Our Interview with Resident Norma Chamblee Bentley
Norma was born in Griffin, Georgia in 1934. Norma wakes up each day and thanks God for another day.
Norma began studying ballet at the age of 5 and continued using these talents throughout her life. Always a good student, she loved learning, is an avid reader and lover of poetry.
She attended Agnes Scott College for Women, transferred to the University of Georgia to complete her degree in Speech Pathology. In her senior year of college, Norma attended a dance at the KA House. Tommy Bentley asked her to dance. Norma accepted and asked Tommy to “hold her gloves”. Norma left one glove in his pocket so he would have to return it. They fell in love and married 6 months later.
Norma was quite busy with 3 children very close in age. At one point each of children were attending 3 different schools, Pace, Lovett & Marist. Carpooling became an art. Volunteering with the P.T.A. and Junior League were also part of Norma’s busy life. Working with the Speech School of Atlanta, Norma taught deaf children to dance for an annual fundraisers held at the Alliance Theater.
Upon obtaining her master’s degree, Norma worked with the Atlanta Public Schools, and then with a consulting firm for the State of Georgia.
Norma’s prayer, “Lord, keep me in the palm of your hand, every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.”
Norma enjoys many friends at Dogwood Forest’s senior living community here in Dunwoody, GA. She is a member of our book club and loves the social aspects of community living. She always has a welcoming smile and a listening ear, and lifts the spirits of those around her.
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Does Your Dog Benefit Your Health?
Walking through the halls of any Dogwood Forest community, you will probably come in contact with one of our friendly residents who walks on all fours. Okay, that seems a little strange, but what I’m referring to are our canine and feline friends. We have pets in all of our Dogwood Forest communities including Dogwood Forest Assisted Living in Dunwoody, Ga. because we know that scientific evidence over the years has supported pet therapy. Plus, they just make us feel good!
Health Benefits Associated with Pet’s
Pets can be helpful, loving companions and can uplift our spirits when we are down. Pets are known to aid in the healing process. They are also related to other positive outcome in the following areas:
Improved mood: For those of us who have pets, we know how good it feels for your pet to comfort us in their own way when we are bummed out. Research states that it only takes 15-30 minutes of time with your pet to feel less stress and anxiety. A hormone called cortisol, which is associated with stress and weight gain for that matter, is lowered. And serotonin that helps us to feel as we say in the south “peachy” is increased.
Maintainable Blood Pressure: There have been numerous studies supporting pets and blood pressure maintenance. Blood pressure can be increased due to stress. So the section above may explain this claim.
Fights Depression: Pets are often use in many types of therapy including therapies for people suffering from depression. Often with depression, the patient feels they are lacking something for example attention or understanding. Using your pets as a means to communicate and share your thoughts is a great mechanism to release built up pain. Your pet loves unconditionally and does not judge. Taking care of your pet can also give you a feeling of a higher purpose and removes you from self. Additionally, pets provide company to the owner, which of course results in less isolation.
Lower Chances of Stokes: Cats have been known to calm their owners. Often cat owners have a connection with their felines that is unmatched by other types of pet owners. The connection creates a calming in cat owners. Further, owning a cat has been linked to better circulation.
Strengthens the Immune System: Research shows children who are raised with pets in the home had fewer problems with allergies in adulthood than those who did not. Additionally, they have a higher levels of immune system chemicals which indicates a stronger activation in the immune system. Cats have also been linked to a reduction of asthma risk in children.
Helps with chronic pain: Certain types of dogs such as the mexican hairless dog known as a xolo produce a tremendous amount of body heat. They are being used in patients with fibromyalgi and other chronic pain diseases that reduces pain by heat.
Other research
Animals such as dogs and cats have been been used in several types of therapies for many conditions such as ADHD and Autism. They have been known to calm individual, especially younger people with these conditions. Pet’s provide responsibility that requires focus. It also a means to release excitement. Pet’s are also great for sensory integration activities that are used with children with autism. Dogs have also been known to be sensitive to changes in blood sugar and when alert a diabetic owner of those changes. There are also seizure dogs that are trained to watch patients who have epilepsy.
Indeed, dogs and cats are special creatures. Our dog at Dogwood Forest Assisted Living in Dunwoody is a cute little Yorkie that is great with our residents. You can see their faces light up when he prances in the room. Although there are findings supporting the claims of the health benefits of having a four legged friend, the most important to us is the unconditionally love we find in ours. That is enough evidence for us.
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Our Interview with Resident Fran Carlson
Frances Katherine Lynn Carlson was in San Francisco California in 1917. After graduating High School 2 years early, finished college at San Francisco State College then returned to “her” High School to teach. In 1937, Fran rode in the first car to cross the Golden Gate on the Opening Day. Fran has wonderful memories for traveling to Philly then onto the Worlds Fair in Chicago, and into Canada with her Mother and sister.Frans father was a banker with Bank of America and grew up walking down Lumbar Street, Fisherman Warf, Pier 39 ,sour dough bread, and recalls when Alcatraz burned she and friends hopped on a cable car to watch the fire.
After making a career change to work at Zeleerback, she met her husband, and they had a son Bob. During Frans lifetime, she traveled extensively. Studying in Odessa , Russia, she also traveled to Turkey, China, Italy, Germany and France. Her favorite destination was the Panama Canal Curies.
Fran moved to assisted living at Dogwood Forest in Dunwoody, GA to be closer to her son and daughter-in law Debbie. Fran is such an addition to our community, always cheerful, and willing to participate especially if our activity involves cards!
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Engaging Memory Impaired Seniors Through Music
Music Therapy is truly remarkable. I’ve written before about its benefits for seniors with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s. However, rarely are we able to see someone instantly transformed as much as Henry on the video below. This video, which has gone viral, is proof of just how beneficial music can be for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. Henry, a resident at nursing home, had been virtually incoherent for 10 years due to the affects of Alzheimer’s disease on his brain. But, when given music through headphones, his senses were awakened. He remembered his favorite musician Cab Calloway, and the melodic harmonies seemingly coursed through his body and ignited his spirit. We believe in music therapy for seniors here at Dogwood Forest Assisted Living in Dunwoody, Ga. This video will show you why.
Using Music to Engage the Mind
Music Therapy is unique because unlike other therapies that affect the human body, Music Therapy is considered both an art and science. There are qualitative and quantitative research and data to measure outcomes. This therapy involves several fields such as musicology, music therapy, and clinical therapies. Music Therapy can be prescribed by a physician, psychiatrist, or recommended by a psychologists, physical therapists, or occupational therapists.
Music Therapy is considered alternative health care in the allied health profession. The theory is that music stimulates the mind and spirit through emotions, spirituality, social, and physicality. Music therapist work to improve an individual’s health in areas of kinesiology, cognitive function, behavior, mental health and disorders. The focus is on the use of music in a variety of ways: singing; clapping; listening; moving to music (dancing); free improvisation or a discussion on music to reach specific benchmarks; objectives and goals. Some of our residents at Dogwood Forest Assisted Living in Dunwoody, Ga. participate in a music therapy program. Residents in both of our community neighborhoods in our assisted living in Dunwoody, Ga.and Dogwood’s across Atlanta have engaged in music therapy for cognitive needs and occupational and physical rehabilitation.
Benefits of Music Therapy
- Improved awareness and concentration (
- Improved memory and recollection
- Happier outlook on life
- Increases mobility and coordination
- Diminishes pain and improves recovery time
- Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- Enhances interest levels and social interaction
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Our Interview with Residents Terry and Fern Bye
Terry and Fern were both born in South Dakota, the same town, just 12 miles apart!
Growing up in the depression years, kids were not kids as we know today. Fern’s Mother passed away at a young age so she was in charge of her siblings, 5 sisters and 1 brother, Terry all he could on the farm to help out.
Terry joined the service and fought with Battery C, 110th Gun Battalion, and was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. Endured and survived the greatest land battle ever fought and won by the United States. December 16, 1944-January 25, 1945 and was a World War II Honoree.
Fern worked for the Electric and Telephone Company in Nebraska when all the men went to war. Fern continued workings until the first of their two children were born.
After returning from the war, Terry worked with his Uncle. Corporate Texaco purchased his uncles business and Terry went corporate! Terry retired after 36 years as an Operations Manager.
Fern and Terry moved from Minnesota to be closer to family, ending up at Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA . Their daughter, son in law, granddaughter and two great grand children live in Marietta. Grandson Matt is in Atlanta.
The Bye’s are enjoying the ‘The friendliness” of the south and the food a Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA.
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Our Interview with Resident Frances Wobbe
Frances Wilhelm Wobbe was born and grew up in Mascoutah, IL. Growing up on a farm with livestock, crops of wheat, hay and a garden kept the entire family busy. Milking the cows and being a second mother to her younger sister were two of her responsibilities. During the depression, her family always had plenty food to eat.
Frances recalls being a new bride in 1944 living in St. Louis using rations stamps to buy meat, only 2 pairs of shoes were allowed per year, and going without a car for 6 years. With husband Alvin, they were on a waiting list another year to receive delivery of a car. They got a Nash!
Since Frances’ teen years, she has enjoyed quilting, a craft taught to her by her mother. Using comic books, she traced patterns, and then transferred them onto quilts. You might say her specialty was baby quilts. She recalls making 43 in one year!
When John Kennedy campaigned in Belleville, IL. ,she and her co workers left their positions at work and walked to Main Street to catch a glimpse of the future President of the United States.
Her advice for young people just graduating college? Avoid debt! And for those young married couples, “know that you will argue, but work out your problem.”
Frances enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels and her association with St. Augustine’s Lady Sodality, and attending daily Mass.
Frances moved to Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community here in Dunwoody, GA after living in Belleville for more than 50 years to be closer to her family.
We are excited to have Frances in our assisted living community here in Dunwoody, GA, as she is quite the B.I.N.G.O. player; we are all looking forward to learning new variations of the game. Frances has played up to 15 cards at one time!
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Our Interview with Resident Nanalie Warlick
Nanalie Warlick, a resident of Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community in Dunwoody, GA, was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 13, 1920. In grammar school, she moved to Bishopville, S.C. where she later went to Winthrop College and majored in Home Economics.
During World War ll, Nanalie served in the Army WAC’s for two years. Her military career continued when she married her husband Lt. Colonel William Warlick and followed his career to Ft. Bragg, N.C., Japan, and Stuttgart, Germany.
Accomplishments in her life she is most proud of are her marriage, and her 3 sons. Her advice to young people is: Use your education, save your money, and spend it wisely, be honest, and love one another.
So, what brings Nanalie to Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community in Dunwoody, GA? Through a mutual friend, Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody was recommended to Nanalie.
Nanalie has a great sense of humor and, though laughter, lifts the spirits of those lucky to around her.
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Our Interview with Resident Patricia S. Garner
Patricia, a resident of Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA, grew up in Little Rock Arkansas, the oldest of six children. Along came four sisters and number six, a boy! Patricia remembers her mother not allowing anyone on staff at the hospital to tell her father they had a boy so she could share the exciting news.
Memories of childhood included family vacations to the beaches of North Carolina (after all, only Yankee’s went to Florida) and singing in the cathedral of Mt. Saint Mary’s in Little Rock.
During the war, gasoline shortages became a challenge when trying to be sure that family members would be able to return home after a family wedding.
But other wise, Patricia can not recall hardships caused by goods that were rationed.
Patricia would give young college graduates advise to ‘Read”, read everything. Re read the classic’s. And don’t spend a fortune on a big weddings. Use your money for a home, anything of lasting values.
After graduating from nursing school, Patricia married Dr. Garner, a pediatrician, and followed him to Europe after the war. He trained new army doctors.
Their daughter Jeanne was born there. The Garners had 3 girls and one boy.
Patricia was attracted to Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA for the rehab services, the diversity of the community converted her to a long time resident. Patricia so enjoys her assistant Menbrat and considers her her “Best Friend.”
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Our Interview with Resident James Didriksen
Our resident James Bond Didriksen is always a pleasure to spend time with. On one recent occasion, he gave a very interesting overview of his life up to this point. Here are some thoughts he shared.
Although Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. His childhood was filled with operating a player piano, playing the tuba and saxophone. He enjoyed sailing, dancing classes, Spanish classes, and playing Chess.
Jim attended Yale, and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Engineering Physics. After working in that field for many years Jim worked with the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Jim and Marina Hedlund were married June 25, 1966. This is truly one of the most memorable events of his adult life. They were married for 43 1/2 years. Marina was a wonderful piano player, and they made beautiful music together.
Jim’s activity in amateur radio continues today, as he is a very active member of the Dunwoody senior living community. He does this in addition to voice, piano, and Spanish lessons, and he is an active member of the New Horizons Band based out of the Dorothy Benson Center in Sandy Springs, GA. Our residents recently enjoyed his concert at the Benson Center.
Historical events Jim recalls in his lifetime, being informed by Larry Saint George that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, and hearing of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on the radio. Upon learning of WWll ending, he celebrated by blowing the baritone horn!
Becoming a member of MENSA, and earning a private pilot’s license despite being blind in one eye were high points in his life.
Jim had great advice for couples starting a life together: “Be wary of financial responsibilities of supporting a growing family” and “Reminder, that a family that prays together, stays together.”
Like so many of Jim’s fellow residents here at Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody, having a sister in the area was a great reason to move south, the lower cost of living in Georgia was also an advantage. Assisted living in Dunwoody, GA was a good fit for Jim.
Jim enjoys his new home at Dogwood Forest because it features assisted living in Dunwoody, and the facility encourages residents to manage facets and responsibilities of their own living that are within their own capabilities.
Although Jim feels that new friend are too numerous to list, he enjoys the personal relationships he is developing as well as Happy Hour.
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