Seniors In Motion: The Wellness Connection – Glacier Hills (Ann Arbor, MI)

Founded in 1973, the Glacier Hills Retirement Community is a fully accredited, not-for-profit continuing care community with a long and familiar tradition for delivering outstanding service to its residents and the greater Ann Arbor community. The Community has 400 residents.

In 2003, the community opened the Wellness Connection, a 1,600 square foot fitness room and massage therapy suite. The mission of the center is to “promote lifestyle experiences for residents through the provision of holistic programs that empower individuals to take responsibility for their health by developing, maintaining and balancing wellness in all areas of life.”

The program prides itself on its diverse wellness programs and attention to the details of individual seniors’ wellness needs. The Wellness Connection team consists of the Director of Wellness and Rehabilitation, a Wellness Coordinator, fitness specialists, and massage therapists who are primarily responsible for promoting the wellness philosophy/culture throughout the entire Glacier Hills’ community.

The Wellness Connection is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 11:00am, and 1:00pm to 3:00pm. On Saturdays, the center is open from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The center includes Kaiser strengthening and flexibility equipment, Nu-Step Recumbent Cross Trainers, TRUE Treadmills, and TRUE recumbent bike. The estimated equipment start up cost was $70,000.

The wellness program is an integral component of Glacier Hills’ recruitment efforts to the outside community. Their commitment to wellness is evident in their print ads, brochures, and website.

Results

• Approximately 80% of all residents participate in the exercise program; 50% of these participants exercise more than once per week.
• The Wellness Center averages 45 residents visiting each day.
• Exercise physiologists monitor results and often find significant improvements in strength and endurance;
• The program receives positive results from member surveys, which are administered annually

Strengths
Strengths of the program include its broad exercise and wellness programs and ability to adapt to different resident’s needs.

• An integral part of their wellness philosophy is to be inclusive and eliminate barriers regardless of individual abilities or disabilities.
• There are no associated fees for staff or residents.
• A nominal fee may be charged for massage therapy and specialized classes including Tai Chi and Yoga.
• Pre-participation wellness assessments offer the staff an opportunity to determine each member’s self-reported stage of change, goals and objectives, and current level of ability; Based on this information, the staff can develop individualized exercise programs to meet specific needs.

Innovative Ideas
Employees receive wellness training during orientation. The variety of exercise and wellness activities provides many opportunities for employee participation.

Prospective residents of Glacier Hills tour the Wellness Connection and learn about the wellness philosophy. New residents receive welcome invitations, personal phone calls and direct mailings regarding upcoming activities. Members receive recognition and a free half hour massage for reaching “The Century Club”. Residents not interested in the exercise programs are provided with many other wellness program opportunities.

Lessons Learned
An important lesson this facility learned is to promote the wellness philosophy throughout all departments within the community including housekeeping, facility services and direct caregivers. Campus wide integration of a wellness culture enhances the fitness, health and quality of life for the residents and employees. Furthermore, “wellness” is not limited only to the exercise room; it is a concept that factors into many aspects of one’s life.

Implementation Steps
Development of the Wellness Connection at Glacier Hills was initiated by requests from residents in 2001. Because Glacier Hills was already undertaking improvement projects, it was easier to include plans for an ADA accessible exercise room. Glacier Hills contracted with Montague, Eippert & Associates, experts in the field of senior wellness programs.

Contact Information
Director of Wellness and Rehabilitation
(734) 929-6722