Teresa began her employment at Clarkson Health Care 25 years ago as a certified nurse assistant, eventually moving to the roll of Health Unit Clerk. When the Activities Director position became available, Teresa was a natural selection and she stepped up to the plate with enthusiasm!

Teresa has tremendous respect from the residents, their families, and her coworkers as well. She is a ray of sunshine to everyone at Clarkson Health Care – constantly creating a fun atmosphere! Teresa provides plenty of activities for the residents to enjoy and always makes new attendees feel welcome.

Our programs continue to be creative and diverse because of Teresa’s new ideas. She is a strong proponent of the Music & Memory Program, which she helped certify Clarkson Health Care for.

We are so proud to have Teresa as a member of our team! Congratulations, Teresa!

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spiritualism is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.

Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment help you enjoy your spiritual health. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality. Your spiritual wellness may look different than others.

If you are a person engaged in the process of spiritual wellness, you are willing and able to transcend yourself in order to  question the meaning and purpose in your life and the lives of others. In addition, you  seek to find harmony between that which lies within and the social and physical forces that come from outside. We are always able to continue growing in our spiritual wellness!

• Canyon Lake Walk About - Wednesday, September 5th at 2pm
• Table Tennis Tournament - Thursday, September 6th at 7:30pm
• Strider Bike Obstacle Course - Friday, September 7th at 11am
• Hike in the Hills at Black Elk Peak - Saturday, September 8th at 9am
• Water Volleyball Tournament - Tuesday, September 11th at 4pm
• Croquet Tournament - Thursday, September 13th at 10am
• Outdoor Excursion to the Wax Museum - Saturday, September 15th at 10am
• Resident/Staff Bowling at Robbinsdale - Sunday, September 16th at 2pm
• Cooking with Mr. Good Looking - Tuesday, September 18th, at 2:30pm
• Dart Tournament - Thursday, September 20th at 10:15am
• Wear Purple to End Alzheimer's Day - Friday, September 21
• Walk to End Alzheimer's (Memorial Park) - Saturday, September 22nd at 9am
• 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk - Tuesday, September 25th at 8:45am
• Cribbage Tournament - Wednesday, September 26th at 1:30pm
• Swim Meet - Friday, September 28th, at 9am

Perhaps it’s been a while since you ventured into the great outdoors. Did you know that there are numerous walking and hiking trails and observation areas that are just off the beaten path and are paved, walker, wheelchair, and senior friendly? Here’s a few of our favorites!

Veteran's Point Trail

Veteran’s Point Trail is a half- mile trail at the north end of the dam at Pactola Resevoir on Hwy 385. Designed to be accessible for everyone - it has an asphalt surface, handrails, restroom facilities, and fishing access.

D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery

This Spearfish treasure welcomes visitors to the hatchery and museum for an educational closeup view of the fish production process! Enjoy walking trails, museum exhibits, and fish feeding opportunities!

Mickelson Trail

The George S. Mickelson Trail runs through the heart of the Black Hills, connecting Deadwood with Edgemont. The crushed-stone pathway incorporates nearly 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 tunnels, and much of it traverses national forest. Bike a short distance, walk a mile or so, and enjoy the picnic areas and benches along the trail. With some planning, you could even schedule day-trips to allow you to visit all fifteen trailheads and cover many of the 109 miles of this former railway.

Thank you to the 5,200 people who cast 55,389 votes in 143 categories and chose Westhills Village as the best "Skilled Nursing" in the Black Hills!

Each year, local newspaper The Rapid City Journal holds a competition for local businesses. This year, Westhills Village was overwhelmingly chosen as the best local skilled nursing facility.

We do not take lightly your confidence in our facility, staff and vision. Your votes are a meaningful way of letting us know we're on track - providing the type of continuing care that we believe is important for the Black Hills community, our residents, and their families.

Thank you again for your vote! We look forward to a year of continued excellence!

Physical activity has many health benefits. Regular physical activity, especially in aging adults, has been shown to:

• increase muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination
• reduce the risk of premature death
• reduce the risk of falls
• assist in prevention and management of health conditions like stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, certain cancers, obesity and depression
• enhance sleep, wellbeing and quality of life
• increase social interaction

Safety First

• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Wear hats and sunscreen outdoors in the summer.
• Use safety equipment such as bike helmets.
• Choose safe environments such as well-lit streets, open parks and indoor facilities.
• Make sensible choices about when and where to be active and who to be active with.

February is Heart Health Month and there’s no better time to  have a heart-to-heart about ways you can improve your heart’s health as you age. Just because your doctor hasn’t mentioned that you have a heart condition, doesn’t mean you
won’t benefit from these simple, small changes that improve Heart Health!

Eat Colorful Fruits and Veggies

Low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals and fiber — adults should get at least five servings per day of these nutrition powerhouses.

Sleep Well for Heart Health

Not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Together, these four health conditions prove a powerful case that sleep isn't just beneficial, it's vital. Don’t watch TV or use other electronic devices before bed – or if you do, go to a different room so your bedroom is just for sleeping.

Practice Gratitude

Making a list and conjuring the feeling of gratitude about what you can appreciate about your life every day appears to have a real effect on the smoothness and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Exercise Regularly

Regularly exercising thirty minutes a day can improve your heart’s (and overall body’s) health!  Whether you take a brisk walk, play the Wii, sign up for a weekly class, or enjoy working out in the comfort of your living room - the important thing is that you do something every day.  Consider adopting a dog to get out there and move! Can’t adopt ? Volunteer to walk dogs at a local shelter!