New Program Reinforces Monarch Landing’s Culture of Health and Wellness

Before most residents of Monarch Landing in Naperville, IL, even move in, they are aware of the senior living community’s emphasis on health and well-being.  “Our culture of health and wellness is made known on the front end,” said Wellness Manager Tony Galvan.  Recently, this philosophy has been strengthened even more by an overarching new program called Lifestyle and Health Services.  Initiated by Life Care Services, Monarch Landing’s management company, to provide a comprehensive and successful model of wellness for all LCS senior care communities, the program highlights a way of living embraced by Monarch Landing from the start.  Providing a framework for the program are nine distinct dimensions of health and wellness: physical; nutritional; social; spiritual; intellectual; emotional; vocational; environmental; and health services. Supporting these dimensions are the many programs, services, events, clubs and activities already in place at Monarch Landing. 

According to Galvan, however, the new program has prompted staff and committee members to define which programs and activities fall under which of the various dimensions, describe what each dimension means, and determine whether more or different programming is needed to further develop certain areas. “We took inventory of all our programs, then categorized them to the dimensions they impact.  We also listened to residents and staff about how they define the dimensions of health and wellness and what role they play in promoting them.”  This approach helps us to be more purposeful and robust in our programming and more mindful of the crossover among our various offerings into several dimensions.” 

During national Active Aging Week this past autumn, Monarch Landing intentionally scheduled activities that addressed several of the identified dimensions of wellness.  The week featured a showing of the award-winning PBS documentary Age of Champions, which followed five competitors in the National Senior Olympics (physical wellness); professors from North Central College on “Back In Tune with Geometry” (intellectual wellness); the 6th Annual Healthy Living Expo (open to the public and featuring services and resources from the community relating to all aspects of health); and a photography nature walk at Blackwell Forest Preserve (environmental health). 

What is also purposeful about the Lifestyle and Health Services program is the branding attached to it, with consistent use of logos representing each health and wellness dimension and media bearing uniform messages and images.  In a letter to residents announcing the new program, Galvan and his team articulated the identified dimensions and provided examples of the many Monarch Landing programs supporting each.  “More and more, people will begin to recognize and understand these communications and what they mean to them.”  And if they haven’t already, people may also soon realize that every week at Monarch Landing is an “active aging week.” 

See www.visitmonarchlanding.com for more in-depth articles on the various Monarch Landing programs that impact holistic health and wellness, or schedule a visit to Monarch Landing by calling 630-465-5716. 

Monarch Landing is a continuing care retirement community on a scenic 80-acre 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. The Springs at Monarch Landing which is currently under construction, will offer assisted living memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services.  Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services. For additional information visit www.welcometomonarchlanding.com or call 630-548-0400.