Without a Hitch!

HOORAY! After weeks (months) of preparation, the first Wellness Expo went off without a glitch. Let me share the fun!

It takes only a short time in a retirement community to learn that the general population has a limited view of health. We are quick to define people by their physical state-flu, CHD, COPD, wheelchair, etc. Rarely do we look beyond the surface and delve into the 7 other dimensions of our life. The purpose of our Wellness Expo is to expose the residents to each of the dimensions of wellness (emotional, environmental, physical, nutritional, intellectual, occupational, environmental, and spiritual). The event is an opportunity to highlight how life at The Oaks is enriched within each area of wellness and within each department.

Each department was assigned a dimension of wellness. The task at hand is to use an activity to define each component of wellness. For example, intellectual wellness is openness to new ideas, learning new skills, and engaging in activities that keep your mind sharp. The Campus Life department used simple brain teasers from the Mind Aerobics class to show residents how to enhance their intellectual wellness. Listed below are the 8 dimensions of wellness and their activities.

Emotional

Derrick, PACE Recreation Therapist, led small group diaphragmatic breathing. Our licensed massage therapist, Gloria, also provided free 10 minute chair massages.


Environmental

Nancy Ogburn is the Founder and President of Tomato Palms (http://www.tomatopalms.com/). Nancy provided information on recycling and environmental health.



Intellectual

The Campus Life department used simple brain teasers from the Mind Aerobics class to show residents how to enhance their intellectual wellness



Physical

Our Wellness Department put together 3 levels of fitness trails. Courses were appropriate for all fitness conditions and abilities.

Social

Residents got an automatic social stamp for joining in the Expo fun.

Spiritual

Kermit, our Chaplin, and several resident volunteers encouraged participants to share how a favorite verse or passage enhanced their well-being.



Occupational

Many of our residents participate in regular volunteer activities. We highlighted their work, and gave other people the chance to join the volunteer crew.



Nutritional

Nutrition programs are a new part of programming. Andy, the IS Manager, and Mary (a resident volunteer) guided participants through the Mypyramid.gov website. This was a great way to encourage residents to use technology to learn new information.

Wellness Expo 2010

The Oaks' very first Wellness Expo was held on Senior Health & Fitness Day, May 26, 2010. The expo was one of the first events planned as part of our mission as a Vital Life Beta Community. The theme of the expo was the Dimensions of Wellness. Our goal was to educate our residents on the dimensions in a fun way. We had an activity for each of the dimensions as well as information tables on services and departments at The Oaks. Every department was represented, a first for The Oaks.

Each resident was given an expo card at registration. After they completed a particular Dimension of Wellness activity, they received a stamp on their card. When they had visited all of the activities and received all the stamps they returned to the registration table and were given a white expo t-shirt. Expo workers and volunteers wore blue Expo shirts for easy identification.

While many may call this a "health fair," we feel that adding educational and physical activities gave a fresh face to an old stand-by.

Lauren Neely coordinated the event and will be posting pictures and detailed information about the Expo in the very near future.

A fine time was had by all

Tuesday night I carried 15 residents out for supper at the Tokyo Steak and Seafood Rest. This is someting I will be doing at least once a month. I had such a good time, I may go to twice a month. The residents had a ball and I got good Sushi - a method to my madness. I love these road trips and we are already planning the next one. I suspect we will have many more in attendance. I limited this first one to one bus load.

We ate and then I gave them a tour of parts of Orangeburg that even people from Orangeburg have never been. Charleston and/or Savannah or coming in the future. I am the designated driver so residents are free to enjoy refreshments - buckle up and ride with McGee.

Just a quick note - since November we have recycled over 9 tons of materials through our recycling program. Our waste stream is decreasing and our residents or much into the program. We do about 3,000 lbs. a month

WOW

Marian, Lauren and Linda will post more and pictures in a while, but I wanted to say what a huge success the campus wellness was for residents and staff. Over 51% of our independent residents participated as well as some of Passport folk and staff. Lauren worked super hard on organizing and getting all of our departments involved. Even Maintenance had a booth. Marian will post a list of all departments and vendors that participated. Bill and Haley - a tee shirt is on the way for you even though you did not have your map stamped - rank has priviledge.

Wellness Expo

Linda, Marian, Lauren and Tammy are hard at work on the upcoming Wellness Expo Scheduled for May 26. Every department of The Oaks will be part of the Expo and maning different stations in our emerging Brewington Campus Life and Wellness Center. We will be uploading pictures of folks involved in our programs as we learn how the blog process works. Be patient with us and offer suggestions as you will.

This morning at 6:30 am as I and others were working out in the cardio/strength room, I was discussing with one of my long time friends the struggle to get out of bed and do what needs to be done to age well. While we were talking and laughing, Lee came in and immediately hit the nustep machine. I looked over at Lee and said to my friend," that is why we do this. So we can be like him when WE are the age Lee is now - 90" Every day, at 90, he walks 2 miles, works out on the cardio, participates in group fitness, etc. It hit me - we do have choices. We can be one of the people in our Skilled Nursing Facility OR we can struggle out of bed, enjoy socialization as we work out and maybe, just maybe - be like Lee when we are 90.

More to come - Linda and Marian will be signing on soon. God Bless. James

Hello From The Oaks

Hello to all Vita Life blogg readers from Linda Biswell, Campus Life Director; Marian Youorski, Wellness Director and The Reverend James McGee, CEO aka the "big cheese". We at The Oaks are excited about getting underway and will endeavor to keep you apprised of our progess and events as we seek to change lives here and in the surrounding community. God Bless

Reverend James McGee

Reverend James McGee

President & CEO of The Oaks of Orangeburg

Reverend James McGee is the CEO of The Methodist Oaks Continuing Care Retirement Community in Orangeburg, South Carolina. His work with The Methodist Oaks as well as the surrounding community has been centered upon community and individual growth, as he is a true Servant Leader. He has instilled a Wellness based culture at his community and has incorporated Vital Life principles into the programming at the Oaks for residents to feel more engaged and active. In addition to his tenure at the Methodist Oaks, The Reverend has also served on many boards such as The United Way, The Cancer Society, the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Board, and he has also previously been elected to the Orangeburg County Council and as President of the SC Association of Counties. His dedication to giving back to his community spans many years, and he says he wouldn’t have it any other way.