Senior Living News,
July 2025

Madison at The Range Newsletter

10801 County Line | Madison, AL 35758

July 1st, 2025

United States of America, Around the World with Atlas

Around the world with Atlas - July 2025 - United States of America

Resident´s Birthdays

Hubert G. 7/6
Betty R. 7/11
Barbara S. 7/12

Month's Celebration

Independence Day July 4th

Events Spotlight

Independence Day July 4th

One of the most enduring symbols in the United States is the bald eagle—a majestic bird chosen in 1782 as the national emblem.

With its fierce gaze and powerful wingspan, the bald eagle represents strength, courage, and the soaring ideals of liberty that define the American identity.

Jazz Masterpieces

Alexa play "Chamaleon" with "Herbie Hancock"

A funky, synth-driven masterpiece from 1973 that redefined jazz fusion. Hancock merged electronic sounds with improvisation, paving the way for future generations of experimental artists.

Freedom Folk

Alexa play "Only a pawn in their game'" from "Bob Dylan"

A raw, unflinching protest song first sung in 1963 and later released on the 1964 album The times their are a-changin’, “Only a Pawn in Their Game” exposes the racial injustice behind the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. With stark lyrics and stripped-down delivery, Dylan shifts focus from the killer to the system that bred him — a bold and unsettling commentary on America’s deep-rooted inequality.

Folk music gave America its voice of protest and unity. Rooted in tradition, it flourished in times of change—speaking out against war, injustice, and inequality with acoustic guitars and powerful words.

Two Products changing the Game

Cognitive Books
Cognitive Books bring the joy of reading to people with dementia – they can be enjoyed alone by a number of those with a mild-to-moderate condition – or by many with their loved ones too.
They are simple, enjoyable books with dynamic content that empower people to maintain their love of reading – and the content focuses on familiar topics that readers are passionate about. Losing the thread doesn’t matter because pages that work individually and collectively as a story – and there’s much more to enjoy and interact with than just the story itself.

Audio prototypes have been developed, and e-book versions are being investigated to bring new ways to enjoy the books. These will be tested with people living with dementia. Being grounded in Cognitive Stimulation and Reminiscence Therapy means there are methods to help readers find new ways to socialize with loved ones as well as potentially improving thinking skills. The vision is that everyone living with dementia in the world who wants to or can read will have a title that brings them joy.

Recreo VR:
Recreo VR want to help improve the mental and social wellbeing of people living with dementia through person centered virtual reality (VR) content, giving individuals a chance to revisit the special places of their past.

Many people living with dementia aren’t able to access experiences beyond their home, care home or local area for a number of reasons. Reminiscing with a person living with dementia offers them a chance to reconnect with themselves and loved ones. If these places and stimuli are not available, then the individual’s memories, feelings and thoughts are not as easily accessible.

They aim to help people access these places and memories again through the use of virtual reality. Recreo VR have been providing VR reminiscence sessions and activities to residents in care homes over the last year and during this time have seen how person-centered experiences have the power to bring smiles to the faces of people living with dementia, and being in these environments helps bring their life stories to light.

Independence Day and why we celebrate it

Independence Day, also, called the Fourth of July, marks the historic date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The written declaration stated that the American colonies were tired of being ruled by Great Britain. They wanted to become their own country.

Before the declaration, America was part of the Kingdom of Great Britain (now called the United Kingdom). In the 1600s, people came from Great Britain to settle in what is now North America. Between 1607 and 1732, the British founded 13 colonies: Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

As these colonies grew, the people who lived there thought the British government treated them unfairly. For instance, they had to pay taxes on items such as tea and allow British soldiers to stay in their homes. The colonists had to follow these laws but couldn’t do anything to change them. The colonists rebelled. As a result, the Revolutionary War between the colonists and Great Britain began in 1775.

Fighting wasn’t enough though. The colonists decided they needed to declare their independence in writing to explain their reasons and gain support from other countries like France. On July 4, 1776, a small group of representatives from the colonies—called the Continental Congress—adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence, now housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is recognized around the world as an important message of self-governance and human rights. The second sentence says it all: that all people are created equally and have rights that include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (Fun fact: Jefferson, who would become the third U.S. president, wrote that sentence!)
Today the United States and Great Britain are friends. Most Americans still celebrate Independence Day, often with parades and fireworks.

Welcome to the United States of America
Around the World with Atlas

The United States of America is a vast and diverse nation, shaped by a bold spirit of freedom, innovation, and cultural fusion. From towering skyscraper cities to serene national parks, from the sounds of jazz and rhythm & blues to the electrifying pulse of rock & roll, the U.S. radiates a restless energy that has left a lasting cultural impact around the globe.

More than a global superpower in terms of industrial influence and technological innovation, the United States is also a leading force in the arts and cultural development. It has played a central role in shaping the modern world as we know it. The rise of Silicon Valley and the culture surrounding today’s tech giants is the result of a long legacy of American ingenuity and creative drive.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued over 11 million patents since its founding in 1790.
Among the most famous early patents: the light bulb (Edison), the airplane (Wright brothers), and the telephone (Bell).
Home to world-leading research institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford.
The Internet, GPS, and personal computers were all developed in the U.S.
The birthplace of jazz, rock & roll, blues and hip hop.

Tips for Getting and Staying Active as You Age

Deciding to be physically active at any age is a positive choice for your well-being and has many important health benefits. As part of an active lifestyle, older adults should include a combination of exercise types. Even small amounts of activity throughout the day count toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activities recommended each week.

Starting and maintaining a change in your routine can be hard. Fortunately, there are strategies to help you increase your physical activity levels. Use these tips for getting and staying active.

Take it slow
It’s important to increase your amount of physical activity gradually over a period of weeks to months. To reduce the risk of injury, start with lower-intensity activities that are appropriate for your current fitness level. Then increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities over time. Working your way up slowly and steadily can also help to build confidence, motivation, and a regular routine. When there is a break in your routine, perhaps due to illness or travel, work back up gradually.

Older adults who do not have an existing injury or chronic condition, and who plan to gradually increase their amounts of physical activity, generally do not need to talk with a doctor before becoming physically active. However, for people with or without chronic conditions, doctors and exercise professionals can:

Assess current physical activity levels
Provide advice on appropriate types of activities and ways to progress at a safe and steady pace
Offer continued support through follow-up appointments

As with increasing physical activity, it is also important to be gradual with the exercises themselves. Warming up before exercise and cooling down after exercise is recommended to help prevent injuries and other negative health events, such as heart attack or stroke. A warm-up prepares the muscles for exercise and allows the heart rate and breathing to increase gradually. A cool-down after activity allows a gradual decrease at the end.

Exercising with chronic conditions
Talk with your doctor about exercising with chronic conditions and how existing health issues may affect your ability to do regular physical activity. Be as physically active as your abilities and conditions allow.

Set goals and monitor progress
Setting goals for your physical activity can encourage you to achieve increased physical activity levels, starting from your current level. Goals are most useful when they are specific and realistic. This type of goal setting can help update a general goal, such as to increase physical activity, into a measurable and actionable goal, such as to go for a 10-minute walk three times per week. Be sure to review your goals regularly as you make progress.

MARK

Stitching Beauty at 93—Inside the Soulful World of Clydia Hughes

At Madison at The Range, creativity doesn’t retire—it blossoms. And no one embodies that spirit more than our very own Clydia Hughes. At 93, Clydia …

Emotional Support for Aging Dads – What Senior Fathers Really Need

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We talk about senior health. We talk about senior safety. But how often do we talk about senior dads and their emotional needs? The truth ...

Recipe Spotlight:

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
1
Yield:
1 serving
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup 100% pure fruit juice
1 1/2 cups (6 1/2 ounces) frozen fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries, pineapple or peaches

DIRECTIONS:
Puree yogurt with juice in a blender until smooth. With the motor running, add fruit through the hole in the lid and continue to puree until smooth. And Enjoy!

Resident of the Month

Martha Fleming

We are thrilled to announce Martha as our July Resident of the Month!
Though she’s newer to our community, she’s warming hearts and bringing laughter wherever she goes.

Martha comes to us a retiree from a successful career in banking eventually retiring from Redstone.
She has always been a fiercely independent woman who found joy in yard work and being outside-rain or shine!

She has two children she absolutely adores and often shares sweet (and hilarious!) stories about them. A lifelong animal lover, Martha once had two cats who ruled the house.

If you ever get the chance to chat with Martha, grab it-she’s full of life stores and can keep you entertained for hours. Don’t be fooled by her soft, sweet, voice-she’s got a sharp wit and a knack for throwing out zingers that will have you in stitches!

Martha has a not-so-secret love for Diet Coke and will kindly pass on anything spicy.
We are so lucky to have Martha in our community. Her laughter is contagious, her stories are treasured, and her presence is a truly a gift. Stop by, say, hello, and prepare to leave with a smile!

Associate of the Month

Mckenzie Jones

We are so proud to recognize Mckenzie as our Associate of the month for July! As a valued member of our housekeeping team, Mckenzie brings positivity, kindness and a warm smile wherever she goes.
Residents and staff alike appreciate her friendly nature and the care she puts into everything she does.

Thank you, Mckenzie, for making our community shine-both literally and with your kind spirit!

Senior Living News,
July 2025

Madison at The Range Newsletter

Around the world with Atlas - July 2025 - United States of America

Resident´s Birthdays

Month's Celebration