Team Lifelong Learning: Memories to Memoirs

Readers, Poets and Storytellers gather to share during the Memoir's Reception!

Case Study 16

Intellectual and Emotional Wellness Fun and Function Model

Bill MacDonald thoughtfully shares; it is his education that is responsible for his love for writing. According to Bill, a good education brings richness to literature and poetry and adds a positive point of view. Bill comes from a family who loved to read. His family always had a copy of the Saturday Evening Post and the St. Anthony's Messenger lying around and often there was a wait to get a turn to read these interesting magazines. Bill currently writes poetry as a means to communicate significant events and to add satire to deserving subjects.

Bill believes that it is possible to balance the dimensions of wellness. Each person should remember they are responsible for their own well-being, because he states that "we must care for ourselves and not expect others to assume this responsibility." His advice is to be a family that reads good literature that helps to create that positive point of view for positive changes in life now and in the future.

Case Study 15

Physical Wellness Fun and Function Model

Ralph Goodman has made the physical dimension of wellness his focus at this time due to his doctor's advice to stay active. Ralph loves to walk and remembers when he was younger, walking 2-3 miles a day and mall walking during days of inclement weather. According to Ralph, the scenery during a walk and the fresh air make it possible for a walk to become valuable thinking time.

Ralph's advice for younger people is to stay active and to start exercising early, and he adds that the best way to find time for this is to watch less television. Ralph adds that living alone can be difficult especially when trying to stick to an exercise program or diet, but if you add the social component, it becomes a little easier.

Team Lifelong Learning: Mediterranean Diet Workshop!

Team Healthy Nutrition: Recipes for Social Dining!

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The Mediterranean Diet can be a healthy fun and function social dining experience!

The Vital Life Program!

While you may wish to focus on one or two areas of your lifestyle and life benefits program, remember that only by improving your participation in ALL EIGHT of the aspects of THE VITALIFE PROGRAM will you realize maximum benefits and truly not only "feel" better about yourself, but you will actually "be" better than before and will realize MEASURED results!

(Bill Witte)

Vital Life Community: Next Step!

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Check the boxes you would like to see improvement in, in the months ahead.

If you checked the first box, the Vital Life Program will deliver positive results within a few days after you commit to the program and begin to supplement or modify your lifestyle!

(Bill Witte)

Case Study 14

Emotional Wellness Fun and Function Model

Peter Losh is now a happy artist because he is developing a body of work that truly represents his talents and abilities. As a commercial artist, Peter was not always content with the subjects, work and demands that come with this field of work. Working within his studio at St. Leonard, Peter can explore and expand his love for the media of watercolor. The potential is never ending for setting goals and having a life that allows him to look forward to each new day.

Peter's artistic talent and drive to balance his emotional wellness came from his family as his father was an accomplished politcal writer and his brother became a well-known composer. Peter's advice is to stay busy and to never become stagnant in your hopes and dreams. Setting goals, keeping alert, and having something to look forward to is everything, and you will find that these tenants will impact and drive the pursuit of optimal wellness in all of the other dimensions of wellness.

Case Study 13

Intellectual Wellness Fun and Function Model

Louis Leibold strives to place a special emphasis on intellectual wellness because he feels that using the mind helps to prevent the decay often associated with various diseases of the aging. If the mind is strong and if the weighted average is applied concerning attention to all other dimensions of wellness then good decisions and strategy can be developed for optimal well-being.

Lifelong learning in social settings helps with the concept of living fully because by setting goals and strategy for each day one can achieve their desires without harming others. It is also important to give time for reflection to determine if the day's outcomes met what was right and with the intention of what was planned. Louis learned the importance of continual learning and being a good student from his mother and father. Louis believes that with knowledge and learning you can lift others up more effectively and be of service to those who cannot set goals or help themselves.

Team Volunteers: Celebrating People in Action!

Honoring individuals who take action and continue to pursue their emotional and vocational wellness!

Team Aces, Kings and Queens: Tripoley!

Regular card game.... always Fun and Function!

Team JBR: Brunch!

Case Study 12

Vocational Wellness Fun and Function Model

(Anonymous) My wellness philosopy has been that one must have a "worthy" purpose in order to have the initiative and the desire to continue in any project, for without it, one cannot find contentment in oneself.

I am certain that part of my philosophy was developed from both parents. My mother, by her soft-spoken words, offers of kindness, and even temperment, were constant goals of mine. The lesson my father tried to instill was "Idleness creates problems." and "You can only draw from the soup what you put into it." The latter was what he hoped we would apply to everything in our lives (the simply translation being for those who wish to reach higher goals, more effort and hard work must be made).

I am certain I fall short in my own level of ultimate potential and don't wish to compare myself to others, as each of us have different health issues to consider. I do exercise approximately three times each week but not for as long a period as I would like to.

The only advice I would share is what I say to myself. "Don't ever get discouraged and keep trying." I do not have any words of wisdom that haven't already been written or spoken countless times. We each must find how, where and when we can make successful strides in achieving a meaningful and enjoyable personal wellness development.

"If you don't use it, you will lose it."

Case Study 11

Spiritual Wellness Fun and Function Model

Mary McCann believes that her spiritual wellness helps to balance her other dimensions of wellness because her faith acts as a guiding light to do what is right. Mary learned the value of spirituality from her parents because they were such good role models for devotion to their faith in the Lord. Mary remembers learning about the Bible and stories of faith through her Catholic education, and she knew then that she always wanted to be a person who based her life around spiritual wellness.

Mary also loves to stay fit and participates in many of the exercise programs on campus. She encourages others in class with her enthusiasm for life and the pursuit of fun and function. When asked what advice to give the younger generation, she smiled and said "that's simple, every one's path is different, just make your spirituality number one in your life!"

Team Home and Garden: St. Elizabeth Social Garden

The St. Elizabeth social garden was donated by Mary Ann Spearin before she became a resident at St. Leonard. Her wishes were that people would enjoy the beauty of the garden together. As the garden comes to life this spring, it brings to mind all who have lovingly contributed their time to this beauty unfolding.

Team Leisure and Fun: Tapas!

Team Asian Arts: Self Defense

Team Asian Arts learn from each other as they build trust in their training partners and become a social group; working on common goals such as strength, balance and coordination.

Team Dance: Spring Fling!

Slim Foster Orchestra and a night of social Fun and Function!

Team Dance: Line Dancing!

Fun and Function

Team Leisure and Fun: An Afternoon with Friends!

Team Fitness Gurus: The Huels

Exercising with someone you love is a proven strategy for

Exercise Adherence!

Disney Walk Update!

We have walkers entering Colorado!!

We are so excited to have 267 friends and families of the St. Leonard Community coming together for health and wellness, and we are welcoming new walkers all the time as we build and show support for our emerging Vital Life Community!

Nutritional Wellness: Ann Partlow

Will eating after 8:00 p.m. cause weight gain?

from Ann Partlow

To answer this question Ann shares this important information from the American Dietetic Association.

What you eat — not when you eat — makes the difference. Calories have the same effect on the body no matter what time of day they are consumed. Evidence does suggest that eating regular meals, especially breakfast, helps promote weight loss by reducing fat intake and minimizing impulsive snacking throughout the rest of the day. Planned, healthy snacks prevent between-meal cravings.

Every person's calorie needs are different. Weight gain can only happen if you eat more than you need in a day. For help with determining your calorie needs and to receive a personalized weight management plan – consult with a registered dietitian.

The Goal

It's Not About Us

The goal of becoming the Healthiest Community in America is certainly a lofty goal; however, if you believe it is important as a community to reduce health care costs and reduce frailty and failure, then you may discover that this very goal may sustain us into the next ten to thirty years. The Vital Life Community focuses on programming that is based on sharing a highly socialized community showcasing the Vitalife eight “life ecologies.” Research reveals that living in an environment that maximizes potential and shared goals in social settings increase the fun and function stage of life. A purpose-driven community with “celebratory socialization” acts as a shield and works to delay disease and serves as immunization against depression, loneliness, and loss of self-identity. The effectiveness of the Vital Life Community can only be determined through measurement and feedback to stimulate the necessary change for the improvement of targeted programs and initiatives. It really isn’t about us, but about our neighbors and friends, our associates, those who travel near our path, and the future of St. Leonard’s mission for years to come.

Team Dance: All Styles Dance Night!

Case Study 10

Physical Wellness Fun and Function Model

Barbara Clark is a resident of St. Leonard and she believes that "we have a responsibility to take care of our body because God is the one who gave us our bodies." Barbara is a great advocate of physical exercise and fun. She comments that it is important to connect to others because no one should be completely alone. She says that while it is easy to become inactive; inactivity can cause other problems and being social keeps us involved and active.

Barbara was a professional skater and coach in her career and she continues to coach and help new skaters realize their dreams. Barbara informs us that she skated with the Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies for 3 and 1/2 years and it was a wonderful experience. Later, she and her husband were role models for their four sons by helping them find joy in such sports as tennis, skiing, and running. Currently, Barbara volunteers at St. Leonard as the coach for line dancing helping members of Team Dance stay fit and have fun. Staying connected and doing what the body will allow you to do is the key, she says.

Case Study 9

Vocational Wellness Fun and Function Model

Tom Jenkins lives at St. Leonard and he loves to work and contribute. He says that the spiritual dimension of wellness must be in balance first and then all of the other dimensions will fall in place. According to Tom, wellness begins with a frame of mind and then as one grows that mindset manifests itself into a "good frame of mind." When you ask Tom on any given day how he is, chances are he will respond with "I am the luckiest guy in the world!" Tom states he can say that because "so many really nice things have happened" to him throughout his life. He adds, for example, he loves it at St. Leonard and could not imagine living anywhere else.

Tom worked as a professional salesperson for various high profile companies throughout his career. His work ethic and drive to work came from his mother and father who helped him realize that work is enjoyable and can offer such mental wellness. Tom currently volunteers for the maintenance department and he comments thoughtfully "this has been such a blessing for me."

Team Home and Garden: St. Elizabeth Social Garden

This garden is planted and attended by residents who love and nurture this garden together. It provides a place to meditate, appreciate, and share the goodness of the day.

Team Mending Souls: Helping Others

The Mending Souls group have been mending for others for about three years and they have mended thousands of items for their neighbors. The most common needs are alterations, perhaps changing hems for fall prevention or just to make something fit just right for that special occasion.

Team Fitness Gurus: Wrinkle Busters!

Team Potter:Celebrate Today!

Case Study 8

Spiritual Wellness Fun and Function Model

Dorothy Kraus is a resident of St.Leonard and feels that her optimal wellness lies in the spiritual dimension of the Vital Nation Wellness Spectrum. Her granddaughter feels like her grandmother is the happiest person on earth and Dorothy says it is because of her faith and her ability to let her worries be resolved through prayer. Dorothy symbolically places her worries in a worry box and turns her worries over to her higher power. This type of faith frees Dorothy to manage her other dimensions of wellness in a timely manner because she does not experience the barriers that worry can bring. Dorothy also seeks interesting boxes to give to her friends so that they can learn to trust and learn to let go of their worries without reclaiming them before they are resolved through prayer.

Dorothy was a homemaker and raised five boys who watched her role model her faith by attending Sunday school and singing in the choir. She says she is just a plain alto, but keeps singing anyway. Dorothy worked outside of the home at Price Candies for 12 years, which was a great place to work, because they were flexible enough to let her work around family obligations. Dorothy curently enjoys the Disney Walk where she uses this time for centering and prayer.

Case Study 7

Social Wellness Fun and Function Model

Mary Stampfer lives at St. Leonard and she loves to be with people, which is a trait that she learned from her mother, as she loved to be with people. After years of working at Stebbins High School in the records department using computer databases, Mary realized the importance of being with people especially upon retirement.

Mary's philosophy concerning the social dimension of wellness is that it supports the entire spectrum of wellness because it extends life through shared inspiration and volition toward a specific course of action. Of course, there are times when everyone needs quiet time to be alone and reflect, but the promise of a sustained fuller and richer life always comes when it is shared with another.

Team Healthy Living: Tools for Safe Driving

Fit-for-Driving is an active class of self-assessment and gaining the knowledge and tools necessary to continue to drive safely. This group is proactively working to expand their fun and function stage of their life!

Team Kreative Korner: Open House

Wellness Teams Combine for Brainstorming Session

This group's passion for constant learning

and most importantly teamwork

will result in great things for St. Leonard!

April Employee Wellness Ideas: Social Moments

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These are low cost/no cost wellness ideas that your employees can mix/match or use to create social wellness moments with other employees or departments within your organization.