(Lenexa, Kan., April 27, 2007) – National experts convening at Lakeview Village, a continuing care retirement community in Lenexa, KS, were astounded at the level of response by residents and staff to the community’s recent Whole-Person Wellness Baseline Initiative.
Joining Lakeview’s Jan Montague, MGS, a nationally recognized whole-person wellness expert for people over 50, were Perry Edelman, PhD, Director of Outcomes Research, and Bradley Fulton, PhD, Senior Research Associate, both of Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging in Evanston, IL; and Janet Brady, MS, Director of Medical Programs at LifeSpan Fitness in Park City, UT.

“We had hoped for a baseline of about 150 people from this community of 800-plus residents and 350 staff members,” said Edelman. “We never dreamed that 450 people would volunteer to participate. Many of the 62 participating Care Center residents, including Lakeview’s 107-year-old Supreme Senior, quoted back to us our saying that ‘It’s never too late to start’. In addition, 94 residents volunteered to help administer the baseline, a gratifying show of enthusiasm for Whole-Person Wellness and the introductory education that Lakeview has done.”

The weeklong baseline initiative included a presentation by Montague, Edelman, Fulton, and Brady for the entire community; administration of a residents’ whole-person wellness perception instrument previously developed by Montague and Edelman; focus groups of residents and staff conducted by Edelman; analysis of the built environment by Fulton; and the functional fitness instrument administered to approximately 450 residents, staff, and individuals on the waiting list. Participants had to complete a questionnaire and commit an hour of their time to the perception instrument and fitness test. Re-testing will take place in approximately a year, to assess the effectiveness of the Whole-Person Wellness focus to which Lakeview Village has committed itself. “Outcome measures are essential to ensure we are following this path effectively,” noted Montague.

In addition to creating a baseline for Lakeview Village residents and staff to document that whole-person wellness makes a true difference in the lives of its participants, the event will serve as a pilot for other organizations with which Montague consults.

Lakeview Village is a faith-based, nonprofit community of 800-plus residents over 62 in Lenexa, KS offering active living and supported options, including LifeCare. Jan Montague, Vice President for Wellness Initiatives, has pioneered the development of Whole-Person Wellness for more than 25 years. In this connection, she is recognized as a leading expert and has authored numerous articles. She can be reached at jmontague@lakeviewvillage.org or 913-744-2467.
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For more information, contact Jan Montague, jmontague@lakeviewvillage.org, 913-744-2467, or Richard Catlett, CEO, rcatlett@lakeviewvillage.org or 913-888-1900.