Team Intellectual Wellness: Spelling Bee!

St. Leonard's 2nd Annual Campus-wide Spelling Bee took place on May 18th with eleven of St. Leonard's greatest spellers participating.  They proudly displayed their skill after a year of study and participation in a Spelling Club.  The co-champions are Gay and Eleanor.  Congratulations, Gay and  Eleanor!

~Program design by Sister Christine

Virtual Team Memory Pillars Update!

 

Our last research topic looked at Narrative Therapy:


Elders with memory loss often experience anxiety and depression as they feel their identities slip out of their own control. The paper argues that narrative therapy can help people with dementia revise their stories and reclaim their identities as their personal histories become less accessible to them. The paper presents case examples in which unique outcomes emerged when elders with memory loss resisted the cultural imperative to perceive their lives in sequential order and instead emphasized character traits and thematic patterns in their stories. The paper recommends ways to adapt narrative therapy so elders can create a meaningful sense of self. 


We need your input and experience and please invite others to join our research team -Debra

Virtual Team Leader Support: Update!

As you know, we passed the recertification process for the Vital Life Community wellness program. We were again held to the highest standards for group dynamics and functional wellness. The teams that we have developed and the measurement systems, wellness tools and assessments, and the social walking program were all innovative and will eventually become the future in this market segment. This is because the Vital Life Community measures relationships and socialization.

We would like to thank this team, as none of this would have been possible without their leadership and support. Going forward, we must not forget that this program is about reducing health care cost, expanding the fun and function stage of life, and reducing the section of our life-course known as the frailty and failure stage of life. We will be advancing forward by increasing membership in our specialty teams and increasing the social walking program. In addition, and in collaboration with others, new models for relationship-delivered wellness programming will be explored. Best- on our next best year! -Debra

Virtual Team Word Challenge: In Honor of Mothers!

Hi, Everyone!



How are you doing with last week's puzzle? I thought I'd give you a couple more days to figure that one out. Here is a hint. It starts with these three sets of triads: ABS ENC EMA

What you want to do is mesh these sets together to start forming words and then add all the other triads. Good luck! You'll have the answer by Wednesday, unless, of course, you find it yourself.

MA WORDS in honor of MOTHERS

Here is another challenge you might want to consider. Find words with the letters "ma" in it that have the following definitions.

Name of a Southern state

Greek letters (there are two)

Fluid part of the blood

Assumption of absolute truth

Fragrance

Unconscious state

Perplexing speech or text

Greek coin

Predicament

Molten rock

Entire view

Theatrical production or show

Punctuation mark

Theater

Serious injury or shock to the body

Good Luck!

Sister Christine

Team Captain

Team Franciscan Center: Congratulations Kristin!

Kristin, Spa Manager and Exercise Physiologist, completed the 2012 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati!

Virtual Team Brain Storm: Update

We are still at 13 members... ask your friends and family if they would like to join us! -Kelly

By being a part of “Team Brain Storm”, you are fulfilling both of the following statements quoted from “Luminosity”: “The human brain continues to create new neurons throughout life. Exercise and cognitive stimulation can impact the number of new cells created in your brain.” “Be social: Interacting with others supports cognitive health by exercising diverse areas of the brain.”


For the week’s Brain Teaser, we looked at the following math problem…

Please add the following numbers in your head:

Start with 1000.

Add 40

Add 1000

Add 30

Add 1000

Add 20

Add 1000

Add 10

Write down your answer.

Math Problem Answer: Many will get 5000. But the actual answer is 4100!

No one on Team Brain Storm that responded got the problem right. The numbers seem to add up fine until you get to that last 10, and your brain wants to add an extra 0 to the 10. Being the “numbers person” that I am, I even got out my calculator, sure that the problem was wrong. Myself, along with others, completed the problem until we got it right. You have to go slowly and be careful on the last number.

Virtual Team Parkinson's Research Update: Vitamin D Link

Dr. Jack Harless The Franciscan Center Manager

We currently have 12 members. This week we looked at the relationship between vitamin D levels and PD development. The research is one of several studies suggesting a link between low vitamin D levels and Parkinson’s disease. In a study from Finland published last summer, people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were significantly more likely to develop Parkinson’s over almost three decades of follow-up, compared to people with the highest blood levels of the vitamin. In the newly published study, almost 70% of patients with a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease had low blood levels of the vitamin.

Team Home and Garden: Spring!

It must be spring...baby ducks are here!

Submitted by Aileen -Health Care Administrator



Team Franciscan Center: Indoor Cycling!

Benefits: Burning calories and getting a good cardiovascular workout do not have to be boring. Cycling is an excellent way to do both, but it is not always convenient for people. The weather, daylight or lack of equipment may restrict some from biking outdoors. Stationary cycling classes are designed as an indoor alternative and can provide many fitness benefits.

Equipment: Most indoor cycling classes are equipped with modern stationary bikes that are fully customizable. The seat and handlebars can be adjusted to fit your legs and arms. You can also control the tension or resistance on the bike, depending on your level of fitness and how challenging you want the workout.

Instruction: Indoor cycling classes are led by trained instructors. You do not have to think about what type of workout to do because she will have the workout preplanned. Instructors are specially trained on how to use the bikes and how to help you get an effective workout. Debra Stewart, Director of Wellness at St. Leonard’s, teaches our spinning classes.

Class Times: Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 6:00-6:40 am, Wednesdays from 6:00-6;40 pm, and Fridays from 5:00-5:40 pm. Please let us know if you would like to participate (call 436-2203). Class space is limited.
~ Jon Dolph Exercise Supervisor and Exercise Physiologist

Team Franciscan Center: Day Spa News!

I can think of no better way to kick off the summer season than socializing outside with friends and family! Looking for an event? A great place to start is the St. Leonard 5K. For this month’s issue in honor of our campus race, I will be talking about the benefits of massage therapy for runners (and walkers too!).

Massage is an excellent tool to enhance any training program. You may find that it will help increase body awareness, help correct poor body mechanics, decrease injuries, reduce muscle soreness and stiffness, and speed up recovery time.

The St. Leonard 5K will be offering on-site chair massages for our entrants. I highly recommend you take advantage! From all of us at the Day Spa, good luck during your training and on race day! We hope to see you out on June 9th.

Father’s Day is just around the corner… The Day Spa has gift certificates available if you would like to surprise dad with a massage . Call the Day Spa at 432-6540 or stop by for more information !

Kristin Pitstick Salon Manager

Team Vital Life Advisory Board: More than 600 Flags Placed at the VA

Board Member and grandson assist the Boy Scouts in placing over 600 flags at Dayton's National Cemetery in honor of Memorial Day.

Sister Patricia Hejna: 50th Jubilee!

Congratulations!

Thank you for your many years of loving service!

Team Franciscan Center: Therapeutic Classes!

Dr. Jack Harless Manager



Many of us know or are suffering ourselves from conditions that lead to frailty & failure, such as Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Arthritis or Parkinson’s Disease.

Our exercise physiologists offer member classes here at The Francis-can Center that are specifically designed with these conditions in mind. The classes are designed to restore fun & function allowing us to live a truly Vital Life!

Exercise to manage Chronic Fatigue & Pain: A gentle approach to pain management offering therapeutic movement and relaxation techniques to feel rested and refreshed! Class is offered Thursdays at 9:00 am.

Parkinson’s Flexibility Training: This class takes place in our therapy pool. It offers gentle stretching and works out the stiffness and slow response normally associated with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological issues. Class is offered Wednesdays at 12:30 pm.

Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Class: This class takes place in our therapy pool. It is a recreational group exercise program that is geared to participants with different ability levels. Participants improve their joint flexibility and reduce pain and stiffness while sup-ported by the water’s buoyancy and resistance. Class is offered Thursdays at 3:00 pm.

Jon

Anna- Bridgette

Kristen

  

Team Events: Join us for the St. Leonard 8th Annual 5k Run/Walk Race!!

Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. on the beautiful St. Leonard Campus

Registration/Check–In at 7:30 am, Race starts at 8:30 am Scenic Course includes: St. Leonard Resident Spectators , Athletic Trainers, First Aid & Water Stations

Breakfast provided following the race: pancakes or a healthier lifestyle selection

Free massages and blood pressure screening

Free kids Fun Run & participation ribbons

Awards Ceremony at 10:00 am.

Race Consultant, Ray Olfky of Key Sports

Registration: $25.00 if registered by June 1, includes t-shirt & breakfast $30.00 after June 1 and on race day (t-shirt not guaranteed) Non-entrants breakfast: $8.00 Adult/$6.00 Children 12 and under Non-Runner shirt and breakfast: normal registration applies

For more information, contact Anna-Bridgette Graham, Event Coordinator at 436-6423, or email at grahama@st.leonard.net

Team Franciscan Center: 5k Update!

On Saturday June 9th St. Leonard will once again be hosting our annual 5k walk/run. This is the perfect opportunity to bring Vital Life Social Walking to the next level!

Grab a friend and sign up together. You can run or walk, but having someone with you will make it much more enjoyable. Having fun while exercising not only increases the likelihood for consistency but people who have fun while exercising, particularly when doing so with friends, tend to score higher on self-rated health related assessments. This is important for many reasons, not the least of which is those who rate themselves poorly on self-rated health assessments have been found to score low on other clinical outcomes and increased mortality!

This will be a tremendous event. We will have breakfast (included in the registration) a free t-shirt, water bottle, and a draw-string bag. Sign up today and experience fun and function in action!

~Dr. Jack Harless

Team Safety: Tornado Disaster Drill!

Members from Team Safety reenact a tornado drill. In a very organized simulation of a natural disaster, all disciplines were involved including the staff, residents, and volunteers.

Team Volunteers: Annual Recognition Event!

“Everyone can be great – because anyone can serve…You only need a heart full of grace; a soul generated by love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

St. Leonard volunteers truly embody the spirit of this quote by giving of their time and talents to serve our residents. Many of the wonderful programs and services we offer would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. No matter your level of skill or commitment of time, we will seek to put your talents to use. -Kate Quigley Volunteer Supervisor

Team Volunteers: Volunteer Recognition Event!

A wonderful celebration of successes, collaboration, teamwork, and year-long dedication to our mission! Special thanks to Kate, our Volunteer Supervisor, for her tremendous work and dedication!

Team Volunteers: Elegant Luau Volunteer Recognition Event!

The Station House Team prepare for the Volunteer Recognition Event. It's a Luau! 

55+ Worker No. 5: Working Retirement

Older workers who plan a “working retirement” may mean that a growing number of workers are transitioning into their second and third careers. Within certain careers, older workers may experience a career plateau unless they manage the issues associated with skill obsolescence. The good news is that research has found that today’s older workers are able to adapt, learn new skills, and master changing technology.  

Interestingly, as older workers finally exit the workforce, industries are scrambling to capture their unique knowledge and expertise. NASA is an example of an organization that has designed interviews to “capture knowledge” as their aging workforce exits the aerospace industry (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart & Wright, 2010).

Team Veteran's Service Organization: Doolittle Raiders

A visit to the United States Air Force Museum brings back many memories for this team

Team ROMEO: Night Out!

ROMEO stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out," but for this group it stands for fun!

Team Home and Garden: Social Vegetable Gardens!

Gardeners are working early in the morning and late at night due to the warming daytime temperatures.

Team HCC: Strawberry Shortcakes!

Our wonderful Ladies are volunteering their time to share with others their homemade strawberry shortcakes! 
Submitted by Beth- Wellness Supervisor.

Team Home and Garden: St. Elizabeth Garden Update!

Be sure to include in your social walking program the St.Elizabeth meditation garden.The roses are unfolding and unfolding....

Team Houck: Nathan's Track Meet!

WOW!

Team Houck: Zack's Track Meet!

WOW!

Team Stewart: 4H Project!

Raising goats is a new project for the Stewart team. Learning responsibility can be both fun and functional!

The Quest for Emotional Wellness No. 14: Psychological Safety

All members of a culture must decide for themselves their identity within the group: who to be, how much influence and control they need to satisfy goals, and how intimate relationships become.  Therefore, the question becomes what is the relative importance of relationship building in your community.  The rules of psychological safety include honoring personal boundaries while promoting love and respect for the members of the community.

Team Spritual Care: Can you see God and live to tell about it?

Sister Kateri Theriault: Mission Integration

 
“No one,” God says in the Book of Exodus, “can see me and live” (33:20)—almost no one, that is. Moses, for example, used to speak with God “face to face, as a person speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11) without undergoing instant vaporization. Christian theology calls this experience the beatific vision: the total heavenly awareness of God that would overwhelm most mortals during their earthly lives. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a glimpse of the Divine every now and then. The worship and service you offer as a Christian opens a door to the holy and will carry you all the way to the fullness of complete communion with God forever.

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23 (295)
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice.”

Team Station House: Mother's Day Brunch!

A special day to honor mothers and their families!

Team Leisure and Fun: International Music and Appetizers!

International music and appetizers created a night of fun and social exchange.

Program design by Anna-Bridgette, Event Coordinator

Team Leisure and Fun: US Food Demonstration

New food supplier share their recipes with the staff and residents of St. Leonard.

Team Houck: Greater Western Ohio Conference!

Zack jumped 13-6!

LifeTrail and Labyrinth

This LifeTrail section of the future labyrinth will combine the physical and spiritual dimensions of wellness. The labyrinth walk will provide opportunities to workout and to meditate and reflect spiritually.

Team Stewart: Walking in Miami County, Ohio!

It is amazing what you can see when you walk for leisure and fun! Send us pictures of scenic views from your social walking program and we will post them for others to enjoy!

Fit-for-Driving No. 14: Road Glare

Bright vehicle headlights can create even more glare for drivers than previous lighting due to their brightness and positioning. A couple of hints provided by researchers might help with this issue. Simple suggestions such as keeping the windshield clean while using anti-glare products, and using anti-glare devices commonly built into the rear-view mirror, will provide some relief for nighttime road glare while driving. New and emerging patents for nighttime glare are portable anti-glare screens, advanced driver assistance systems, anti-reflective coatings for lenses, and anti-glare panels with LED light panels that are positioned above the driver’s seat. With headlamp heights reaching as high as 54 inches and as low as 24 inches, and the intensity of light regulated be bright enough to reveal vehicles and persons at a distance of 200 feet, road glare at nighttime will continue to be an issue.