Willows residents benefiting from innovative Six Domains approach to Wellness

With a healthy mind, body, and spirit playing such a critical role in successful aging, The Willows at Brooking Park is employing a unique approach to care aimed at promoting a balanced quality of life and a strengthened physical and mental state of mind. Dubbed the Six Domains of Wellness, the approach is helping Willows residents age gracefully in place through participation in a range of activities designed to inspire physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social, and occupational wellness. 

To help its residents stay physically active, the Willows offers a number of activities, including yoga, swimming, and exercise classes. Residents can also take advantage of a fitness center, personal training services, a hot tub, and full-service spa – all designed to help them maintain endurance, flexibility, and strength. And if medical care is required to maintain physical wellness, residents can utilize the health care services provided by Brooking Park, which sits on the same campus. Brooking Park offers assisted living and skilled care services, as well as care for those with Alzheimer’s and related conditions. 

Willows residents Mary Ann Paradis and her husband are prime examples of how the community works to inspire physical wellness in its residents. The couple came to The Willows three months ago after Mr. Paradis suffered a stroke. Mrs. Paradis says it’s been a wonderful experience so far, and she’s grateful that the community provides her husband with the care he needs, while also allowing them to maintain an independent and active lifestyle.

“We both love cycling, so fitness is important to us,” said Mrs. Paradis. “I take part in many of the exercise classes offered at The Willows, and my husband uses the workout room daily, as he continues to recover from his stroke. We also love the indoor pool and hot tub. The Willows is just delightful. Sometimes I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.” 

When it comes to intellectual wellness, The Willows offers a wide range of amenities designed to inspire creativity and lifelong learning. From its onsite art gallery and creative arts studio to its sculpture garden and the 130-seat theatre called Centerstage, there’s something to keep the minds of most anyone sharp. Dorothy Willis, who has lived at The Willows for the past two years, is one resident benefiting from these amenities. She’s participated in craft-making activities, gone on a variety of group outings, and frequently enjoys entertainment at Centerstage.

“I once decorated my own hat and wore it on Derby day, and also made a fall wreath,” noted Willis. “I’ve also been on lots of trips with the residents, participated in some historical book club readings, and I really enjoy the musical entertainment they bring in for us. I’m in a good place. I really love it here.” 

The Willows also works to ensure the emotional wellness of its residents through the availability of support groups, including the Brooking Park/Senior Solutions Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Support Group. The group, which is open to the caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, meets monthly at the Brooking Park

Retirement Community Religious Center.

Susan Signorino, MSW, who is a Senior Living Counselor at Brooking Park and facilitates the monthly support group meetings, says the gatherings help those who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s to see that they aren’t alone. 

“We have one Willows resident who attends our meetings whose husband is part of Brooking Park’s memory care program and another gentleman from The Willows who lost his wife to Alzheimer’s six years ago,” Signorino said.
“Regardless of why people come out, it’s refreshing for them to have the chance to share their stories with others who’ve had similar experiences.” 

The power of prayer is also important at The Willows, as the organization works to promote spiritual wellness. Among the ways this is done is via a weekly Christian worship service held each Friday and a weekly Bible study group held each Wednesday, both led by retired Episcopal priest and Willows resident, Father Rod Wiltse. The Willows also employs its own Director of Pastoral Care, Chaplain George Ontko, who hosts prayer and meditation groups for all faiths. He also meets individually with residents and staff for a rounded approach to spiritual wellness. And when members of The Willows community pass, residents unite through grief groups and memorial services designed to help residents, family, and employees say goodbye. 

“I believe that spiritual, physical, and emotional wellness are connected,” noted Ontko. “When people are at a relative state of peace with a higher power, their beliefs, their families, and themselves, there is a better chance for wholeness and health to flourish.” 

The Willows promotes social wellness by offering residents a variety of ways to interact with their fellow residents and build new friendships. Resident Mary Ann Paradis notes that she and her husband have made lots of friends in the two months they’ve lived at The Willows, and enjoy meeting up with those friends for dinner at the property’s onsite restaurant. Other amenities designed to inspire social interaction include the club room, billiards and card rooms, a bar and grille, exercise classes, and day trips. 

“Coming here two months ago, we didn’t know anyone,” said Paradis. “Since then, we’ve made lots of new friends and hope to make many more.” 

Opportunities to enhance occupational/vocational wellness round out the Six Domains of Wellness approach to care. At the Willows, residents gain these experiences through volunteerism. Long-time resident Dottie Schmidt is a familiar face at the community’s gift shop where she volunteers one day a week. Her duties include working the register, stocking shelves and making supply lists. When she’s not at the shop, she lends her time as a member of The Willows’ golf committee, which helped to plan major golf fundraising events in 2012 and 2013, benefiting the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. 

“I’ve always had a passion for volunteering,” said Schmidt. “I like to stay busy and do things for others, and volunteering my time with The Willows is an easy way for me to give back and stay involved.” 

Heather Finkelston, Director, The Willows, notes that “here at The Willows, we believe that promoting a balanced quality of life will strengthen the state of the mind, both physically and mentally. That’s why our goal is to not only meet all of the Six Domains of Wellness, but to exceed them so our residents can enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives.” 

The Willows at Brooking Park is an independent living community conveniently located in West St. Louis County. It offers active older adults an apartment-home lifestyle with the feel of an exclusive country club. The Willows is a Continuum of Care Retirement Community that is sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. To learn more, contact The Willows at (314) 576-0800 or visit www.newwillows.com.