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