Team Sister Mother Earth: More from Marketing...

Environmental Wellness! St. Leonard is such a beautiful place to work and grow!

Team Events: Eighteen Vendors Support the Wellness Fair!

Special Thanks and Recognition:

Kettering Health Network
AAA Driving School of Miami Valley
Up and Running
Miami Valley Pet Therapy
Earth Fare
Functional Pathway Therapy
Washington Township Library
Baby Boomer Empowerment
ALLmobility
Veterans Group
St. Leonard Spiritual Care
Synergy Health Care
St. Leonard Dietary Department
St. Leonard Kreative Korner
Volkssport Association
Hospice of Dayton
St. Leonard Massage Therapy
Alzheimer’s Association

Team Sister Mother Earth: Marketing Reporting In!

Magnolia trees outside of the marketing area create a breathtaking view!

Team Spiritual Wellness: Do You See Clearly?

Sister Kateri Theriault

Do you see clearly?

Early in the 20th century quantum physicists discovered a mysterious phenomenon they called “the disturbing observer.” They had learned that merely observing a quantum particle changes it in unpredictable ways. As a result scientists have had to develop elaborate methods for their experiments to compensate for the changes their observations cause. What is true at the quantum level of reality holds true at the visible level as well, only the effects are much more subtle. In other words, your attitude toward a person or event has an unpredictable effect on what you perceive. Today, be aware that what you observe is partly of your own making. Are you judging or loving?

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 7:51-8:1a; John 6:30-35 (274)
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?”

CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Siobhán O’Neill, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.

Team Sister Mother Earth: Hyacinths Blooming Near Human Resources Department!

Environmental Wellness!

Team Franciscan Center: Weight Training Benefits Confirmed!

Jon Dolph Fitness Room Supervisor

 Weight training has shown to be beneficial across every age group, including seniors and even those with chronic illness. Some of the most noteworthy benefits include decreased fear of falling and diminished age-related declines in muscle mass, strength, and muscular power.

Resistance training can enhance muscle mass and function even in 90 year old subjects (McComas 2005). Individuals over the age of 90 have been shown to make significant strength gains on a weight training program (Fiataron et al. 1990). Furthermore, long term involvement in weight training appears to increases absolute strength capabilities and slow down strength loss.

Muscular power improved significantly in the elderly (average age of 77 years) when performing high velocity resistance training. The largest power improvements were seen on leg press exercise, performed with 60-70% of bodyweight. The power improvements were associated with significant improvements in walking ability.

Elderly (ages 67 to 97 years of age) who participated in a free weight program reported a decreased fear of falling in addition to increased functional performance (Brill, et. al. 1998).

Team Franciscan Center: Spa Update!

Kristin Pitstick Spa Manager

April is also known for National Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Most of us know what Parkinson’s is (nearly 1 million American’s live with the disease). But for those that don’t, I will be going over what Parkinson’s is and how massage therapy can help.

The following can be cited from the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (http://www.pdf.org/about_pd). According to PDF, it is a chronic and progressive movement disorder. Parkinson’s involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally. Primary symptoms of PD include: tremor (could be of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and/or face), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity (stiffness), and postural instability. Although presently there is no cure, treatment options such as medication and surgery are available to help manage symptoms.

Massage therapy can be used to alleviate joint and muscle pain. A few pointers that PD clients need to understand before starting massage:

• Parkinson’s is a neurological disease. Although massage can help muscularly, the symptoms will never be completely resolved with bodywork alone.

• Make sure your primary physician and massage therapist are working together as massage may influence the need for medications.