Vital Life Community

YEAR ONE - IMPLEMENTATION TOWARDS CERTIFICATION

The goals of the first year are to become familiar with, and begin careful implementation of the Vital Life Community Wellness Program in as many dimensions of the community as possible, with the aid of the "innovators" in both the resident and management population. These, the anxious or willing, are the keys to a successful program. St. Leonard moved cautiously and slowly to begin acclimating the population as to the new idea that was building from within. By the end of the first year it is expected that St. Leonard would have:

Introduced the program in its particulars to the constituents
Begun the Survey Process of Resident Satisfaction and assessment of current programs
Gathering data of the current participation and satisfaction to provide a "benchmark"
Announcing to the public, St. Leonard's goals for year one
Creating a blog, to communicate to all "the buzz of the hive" - to allow stakeholder voices to be heard
To begin building a "Social Fitness" program by setting up a Vital Life Team Walking Program
Seeking Volunteer advocates within both the staff and resident population to begin the training of the community's Vital Life leaders, who would one day run it all.

The Vital Life Community Wellness Program (VLCWP) focuses on socialization; it is the key tenant without which the community is simply an aggregate of disparate personalities. One cannot socialize effectively unless one is physically and mentally healthy. A basic level of fitness in mind, body and spirit therefore is essential.

TAILORING TO OUR COHORTS

Many of the G.I. generation were naturally active, as some were from farming families, used to physical work and walking to and from local destinations. Approaching late age, they did not have an affinity for working out on “fitness equipment” like the “Silent Generation” began to do and subsequently the “XGens” embraced. But they did like to walk, and walk they did.

A larger percentage of the “Silent Generation” and especially the following cohort of “X-Gen’s” go to gyms and “work out”, but even so, only a small percentage of the total sustain those habits, as our national health statics would suggest. But there is an amazing joy and desire for organized “Social Walking” in almost all age groups; why? – because one can kill two birds with one stone, by spending their “social currency”, both interacting socially and becoming more physically fit all in the same time period. It is hard to socialize on an elliptical machine, whereas walking with someone supports cross-social integration.

GETTING UP A HEAD OF STEAM

The first year was one that required faith and steady determination. The VLCWP was so contrary to the norm, just as "pick-up basketball" is different from a Varsity College basketball program. One is to provide a "pastime", the other is to hone top performance by ALL team members. As we age, and our most valuable currency is our "time-remaining" and our health, why on earth would we participate in "passing our time away" without purpose?

This idea of a purpose-driven intent that would benefit the participants and stake-holders in increased "health-wealth" and more fun, gradually took hold. Those who didn't participate or understand, saw those who were having fun and benefitting from "stealth-health", then decided maybe it would be worth a try. The participation rate began to slowly build.

St. Leonard, had the hurdles of cultural inertia to either jump over, or to go around, that is seen in any existing type of social group; Vital Life Program literature advised them that they needed to get 15% “buy-in” initially.

This means participation and engagement; this is different from just voting on a willingness to allow “others” to do something (the community had to vote affirmative to becoming a Vital Life Community), as long as it didn’t impact them.

Debra Stewart was aware of these statistical theories that we counseled her on, in terms of what she should define in the first year as “success”. Debra, a very educated person, had several sociology degrees; these plus her experience gave her the tolerance and the intelligence needed to prevent her from being depressed if what she and Tim were excited about did not come to fruition quickly; which would have been unrealistic to expect.

In spite of the birth of a new sibling program (Vital Life) in the community, the first year was MORE than successful. St. Leonard received certification on May 31, 2011, and now could proclaim, “they did it!”, They were now the stewards of a program that promised a lifestyle beyond that of care; one of personal and communal growth, fun, socialization and joy! A full life in the 8 human ecologies, in mind, body and spirit, one in which the "Rest of Life could be the Best of Life!"