400 Life October 2022

Loving the LAKE Life

Manor Lake Dawsonville resets the bar in senior care

Story by Jennifer Colosimo | Photos by Vicki Alsup Photography

Astroll through the edible garden, an hour spent kneading clay into something fun, singing hymns with a local church and field trips to the nearest botani cal gardens… it’s not the list of typical things a senior care facility has on the itinerary; but at Manor Lake Dawsonville, they’re just the beginning.

From its unmatched memory care program to the per sonalized assisted living facility and its spacious inde pendent living campus, the newest location in the Manor Lake portfolio has set the bar for life beyond retirement.Openedjust

a little more than a year ago, Manor Lake Dawsonville quickly realized its growing waiting list meant they needed to get even bigger.

With competitive pricing, for one, and its personal ized, family-focused approach to senior care, it serves the community of Dawsonville and attracts residents from Alpharetta and Cumming and other parts of Forsyth County.

For starters, its assisted living program meets the

Manor Lake Dawsonville is expanding so it can serve more residents.

Residents gather in a common area for one of the many activi ties offered at the facility.

needs for seniors who are mostly independent, but need assis tance managing medications, executing meals and staying active and well. But it’s not one-size-fits-all.

Manor Lake Dawsonville’s goal is to deliver the highest level of care with deep, personalized compassion and a sense of They’recommunity.focused on creating a balance of independence and personal safety with a comprehensive and customized care program that stimulates the body, mind and spirit with a 24-hour team, instructor-led exercise and wellness programs, all kinds of live entertainment, various onsite therapies and more. That’s in addition to an endless list of amenities that include field trips, church services, arts and crafts and still more.Perhaps what puts Manor Lake at the top are its uniquely designed 1,680-square-foot independent living cottages. Twobedroom, two-bathroom units offer residents a beautiful home with a fully-equipped kitchen, garage, patio, front porch and landscaped grounds.

It offers seniors the independence they want, with assistance as they desire it. Currently at 28 homes, Dawsonville is under way with plans to build 20 more cottages, and a new 3,000-square-foot clubhouse is already under construction.

Cottage residents enjoy the same access to wellness and exercise programs as the interior facilities and access to the executive chef’s curated menus, crafted in tandem with a licensed dietician.

And while the cottages put this brand on the map, Reflection Memory Care is what sets this Dawsonville cam pus

“Theapart.memory care facility here is unlike anything you usu ally see in this industry,” said marketing director for Manor Lake Dawsonville, Rebecca Cox.

“We have one of the most robust memory care programs, and people come from all over to get in here. We don’t use an agency, but rather employ our own staff here; so between our director, Anny Griffin and the activities director, Sky Weber, they are invested in each resident.

“They know them by name, by story, and that makes a huge difference in the quality of care for those residents.”

“The memory care residents are busy — we keep them active,” she continued.

“The main thing that’s important at any senior living facility is that we’re giving the residents as much independence as possible, even as they age and progress.

“We want them to be able to have that dignity and be able to do for themselves. I love that we’re giving them the opportu nity to live that every day.”

Reflection is an interior facility that provides a safe, person alized way for residents to exercise freedom and indepen dence in an atmosphere that feels like home, with a staff who feels like family.

They stock the calendar with interactive entertainment and hands-on activities like crafts, live music, therapy dogs and a cooking show, and actively create a calming atmosphere using essential oils, their own edible garden and a meticulously kept lush“Mycourtyard.favorite thing is when you really see a resident thrive here,” said Cox. “We had one new resident move into our assisted living facility, and she was just having a hard time getting settled there. Once we moved her into memory care, from day one, she was a new person.

“She was so happy, her behavior was calm and she had

people loving on her, doting on her every need. That’s the differ ence for our patients.”

One of the reasons it feels like family here is because it’s local ly owned by a great family who has always taken an interest in theirFathercommunity.andson team, Bill and Will Creekmore, bring their own sense of family values to the brand, being hands-on, interactive and invested in the day-to-day of their facilities.

“They try to find places that are underserved for seniors and build in those areas that have that need,” said Cox. “I love that they had the forethought to create something here that could serve so many surrounding areas. The people in Dawsonville are so kind, and it’s definitely a growing community that we’re excited to be a part of.

“This business is different with these owners,” added Cox. “It’s not something where they’re here every month or so to check on things. They are here every single week. They come in, check on the building, ask about the residents and truly invest in this com munity. And it shows. It makes our residents feel valued, honored andThecomfortable.”factthatthey’re able to employ their own staff here, too, makes a big difference to the residents. Griffin has that calming, “mama” presence that makes residents feel so loved, and Cox said residents often think Griffin is running some grand hotel and restaurant.

That energy trickles down to create one cohesive staff. Weber keeps the residents active, engaged and living life to their fullest.

As a whole, the community within Manor Lake Dawsonville enjoys more than its individual residencies. It is part of a bigger picture that’s after a better quality of life, despite age or level of assistance.That’sevidenced by personalized staff, robust programming and ownership who cares.

“There is something for everyone here, something to stimulate and inspire — and it’s the best of what we can offer,” said Cox. “It’s a stress-free environment nestled in the North Georgia mountains, convenient for shopping, close to medical facilities and a way for people to make lasting friendships and receive care from an expert team that feels like family.”

Just like typical lake life, that sounds pretty darn good.

Manor Lake has locations in Canton, Gainesville, Ellijay, Athens, Hiram, Hoschton and Buford. For more information on the Dawsonville location, visit manorlakedw.com.

There is something for everyone here, something to stimulate and inspire — and it’s the best of what we can offer.

- Rebecca Cox, marketing director for Manor Lake Dawsonville

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BURNOUT

What are the symptoms. How to avoid hitting that wall.

By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist

Isat there and stared at my computer screen for what felt like an eternity, unable to know where to start with my work or even how to respond.

I had re-read the same message numerous times, but my brain felt disconnected from everything as if I couldn’t focus. I was exhausted, even though I had slept my usual eight hours; if anything, I felt just as tired when I woke up as I had when I went to bed. Even though I know what the symptoms were, I didn’t think I was expe

riencing burnout, but that’s exactly what it was.

It can be hard to identify the problem when we’re smack dab in the middle of it, and even more so when our environment doesn’t really give us the opportunity to ask for or receive support.

Burnout is something that we often hear about, espe cially when discussing certain professions – health care in particular – but it’s something that can be experienced in any field.

BUT WHAT IS BURNOUT EXACTLY?

The World Health Organization recently updated the definition of burnout, expanding on it from being classified as a stress syndrome to being a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

This change creates a subtle yet important distinction that this is a chronic condition which has been occurring for a substantial time and there’s not much hope that it will improve. And when burnout is not addressed, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and other conditions which can have a negative impact on our professional and personal lives.

An increased risk of depression and anxiety can also cause us to neglect our health and habits, which can open the door to other health issues – increased drinking or self-medicating with either prescription or recreational drugs can occur as well as poor sleep quality and emotional responses.

Employees in retail/food service, social workers, educators, and emergency workers/public safety experience the highest rates of burnout.

Feeling overwhelmed while also feeling a disconnect can make it difficult to maintain relationships. We’re exhausted and getting through the workday can feel like an extra effort.

Talk to loved ones about how you feel so they can help. Since leaving a job is not always an option, advocating for yourself can be one of the most helpful steps.

Talk to your supervisor, especially if burnout is affecting your job performance. Also explore any wellness initiatives and resources available to you at work.

SYMPTOMS OF BURNOUT CAN MANIFEST IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

SOME OF THE SIGNS INCLUDE:

• Lack of concentration/unable to focus. Not able to

OTHER STEPS TO HELP PREVENT OR ADDRESS BURNOUT INCLUDE:

• Stress management: Some strategies include exer

Considering how we most of our time at work, burnout can spill over into other areas of our lives.

What NOT to say to a Librarian

At a recent family gathering one of my brothers-in-law told me he was surprised to hear Forsyth County is building a fifth public library.“People still use public libraries?” he asked. “I figured with the internet, people didn’t need libraries anymore.”

A hush fell over the crowd and I noticed my husband and children slowly backing toward the“Holdexit. my tea,” I whisper-growled to a pass erby so I could push up my cardigan sleeves and lower my reading glasses to the tip of my nose. Don’t worry, the emergency responders were able to success fully treat my brother-in-law a few hours later. He twisted his ankle while running to his car on his way to get a library card. Honestly, it’s too bad I don’t work on commission because there is always a surge in new library cards after I attend a party.

In all seriousness though, if it’s been a while since you’ve visit ed a public library, you might be surprised at all the things librar ies can help you do these days. As wonderful and powerful as the internet can be for providing information (and misinformation), it is not even close to being a decent substitute for the enormous range of materials, resources, and services public libraries pro vide for their communities.

Leslie Marinelli has lived in Forsyth County for 19 years and is the mediasythpl.orgleslie.marinelli@forSheCountyManagerCommunicationsatForsythPublicLibrary.maybereachedatoronsocial@forsythpl.

Libraries today aren’t just books or information. Libraries are community centers where people gather to learn, collaborate, and share ideas.

I have witnessed my library col leagues teach people who don’t have a computer or internet access how to cre ate a resume and apply for a job online. I’ve seen children boost their reading confidence and skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. I have watched new parents make friends for life in our Books and Babies programs. Our Writers’ Groups have helped countless people in our community turn their writing hobbies into paid careers. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg, but they all have one thing in common: libraries change lives.

And yes, we also have books.

In fact, ultimately it was the books that got my brother-in-law excited enough to twist an ankle. He drives all over the state for his job and has been paying $180 a year for an Audible subscrip tion. Learning that he could check out eAudiobooks for free with his library card and that he’d never get an overdue fine on an eAudiobook because they return automatically was a gamechanger for him.

Perhaps you too are currently paying for something you could

be getting for free from your local library. From meeting spaces to free museum passes to the ability to borrow a Chromebook for up to a month at a time, you might be surprised to learn all the things your library can do for you.With four branches and a Bookmobile, you’re likely just a short walk or drive from a Forsyth County Public Library. We’re open seven days a week and you don’t need a library card to enjoy our facilities, materials, or programs, but a library card is required to borrow materials, reserve meeting spaces, and use many of our onlineProtectresources.yourankles and walk — don’t run — to your nearest library to learn more about everything we have to offer.

FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE TO:

• Residents of Forsyth County

• Property or business owners in Forsyth County

• Employees of Forsyth County Government

• Currently enrolled students or employees of any public or private educational institution in Forsyth County

• Anyone who is not eligible for a free library card may obtain an out-of-county library card for an annual fee of $60, and many people do! “Best bargain in town! It’s cheaper than my Netflix subscription,” out-of-county patrons tell us time and again.

For more information about FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY or any of our resources or upcoming events, please visit WWW.FORSYTHPL.ORG or connect with FCPL on social media @forsythpl.

Indoor Air The Whole Family Can Breathe

A magical dessert for Halloween gatherings

in a small bowl and let sit to bloom for 5 minutes (this step intensifies the chocolate flavor in the cake).Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, bak ing powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the bloomed cocoa, oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour the cocoa mixture into the sugar mixture and stir until smooth (the batter will be thin). Divide the batter evenly between the pre pared cake pans. Bake until the cakes bounce back when pressed in the middle and a toothpick insert ed in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on a rack.

For the filling and frosting: Heat the cream in a double boiler over low heat, whisking occasionally, until it begins to steam. Whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated. Let the frosting cool com pletely.

To assemble: Put one cake, bottom-side up, on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting over the top but not all the way down the side. Top with the other cake, bottom-side up, and frost the top and sides with the remaining frost ing.

For the spider web or mummy decoration: Microwave the marshmallows in a microwave-safe medium bowl until they swell and are soft enough to stir, about 1 minute. Let sit a few minutes until cool enough to touch. Spray your hands with cook ing spray. For a spider web, pick up a tablespoonsized blob of the melted marshmallow and stretch it over and around the cake; repeat so that the strings of marshmallow crisscross one another in many directions. Continue until you have what looks like a spiderweb. For a mummy, stretch the marshmallow so that all the strings on the top of the cake run in the same direction, leaving a small gap between strings for the mummy’s eyes to peak out. Garnish with a candy spider or several candy spiders for the web cake or candy eyes for the mummy cake.

Cook’s note: The candy directions are a nice touch, but the cake will be fun and delicious without them as well. When measuring flour, spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess.

Semi-homemade tip: Purchase a premade choco late cake and use the decoration to make the mummy or spiderweb only.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a significant milestone in world history.

However her position as Queen of England calls attention to how English law and tradition are firmly intertwined with ours in the United States.

The Queen’s passing triggers many of the same issues facing the “common peo ple.”She, like other people, had prepared a will for her estate, and passed property both real and personal to her heirs.

The probate process in England, like here in Georgia, involves judges and exec utors to administer an estate to carry out the last wishes of the person who died.

Unlike the Queen, many people never meet with an attorney to set up how they want their estate to be distributed or administered.Withoutawill, the probate court follows the statutory scheme on how an estate will beWhilehandled. people are alive, they need to look at, and possibly revise, wills and bank accounts.

This process should be a continuing pro cess as careful planning can assist individ uals and their families on how to distribute

property while the grantor is in good phys ical and mental health.

A common misconception is that a power of attorney can be a substitute for a well drafted will.

Most people do not realize that a power of attorney does not exist unless the person who granted it is alive. Once that person has departed, the power of attorney departs with them.

In my practice, we often assist clients in establishing an estate. This is typically done to preserve claims for pain and suf fering.Wealso need to do that in order to bring an estate claim when a person dies from the negligence of another.

With the crowning of a new King, Americans wish him well. They also should be grateful for the common heri tage that English and American law have.

The establishment of decedent’s estates and the way they are run, are an example of how English law still runs through our legal system.

Steven Leibel is a well-respected personal injury lawyer in Cumming and Dahlonega. He has con sistently been recognized as a GA SuperLawyer in Personal Injury; rated 10 by AVVO, and he is considered “preeminent by his peers, as an Martindale AV rated attorney.”

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TRADITIONSHalloween UNMASKED

A peek at the history behind some Halloween habits we know and love!

TheTrick-or-Treatingpracticesof“souling”and

“guising” in England and Europe during the Middle Ages are believed to be the precursors of the trick-or-treating tradition we know today. In souling, poor children would go from door to door offering prayers to help save the souls of dearly departed relatives in exchange for food or money. In guising, young people would go from door to door costumed as spirits to perform a song, joke or other “trick” in exchange for their “treat.”

Halloween Costumes

Historians trace Halloween’s roots to the Celtic festival of Samhain, during which the Celts believed the dead returned to the earth. Since these ghosts were often thought to cause mischief, some Celts set out food to placate them, while others wore disguises to confuse them, hide from them or scare them off. Costumed villagers would often play out pranks themselves, attributing their “mischief” to the spirits.

Bobbing for Apples

The Celts believed Samhain’s overlap with the spirit world made it the best time to divine the future. It may be this belief and the apple’s symbolic links to fertility that eventually brought forth a courting ritual that involved bobbing for apples. In some versions of the tradition, the apple would have the name of a male suitor on it. If the woman bobbing for the apple was able to bite into it on the first try, the love would last. If she succeeded on the second try, the courtship would begin, but the romance would fade. Three attempts meant the pair were not a match.

WhileJack-o’-Lanternsseveralorigintheories

exist, many link this tradition to the Irish myth of Stingy Jack, an evil spirit forced to roam the earth for eternity with just a piece of coal to light his way, which he carried in a carved-out turnip. Storytellers referred to Jack’s specter as “Jack of the Lantern,” eventually becoming “Jack O’Lantern.” To ward off Stingy Jack and other unwelcome spirits, people made their own versions of his lantern using turnips or potatoes, and eventually pumpkins, carved with frightening faces and placed near windows or doors.