THE ROLE OF SOCIAL COMMUNITY IN HEALTHY AGING
In September of 2011, St. Leonard became the first community of its kind to be certified as a Vital Life Community, a national movement to transform senior living culture through innovative wellness efforts. Research has found that substantial differences in health are possible when a community focuses on eight dimensions of life with the guiding focus being socialization. These wellness dimensions are social, physical, emotional, intellectual, environmental, spiritual, nutritional, and occupational.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
The vision of Vital Life is to emphasize through a nationwide culture change, community purpose and value as a catalyst for optimum health in the United States.
The mission of Vital Life is to create the healthiest community in America one by one so that the benefits derived by the people in those communities will be significant and desired.
The strategy of Vital Life is to achieve a reduction of disease and chronic illness through the employment of holistic wellness and preventative maintenance programs.
THE BENEFITS OF LIVING A VITAL LIFE
The benefits of Vital Life are the reduction of lifetime healthcare costs, a wellness culture that can be sustained, and increased personal fulfillment by residents, staff and community members who participate.
The Franciscan Center is the focal point of the Vital Life well efforts in the St. Leonard community. Here at St. Leonard, examples of Vital Life activities are walking groups, team dinners, and a wide array of social programs. To find out more about Vital Life at St. Leonard, contact Debra Stewart, Director of Wellness at 937-439-7117. To follow the progress of Vital Life at St. Leonard, visit http://stleonardcommunity.blogspot.com.
