Every week, SBC residents pack food backpacks for young students and collect stamps in a program that will help the food bank purchase a new delivery van. So far we have collected enough Campbell's Soup labels to earn 16,000 points toward the goal. It is important to be engaged with the community and this is a tangible way in which residents make a difference every day. Shown in a recent work session are (left to right) Delores Godwin, Burnell Schubbe, Frances Eisner, Ray Grills, Frank Levine, Melanie Eckstein and Jerry Kaplan.

Volunteering is good for you and good for your community! At SBC, our residents volunteer in a wide variety of areas. They lead programs such as our poetry group, our "think tank" and a support group, they pack backpacks for needy area children, they welcome new residents, they tend to the libraries, the herb garden and the greenhouse. They serve on committees or just "jump in" to help. Our entire community reaps the benefit. With gratitude, SBC hosted our volunteers to a special breakfast celebration on our outdoor veranda. Enjoying the lovely weather, good food and great company are (l-r) Frank Levine, Alan Turow, Sylvia Cowan and Gert Margolick.

During a recent Masterpiece Living Day, our chef invited interested male residents to join him for a cooking class. The dish was ribs and the class was a great success -- especially as each participant took some home after everyone tasted the results! Here, getting ready to add the spices are (l-r) Frank Levine, Bob Howell, Joe Ellison and Sam Smullin.

In the global fight against Alzheimer's disease, Sarasota's Roskamp Institute stands on the front line. As academic centers around the world study ways to prevent the onset of this degenerative disease or ease the symptoms, our research team has developed a new drug with the potential to modify the course of this devastating condition.

Click link below for full story:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120301/COLUMNIST/120229423

Living with Alzheimer’s has many challenges but there are also many activities that can help improve the quality of life for a person living with Alzheimer’s. The AARP recommends that when finding activities for a person with Alzheimer’s to draw on their past interests and experiences. Community living at the Sarasota Bay Club provides many opportunities for residents to choose from a wide variety of activities and even organize their own programs. 

The Arts and Leisure Department at the Sarasota Bay Club makes it easy for residents to choose and attend many different activities from art classes to movie nights. With a monthly newsletter of planned activities as well as a convenient sign-up system it’s easy to plan your choice activities weeks in advance or even at the last minute. 

The AARP strongly recommends playing games as a way to lessen agitation for Alzheimer’s patients. In a 55 and over community like the Sarasota Bay Club there are always plenty of people to play Scrabble, Bridge, and Poker at a Game Club. Or start your own game in one of the many common areas, by the pool, or in the comfort of your own apartment. Community living provides an environment where it’s easy to find people with similar interests. The Sarasota Bay Club visits Sarasota theaters, holds dinner dances, and hosts lecture series and discussion groups. 

When living with Alzheimer’s the AARP recommends exercise to help in maintaining appetite, sleeping well, and to assist with overall well-being. The Sarasota Bay Club has a fully equipped fitness center and fitness classes all tailored for senior living. If leisurely walking is what you prefer the Sarasota Bay Club has extensive bay front walking paths for your enjoyment. With community living at the Sarasota Bay Club you have every opportunity for a high quality of life while living with Alzheimer’s.
 

All therapy is not created equal; The Inn at Sarasota Bay Club believes that a premier rehabilitation center in conjunction with a luxurious campus for you and your family will make your therapy program a successful and comfortable experience. 

One of the most satisfying ways to enhance a home is with beautifully arranged flowers. Guided by Sarasota Bay Club staff member Rebecca Dutton, a floral designer, our residents periodically learn the techniques of floral design and take home their arrangements. At times, a group of residents will gather to create centerpieces for a special theme night or dinner dance.  Here, Barbara Blumfield (left) and Judy Markstein work with classic red roses.

“Giving to others” benefits both the giver and the receiver. At the Sarasota Bay Club, our Owners have committed to several community projects. Owner Bob Howell uses his woodworking skills to build toys to be donated to a local foster child program. Arline Good (pictured) joins a painting group in the Art Studio who transformed the wood pieces into colorful toys. It's fun to work on these projects, especially knowing they are for a good cause.

Every so often, we invite Jana Broder from “Drum Magic” to bring her African drums and lead us in a community drumming session. Jana is a gifted and spirited teacher, and in no time she has us all drumming up a storm! Drumming touches all four areas of Masterpiece Living – social (we’re drumming in a big circle), intellectual (we need to remember the patterns), physical (this is exercise!) and spiritual (drumming together gives us all a sense of being connected).  Most of all, it is fun! Pictured is SBC Owner Sue Safford in her first drumming experience. The smiles were contagious!