Category: Uncategorized

Residents Discover their ‘Sense of Place’ at Front Porch Communities

In academic circles, "sense of place" refers to the subjective and emotional attachment people have to a particular geographic location, shaped by their personal experiences and cultural associations. Drawing on this definition, Front Porch developed the Sense of Place program: a six-part series that allows new and established residents to explore together how they experience their community and to share what they value and want to keep - and what they want to change. Senior Director for Res…

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Move to Casa Loma Assisted Living Was a Welcome and Easy Transition for McQuistons

Casa de Mañana resident Ed McQuiston and his wife, Bonnie, lived independently (without health services) in the Casa Norte building for eight years. In 2020, changes to Bonnie's health prompted the couple to move to an accommodation in the nearby Casa Loma building where assisted living services are provided for residents who need regular unscheduled care.

Always smiling at Casa Loma.
"I didn't know what to expect when we moved, bu…

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Casa de Mañana Residents Sue and Doug Make an Investment for the Future

When Sue and Doug moved to Casa de Mañana in La Jolla in 2019, they found a variety of first-class amenities and lifelong learning opportunities. But most importantly, they found an opportunity to give back to Casa in a way that they themselves appreciated while in school. "Right after we moved in we heard about the employee scholarship programs here, administered through what is now the Front Porch Communities Foundation, and that immediately piqued our interest," Sue said. "As ac…

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Falling Is Not a Normal Part of Aging.  Take These Smart Steps for Preventing Falls.

September 22, the first day of fall, is appropriately deemed national Falls Prevention Awareness Day, and is dedicated to raising awareness of falls and how to prevent them. As a leading provider of senior housing, Front Porch treats the risk of falling as a  very serious public health issue. No one thinks they are going to fall, but it happens. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. If you slip, trip or fall, it could change your life. You could break a bone, take a trip t…

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Dr. Jack Clausen Enjoys the Music of Friendship

When Casa de Mañana resident Dr. Jack Clausen was five years old, his parents introduced him to the piano. "I wasn't forced to play but encouraged," Jack said. "My father was a music professor and department chair at Los Angeles City College, so in that sense I was motivated. He and my mother were the primary forces responsible for instilling the self-discipline of daily practicing needed to attain sufficient skills to play for a lifetime of fun." Jack soon switched to the violin and then at…

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Front Porch Chaplains Help Residents Explore the Many Facets of Spirituality

Samuel Schaar had not planned to be a chaplain. Prior to joining the team at Sunny View in Cupertino as the director of spiritual life, he served as a pastor in a local Methodist congregation. "I had served as a chaplain for one year in a hospital," he said. "I cherished the experience of that year, because it was a tremendous season of growth and learning for me. My time spent as a chaplain in this community has continued that learning journey and I have come to love the role more and more." …

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Residents and Their Canine Companions Have a Dog-Gone Good Time at Casa de Mañana’s Yappy Hour

During a recent "yappy hour" at Casa de Mañana, resident Betsy Jordan said it best … "Most of the time, the people talk to the people and the dogs talk to the dogs, but sometimes it's the other way around," she said with a grin, keeping one eye on her chocolate lab Bella, while enjoying some refreshments with her neighbors. For an hour each month, Casa's putting green, overlooking the Children's Pool near La Jolla Cove, is transformed into a virtual "dogtopia," a canine para…

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Demystifying Resident Contracts

For people who are considering moving to a community, many of the benefits are obvious: a beautiful location, friendly neighbors, great amenities, and supportive staff. But moving to a senior community is a big decision, and one that can raise many questions - especially when it comes to signing a contract or resident agreement. The resident agreement may seem imposing at first, but it also holds the answers to many questions prospective residents may have, such as: What's included and n…

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Guided Meditation Helps Make Mind and Body One

Residents use weekly sessions to reduce stress Inhale the inspiration, exhale the stagnation. Inhale the relaxation and exhale the tension. Guided meditation at Casa de Mañana is all about creating mindfulness. "I give each meditation session a theme but I don't have a script," said Veronicah Cohen, Casa's director of life enrichment. "I try to be spontaneous with my words with the goal of taking residents to a peaceful place in their minds to rest, recuperate and to be grounde…

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Recycling from the Heart, for HEART

Casa de Mañana staff teams with residents to support employee assistance fund As the old saying goes, one person's trash is another person's treasure. Especially when that trash is recycled and used to help people in need. A few years ago, Casa de Mañana Housekeeping Supervisor Juan Martinez and his team noticed an abundance of aluminum cans and plastic bottles filling up trash cans around the community, mostly from staff who would purchase drinks from vending machines in employee break ar…

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