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LCS Resident Wellness Champion Program-done

If It Is to Be, It's Up to Me is the title of a book Marlin Reishus, resident and active volunteer at Monarch Landing senior living community in Naperville, once wrote. It could also be the mantra of many of his fellow residents and seniors across the country who are making things happen in their communities and lives.

Through a Resident Wellness Champion program created by Life Care Services (LCS), the management company of Monarch Landing, residents from many of the 130 LCS communities nationwide are being recognized and celebrated for their leadership and participation in programs and activities. Acknowledged by staff or fellow residents, their involvement is written up and/or filmed and submitted to the LCS Lifestyles and Health Services online network. "We're very proud of our residents," said Antonio Galvan, Monarch Landing director of community engagement and LCS Resident Wellness Champion committee member. "We want to take advantage of any chance to sing their praises."

With a focus on one of eight dimensions of wellness each month (physical, social, emotional, vocational, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, and health services), the Resident Wellness Champion program recognized four Monarch Landing residents in January, when the featured dimension was vocational.

As part of Monarch Landing's National Volunteer Week, Kay Filkins, Jerrianne Iseley, Wing Park and Marlin Reishus were acknowledged for their gift of time and talent in and outside of their living community. Each was videoed by Monarch Landing's own TV crew, telling why they think it's important to be active.

Filkins is an avid gardener and ecologist whose knowledge and displays of the Monarch butterfly have thrilled residents and their families. "You don't go anywhere by sitting back," she said. Iseley feels that the best way to encourage others to get involved is to invite them to something. "It's natural for me to go up to someone new and introduce myself." Reishus doesn't wait for someone else to get things going. "Monarch Landing is not staff-driven; residents choose what they want and create what they want." Park's first volunteer endeavor at Monarch Landing was on the library committee, but his real love is playing volleyball. "The more you do here, the more you love it here."

According to Galvan, the selection process of the Resident Wellness Champion initiative is wide open, and there is no voting or limit to the number of residents featured in a given month. Activities demonstrating the various dimensions of wellness do not have to have been accomplished in the month a particular aspect is highlighted. "We look at an entire year of happenings and excelling is defined by participating," said Galvan.

The next two dimensions of wellness to be featured will be intellectual (April) and spiritual (May), followed by a time to assess the program and begin again. "This is primarily an inspirational program," said Galvan. "It creates an awareness of active seniors across the country and motivates communities to highlight their own residents." In the future, outstanding staff members will also be part of the program.

Monarch Landing is a continuing care retirement community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named "one of America's best places to live and retire" by Modern Maturity, and "the best city for early retirement" by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant life style for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers assisted living memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.

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