasty snacks, and share in the excitement of a well-loved tradition. The familiar sights, sounds, and energy of the game often bring back happy memories of family gatherings, friendly rivalries, and cozy afternoons spent watching football.

Even for residents who may not follow the score, the music, cheering, and colorful atmosphere can spark smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments of connection. For those living with dementia, events like the Super Bowl provide wonderful emotional and social benefits. Shared activities help stimulate memories, encourage conversation, and create a sense of belonging and comfort.

We warmly invite everyone to join us for this fun and festive day as we cheer, relax, and enjoy being together, creating new joyful memories while celebrating a tradition that brings people closer.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a special time to celebrate love, friendship, and meaningful connections that bring comfort and joy to our residents. At Village at Valley View, we are reminded every day how powerful a smile, a gentle touch, and a kind word can be.

This holiday gives us a chance to reflect on the relationships that have shaped our lives and to surround our residents with warmth, laughter, and heartfelt moments that truly make them feel cherished.

We warmly invite friends and family to join us for a Valentine’s Day lunch here at Village at Valley View, with the date and time to be announced soon. Sharing a meal together creates a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and make new memories. Your presence means so much to our residents and helps fill our home with love, happiness, and a strong sense of community as we celebrate this beautiful day together.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a lighthearted tradition that brings smiles, laughter, and a little touch of fun to the winter season. Each year, people gather to see if the groundhog sees his shadow, helping us guess whether spring might arrive early or if winter will stay a bit longer.

For many of our residents, this familiar event brings back memories of listening to the radio, watching the news, or talking about it with family and friends, making it a joyful and comforting tradition.

For those living with dementia, simple and familiar traditions like Groundhog Day can be especially meaningful. Talking about the weather, animals, and changing seasons encourages conversation, memory, and connection. Celebrating together gives residents something to look forward to and helps create a warm, cheerful atmosphere throughout our home, reminding us that even small moments can bring happiness and brighten the day.

Activities for Heart Month

American Heart Month has been observed every February since 1964, encouraging people to learn more about heart disease and ways to practice heart-healthy habits.

Wear red.

Sport crimson clothing on National Wear Red Day, the first Friday in February, to show support. Consider wearing a red ribbon all month to spark conversations about heart health.

Know your numbers.

Take advantage of blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings in the community. Record your numbers and work with your doctor to make needed changes.

Get fit with a friend.

Exercise is one of the best ways to help your heart, and it’s often more fun with another person. Invite a friend for a walk or try a new exercise class.

Give back.

Participate in health fundraisers and events, such as a 5K or blood drive.

Celebrating Black History Month

Each February, the United States observes Black History Month to honor the achievements of African Americans throughout history.

In 1875, Carter G. Woodson was born to two survivors of slavery in Virginia. As a teen, Woodson worked in local coal mines to support his family. At 20, he began high school, graduating two years later and starting his own teaching career. He later earned multiple college degrees, including a doctorate from Harvard.

Woodson wanted the contributions of heroic Black men and women who helped shape the nation to be recognized and celebrated. In 1926, he created an event to promote Black history during the second week in February, aligning with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln.

Fifty years later, the event expanded to Black History Month as a national observance. For his efforts, Woodson has been called the father of Black history.