Norwood Crossing Whole Person Wellness Center

1. Norwood Crossing Whole Person Wellness Center Norwood Crossing believes in Whole Person Wellness. More than just a set of activities, whole person wellness is a philosophy that calls for nurturing the mind, body and soul. For our residents, that means creating an environment that promotes the interaction between self and community. Wellness has become a growing movement that recognizes benefits of this lifestyle for people of all ages. The whole person wellness philosophy has been shown to benefit seniors in myriad ways, ranging from increased cognitive functioning, increased mobility, decreased use of medication, decreased anxiety and depression, decreased hospital visits to overall enhancement of quality of life. The next generation of seniors will demand wellness as a way of life. Norwood Crossing is proactively responding to these demands. With the creation of the Whole Person Wellness Center, Norwood Crossing will be prepared to serve not only current but future residents for years to come.

2. Why Wellness: The whole person philosophy spans the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and even vocational aspects of wellness. One of the key challenges for seniors is combating feelings of isolation and depression. Studies have shown that continuing the activities one enjoyed earlier in life helps to alleviate depression later in life. For one resident, lifting one’s mood may be as simple having her hair done in the new Spa area, reinforcing her sense of self. For another, volunteer opportunities may sustain feelings of connection to the community. Offering creative and interactive activities involving music, art and movement allows our seniors to express a range of emotions in a healthy way, thereby increasing emotional wellness and self-acceptance. And of course, physical exercise such as strength training and cardiovascular fitness programs help keep bodies strong, reducing infirmity and illness. Research suggests that regular mental workouts may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorders by enhancing cognitive reserve, stimulating growth of new brain cells, and maintaining or strengthening connections between brain cells. Our Wellness Center will include a multi-media library with books, computers, audio tapes and more resources to match the abilities and interests of the residents. Our popular and effective Brain Fitness program will also be available on-site. Lifelong learning opportunities are key to the wellness philosophy. The Wellness Center has been very purposefully designed and will be constructed to provide activities that engage and nurture one’s mind, body and soul.

3. Wellness at Norwood Crossing: We envision a centralized location on the main floor, just steps off of the new lobby, which will be a true “destination”. The layout will be open, welcoming and inviting. Defined areas for programs will be interspersed with unexpected opportunities for engagement. For example, exercise equipment such as the NuStep will be spread throughout the Wellness Center, rather than confined to one small area. In a sense, the open flow of the floor plan will model the overlapping positive benefits of each area. Participating in a group computer class, for example, not only provides intellectual stimulation, but fosters feelings of self-worth. This emotional connection decreases feelings of depression and isolation. Listening to music in a meditation area not only soothes the spirit, but decreases blood pressure and reduces anxiety. Upon entering the Wellness Center, residents will be personally greeted with a new and interactive activity each day, whether it be engaging in a quick art experience, giving and getting a hug, or learning the word of the day. Program leaders will be stationed at a centralized kiosk to help guide residents toward available offerings. The resident may choose to work on the Senior Fit workout equipment, after which she may relax in our international-themed café and have a cup of coffee. Once refreshed, she might enjoy a manicure in our expanded Beauty Salon before heading back upstairs for lunch. The Beauty Salon/Spa will have multiple stations and will allow users to see other activities occurring nearby while still offering privacy to those receiving services. Another resident may wish to head to our Library where she can read a large-type e-book before moving to a nearby computer station to complete a Brain Fitness exercise. Brain Fitness is a highly-effective 40–day program that takes the user through a series of self-paced exercises on the computer. Computers will be available for those participating in Brain Fitness or who want to explore the Internet or keep up with email.

4. Vocational wellness will be the focus of the Business Center, where users participate in specific projects that keep them involved and connected to the outside world. These projects might include resident-driven small business operations, such as an eBay retail operation, or an international micro-lending project, or even a charitable endeavor. Staff will be available to direct these efforts. A quiet meditation area will allow residents to explore their spiritual side and connection to the larger world, through meditation, prayer, yoga, tai chi or other reflective activities. A private room consultation room will offer a place for health screenings, and private interactions with professionals. Families, too, will be able to partake of the Wellness Center offerings. Visitors may choose to have a healthy, freshly prepared lunch in the Café, which will feature cuisines from around the world available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as coffee and snacks during off-peak hours. Our goal is that the Wellness Center will be utilized by the every Norwood Crossing resident at least once a day.

5. Wellness Center Leadership and Budget: Who is leading this effort? The Norwood Life Society board has discussed and unanimously approved the Wellness Center concept. Planning is starting immediately on the Wellness Center project, and will include Board, resident and staff input. We hope to secure enough donations to begin construction by year-end and complete the project by the end of first quarter 2011. Please join us in this effort. Your support of the Norwood Crossing Whole Person Wellness Center will be a legacy that will positively impact the quality of life for seniors for generations to come. Project Budget • Restaurant $60,000 • Multi-Media Library $50,000 • Flexible use space $40,000 • Beauty Salon/Spa $25,000 • Entry area $25,000 • Professional fees/design $25,000 • Fixtures/furniture/equipment $25,000 TOTAL $250,000 Norwood Life Care Foundation 6016 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 577-5367