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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Team Dance: August 50/50 Dance!

A casual night of friends getting together to just dance the night away!

Team Leisure and Fun: Sing-a-long!

At 6:45 every Tuesday evening in the 3rd floor Activities Room the Sing-A-Long group meets for an enjoyable hour of singing and reminiscing. They sing their hearts out with the leadership of Fred Jackson and the beautiful piano playing of Gloria Brey. All residents are welcome to join in the fun and excitement! Submitted by Sister Christine Doerger.

Team Spiritual Care: Be Cheerful!






Submitted by Sister Kateri Theriault

Mission Integration


Can you remain positive in spite of heavy work demands, demanding individuals and lack of support? The answer is a qualified “yes” provided you affirm the words of Emerson, the Philosopher of Cheerful Purpose: “this time, like all times is a very good one if we know what to do with it…Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could…Tomorrow is a new day, begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” In other words, be cheerful!


Would that this could become our mantra…

Team Franciscan Center: Cultivating Stewardship




Dr. Jack Harless

Manger of the Franciscan Center





Our final blog involving the St. Leonard core values centers on Stewardship. Stewardship is intimately linked to our previous core values of reverence and service. In fact, to truly be an appropriate steward for anyone or anything, one must learn to properly revere and serve to the best of their abilities. Only then can stewardship be cultivated.


From a wellness perspective, which includes concepts and applications of wholeness, soundness, and integration, stewardship could rightly be seen as a means of seeing these concepts applied into daily life.


A wellness question, then, would be “How can I cultivate and become a steward of my immediate resources, to create greater wellness, soundness, and integrity in my life and the lives of those around me?”


We have a momentous task of being stewards for the environmental resources of the created world. Equally as challenging is learning to become an effective steward for the internal physiological resources that are our physical being. Being a good steward for the body means being mindful of those choices; physical, emotionally, spiritually, etc. which allow for the greatest range of wellness and wholeness. Ignoring our bodies, or worse yet, doing whatever we please to them, leads to disastrous consequences.


I know that I am constantly challenged to become a better steward of my body. To learn how to cultivate a spirit of humbleness and respect for the body and the creation, to listen for what the body desires rather than what we would dictate to it, can be a struggle to say the least, but in so doing a greater depth is added to the human experience.


I’m reminded of a saying that I heard while in school; “If we listen to the body’s whispers, we won’t have to endure its cries.” May we learn to become expert stewards and take heed of this magnificent gift which is our body.

Team Nutritional Wellness: Chef Michael's Demo on The Patio!



Residents taste test Green Tomato Pie!


~Photos submitted by Debbie Parrett~

Team Drumming Circle! Sound Vibrations and Healing!

-Photos submitted by Debbie Parrett~

The Franciscan Center: Lap Pool and Warm Water Therapy Pool!



`Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~




The Franciscan Center: Almost Ready for the Grand Opening!



Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Team Assisted Care: Senior Scientists!

On August 10th the Assisted Care and Independent residents were invited to attend a wonderful presentation by Brukner Nature Center on the topic of "Marvelous Mammals". Residents learned about moles, beavers, groundhogs, coyotes, squirrels, rabbits, deer, bobcats, black bears and possoms. Regarding the possoms, for example, residents learned that they are nocturnal and have poor eyesight, but have a good sense of smell. Their babies are the size of a jelly bean when born and they climb to their mother's pouch where they remain for about one hundred days until they are ready to be born. Possoms have more teeth, 50 to be exact, than any other mammal in North America. And sometimes they "play possom" to escape predators. Many of the animals discussed are live, and the residents have the option of feeling them. Yes, the presentations of Brukner Nature Center are always very exciting, interesting and worthwhile. ~Submitted by Sister Christine Doerger~

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Franciscan Center: Last Minute Details!




~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~

The Franciscan Team: Pool Supervisor Chris Quigley!



Wellness Philosophy!


Wellness is an active state of being that is acquired by the pursuit of a healthy and positive lifestyle. It is a perpetual will to improve all facets of life; mentally, physically, and spiritually. This is reflected by a sense of contentment and a willingness to strive to continuously better your life. Wellness is also centered on attaining a sense of balance in your life, reducing stress and negativity and producing a more positive outlook and motivation to be true to yourself.


Team Health Care Center: How to Have Fun on a Hot Summer Day!



Khalida, a wellness associate, planned and implemented this great social event. Team members were celebrating all of the good that summer has to offer from the beach to taste treats from tropical paradises!

Team Spiritual Care: Spirit of New Life!





Sister Kateri Theriault Mission Integration




Set Us Free

Spirit of new life, forgive us and break down the prison walls of our selfishness, that we might be open to your love and open for the service of your world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— from Living God's Justice


The Franciscan Center: Finishing Touches!





Click to enlarge

~Submitted by project photographer Denise~

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Team Birdwatchers: St. Leonard's 240 Acres Supports Many Bird Species

~submitted by Denise~

Construction Update: Getting Close to Completion!

~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~

Team Photography: Campus Views

~Photography submitted by Denise~

Team Dance No. 1: Dance Tips and Floor Etiquette








Put your best foot forward. Ask the lady to the dance floor and escort her back her to seat after the dance pull out her chair as she rejoins her friends.


Hope to see you on the dance floor soon, Dale


Dale is our ballroom dance instructor and a member of Dance Teachers of America and Contact person for Danzsport. Coach for (FDA). In addition, he is a member of Federation of Dance Amateurs and Co-owner and Director of Gemini Dance. Dale Archer has been a dance Instructor of 26 years and he volunteers his time at St. Leonard to teach and help refresh favorite dance steps for residents, community, and staff.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Fit-for-Driving No. 6: Choose Your Roads Wisely



Facts about 65 mph


65 mph = 95 feet per second or nearly a football field every three seconds on the open road


65 mph = Complete stopping distance of about 285 feet or about 16 car lengths


65 mph = Increased fuel consumption by 20% when compared to 55 mph

Team Home and Garden: St. Elizabeth Social Garden Late Summer Update!

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.~ Mirabel Osler

The Quest for Emotional Wellness No. 5: Troubling Thoughts




Altered or inappropriate conscious thoughts can be troubling, and they can be surprisingly random or frequent. Sometimes a person's medical history is a causation factor, but it may also be an evolving issue related to mental illness, dementia, stroke, prescription drugs, or even nutritional deficits. The interesting thing about the brain is that in most situations thoughts are filtered through our record for behavioral consequences. Therefore, thoughts do not necessarily cause the thought to become an action. If you experience troubling or reoccurring thoughts and you are also finding that those thoughts are finding ways to be expressed, you may want to seek medical advice. It is always beneficial to discuss all issues that become troubling to you with your medical professionals.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Team Home and Garden: Social Vegetable Garden Update!


The harvest and sharing of the late summer's bounty at St. Leonard has begun!

Team Leadership, Tim Dressman CEO: The Vision



The vision for this center began over 5 years ago as a necessary amenity for our residents who had been asking for aquatic facilities as comments on their annual satisfaction surveys. It also provided a much needed answer for attracting younger seniors onto our campus, who have increasingly chosen empty nester patio homes and condos in the local community that provide a range of social activities and meeting spaces. With the impending wave of baby boomers entering retirement, it became evident to our Board of Trustees that we would need to find a way to attract them to our campus earlier, help them to age well, so they would not need the costly health care until much later in life. Operationally speaking, the cost of taking care of the young elderly would help balance the cost of providing care in the later stages of life. Last but not least, this generation of baby boomers is used to working out, jogging, swimming and other forms of exercise as a part of their daily routine and lifestyle and we wanted for them to be able to continue those lifestyle choices while residing on our campus. The Wellness Center or The Franciscan Center as we named it, is just one part of our overall wellness programming for our residents that extends into the local community and is part of our Vitalife strategy. I met Mr. Bill Witte, the founder of the Vital Nation, about 7 years ago while attending a trade show in Columbus, Ohio. I was not only inspired by his vision but energized by his wisdom for healthy aging that would help all of us lead more fruitful lives for longer periods of time regardless of our current health status. After accepting my invitation to visit our beautiful campus a few years later, I engaged Mr. Witte to help redesign our campus for the future. Andrews Architects from Dublin, OH were engaged to continue that work and complete the final design and oversee the construction performed by Corna-Kokosing from Columbus, OH. And here we are, a dream come true, better than I had ever imagined, a stunning architectural feat that encompasses all 8 ecologies of the Vitalife concept. I firmly believe this center will become the social hub of our campus and a location where everyone will know your name.


Update: St. Leonard's Campus Wellness Score!



St. Leonard Vital Life Community
Wellness Score Summary














Cumulative Totals

Time# of Events MeasuredScore/2.0Satisfaction
Attendance


Jan-11

73731.785%
1120



Feb-March 2011
220.52211.7688%2742



Apr-11


80

97

1.78

89%

1042


May-11

76731.8794%
929


Jun-11
258

258

1.82

91%

1011



Jul-11


290
2761.86
93%

1683




Totals

997.5
9981.890%
5833

Thank you for your participation! Through random sampling of 998 wellness programs for our residents, community, and staff we find we that we have a 90% satisfaction!

Team University of Dayton Engineering & Safety Lab No. 4: What to Discuss with Your Doctor!






Asking your doctor questions about your health, and particularly balance, can be a difficult task. Reasons for this could range from nervousness to uncertainty in questions you should ask. Balance is a serious issue that has a drastic effect on the quality of life. Because of this, we have a list of potential topics that can affect balance that you and your physician can discuss at your next appointment.

1. Your history of falling and all medication that you take

2. Gait and balance difficulties

3. Vision

4. Lower body strength

5. Cardiovascular conditions

6. Review your use of walking aids, such as canes and walkers

After you address any concerns you might have about balance, your doctor can help review and examine the topics that are listed to determine your everyday stability and risk of falling. Asking about these topics is important if you are experiencing trouble with balance because your doctor may make recommendations to treat future falls.

Deborah Kinor

Team Leisure and Fun: Beavercreek Strummers!

Click to enlarge

This was a great afternoon of fun and entertainment!

Chef Adam Rita Healthy Recipes No. 5: French Bread Veggie Pizza!











French Bread Veggie Pizza

Ingredients

1 cup diced asparagus
1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 loaf French bread, about 8 inches long, sliced in half and cut into 4-inch sections
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese


Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, add the asparagus, tomatoes and pepper. Add the garlic and toss gently to coat evenly.

Arrange the French bread on the baking sheet. Add 1/4 cup of the pizza sauce and 1/4 of the vegetable mixture to each section. Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is lightly browned and the vegetables are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Chef’s Tip:

For a crispier pizza, bake on a pizza stone — a heavy, round plate that simulates the brick bottoms of some commercial pizza ovens. For best results, put the pizza stone on the lowest oven shelf.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Franciscan Center Team: Jon Dolph!





Jon Dolph Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Supervisor




Everyone regardless of age, physical condition, mental health, and emotional well being deserves to experience and enjoy exercise. Exercise not only feels good but also reduces the risk of developing lifestyle related diseases. Regular exercise is also vital to ensuring that our bodies perform their best at any age. Exercise enhances every aspect of physical and mental well being. I strive to encourage, support, and challenge individuals to feel strong, confident and to find fitness programs they truly enjoy. Whether someone wants to lose weight, get stronger, or improve overall fitness, it is important to keep challenging yourself with safe and enjoyable exercises that always incorporate good posture, balance, flexibility, and core strength.


The Franciscan Center Team: Kristin Pitstick!



Kristin Pitstick

Exercise Physiologist and Licensed Massage Therapist






Wellness can be defined as the harmonious balance between our physical, emotional, and spiritual worlds. On a day to day basis we need to feed our spiritual hunger, calm our emotional insecurities, and care for our physical bodies. When we neglect one of these areas, we disrupt the delicate balance causing undo stress, worry, and anxiety. It is my personal philosophy that in order to acquire and maintain optimal wellness, we should look to fulfil these areas daily.


The Franciscan Center Team: Anna-Bridgette Graham!






Anna-Bridgette Graham


Exercise Physiologist and Event Coordinator



Wellness is a multifarious term that manifests itself in different ways to all people. To me, wellness requires a holistic approach to life and the way we live it. Though each person will put their own emphasis on certain elements in their life that bring them the most joy and satisfaction, wellness requires a relentless pursuit towards bettering oneself in a variety of ways. From the physical to the mental, the spiritual to the social, each person must find the balance that brings meaning and completeness to their life. The obtainment of wellness is not easy or straightforward, but I believe it is the key to living a happy and fulfilling life.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Team Intellectual Wellness: Scrabble!

Click to enlarge


~Photos submitted by Dawn Arrowood~

Construction Update! Operation and Design!



Click to enlarge

~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~

Team AAA Miami Valley Reporting No 3.: Rx for Safe Driving!


A mature driver is likely to take the “never drink and drive” rule to heart. Unfortunately alcohol is only one drug that impairs drivers. Some mature operators take multiple medications which puts them at greater risk of impairment behind the wheel.


Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can slow reflexes, blur vision and cause drowsiness or dizziness. Plus with age, people tend to gain weight and lose muscle tone, which changes the way chemicals are absorbed. To minimize your risks and ensure you stay safe behind the wheel for as many years as possible, talk to your health-care professional about the effects of medications and driving.


AAA Miami Valley

Team Spiritual Care: Generosity of Self!



Submitted by Sister Kateri Theriault

Director of Mission Integration


Generosity of Self

Whether we are poor or rich or somewhere in between, we honor the Lord with all he has placed in our care. We open our hands to the poor and share the joy of generous Christian giving.

— from Legacy of Love


Who's Who in the July Social Walking Program!






NameMiles



Terry Dawson

4320




Dorothy Kraus4320



Rex Link

4320




Jack Butler4240



Beverly Castaldi

4103




Sr. Christine Doerger


3874



Ruth Link

3605





Margie Houck2485



Sue Shaw

2349




Joe Thibodeau

1856



Sr. Kateri Theriault

1856





Bill Fulcomer

1788



Bill Schmitz

1638


May Woeste

1433


Fun and Function!!

Annual Memorial Service: Blessings and Reflection

The St. Leonard community gathers together to remember their loved ones and friends. It was a special time filled with support and reflections of our many blessings.

Monday, August 15, 2011

St. Leonard Social Walking Program Update!












Click to Enlarge



~Prepared by Map Master Robert~



Station House Restaurant: Menu Taste Testing!




Click to enlarge




The Chefs of the Station House Restaurant, which is located in The Franciscan Center, prepared a wonderful "sneak peek" of their new Tuscan menu with its delicious variations!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Franciscan Center: Fitness Room!


Click to enlarge

~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~