Simple Steps You Can Take to Prevent Falls

Posted on September 8, 2023

September 22, national Falls Prevention Awareness Day, focuses attention on the leading cause ofinjury-related emergency department visits. As a leading provider of senior housing, Front Porchunderstands that falls can be prevented and shares simple steps you can take to decrease falls risks. Falls affect us all. The risk of falling increases with age. 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 …

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Summer House at Vista del Monte Offers Innovative, Comforting Environment for Those With Cognitive Issues

Posted on August 8, 2023

The joy of hearing a favorite song. The comfort of smelling cookies baking in the oven. The sense of connection that comes from being with others. At Summer House, a memory-care neighborhood at Vista del Monte senior living community in Santa Barbara, these sensory experiences are woven into the daily lives of residents living with Alzheimer's and other cognitive challenges. Some are achieved in the usual way, such as making chocolate chip cookies in the counter-top Otis Spunkmeyer ove…

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Community is Why You Feel Welcome at Vista del Monte

Posted on July 6, 2023

Helen McCann had just lost her husband when she started thinking about where she wanted to live. She knew it wasn't in the home they once shared that was now too large for one person. But where? "I wanted a community where I could have privacy and a sense of community, not where every time I opened my door, everyone would ask, 'Where are you going?'" Helen said with a laugh. "I wanted an apartment on the ground floor, no stairs. I did not want a hallway. I also had two dogs and, you'd be sur…

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Admiration for Scholarship Programs Fuels Giving

Posted on June 21, 2023

For many years before moving to Vista del Monte, longtime Santa Barbara residents Roxana and Fred were members of Vista's Fitness and Aquatic Center, which is open to the public. "We were very familiar with Vista, so when we decided to move to a retirement community, Vista was a natural choice," Fred said. After they settled into Vista in 2019, Roxana became president of the Resident Association and currently serves as its past president. She was also a member of Vista's Philanthropy Committ…

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Helga Carden Stays on the Move at Vista del Monte

Posted on June 2, 2023

For anyone who needs motivation to exercise, meet Vista del Monte resident, 98-year-old Helga Carden, who seems to always be on the move - literally. Ever since moving to Vista about five years ago, Helga has participated in almost every fitness class the community offers. Six days a week, she takes a mile walk around the campus - enjoying its beautiful landscape and checking in with neighbors. She says her favorite and most challenging class at Vista is definitely Pilates and she is a regul…

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

Posted on May 11, 2023

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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Spiritual Care is Just as Important as Care for Mind and Body at Vista del Monte

Posted on January 31, 2023

Traditionally, conversations about health and well-being focus on the mind and body, but spiritual health is also important. Spiritual health is nurtured by seeking meaning, purpose, and transcendence throughout the lifespan. "Some people's spirituality is deeply rooted in organized religion," said the Rev. Laura Mancuso, Spiritual Life Director at Vista del Monte retirement community. "Others are more practice-based than faith-based -- for example, a person who studies Buddhist teachings an…

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Residents Marilou and Peggy are Two Peas in a Pod at Vista del Monte

Posted on July 13, 2022

"Peggy is a carnivore and I'm closer to a vegetarian," quipped resident Marilou Shiells when explaining the only significant issue on which she and longtime friend Peggy Stivers differ. "We only disagree at the dinner table. Other than that, we're two peas in a pod." Pals, amigos, confidants, chums, bosom buddies: no matter what you call them, Peggy and Marilou certainly fit the bill. Marilou has lived at Vista for 17 years and Peggy for eight. Peggy first met Marilou during a tour of V…

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Come On In, the Water’s Fine! Vista’s Remodeled Indoor Pool is a Big Hit with Residents

Posted on April 5, 2022

Whether it's swimming, aquatic exercises, physical therapy or a friendly but spirited game of volleyball, Vista del Monte residents give the community's newly remodeled in-door pool an A+ rating. "I think it's the classiest pool in all of Santa Barbara," said resident Bill Boyd, who can be found enjoying water exercises on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "It's a tremendous asset for this community. It's one of the main reasons my wife and I moved in." The 16.5 X 8 meter indoor pool is consist…

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Alexa, What Time is My Exercise Class?

Posted on January 11, 2022

Vista del Monte resident Len Hoffman likes to shop online. But instead of using his keyboard and mouse to navigate to merchant websites on his laptop, he asks Alexa for help. "Alexa, go to Costco dot com," he says, and when Alexa instantly takes him to that destination, he politely replies ... "Thank you Alexa!" "It's just so convenient," Len said. "I have a lot of fun with it." Resident Marilou Shiells' favorite feature is used when she is ready for bed. Instead of turning the bedroom l…

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