The Reutlinger Community: An Extension of Your Home Now and Forever

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At The Reutlinger, we were specially designed and built for living. Newly renovated and offering a true continuum of care, we are a community that not only looks and feels like home, but can truly be home for all of seniors’ different care needs. Whether they need Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, they never need to worry about making a move from the community that provides them with the engaging lifestyle, beloved traditions and dedicated care they deserve.

According to Andrea Campisi, Marketing Director at The Reutlinger Community, an Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation community in Danville, CA, The Reutlinger has been serving seniors throughout the area for over 60 years. “Recent renovations have been completed to provide better service, comfort, care and connection for our residents,” says Andrea. “This allows for an engaging lifestyle where up to 180 residents can thrive. Even better, our dedicated and seasoned specialists can now provide even more of the care that our residents deserve.”

At The Reutlinger, we believe it’s a combination of our programming, heritage and care that creates the lifestyle seniors deserve. Here, our residents can be at home and feel at home, enjoying the services they need.

The Dedicated Care You Deserve

No matter what care needs your loved one may have, The Reutlinger can always be home. Here, we provide an array of care options that can fit a range of needs, including:

 

  • Assisted Living. Residents in our Assisted Living program benefit from services and amenities that help them life worry-free lives. From chef-prepared meals, scheduled transportation and assistance when needed to weekly housekeeping, laundry and engaging programming, residents can enjoy each day.

 

  • Memory Care. We have been designed to take care of various Memory Care needs, no matter what level your loved one may be at. For those requiring minimal Memory Care to more advanced, our range of capabilities can help residents live their best lives. We even provide sensory-based therapies and programming adapted to meet the changing needs of residents with Memory Care needs.

 

  • Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. To end our continuum of care, we also offer Skilled Nursing, allowing the peace of mind of knowing you’ll never need to make a move because The Reutlinger has you covered. With personal assistance, support from an expert team of professionals and an array of on-site services, our residents and families can enjoy everything The Reutlinger has to offer with complete peace of mind.

The Engaging Lifestyle You Desire

Residents of The Reutlinger enjoy a range of activities and programs designed to enhance and enrich their lives. These offerings allow them to connect and engage with others, find purpose and meaning and feel at home right where they are.

 

  • Art classes. Taught by our artist-in-residence, Betty Rothaus, our residents can enjoy learning how to paint or simply watch. This program gives resident artists multiple opportunities to explore art therapeutically, or just enjoy a calming creative outlet right in their own home.

 

  • Scheduled transportation. We worry about taking your loved one places so you don’t have to. We provide transportation each day to doctor’s appointments, nearby shopping, special events and more.

The Traditions You Love

At The Reutlinger, not only do we treat your family like our family but their traditions are upheld. We cherish the Jewish lifestyle and its beliefs, and believe that their values should be honored. As the area’s only Jewish community, residents of The Reutlinger can enjoy:

 

  • Rabbi on site. Rabbi Debora Kohn holds weekly Shabbat and holiday services, conducts spiritual and religious programming, provides guidance and ensures the spiritual needs of residents are met.  

 

  • Kosher kitchen. The Reutlinger provides kosher meals to fit the needs of our Jewish residents. With the area’s only kosher kitchen, our residents enjoy three restaurant-style meals plus snacks and beverages.

 

  • Jewish Heritage Museum. Residents and their families can find our Jewish Heritage Museum on site. Our museum features Jewish artifacts that have been donated. This is open for residents, families, staff and visitors to enjoy.

To learn more about The Reutlinger, or to experience it for yourself, contact us today. We would be happy to take you on a tour, have you attend an art class or meet with our rabbi.

Premier Senior Living, Dedicated Care

Offering assisted living, enhanced assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and

rehabilitation, The Reutlinger provides a continuum of care that allows seniors to live a life-enhancing and stimulating environment. Located in Danville, California, The Reutlinger’s newly renovated 110,000 square foot community combines the comfort and familiarity of home with seasoned senior care and skilled nursing specialists to suit any seniors needs, allowing them to live the life they choose with freedom and security.

Because we specialize in a continuum of care, our residents never need to worry about leaving the community they call home or wonder what will happen when they need some more care. Residents and families alike can have peace of mind knowing that there are full-time licensed nurses available along with activity coordinators, social workers, caregivers, a concierge and rabbi who focus solely on helping each resident thrive. Even better, our services and amenities are equal to those of a state-of-the-art resort. This is the lifestyle and care that your loved one deserves.

At The Reutlinger, seniors have numerous opportunities to engage in award-winning programs that are designed to engage the mind, renew the spirit and provide opportunities to meet new people and learn something new. Whether residents are enjoying our art program and museum, listening to a lecture or educational program or attending spiritual programming and our wide range of activities, there’s something for each resident to love. Participate as much or as little as you like, the choice is all yours.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour, contact us today.

Dementia: One Daughter’s Story

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Finding out that your mother is suffering from dementia is devastating news. It unleashes a deluge of emotions ranging from anger to sadness. For daughters, there is often the added burden of making what seems to be an endless number of decisions for mom, including perhaps the most overwhelming one: determining where she will live.

 

Often families will consider caring for mom at home, then quickly realize (like I did) that as time goes on and symptoms worsen, taking on the responsibility of full-time care is a nearly impossible task.  Quite simply, caring for a loved one with dementia becomes a 24-hour-a-day, seven days a week challenge.

 

In my experience, finding a facility that specialized in the care and housing of individuals with dementia was the best decision not only for me, but also for my mom. Knowing that caring and qualified staff members were attending to her needs around the clock lifted a very real burden.  Perhaps most importantly, it allowed my family and me to visit often and truly enjoy the time we had with mom, even when she no longer recognized any of us.

 

For mom, her new home provided not only physical care, but also an environment with consistency, routine, and structure that weren’t possible at home.  I will always look back on those last few years with mom filled by gratitude, for the blessing of a residential facility with expert memory care.

 

For more information on dementia, and to speak with someone who can help with decisions regarding care, call Andrea Campisi, Director of Marketing and Admissions, The Reutlinger Community. We are happy to answer your questions.  (925) 964-2062.

Beginning a Discussion About Assisted Living and Long-Term Care

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By Andrea Campisi, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community

 

With heart disease being the leading cause of death for men and women, the observance of American Heart Month each February helps raise awareness of ways to recover from a heart attack and stroke that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.

After a heart attack or stroke, a short-term rehabilitation stay at a skilled nursing facility can provide the sustained and coordinated effort to optimize recovery, including intensive monitoring and recuperation. It’s often said that it takes a village to rehabilitate a stroke patient, one that extends far beyond patient and physician, family and friends. From physical, speech, occupational and other therapists to health aides, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists and social workers, a diverse team is essential in stroke rehabilitation. Communication and coordination among these team members is essential to promote optimum health and renewal.

At Reutlinger, we believe the key to success is not just the amount of rehabilitative therapy, but the focus of rehabilitation that makes all the difference. With our dedicated team of medical clinicians working together, we focus on restoring and maintaining independence by assisting with mobility, strength and improvement of a patient’s ability to navigate daily life. This ensures the patients smooth, positive transition from hospital to skilled nursing/rehabilitation to home.

The support of family members can be critical to effective rehabilitation, so we encourage family involvement, especially since it is often difficult to communicate with patients with cognitive or speech challenges.

Recovering from a stroke is among life’s most challenging experiences because the demands are physical, mental and emotional. For most patients, recovery from stroke takes six months to one year of focused, intensive rehabilitative therapy. The earlier a patient can begin to engage in rehabilitation, the higher the odds of a full recovery.

For more information contact Andrea Campisi, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community (924) 964-2062.

Stroke Recovery for Seniors

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by Andrea Campisi, The Reutlinger Community

 

With heart disease being the leading cause of death for men and women, the observance of American Heart Month each February helps raise awareness of ways to recover from a heart attack and stroke that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.

After a heart attack or stroke, a short-term rehabilitation stay at a skilled nursing facility can provide the sustained and coordinated effort to optimize recovery, including intensive monitoring and recuperation. It’s often said that it takes a village to rehabilitate a stroke patient, one that extends far beyond patient and physician, family and friends. From physical, speech, occupational and other therapists to health aides, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists and social workers, a diverse team is essential in stroke rehabilitation. Communication and coordination among these team members is essential to promote optimum health and renewal.

At Reutlinger, we believe the key to success is not just the amount of rehabilitative therapy, but the focus of rehabilitation that makes all the difference. With our dedicated team of medical clinicians working together, we focus on restoring and maintaining independence by assisting with mobility, strength and improvement of a patient’s ability to navigate daily life. This ensures the patients smooth, positive transition from hospital to skilled nursing/rehabilitation to home.

The support of family members can be critical to effective rehabilitation, so we encourage family involvement, especially since it is often difficult to communicate with patients with cognitive or speech challenges.

Recovering from a stroke is among life’s most challenging experiences because the demands are physical, mental and emotional. For most patients, recovery from stroke takes six months to one year of focused, intensive rehabilitative therapy. The earlier a patient can begin to engage in rehabilitation, the higher the odds of a full recovery.

For more information contact Andrea Campisi, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community (924) 964-2062.

 

Using a Skilled Nursing Facility for Short-term Rehabilitation and Recovery

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By Andrea Campisi, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community
Often people use the terms Skilled Nursing Facility – SNF – and nursing home interchangeably. But a true
SNF should offer more “skilled” medical expertise and services and provide care and rehabilitation
services to help patients get back on their feet.
If you are a hospital patient needing more recovery time, hospitals will make arrangements for you to
stay in a SNF for follow-up care. Short-term rehabilitation services offered in a SNF are ideal for injury
recovery, joint replacement recovery, or a post-major medical treatment stay. It can include physical
and occupational therapy, speech and respiratory therapy, health monitoring, and more.
What you can expect during your stay is to see your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant
frequently. You will be monitored daily or several times a week. Also, SNF staff will be looking out for
drug interactions and side effects from prescribed medications.
You might also receive the following services:
•Help with daily living activities
•Social interaction and spiritual support
•Balanced diet and nutrition plan

Skilled nursing facilities provide a very needed benefit. Whether that be for post-surgery or illness
recovery, or a level of care that your family cannot provide in your home. A SNF can provide a more
comfortable setting for recovery and rehabilitation than a hospital or even your home.
For more information regarding short-term rehabilitation services, call (925) 964-2062.

Fitness and Physical Therapy – Keys to Successful Aging

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By Carla Adamic, The Reutlinger Community
According to one expert on aging, “If exercise could be put in a pill, it would be the number one anti-
aging medicine and the number one anti-depression medicine.” Yes, exercise is essential at any age, but
for the elderly, activity is more important than ever.
An exercise plan that is geared for a senior’s individual ability can improve strength, energy, and
appetite. It also benefits cognitive abilities as well as providing a boost to mood and memory.
Gentle exercise programs, such as stretching are especially suited for seniors. These exercises improve
balance, range of motion, and coordination. The slow, fluid movements of exercise similar to Tai Chi
provide a sense of peace and relaxation while strengthening muscle control and balance.
Even seniors who use a wheelchair or who have limited mobility can exercise. Stretching exercises can
be done while in a chair, and the use of light hand weights can improve cardiovascular health and
muscle tone. Water exercise is excellent for the elderly.
For the more active senior, group activities such as line dancing and low-impact aerobics classes couple
a higher level of exercise with the inspiration of a social setting.
Find a senior center or senior living community that offers these types of activities and physical therapy
services. You goal is to maintain or regain your mobility as you age, especially if you are in a short term-
rehabilitation program.
There are exercise options for every senior’s ability level. Find a program that works and stick with it.
Find a senior living community with onsite physical therapy and a fitness center. You'll soon be happy
with the results. There are no age limits to fitness.
The Reutlinger Community welcomes your questions and visits. Please call 925.648.2800 or visit
www.rcjl.org.

Artistic Expression and Its Healing Powers

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By Carla Adamic, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community

Learning, creativity, and self-expression are joys that can be pursued
throughout a lifetime. Although aging may place some limitations on
these pursuits, an assisted living community that provides the
opportunity and guidance for creativity can truly enrich the aging
experience.
Instructional programs in music, dance, poetry, writing, and art give
participants broadened opportunities for socialization with their fellow
residents. Communication increases, and support is shared.
Consider the benefits of a fine arts program, which taps into the innate
human need for creativity and self-expression. Making art can give the
elderly an additional “visual voice” through which to communicate,
especially if they are memory impaired. Watching something grow and
develop brings hope and focus on life. The fundamentals of art – color,
light, shape – are the words of that voice that the senior artist can use to
share the uniqueness of who they are and their abundance of
experiences.
The need for self-expression does not diminish with age. Encouraging
the elderly to share the richness of their lives through art brings insight
and joy to both the artist and to those who love them.
Residents of The Reutlinger participate in artistic expression daily
through the Discover the Artist Within program. Their amazing work
can be seen in a professionally printed calendar. For your copy call
(925) 964-2062. The Reutlinger Community is located at 4000 Camino
Tassajara in Danville.

5 Ways to Celebrate Spring

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Spring is the season of renewal. It is the time of year where nature transforms into something inspiring. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up a new hobby, restart an old one, or try something you haven’t done before. Here are a few ideas:

Paint Something Beautiful– Spring is a time when nature begins to reveal new colors. So why not work with some colors of your own? Take some time to paint something you find beautiful be it a landscape, a still life or the people around you. Whether you’re an experienced painter or are just picking up the hobby, this season offers new opportunities to stretch your artistic legs… speaking of which…

Take a Long Walk Outside – Spring is when wild flowers begin to bloom and trees begin to blossom. What better time to talk a long walk to appreciate it? Long walks are good for the body and the spirit and help to energize you to make the most out of life. It could also be a great bonding opportunity if you pick up a new hiking partner.

Become a Chef – Spring is a great time to cook foods you haven’t tried before. Some great spring foods include pasta primavera, guacamole, or chicken with spring vegetables. Better yet, why not get a group of people together and have a barbecue outside? It’s a Memorial Day tradition!

Go to A Baseball Game – Few things are as thrilling as a great game of baseball. Major league, Minor League, or Little League, it doesn’t matter. Baseball is the great American past time and is a great way to bond with friends and family while cheering on your favorite team.

Travel – Spring is a great time to travel because there are fewer tourists than usual and the worst of the winter weather has gone. You can consider going somewhere you’ve never been before whether it’s nearby or right next door. Take some time to appreciate how big and exciting the world can be.

For more information call us at (925) 648-2800 or visit www.rcjl.org.

 

Awakening Your Inner Spirit

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Many people experience a need for connection with something greater with themselves whether it be religious in nature or simply a sense of connection with the natural world. For some of us, this can be a rewarding, lifelong journey. For others, it can be a way to change our perspective so we can see our best selves. Here are a few ways you can try to awaken your inner spirit.

Guided Meditation – For many of us, meditation can be a way to let the worries of the world pass over us and reengage with our inner selves. This doesn’t have to be religious in nature. Rather it’s simply a way to clear your mind and simply be. Consider doing this with some music or perhaps outside where you can hear the soothing sounds of nature.

Take a Nature Walk – The beauty and scope of nature is limitless. Taking a walk outside, especially in the spring can be glorious. Whether it’s a walk high in the mountains with gorgeous views and crisp air, a walk on the beach, or a simple stroll through the park where you can see the wildflowers bloom, few things are as invigorating as a simple walk outside.

Pray – Whatever your religion, prayer can have a powerful effect on a person’s spirit whether they are looking to simply appreciate life more or connect to something greater. Prayer has been proven to have a powerful positive effect on a person’s outlook and mental health. Psychologists say that prayer reduces the stress of daily life, helps a person’s sense of self-control and even makes them more pleasant to be around.

Listen to Music – Music is a language that can express the inexpressible. The emotional and spiritual effects of music can be profound. This is true of almost any type of music. Happy music can lift us up. Sad music, ironically, can do the same. A scientific study demonstrated that people trying to feel happier while listening to music by Aaron Copland actually works!

To learn more, call us at (925) 648-2800 or visit www.rcjl.org

Seniors Can Benefit From Pet Therapy

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Pets are medically proven to be beneficial to your health. The soothing presence of a dog or a cat can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and even help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides levels. These benefits are easy to attain when living at home independently, but they are also available to residents of senior living communities through “pet therapy.”

Pet Therapy is a popular and growing program that brings pets to homes, communities, and hospitals to allow people who might not otherwise be able to have pets to receive some of the benefits of pet ownership. Just 15 minutes of quality time with a friendly animal companion can help to lower anxiety and provide joy and comfort. Pets can also encourage healthy behavior by providing opportunities for exercise and therapy through playing games like fetching or taking them on a walk. These sessions also encourage social interaction by bringing people together to spend time with the pets and speak with each other and the animal handlers.

Residents of senior living communities should check their calendars or speak to their concierge to see if Pet Therapy sessions are available.

To learn more about our Pet Therapy sessions, please visit our website at rcjl.org or call us at 925.648.2800.