Senior Living News,
November 2025
Madison Heights / Kelley Place Enterprise Newsletter
Around the world with Atlas - November 2025 - Australia
Resident Birthdays
Jerry Austin 11/25
Brenda Conatser 11/26
Month's Celebrations
Veteran’s Day 11/11
Thanksgiving Day 11/27
Events Spotlight
Birthday Celebration 11/20
Resident/Family Thanksgiving Lunch 11/25
Associate of the Month
Jessica Sowell
Jessica has been with MHKP for almost 2 years. She has 2 beautiful daughters and 1 precious granddaughter. Jessica goes above and beyond for our residents as well as the community itself. She takes exceptional care of the residents and always makes sure the communities are spotless and smell good. When asked why she enjoys working at MHKP she said “I love each resident like they are my own family. I love my job, and I enjoy working with dementia residents.” Both of her grandparents had dementia before they passed away, and Jessica learned early on what a special person it takes to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s and dementia. We are blessed to have her at MHKP.
Australian Joy
Alexa, play Down Under, by Men at work.
Released in 1981, “Down Under” quickly became a defining song of Australian identity. With its catchy flute riff and witty lyrics, it celebrates the country’s laid-back spirit, humor, and pride. More than a global hit, it remains an unofficial anthem—an upbeat tribute to Australia’s culture, people, and sense of adventure.
Seniors and Eating Healthy
Healthy eating is crucial for seniors as it helps them maintain physical and cognitive functions, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. By consuming nutrient-dense foods, seniors can improve their energy levels, mood and overall quality of life while supporting independence.
Welcome to Australia
Around the World with Atlas
Australia, the world’s largest island and smallest continent, is a land of striking contrasts—from its vast deserts and tropical rainforests to its bustling coastal cities. Indigenous Australians have lived on the continent for over 60,000 years, developing rich spiritual traditions and deep connections to the land. Their art, music, and stories remain an essential part of the nation’s cultural identity today.
European settlement began in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet from Britain, marking the start of Australia’s colonial era. British influence shaped the nation’s language, institutions, and political systems, though this period also brought immense hardship to Indigenous communities. Over time, Australia evolved from a collection of colonies into a unified federation in 1901, forging its own democratic and multicultural identity.
Modern Australia is known for its relaxed lifestyle, love of the outdoors, and vibrant cultural mix. From iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru to its world-class art, music, and sport, the country reflects both its ancient heritage and modern dynamism—a place where tradition and innovation coexist under the southern sun.
The importance of health screenings
Health screenings and checkups are medical tests to detect diseases early, with common examples being blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer screenings, along with age-appropriate immunizations and physical exams. Specific recommendations depend on factors like age, sex, and medical history, but generally include annual physicals, screenings for chronic diseases and other tests such as eye exams and mental health checkups.
Benefits of Pet Therapy for Seniors
Pets offer significant physical and mental health benefits for seniors, including reduced loneliness and stress, improved cardiovascular health and increased opportunities for physical activity. They provide companionship and a sense of purpose, which can lead to better cognitive function and an overall improved quality of life. Seniors should choose a pet that matches their physical abilities and can realistically care for its needs.
Active Minds
To help keep your mind active try engaging in mentally stimulating activities, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and manage stress. Some examples include learning new skills, reading, doing puzzles, and staying socially connected. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quality sleep is also essential for cognitive function. Here are a few examples of how to keep your mind active, reading, listening to music, playing board games, puzzles, art and painting and exercise.
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Share our good news:
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and togetherness. Rooted in early harvest feasts shared between settlers and Native Americans, it has grown into a cherished American tradition.
To give thanks for all blessings in life
Resident of the Month
Gary Crumpler
Gary Elton Crumpler, born 1961 in Dothan, Alabama. Dothan, Alabama is home to the “World’s Smallest City Block” — a quirky triangle of land barely big enough for a stop sign, tucked between three streets downtown. It’s been a local oddity since the 1960s and even earned a Ripley’s Believe It or Not mention.
Dothan produces nearly one-fourth of the U.S. peanut crop, and since 1938, it’s hosted the National Peanut Festival, a week-long celebration of all things peanut: parades, pageants, tractor pulls, and even peanut-themed art. This may partially explain why Gary is such a nut!
Even though life in the south was slow Gary liked both his cars and his women fast! One of his early favorites was a Firebird with a T top and always an affection for 69 Camaro. We can’t speak much to the women, but he did date an international lady from Copenhagen for a while. An avid outdoorsmen, he also liked his fish curious and his deer fat and slow.
He went to school for electronics, and he liked this quite a bit. He really got into his work and one day he got too close and his lips touched the circuit board and got a good shock right in the kisser !
Aside of his love for fast cars he liked fast motorcycles, and he had multiple accidents, breaking most of the bones in his body at one time or another. So, if you hear a clinking walking through the halls this Halloween it’s probably not a ghostly skeleton, just Gary Elton!
Gary enjoyed a great career as a high-level network engineer, doing complex networking for the banking industry. Often very challenging and stressful, but he always came out on top.
He has two brothers Michael and Greg, and his nephew Austin, father of his great niece and nephew, Mallie, and Clay.
Gary is a good guy but as you know, conversations with him are like jazz: unpredictable, occasionally brilliant, and best enjoyed with ear protection.
Collaborators
Madison Heights and Kelley Place is the first specialty care community to focus on memory care in Enterprise, Alabama. Naturally, their weevil had to represent the individuals and families who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia daily. 
