The Franklin United Methodist Community Board of Directors announced that effective July 1, 2012, Keith B. Van Deman, current Chief Advancement Officer and Associate Executive Director, will assume the position of Executive Director for the retiring Dr. Joe Trueblood. Former Administrator in Training and current Executive Director of Asbury Towers, Rod Jackson, will return from Greencastle to FUMC as the new Administrator. At the same time Asbury Tower’s Board of Directors announced that FUMC Senior Chaplain and Associate Administrator, John Eley, will join Asbury Towers in Greencastle as the Executive Director. These transitions will begin to occur in February and March of this year.

The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. Every day, beating over 100,000 times, your heart creates enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles. In a lifetime, that is equivalent to driving to the moon and back.

Today, doctors know more now about how to keep the heart healthy than at any other time in history. They have learned that preventive measures such as regular exercise, healthy diet, managing stress and not smoking, can have a profound impact on your heart and health. With heart disease being the number-one cause of death in the United States, it is vital to take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your heart. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease.

The Franklin United Methodist Community offers our residents a chance to have regular exercise and nutritious meals, thereby encouraging an active lifestyle filled with quality years during retirement. Contact a member of our Sales Team toll-free at 1-87-RETIRING to learn more about how you can join our Community of friends.

During this season of the year, most families focus on their loved ones. The gift giving, the sending of greeting cards, the parties, and the Christmas dinners and traditions.

For some this will be their first Christmas after losing a loved one. They take some comfort and peace in knowing they did all they could for their family member, by having them loved and cared for at the Franklin United Methodist Community.

See the note below written to our staff from two daughters who will miss their Dad, this Christmas holiday.

"Each of you had a special touch, a tender heart, or a teasing joke to brighten our Dad's days here at the Community. God used you many times as His Hands and Feet. Thank you for being a blessing."

And our response would be to them, thank you for sharing your dad with us and providing us the privilege of serving him in this place. Peace and joy,

It's always a delight to receive a note of thanks from a grateful family. Here's one we just got:

11/28/11

Dear Paula (Rehab Admissions Director)

Our family want to thank you for admitting "G." to your Rehab Center. He was there for almost a month. We appreciated your staff in the Rehab area and also the PT and OT departments. All of them were always very caring and professional. They certainly had the patients care in mind all the time. We would recommend the Franklin Methodist to anyone in need of Rehab. Thanks to all of you.

F.B. for the B. families

Editor's note: What a pleasure to help persons return to their families and former lifestyle, especially in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

What can chronic pain sufferers do when their retirement years are being hindered? Perhaps start by educating yourself by reading literature on pain and then seek help. The key to managing your pain is to find the strategy that works best for you. While your doctor should be your main source of information, it may be helpful to consult with other people who have had similar experiences. Find out what treatments other people have tried, and suggest them to your doctor for his/her consideration. Being proactive will help you get your pain under control. Consult with your doctor and ask if physical and occupational therapy can benefit you!

At the Franklin United Methodist Community, our goal is to help you enjoy many pain-free days with a balance between leisure, fun, learning, growing, and contributing to make the world a better place.

Tai Chi is a new approach for preventive health care. Tai Chi originated in the 14th century and imitates an ancient Chinese martial art called Tai Chi Quan. It is often referred to as “meditation in motion”. Unlike other forms of exercise like yoga, Tai Chi involves a greater degree of movement. Also unlike aerobic exercises, Tai Chi does not involve any jarring motions that create an impact on the spine. It is considered to be a low and deliberate, flowing movement of the body. Tai Chi has started gaining popularity as a strategy for preventive health care.

Benefits of Tai Chi:

▪ Reduces Stress
▪ Improves Balance
▪ Improves Strength
▪ Improves Agility
▪ Improves Posture
▪ Increases Energy
▪ Increases Endurance

Our residents at Franklin United Methodist Community enjoy a Tai Chi class each week in our Wellness Center. It's just one of the many fun and healthy activities available to our older adults who want to maintain their independence.

As our population continues to age there are frightening stories out there about shortages in doctors and nurses to care for all the people who are entering their older adult years.

Franklin United Methodist Community is proud to have the opportunity to work with four different universities and one vocational school to provide their clinical training sites in our health care facility. Students from around the country (and sometimes from around the world) who are in nursing programs in Central Indiana do a rotation here to learn more about geriatric nursing and dealing with the whole person.

Students from Ivy Tech College sent us a note following their Summer 2011 experience that reads "Thank you, bunches and bunches! . . . for the learning opportunity and letting us into your home!" Signed, the Ivy Tech Gang

How wonderful to have students who appreciate their experience. We believe, all of us will be better served (and cared for) thanks to these training experiences.