Guide to Living Well: Seven Dimensions of Wellness

Guide to Living Well: Seven Dimensions of Wellness
by Colleen Koziara

At any age, the key to wellness is living a full and balanced life. Pathway Senior Living’s VIVA! lifestyle incorporates an innovative approach to aging with creative programming that promotes the Seven Dimensions of Wellness—social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, vocational, intellectual and physical wellness.

The following briefly explains each wellness dimension and gives examples of Pathway programs that best address that area of wellness. Many programs are multidimensional, meaning they can address many wellness dimensions. For example, aspects of Pathway’s Sharing and Caring program can satisfy all seven dimensions of wellness.

Pathway Helps Seniors Live Better

Seven Dimensions of Wellness

1. Social Wellness – the ability to relate to and connect with other people and living creatures in our world.

Programs like Pathway’s award-winning Good Vibrations drumming circles, See Spot Retire and LifePath storytelling groups promote socialization and engagement.

Special events like vow renewals, birthday parties and rituals for honoring those who pass away foster a sense of belonging and community.

2. Emotional Wellness – ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring. It encompasses our need to feel love, happiness, joy, peacefulness, pleasure and contentment.

Creative outlets through Pathway’s ArtPath program, woodworking and writing help residents express themselves and find joy in the process.

Resident-led programs provide an outlet for residents to share skills and talents through talks, demonstrations and group activities to promote feelings of self-worth and happiness.

3. Spiritual Wellness – ability to experience peace and harmony in life and incorporates one’s own personal beliefs and religious practices.

Pathway residents’ diverse religious and cultural backgrounds are celebrated and honored at each community. Other opportunities for residents to find spiritual connections are offered through yoga, chair Tai Chi, meditation, communing with nature at Camp VIVA! or horseback riding.

4. Environmental Wellness – ability to connect with nature and make good choices for the earth, water and air.

Pathway’s Victory Gardens encourage residents to get outdoors to garden while promoting healthful eating. Some residents choose to participate in “green” activities like using plastic grocery bags to make sleep mats for the homeless and collecting used eyeglasses to donate to those in need.

In fact, Pathway’s Oak Hill Supportive Living Community in Round Lake Beach received “Gold” Certification from the National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council for its green building material and practices.

Victory Centre of South Chicago is a “green” leader with one of Chicago’s first LEED-certified senior housing buildings in the city.

5. Vocational Wellness – ability to get personal fulfillment from one’s life calling and passion.

Through Pathway’s Caring and Sharing program, residents get involved in volunteering and connect with the greater community with outreach activities that include collecting food, throwing parties for sick children, helping kids learn to read and walking laps to raise money for cancer.

6. Intellectual Wellness – ability to keep your mind stimulated in order to maintain good brain health.

Pathway’s Life Long Learning hosts monthly college-level programs to stimulate the intellect while having fun. The World Tour program enables arm-chair travelers to try new foods, dabble in a foreign language and experience arts and crafts from different cultures when “visiting” a new country or state each month.

7. Physical Wellness – ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get through our daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress.

Yoga, chair Tai Chi, walking groups, Wii bowling, gardening and happy hour dance parties are just a few of the ways Pathway residents choose to stay physically fit and healthy.