Families Impacted By Schuylkill County Floods Are Not Forgotten

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

For the people of Schuylkill County, the dangerous weather in Northeastern Pennsylvania that occurred this past August was much more than a rainy end to summer. The overwhelming amount of precipitation in this region led to dangerous floods that caused devastating damage to homes and businesses throughout the community, not to mention the families who lived and worked there.

Rescue divers on Spring St. in Tremont

The floods endured by Schuylkill County created immense challenges for the people of their region that they alone, would not be able to overcome. Lutheran Congregational Services, and their partnerships with disaster response teams from various churches, continue to provide relief for families whose lives have been impacted by the floods that occurred in August of 2018.

This work would not be possible without the volunteers responding to disaster to do God’s work and provide relief for those who need it most. Maureen Duffy, currently a UCC pastor in Tower City, Pennsylvania is one of them. Maureen first became involved with Lutheran Congregational Services when she participated in a Lay Eucharistic Visitor training session. A program devoted to bringing the Eucharist to home-bound individuals who can’t attend worship due to poor health and other reasons, Maureen says the visitor training was very valuable.

“Having many shut-ins, this was a wonderful way for them see more people from the congregation and receive visits more often.”

Maureen’s participation in Lay Eucharistic Visits are just one demonstration of her commitment to serve the people of her community. Her support in the ongoing flood relief efforts for Schuylkill County are another.

A little help goes a long way…

Flooded church basement in Tremont of Schuylkill County

When the flooding last August washed over the community, Maureen was reminded of similarly dangerous weather conditions she and her churches experienced back in 2011. “There was significant flooding,” Maureen recalls. “St. Peter’s had so much water in their basement. It was emotionally very difficult,” she says remembering the impact of the devastating weather on the people of her community. At the time, Karl Jones, a UCC pastor and disaster volunteer came to visit Maureen’s church.

A seemingly small act of kindness to come out and offer assistance, Maureen was extremely grateful for Karl’s help, “A visit seems like a small thing, but it truly makes a world of difference when you suffer a flood.”

Fast forward seven years to the August flooding of Schuylkill County, and Maureen’s memory of the difference Karl’s visit made to her church back in 2011, sparked motivation to carry on his generosity. Maureen along with UCC pastors, Claude Schach of Tremont and Jason Stump of Pine Grove, met with Karl Jones and decided to start a disaster relief fund to assist the people of Schuylkill County who greatly needed a helping hand.

Starting small, thinking big and letting families know, we care.

“At first we gave out clean-up buckets, then dehumidifiers,” Maureen says recalling their initial efforts that were soon to grow larger than any of them anticipated.

“The fund grew fast. I was the treasurer and we surprisingly had the problem of asking ourselves, ‘what do we do with this money?’”

A good problem to have when it comes to disaster response, Maureen and her fellow pastors quickly realized if they wanted to significantly help the people of Schuylkill County, they would need a trained caseworker as well as a construction manager.

Recruiting Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) volunteer, Dennis Steffy as construction manager, and Joe Sciandra as caseworker, the team became more equipped to determine the needs of families affected by the floods and to better allocate their funds.

“Joe and Dennis have made a big difference. Their help makes the families affected feel like people care, and their repairs allow the families to be safe, sanitary, and secure.” Maureen says, thankful for the help that Dennis and Joe have provided.

“We recently put four hot water heaters into various homes and one furnace,” Maureen says, recalling just one of many ways the team continues to assist families with recovery.

Disaster Response Volunteers for Schuylkill County flood relief

UCC Pastors volunteering their time in flood relief efforts

“More furnaces will be repaired in the next couple of weeks,” Maureen adds. “There’s plenty of opportunity to serve for those who’d like to help put homes back together. Funds are still very-much needed to finish the recovery efforts.” Maureen states, further substantiating the fact that although the flooding waters have long since come and gone, the recovery of Schuylkill County continues to be an ongoing process. As Maureen and UCC pastors from other churches encourage volunteers to get involved, the invitation for participation on the part of Lutheran churches is equally encouraged.

Relief efforts continue, insuring families they are not forgotten.

“Just because the floods aren’t in the news anymore, doesn’t mean everything is back to normal. Some people still aren’t back in their homes.” Maureen says with a balance of both fragility and urgency for the work that has yet to be done.

With the strength and goodwill of her congregation behind her, Maureen’s efforts to help the people of Schuylkill County continue, and her gratitude for the support from Lutheran Congregational Services is endless, “I am grateful to Liberty Lutheran and Lutheran Congregational Services. It means so much to know we are not forgotten.”

What is Independent Living? What to Look For and How to Know It’s Right For You

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

Whether it’s health, finances, or our overall well-being, independence is one aspect of life, we strive to maintain regardless of our age. Empowering individuals to feel confident, secure, and fulfilled, independent living fills seniors with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction throughout their later years.

For residents of Independent living at Liberty Lutheran’s family of services, they often ask themselves why they didn’t move in sooner. With varying amenities and accommodations, all quality independent living communities have one commonality, and that’s the unmistakable vibrancy of the people who live there.

While independent living sounds self-explanatory, there’s common misunderstandings about what it means for seniors and how it actually helps them maintain their independence.

What is Independent Living?

Housing for seniors who need little to no medical assistance

Independent living signifies housing for seniors who need little to no medical assistance. With less focus on available medical resources, and more attention to community-based engagement, independent living provides senior adults with their own residential living space surrounded by a community of individuals with similar capabilities. This type of living encourages residents to reach their maximum level of independence while still providing assistance should they need it. With the ability to maintain their own living spaces, and have access to amenities like laundry services and other basic housekeeping, senior adults feel the fine balance of care and independence.

Independent living accommodations you should look for

Independent living accommodations vary depending on the community you choose to visit, but there are several basic accommodations that will provide the best living experience for you or your loved ones. When visiting senior living communities with independent living look for these main features:

Full kitchen
Private bathroom
Comfortable living area
Ample closet space

Consider dining options

While accommodations like a full kitchen will give you or your loved one the freedom to cook your own meals, you should inquire about the community’s dining services as well. If you enjoy a served meal with family and friends, community dining rooms that also allow reservations for special events will certainly be important.

What types of activities are offered to members of the community?

Having the privacy of your own apartment or residential living space is a large part of independent living, but community-based events where residents have the opportunity to meet other people and form friendships is important to many senior adults. Whether they’re outings to the local bowling alley, or parties within the community, if you enjoy socializing, community-based activities and events will be very important to you when choosing an independent living community.

What wellness or fitness programs do they have?

Additionally, if you’re a fitness fanatic, or enjoy staying active and healthy, you’ll want to look for independent living communities with fitness facilities or exercise and nutrition programs. Some independent living communities have rooms with exercise equipment as well as on-site personal trainers.

Independent Living at Liberty Lutheran’s Family of Services: Paul’s Run and The Manor at York Town

Paul’s Run independent living residents celebrate the Eagles’ victory last year

Liberty Lutheran’s family of services impact the health and well-being of more than 10,000 senior adults. Two of our family of services, Paul’s Run and The Manor at Yorktown, have distinguished independent living communities that empower residents to feel secure and confident.

When you’re considering independent living communities, Paul’s Run and The Manor are outstanding examples of what to look for. Our long list of independent living accommodations include all of the amenities listed above like

Full kitchen, comfortable living space, private bath, ample closet space

As well as additional amenities like

Various floor plans to choose from, refrigerators and stoves, individual climate controls, 24-hour emergency response security system, smoke and fire protection system, phone and cable outlets

Our independent living communities have formal dining rooms for those who’d like to dine with others, as well as access to wellness programs for optimal health, fitness, and nutrition.

But we’re more than just living accommodations for your present and future. We’re an active community excited about what’s happening every single day.

Independent living residents at Paul’s Run attend a flower arrangement workshop

These appealing accommodations only scrape the surface of what makes our independent living communities outstanding. It’s the activities that happen there on a daily basis that truly add to the fulfilling experience of independent living.

Walk through the halls of independent living at Paul’s Run, and you’ll see vibrant residents who enjoy a world of opportunity with engaging activities and events that happen day-to-day. Whether it’s crafting Valentine’s Day cards for family and friends, benevolent events like sewing stuffed animals for ill children laying in hospital beds, or taking a flower arrangement workshop, residents of our independent living communities are fulfilled, confident, and excited for the possibility of tomorrow.

If you or your loved one want to live in a community that fills you with excitement and empowers you to maintain your independence, click here to see if our independent living at Paul’s Run or The Manor at Yorktown is right for you.

Pet Friendly Assisted Living: Where Pets are Family

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

For animal lovers of all kinds, pets are family. When we welcome pets into our homes we invite the never-ending joy they bring along with them, as well as their unconditional love. The Hearth at Drexel’s pet friendly assisted living demonstrates an unquestionable happiness that these beloved animals bring to the community. And the impact they have on the people who call this wonderful place home is equally unmistakable.

A proud member of Liberty Lutheran’s family of services, located on the beautiful Main Line in suburban Philadelphia, The Hearth at Drexel has a well-earned reputation for quality, comfort, and security. “I truly love it here,” says resident Marilyn Steward, who lives in her cozy assisted living apartment with her much-loved cats, Goldie and Silvery.

Marilyn and her cat, Silvery

“The people who take care of me are absolutely wonderful, and the food- The food is delicious!” Marilyn exclaims with a smile on her face thinking about what’s on the menu for later.

Marilyn says she can’t speak highly enough about the care she receives at The Hearth, “I enjoy living here very much. I have my own apartment and of course, my kittens! It’s wonderful having them here,” she smiles as her cat, Goldie, jumps onto the sofa and sits beside her. Marilyn pets Goldie’s yellow fur and you can see the special connection they’ve formed while living at The Hearth.

The benefits of pet friendly assisted living for seniors

Assisted living at The Hearth distinctly sets itself apart from other senior living communities not just for their well-known elegance and luxury, but for another amenity that keeps animal-loving residents smiling every day. Pet friendly assisted living at The Hearth demonstrates a shared understanding throughout the community that pets are just as much family as people.

For seniors especially, pets have the exceptional ability to bring a sense of familiarity that carries the feeling of home with them wherever they may go, and this is certainly the case for resident, Elizabeth Clarke.

Pet friendly assisted living at The Hearth: Elizabeth Clarke and her cat, Chloe

Elizabeth Clarke and her cat, Chloe, at The Hearth

Elizabeth Clarke moved to The Hearth in 2016. Elizabeth has been a nun for many years, and prior to coming to The Hearth, Elizabeth’s community of sisters allowed her to return to her family home in Winchester, Massachusetts. There, she lived with her father, her mother, and her mother’s cat, Cocoa. Elizabeth greatly enjoyed helping her mother take care of Cocoa, and after her parents passed away, she gladly became Cocoa’s new owner. After selling her family home, Elizabeth and Cocoa moved to the town of Rockport, where she remembers the beautiful ocean breeze and large fishing port nearby. Cocoa the cat lived with Elizabeth in Rockport for a number of years before she sadly passed away.

“It was very difficult for me because Cocoa was originally my mother’s cat. Saying goodbye to her was like saying goodbye to a part of my mother as well.” Elizabeth says remembering the companionship Cocoa brought to both her and her mother.

It wasn’t long after Cocoa’s death that Elizabeth decided she’d like to have another cat. That’s when she went to a local no-kill shelter and met Chloe. A woman who worked there placed the sweet kitten in Elizabeth’s arms and she knew instantly that Chloe was the one she wanted to take home.

It took no time at all for Chloe and Elizabeth to form a very special bond. She loved taking care of Chloe, but as time passed and Elizabeth began to lose her vision, the realization hit that maybe Elizabeth needed someone who could take care of her. Although Chloe provided companionship as a pet it became increasingly difficult for Elizabeth to live alone in Rockport. She called her community of sisters and one of the nuns came to town to visit.

“I don’t think I can do this anymore,” Elizabeth told the nun explaining the challenges of living alone. Elizabeth, who was beginning to lose her vision, could no longer drive herself to the grocery store, and the last thing she wanted to do was potentially hurt someone by causing an accident.

“I think you should live at The Hearth,” the nun told Elizabeth.

“What is The Hearth?” Elizabeth asked.

The nun told Elizabeth that The Hearth was a beautiful assisted living community where she could have her own apartment with access to quality care. She went on to explain her reasoning.

“You can bring Chloe,” said the nun.

Elizabeth let out a deep sigh of relief as if an overwhelming weight lifted from her shoulders. She smiled at the nun with great satisfaction and agreed The Hearth would be her and Chloe’s new home.

“I don’t know what I would do if I had to give my beloved Chloe away,” says Elizabeth, “I knew it was likely that I might have to.” Elizabeth frowned at the thought. “When sister told me The Hearth welcomed pets and that Chloe could come with me, I was so happy.”

Chloe and Elizabeth moved to The Hearth together in September of 2016, and they’ve been thrilled to call it home ever since.

“Chloe loves it here,” Elizabeth says as she lovingly watches Chloe lay in a cardboard Jet.com box that Elizabeth saved just for her, knowing her cat would like it as a cozy place to lay. As much as Chloe loves the pet friendly assisted living at The Hearth, The Hearth loves her equally in return.

“She immediately became a hit here.” Elizabeth says referring to Chloe as her cat mews from inside her cozy cardboard retreat. Both staff and residents at The Hearth continuously ask Elizabeth how Chloe is doing, to which Elizabeth always happily responds, “She’s doing very well.”

Walk from Elizabeth and Chloe’s apartment on the East side of The Hearth to Marilyn Steward’s cozy abode on the West, where you’ll find, Goldie and Silvery, her beloved feline friends ready to greet friendly visitors.

“The name Silvery comes from the pretty strand of silver running through his black fur,” Marilyn says as she explains the history of her cat’s eclectic namesake. Marilyn got Goldie and Silvery from the SPSCA where she says they were playmates.

Marilyn’s cat, Silvery in her apartment at The Hearth

While currently sharing her pet friendly assisted living apartment with cats, Marilyn has been a lover of all kinds of animals her entire life. She remembers bringing home a wild duck once as a child, and she grew up with dogs and cats in her family home. “My sister moves in with her cat Stanley very soon!” she says with excitement as she mentions yet another resident and pet The Hearth is happy to welcome into the community.

Pet friendly assisted living brings joy to both residents and staff

It’s clear that pet friendly assisted living at The Hearth makes residents very happy, and the staff will be the first to note the lasting impact these animals have on their beloved owners. Community Life Coordinator at The Hearth, Sarah Hayes, discusses residents who live with pets, and how living with an animal gives them a sense of purpose.

“The people who live with pets here still feel like they have a duty and responsibility, which is rewarding for them. The daily tasks of feeding the pets, and taking care of them definitely keeps residents’ quality of life high,” Sarah nods her head thinking about the benefits these pets bring to the community and the residents who live here.

“The residents feel that they are needed. This pet needs their care and attention, and that makes them feel good. It’s just a nice way for them to feel important and also have a little companion there to cuddle and hug whenever they want.”

Although relatively new to The Hearth, Sarah has been working with the senior population for over six years, and has been involved in recreation since she was 16. “I’ve been here for a month or so and I never run out of good things to say about the people here and the community as a whole.” Talking more about the pet friendly amenities and activities at The Hearth, Sarah mentions their pet therapy specialist who visits the community twice every month.

“She brings guinea pigs of all different sizes and colors. There’s some with long hair, some with no hair at all. She even brings this adorable bunny who has the softest brown fur.” Sarah goes on to describe the benefits these pet therapy sessions provide for residents,

“Pet therapy really reduces their stress. You can see how happy it makes them when they sit with a little guinea pig in their lap.”

Sarah mentions another volunteer who brings her certified companion dog, Daisy. “Daisy is so cute. She goes around and visits residents in their apartments. I can see how comfortable and at home it makes the residents feel. It’s really nice.”

The benefits of pet friendly assisted living are wide spread for residents, staff, and the community. For residents who own a pet before moving in, it gives them great relief to know that their furry friend who’s more like family can stay with them. And for those who want to own a pet even after moving in, it’s equally as comforting. Pets bring residents in assisted living the comfort of companionship as well as familiarity and a feeling of fulfillment. Their unconditional love and connection fills the community with continuous hope and joy. If you’d like to learn more about pet friendly assisted living at The Hearth as well as other wonderful amenities offered at this community click here.

CUSP Workshop at WPSCC Teaches Members How Climate Change Affects our Health and Homes

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

The impacts of climate change often fill people with fear. Aiming to teach communities how to prepare for climate change, rather than fear it, members from multiple organizations joined forces to lead a Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP) workshop at the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC). As members of the local West Philadelphia community gathered together for “The Weather Ready Homes: Climate Change, Energy, and Your Health” workshop, they learned not just what climate change is and how to prepare for it, but were encouraged to share their personal experiences about how climate change has affected their daily lives.

“Who in this room thinks they’ve felt the effects of climate change?” Ali Kenner, professor at Drexel University, asked the crowd as she introduced the topic of discussion.

The majority of the room raised their hands.

“And what have been some of those effects? How has it impacted you?” Ali asked.

“Hotter summers!” many exclaimed from the crowd.

“Floods!” others responded.

The reaction from the crowd was clear: the climate is certainly changing, and it’s not only affecting the weather, it’s affecting our health too. The effects of climate change are causing warmer, wetter weather throughout the Northeast, so much so that this region receives

71% more rain than the rest of the U.S. Additionally, this warmer, wetter weather can create changes in the air that affect health conditions like allergies, and asthma, and increase the chances for mold growth in homes.

Throughout the CUSP workshop three overarching topics were discussed: Energy efficiency and weatherization, mold in homes and schools, and emergency preparedness.

Within each part of the CUSP workshop active demonstrations were given that had members on their feet participating with enthusiasm. Among them an inflatable model house that demonstrated the importance of energy efficiency, as well as activities like “Is this mold, or no?” that tested the crowd’s recognition of mold in homes.

By the end of the workshop members of the community learned what climate change is, how it affects our health and our homes, and how to solve the problems that occur because of it. Participants created their personal emergency preparation plans complete with written phone numbers of people and businesses to call in case of a disaster, and ten lucky members even went home with an air purifying house plant.

Thanks to the dedication of multiple partnerships with eco and health-conscious organizations, as well as the event’s sponsor, The Franklin Institute, the CUSP workshop turned out to be a great success. With these types of programs, we empower local communities to stay healthy, live well, and create a better future for our planet.

Here is a summary of the partnering organizations who helped make this workshop possible as well as the workshop’s guiding mission.

The Weather-Ready Homes: Climate Change, Energy, and Your Health Workshop is part of an educational research project under the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP) sponsored by Franklin Institute which is led by multiple partnerships including the Clean Air Council, Drexel University, Energy Coordinating Agency, Liberty Lutheran, the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As part of this program, workshop leaders strive to teach community members the relationship between their health and climate change, as well as effective solutions and available resources in their area. Because of partnerships like this with multiple organizations, we are able to facilitate successful programs that benefit the future of our local communities and empower their health and well-being.

If you’d like to learn about climate change, there will be another CUSP workshop on February 20th, from 4 pm to 6 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Philadelphia! Please find the details below:

Wednesday, February 20th, 4 pm- 6 pm

St John’s Lutheran Church

3101 Tyson Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149

Don’t Miss This Year’s Artman Golf Outing! 35 Years of Supporting Benevolent Care for Seniors

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

Spring can’t come soon enough, especially for golfers! Join us on Monday, May 20^th for the 35^th Artman Golf Outing at the rolling green hills of Bluestone Country Club’s championship caliber golf course in Blue Bell, Pa. All proceeds will benefit the Artman Benevolent Care Fund.

Your support provides compassionate care, hope, and security to Artman senior residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their assets. Help bring brightness to the people of our community with this fun-filled event that includes lunch, a silent auction with incredible offerings plus cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and of course an engaging game of golf on a fun, yet challenging course. Click here to register!

Looking Back: The History of the Artman Golf Outing

The Artman Golf Outing first began on May 14, 1985 at Old York Road Country Club. Hoping to spread word about the superior level of care provided for senior residents in the greater Ambler area, the Artman Public Relations Committee sought out solutions for a fun event that would benefit Artman’s benevolent cause to serving seniors.

Thomas H. Kadel, board member at Artman in the mid 1980’s and pastor at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, had discussions with members of his congregation to see how they could help. Putting their heads together, the congregation thought a golf outing would be the perfect way to raise awareness on the outstanding service Artman provides for their residents. Since it’s inauguration, the location of the Artman Golf Outing has changed, but it’s benevolent mission still remains.

This year the 35^th Artman Golf Outing will take place at beautiful Bluestone Country Club, and Chairman of the Golf Committee, Sally Beil, could not be more excited.

Since its inauguration, the Artman Golf Outing continues to raise support for the Artman Benevolent Care Fund, which has raised $384, 886.48 to ensure compassionate care for residents who have outlived their assets. Each year we are grateful for all of the supporters who attend the Artman Golf Outing and give security, hope, and comfort to seniors who need it.

What is benevolent care and why is it important?

For the past 34 years businesses, close friends, and casual acquaintances have come together to play golf and raise money for the Artman Benevolent Care Fund, but what is this fund and why is it so important?

The people of Artman have been good stewards of their resources and have carefully planned their retirements for later in life. However, as is sometimes the case despite the most detailed planning, situations occur that can and do derail retirement portfolios. Whether their long, healthy life has outlived their assets, or their savings have diminished from a volatile market, many older adults experience retirement portfolio losses that are ultimately out of their control.

While other retirement communities have benevolent care funds, Artman is one of the few non-profit retirement communities that promises an absolute benevolent care fund. This means that all aspects of residents’ living expenses are covered when there is no family support or other financial resources.

Want to give hope, security, and comfort to Artman senior residents who greatly appreciate your support?

Ways to give:

Volunteer
Register as a golfer
Join us for dinner
Be a sponsor
Place and ad in the program book
Provide an item for our silent auction
Join the Golf Committee

There are a variety of ways you can contribute to the benevolent cause of this event and help bring hope to the people of our community. Each year, we look for volunteers, as well as new golfers who may want to join us. The format for golf is a Scramble. During the event there will be lots of fun contests with special prizes. Among them, a putting contest for a prize of $10,000, as well as a hole in one contest to win a new car.

If you are not a golfer, you can join us for a delicious dinner at the Bluestone Country Club. You can also support the Artman Benevolent Care Fund by being a sponsor, placing an ad in the program book, providing an item for the silent auction, or joining our Golf Committee.

Here are previews of auction items which will be available for bidding at the Artman Golf Outing:

Dinner for six at the winner’s home donated by Sodexo, Quality of Life Services
Tickets to the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers
Tour for four individuals to the Karamoor Winery and two bottles of their fine wine

It’s not too late to join us for this special event!

To register today or learn more information about the 35^th Artman Golf Outing click here.

Or contact Liberty Lutheran’s Development Associate, Sandy Smith.

Phone: (267) 464-7728

Email: ssmith@libertylutheran.org

February is American Heart Month: How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Liberty Lutheran

February is here, and as stores stock their shelves with hearts full of chocolate, we’re celebrating hearts with a more health-related focus. In addition to Valentine’s Day, February marks American Heart Month, which gives Liberty Lutheran the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about our nation’s heart-health dilemma and to share what you can do to keep your heart healthy.

Heart disease, which causes an average of 610,000 deaths on an annual basis, is the leading cause of mortality in the United States.

While American Heart Month focuses on multiple aspects of heart health, including blood pressure, congenital heart defects and more, coronary heart disease (CHD) is what comes to mind for most individuals when they think of heart-related health issues.

As with all aspects of our health, the lifestyle choices we make have a significant correlation with the chances for being diagnosed with CHD. Top risk factors for developing heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Fortunately, there are a variety of things we can do to control these frustrating risk factors and benefit our heart health.

Here are some healthy habits that you can pursue to reduce your risk for CHD:

Manage stress: Stress, although a common occurrence for many of us, can be a large contributor to CHD risk factors. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress is crucial to your heart’s health. Healthy stress management can consist of practicing meditation, consulting a therapist, and regular exercise.
Exercise: According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop CHD as those who are active. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise each week for the average adult. Make sure to move as much as possible throughout your day. The more activity you do the more benefits your heart receives.
Eat heart healthy foods: To adopt a heart-healthy diet consume mainly vegetables, fruits, fat-free or low-fat dairy foods, and lean meats. Avoid foods high in sodium as well as saturated and trans fats as these are known to raise blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight: Determine what weight is healthy for you based on your body mass index (BMI). Consult a doctor or healthcare professional for better understanding when adopting certain dietary changes.
Quit smoking: According to the American Heart Association smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in the United States and causes one of every fourth deaths from cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can decrease your risk for heart disease significantly, as well as many other potentially fatal health complications.

Liberty Lutheran Empowers Individuals to Keep Hearts Healthy

When we make healthy decisions we lead healthy lives. Liberty Lutheran takes pride in empowering individuals to make healthy choices and live well. Whether it is our staff or residents, we’re dedicated to providing resources for all members of our community to maintain their well-being for healthful living. Here’s how our Senior Wellness Services can help you:

The Becoming Center

Located at Artman, the Becoming Center offers personalized, comprehensive, preventive, and restorative holistic wellness for active adults seeking to improve their fitness and overall well-being. Not just for senior residents of the Artman community, the Becoming Center is open to individuals from the surrounding area who want to achieve their health and wellness goals.

With amenities like a fully equipped exercise room, a therapeutic heated pool, yoga room, as well as private treatment rooms for alternative therapies and massage, the Becoming Center certainly has the capacity to keep all heart’s healthy. Additionally, there’s on-site exercise physiologists, nutritionists and trainers for members interested in personalized programs.

Liberty Lifestyles

Liberty Lifestyles is a unique fitness program offered to all senior residents that provides customized plans to help them reach their ideal level of fitness. Valuing healthy hearts and lifestyles for residents at all of our senior communities, this program is designed by specially trained Liberty Lifestyles coordinators after thorough assessments of residents’ physical and cognitive abilities.

Liberty Lifestyles breaks the mold in senior fitness and gives residents the confidence they need to know they’re living a healthy and active life.

Employee Wellness Works Program

Our employee Wellness Works program not only gives staff the tools they need to live a healthy lifestyle, but additional incentives that motivate them to achieve it. With monetary bonuses and diverse opportunities like a 24/7 online health portal, monthly wellness challenges, healthy cooking demonstrations, stress reduction workshops, and on-site preventive health screenings, our program makes healthy living easy.

Since its start in 2006, Wellness Works has lowered blood pressure, cholesterol, and tobacco use among staff considerably, so much so that it continues to stay below the national average. Our dedication to being a dependable health advocate for employees is just one of many reasons why Liberty Lutheran was named Top Workplace in 2017.

Heart healthy habits are crucial to maintaining your health and overall well-being. Keep these tips in mind when considering how to make heart-healthy decisions, and learn more about how Liberty Lutheran can help you live healthfully and happily throughout your senior years by clicking here.