NOVEMBER 2019 Newsletter
Engage Wellness is the medically-based way to get and stay healthier
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Engage Wellness will be CLOSED for the Thanksgiving Holiday:
Thursday, November 28th
Friday, November 29th
We will be OPEN regular hours 8:00am to 2:00pm Saturday,
November 30th. Enjoy!
GIVE BACK AND DOUBLE
YOUR DONATION
#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. Held annually on the Tuesday after
Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the holiday giving season and inspires people to give back in
impactful ways. This year #GivingTuesday is celebrated on December 3rd
.
On December 3rd
, up to $50,000 in online donations at Give65.org will be matched dollar for dollar
thanks to the generous support of those that believe in our mission. Engage Wellness is eligible for up
to $5,000 of matching funds. Matching funds are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Please consider making a donation to Engage Wellness on Tuesday, December 3rd
.
Funds raised will be used to promote new memberships, enhance member retention, provide member
scholarships for those in need, updates/improvements to fitness equipment and facility.
To make a donation, just visit www.give65.org, search for Engage Wellness and follow the instructions.
For a better change of receiving the $5,000 match, please make your donation as soon as possible. To
make it even easier, we will do the entry for you! Just turn in your donation (credit card or check) to the
front desk between November 19th through December 2
nd. We will be in at midnight December 3
rd to
start the donation entry and go for the $5,000 match. First in, first matched!
Additional details will be posted at Engage Wellness. Any questions can be directed to a staff member.
Your continued support and generosity is truly appreciated. We are proud of our program and our
wonderful participants. Please consider making a donation. If each participant made a $10 donation,
what a difference it would make. Let’s go for the $5,000 match.
Thank you!
WELCOME
A warm welcome to new participants that joined our Engage Wellness
family in the month of October:
Pete P., Julie S., Barbara B., Joline S., Jean S.
Thank-you for choosing us to be part of your wellness journey!
NOVEMBER “BE THANKFUL, BE HEALTHY”
ENROLLMENT SPECIAL!
New participants who enroll in November receive half off enrollment:
Individual enrollment $37.50 + tax (normally $75.00 + tax)
Couple enrollment $50.00 + tax (normally $100.00 + tax)
This is a perfect opportunity for you to refer family and friends, who want to
start their healthy wellness program. Don’t forget, participants receive one
month free for referring a new individual that joins!
REFER ONE, GET ONE!
Attention participants, if you refer an individual that joins in the month
of November, you will get one month FREE!! Congratulations to Cherie
and Don F., and Jackie G., who earned a free month of participation by
referring new members. Nice job.
Dan R. - 1,767 Patricia M. - 515 Chick M. - 201
Barbara P. - 1,250 Mary C. - 508 Kathy G. - 105
Nancy M. - 908 Marcia A. - 401 Don M. - 100
Joe N. - 802 David T. - 303
Miriam S. - 518 Bev F. - 300
Congrats to the following participants who have achieved special attendance milestones at
Engage Wellness (as of October 22, 2019).
NURSING STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
For five weeks Engage Wellness has partnered up with nursing students enrolled in UNMC’s College
of Nursing’s Population Centered-Care course. Now it’s time for the students to present to us.
You are invited to attend the presentations. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the
table across from the front desk.
“HOW HUGS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH”
Please join Molly and Esmeralda to learn about the health benefits of therapeutic touch.
Wednesday, November 20th
12:15 - 1:15pm
UNMC’s Engage Wellness Multi-Purpose Room …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“NUTRITIONAL WELLNESS”
Katherine and Steve will teach us about how nutrition affects your wellness! Please add your name
to the sign up sheet located on the table across from the front desk. Thank you!
Thursday, November 21st
2:00 - 3:00pm
UNMC’s Engage Wellness Multi-Purpose Room
AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PRESENTED BY THE
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause changes in memory, thinking and behavior that interfere
with daily life. Join us to learn about 10 common warning signs and what to watch for in yourself
and others. The one-hour program covers:
Typical age-related changes
Common warning signs of Alzheimer’s
How to approach someone about memory concerns.
Early detection, the benefits of a diagnosis and the diagnostic process
Alzheimer’s Association resources.
Friday, November 15tH
12:30 - 1:30pm
UNMC’s Engage Wellness Multi-Purpose Room
Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the table across from the front desk. Thank you!
The Alzheimer’s Association will be making a third presentation,
Healthy Living for Body and Mind on Friday, January 17th. Watch for details.
Q&A SESSION WITH JOAN EWALT
Q: How long have you been coming to Engage Wellness?
A: Going on two years.
Q: What activities do you participate in?
A: When I first started I was trained on how to use the fitness machines and my fitness machine workout was just updated. My favorite activities are the group classes, particularly Step or Boot Camp or Circuit. Our instructors and other participating members are motivational while making the class fun.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of Engage Wellness?
A: There is so much positive energy that resonates through the staff and participants. Plus it is nice to exercise alongside folks closer to my age group and ability. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace while striving to improve their own individual fitness levels. The coffee is really good, too!
Q: How has your motivation to exercise changed, since you started coming here?
A: If I do not come to class, someone comes looking for me! LOL! I usually let the instructors or Chris know if I am going to be gone so no one sends a search dog out. Honestly, I look forward to class. I need to get myself on the machines more this winter.
Q: What advice would you give other Engage participants, to help them achieve their fitness
goals?
Keep coming back. Try to make it a habit, a part of your routine. A little exercise is better than no exercise. And that little can morph into more quite easily. Some people like the Zen experience of exercise, some like the social or group aspects. And sometimes we like to mix it up. We can have the best of all worlds here.
Q: How has exercise help manage any chronic conditions?
A: Exercise helps me manage ongoing symptoms of arthritis and helps improve my muscle mass. It
also keeps my heart and lungs healthier. It helps with depression and contributes to a positive
outlook.
Q: Any tips for successful aging you would like to share?
A: Keep interacting with people but give yourself enough quiet time. I personally recommend getting a
dog and cat, but that is not for everyone. My little pug, Louise, gets me up and going every day.
A few facts about me:
I am an Omaha native. I retired from the State (Vocational Rehabilitation) after 19 years and accepted a job here at UNMC. I am a Care Team Navigator with the Dementia Care Ecosystem and my workspace is just down the hall off of the commons area. I help guide caregivers through the challenges of caring for a spouse, parent or friend who experiences dementia.
My husband and I now live in Bellevue. We have a pug (Louise) and a cat (Sputnik). We also look after a small feral colony of cats that have been neutered and re-released. We enjoy seeing our families, traveling, gardening and watching movies.
IT’S OFFICIAL!
We are pleased to announce that Chelsea Lewis has joined our
Engage Wellness team on a full-time basis, as a Wellness Specialist.
We truly appreciate Chelsea helping us out earlier this year to fill in
teaching Group Movement Classes, Fitness Balance Assessments,
and a variety of Wellness Specialist duties.
Chelsea grew up in Minnesota on a family fishing resort in Ottertail County.
She received her MS degree in Physical Activity in Health Promotion this
past summer from UNO. She lives with her husband, Chris and their two
dogs, Kimber and Ruger, in Council Bluffs. They love hunting, camping
and spending time with their pups. One of her favorite classes to teach is
Fit & Strong. Welcome Chelsea!
FACILITY UPDATES
With the weather changes we just want to share a few house keeping recommendations to keep our
facility in tip-top shape:
PDI Sani-Cloth wipes (white container with the green lid) are in the Multi-Purpose
Room as well as the Exercise Rooms. You are encouraged to please wipe down
equipment and mats to keep things clean and disinfected.
Now that winter weather is on it’s way, the Facilities Department is putting Ice Melt
down for our safety in order to help prevent slips and falls. Please bring a clean
pair of shoes to prevent tracking the salt into the facility. This will help keep our
workout areas, equipment, and carpets clean. Thank you!
GROUP MOVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Note the following changes to Group Movement classes:
Saturday Yoga starts at 9:00 - 10:00 am
Gentle Yoga is back. In this class we will create a gentle, full expression of both physical stretching
and strengthening aspects of yoga. Watch the stress fall away as you tone the body and feel better.
All levels are welcome. Personal touches can always be added for comfort and safety. Join us
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 1:30. You’ll be glad you did!
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING CHAT CAFÉ BUFFET
Please join us for our special Thanksgiving Chat Café. We’ll have
turkey and all the trimmings
Friday, November 22nd
11:00 am - Noon
Please add your name and what you will bring to the sign-up sheet
located in the conversation area.
Visit us online!
www.unmc.edu/engage
Volume 8, Issue 11 November 2019
Engage Wellness Staff
Heather Shafer - M.S.
Wellness Specialist
402-552-7229
Sara Huebert - B.S.
Wellness Specialist
402-552-7229
Chelsea Lewis - M.S.
Wellness Specialist
402-552-7229
Chris Kocol
Operations Assistant
402-552-7210
Turner MacPhee
P.T. Student/Work Study Employee
Gabby Marco
Radiography Student/Work Study Employee
Jackson Matuella
P.T. Student/Work Study Employee
Tanner Wiebelhaus
P.T. Student/Work Study Employee
Cierra Wynn
Radiography Student/Work Study Employee
Engage Wellness Hours:
Monday thru Friday — 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays — 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR
Once again Engage Wellness is proud to partner with Home Instead Senior
Care to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday
season. The event has become very popular and this year we will have a
limited number of names. Additional details will be posted near the front desk.
INVITATION TO ALL COOKIE LOVERS!
Friday, December 6th
12:15 after Chat Café
Please watch for additional details!
http://unmc.edu/homeinsteadcenter/wellness/index.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/UNMCs-EngAge-Wellness/146460928754482?ref=hlhttp://www.youtube.com/user/EngAgeWellness/feed?view_as=public