The Birches Walks in the Name of Wellness
Clarendon Hills, IL, June 02, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Throughout the month of May, residents and associates of The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills walked their way to a longer, healthier life by participating in Masterpiece Living’s month-long Walk to Wellness campaign.
Masterpiece Living, a successful aging initiative founded on aging research conducted by the MacArthur Foundation, leads the Walk to Wellness campaign every May to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits among people of all ages. As a Masterpiece Living partner community, The Birches maintained a month-long focus on healthy living, with members of the Birches community making an official wellness pledge, eating at least two healthy meals a week and walking at least once a week with their wellness buddies.
At the beginning of the month, Birches residents and associates wrote down their official wellness pledges to keep themselves focused on their healthy goals. These pledges consisted of simple, easily achievable lifestyle changes, like walking 10 minutes a day or eating one more healthy meal a week.
“The wellness pledges were really intended to keep everybody thinking about the small changes they could make to be healthier,” said Birches’ Activities Director Katie Klitchman. “They were also a good way to keep everyone committed to their goals. There is something about seeing your goal in writing that makes it easier to achieve.”
Residents and associates also received safe walking tips, research on the benefits of walking, inspirational quotes and were paired together with wellness buddies that helped keep them motivated. Each resident was partnered with an associate with whom they could walk, talk and share their goals. This partnership was one way to help everyone stay committed to attaining greater health and wellness.
“It’s proven that exercising with a partner increases your chances of maintaining a regular exercise routine,” said Klitchman. “It also makes exercising a lot more fun when you have someone to talk to and someone to cheer you a long when you lose your motivation.”
Additionally, on May 7, The Birches hosted a Wellness Fair where community members could take wellness assessments that tested their mobility. These assessments helped residents and associates learn how they could make healthier lifestyle choices based on their level of mobility. Residents also participated in several walking-focused outings in May, including a walk to the Country House restaurant for lunch and a trip to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
“It’s great when you can get exercise by doing fun things that don’t feel like exercise,” said Klitchman. “That’s one of the reasons active hobbies or outings like these are so important to overall health.”
Although participating in Walk to Wellness is a great way to stay healthy during the month of May, its ultimate goal is to help participants adopt healthy lifestyle changes that will last more than just one month. As a Masterpiece Living Community, The Birches focuses on healthy living 365 days a year and uses Walk to Wellness as just one method for promoting health and wellness.
“Our partnership with Masterpiece Living demonstrates our total commitment to successful aging all year long,” said Birches Executive Director Jackie Foss. “We offer more than the standard wellness program. Through Masterpiece Living, we provide tools and resources that inspire residents and employees to stay active, age successfully and improve their quality of life,” Foss continues. “Walk to Wellness is a good example of the culture of successful aging we maintain throughout the year.”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents’ physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
Masterpiece Living, a successful aging initiative founded on aging research conducted by the MacArthur Foundation, leads the Walk to Wellness campaign every May to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits among people of all ages. As a Masterpiece Living partner community, The Birches maintained a month-long focus on healthy living, with members of the Birches community making an official wellness pledge, eating at least two healthy meals a week and walking at least once a week with their wellness buddies.
At the beginning of the month, Birches residents and associates wrote down their official wellness pledges to keep themselves focused on their healthy goals. These pledges consisted of simple, easily achievable lifestyle changes, like walking 10 minutes a day or eating one more healthy meal a week.
“The wellness pledges were really intended to keep everybody thinking about the small changes they could make to be healthier,” said Birches’ Activities Director Katie Klitchman. “They were also a good way to keep everyone committed to their goals. There is something about seeing your goal in writing that makes it easier to achieve.”
Residents and associates also received safe walking tips, research on the benefits of walking, inspirational quotes and were paired together with wellness buddies that helped keep them motivated. Each resident was partnered with an associate with whom they could walk, talk and share their goals. This partnership was one way to help everyone stay committed to attaining greater health and wellness.
“It’s proven that exercising with a partner increases your chances of maintaining a regular exercise routine,” said Klitchman. “It also makes exercising a lot more fun when you have someone to talk to and someone to cheer you a long when you lose your motivation.”
Additionally, on May 7, The Birches hosted a Wellness Fair where community members could take wellness assessments that tested their mobility. These assessments helped residents and associates learn how they could make healthier lifestyle choices based on their level of mobility. Residents also participated in several walking-focused outings in May, including a walk to the Country House restaurant for lunch and a trip to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
“It’s great when you can get exercise by doing fun things that don’t feel like exercise,” said Klitchman. “That’s one of the reasons active hobbies or outings like these are so important to overall health.”
Although participating in Walk to Wellness is a great way to stay healthy during the month of May, its ultimate goal is to help participants adopt healthy lifestyle changes that will last more than just one month. As a Masterpiece Living Community, The Birches focuses on healthy living 365 days a year and uses Walk to Wellness as just one method for promoting health and wellness.
“Our partnership with Masterpiece Living demonstrates our total commitment to successful aging all year long,” said Birches Executive Director Jackie Foss. “We offer more than the standard wellness program. Through Masterpiece Living, we provide tools and resources that inspire residents and employees to stay active, age successfully and improve their quality of life,” Foss continues. “Walk to Wellness is a good example of the culture of successful aging we maintain throughout the year.”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents’ physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
Contact
The Birches Assisted Living
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
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