Wellness is an imperative at Deupree House. And while we believe that healthy living and positive aging is an individual responsibility, we also take great pride in supporting all of our community members in achieving their health and wellness goals. Enter our innovative “Six Dimensions of Wellness" philosophy.
Here’s a closer look at the six elements incorporated into this model, why they matter and how they’re interwoven into everyday living at Deupree House.
1. Physical
Active bodies are healthy bodies. Deupree House supports the physical health of our residents through a variety of exercise options designed to boost cardiovascular function, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Whether you prefer yoga, running, weight training or another type of exercise, Deupree House has something for you.
We also believe in empowering our community members through education and awareness. To that end, we also offer programs to enhance knowledge of nutrition, medical self-care and appropriate use of medical resources.
2. Social
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” asserts an old proverb. Because the value of togetherness cannot be overstated, Deupree House residents have access to an extensive calendar of social events designed to keep them connected with each other and with the world around them.
Not only does socializing in your senior years create a sense of belonging while keeping loneliness at bay, but it’s also linked with other benefits, including reduced risk for mental health issues, improved physical health and even increased longevity.
3. Emotional
Did you know that coping with stress gets more challenging with age? Insists Dr. Michelle Dossett, an internal and integrative medicine specialist at the Harvard’s Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, “We tend to have less resilience to stress, and older adults often find that stress affects them differently now.”
At Deupree House, we know that physical fitness and socialization are just two parts of the “big picture” of holistic health and wellness for seniors. We’re also committed to understanding how our community members feel, as well as to helping them learn to manage their feelings and behaviors.
4. Intellectual
“Mentally challenging activities, such as learning a new skill, adopting a new hobby or engaging in formal education, may have short and long-term benefits for your brain. To keep your mind active, it is important to participate in activities that expose your mind to new topics,” recommends the Alzheimer’s Association.
The takeaway? Active minds are just as essential to healthy aging as active bodies. Deupree House community members enjoy many opportunities to challenge and activate their minds through a variety of activities.
5. Vocational
A sense of purpose is vital to leading a fulfilling life. Deupree House encourages community members to pursue their interests while participating in meaningful activities. From volunteer work to engaging in hobbies to learning trades, Deupree House residents aren’t just busy, they’re uniquely engaged.
6. Spiritual
Spirituality refers to “feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors related to the soul or to a search for the sacred,” according to Daniel B. Kaplan and Barbara J. Berkman, both professors of social work. Regardless of the religious beliefs of seniors, a growing body of evidence attests to the power of spirituality for helping older adults maintain a more positive outlook and a better sense of meaning in life. They also build better coping mechanisms.
We not only respect our community members’ spiritual beliefs at Deupree House, but we recognize the importance of helping them to develop the spiritual part of their lives.
One last thing to keep in mind about wellness? It’s not one size fits all. Rather, it’s highly individualized. Deupree House’s approach to wellness acknowledges the personal nature of wellness by seeking to bring out the very best in each community member based on his/her own strengths, passions, talents and beliefs.
