Be The Change at Wellmore of Lexington

What is your position at Wellmore of Lexington?

I am the Wellness Director.

How long have you been at Wellmore of Lexington?

I have been here since before the doors opened, so a little over 3.5 years.

What excites you the most about this position and this company?

I always cherish the opportunity to share my passion for health and fitness, especially to a population who is so receptive and appreciative for all that you do for them.

What is your favorite thing about working for Senior Living Communities?

My favorite thing is that the company is not afraid to invest in their employees, whether it’s through certifications, higher education or advancement in the company there are always opportunities available to those who want them.

Describe a time that a Member had a positive impact on your day?

The Members always make my day better, from cracking jokes to listening to random stories. It’s the little things that bring the most enjoyment!

Have you utilized the Elevate program? If not, do you know someone who has?

Absolutely, I have utilized the Elevate program to help get my master’s degree!

How have you grown professionally and personally since joining the Team?

Since joining the Senior Living Communities family, I have achieved my goal of getting my MHA degree and have been internally promoted within the company and intend to keep growing.

What about your position allows you to pursue what makes you feel the most passionate in life?

My position not only allows me to spread my passion for fitness but educate and help others not only feel better or get stronger but help them live a completely Weller Life lifestyle, and at the end of the day I enjoy helping others.

When it comes to your programming, what is the motivation behind specific classes that you do with your Members?

The main motivation is to help the Members get stronger and more active. The stronger they become, the easier their everyday activities can become, and this allows them to do more things that they enjoy.

Your community has a monthly social event called a Signature Experience, how does wellness play a role in these themed days?

Wellness and Social departments work very closely together to deliver a fantastic experience for our Members. Wellness will deliver on the physical aspect that ties into the theme of the day!

The wellness program has won three Argentum Best of the Best Awards over the last few years. What was that feeling like and how does it motivate you moving forward.

It is a fantastic experience to know I’m a part of a well-developed program, however, there is great motivation to continue to develop and produce high level activities that will hopefully be award winning!

Tell us about WAVES, C.L.I.M.B, or Purpose-Based Wellness. How does it benefit the Members, what does the program look like, and how did it come to be?

All these programs are tremendous and benefit our Members on many different levels. Waves is an aquatic class that focuses on our Reflections Members, C.L.I.M.B. is a lower body strengthening class that builds strength, mobility and balance. Purpose based Wellness is a continuation of the person-based care structure that we provide to our Members, all about tailoring exercise and activity to fit the needs of our Members on a personal level.

What makes Wellmore of Lexington’s Wellness programming stand out compared to others?

Wellmore stands out from others in that there is a push from all disciplines to work together to deliver our Members with the best possible experience and provide them with the tools necessary to live the Weller Life. A mental and physical approach to wellness combined with a knowledgeable and caring staff make for a great experience above all others.

Talk about the impact your wellness program has had on the Members at your community, big wins, maintaining independence, and more.

The wellness program has had a profound effect on many Members. Whether is it building confidence in the water of the pool or strengthening legs to get up out of a chair with greater ease the Wellness department has something to offer for everyone. The Members love attending class to get a great workout, meet and talk with their friends all while knowing that they are helping maintain their independence through exercising and keeping their body active and moving. The biggest win for me is when Members come to me and say their life has gotten better and easier because of the exercise they are doing; and more important they can tell it’s working and then tell others they need to participate!

Personal question: What is your favorite thing to do to maintain your fitness level?

My favorite thing to do is go to the gym in the evenings to work out and give yourself an opportunity to decompress from the day. During days off I love long bike rides and hiking with my wife.