We want to highlight the great work UCP’s Residential Team is doing in the area of wellness. The UCP Health & Wellness Committee was established in 2021 to create a “culture of wellness” by promoting healthy lifestyles with an eye toward improving outcomes for the residential participants we support.

The initiative has six primary areas of focus:

• Farm to Table—gardening, fishing, preparing healthy meals
• Enhanced Fitness—adaptive exercises, resistance bands
• Guys Day Out—bowling, basketball, the Y
• Dance Club—staff-led chair Zumba, cardio, and more
• Special Olympics—sports and socialization
• Healthy Living & Stress Management—relationships and mindfulness

The UCP Dance Club, which was the brainchild of Residential Supervisor Mel Mellan, has proved to be a popular option for participants who want to get moving. The Club has been held weekly in Lewistown since March 2023. Camp Hill residents got in on the action a month ago and are also gathering weekly. This writer came away uplifted after seeing firsthand what takes place during a typical session at the Camp Hill Dance Club.

Residential Services Director Violet Mwangi, Residential Nurse Dawn Given, and Residential Supervisors Makenna Mosey and Ashley Still, led a team of staff and a dozen participants from four UCP homes in stretching, swaying, and following the steps to several dance videos. The session in question kicked off with the ‘90s dance sensation, the Macarena, and was followed by a cardio-aerobic workout video, despite the fact that a number of the participants are non-ambulatory. All of the dance moves and workout exercises are modified for individuals to be able to perform them from their chairs.

Everybody had a blast with their friends as they moved to the music while working up a sweat… and an appetite. In keeping with the spirit of wellness—each Dance Club session ends with everyone sharing a heart healthy meal… and meaningful social time. On this particular evening, staff served up veggie tortilla pizza, salad, fruit salad, and drinks.

The wellness initiative already has an impressive list of accomplishments. To date: 16% of residential participants have lost a total of 377 pounds and dropped a combined 66 BMI points.

Additional outcomes and benefits to participants include:

• Increased energy
• Improved blood sugar levels and respiratory function
• Lower blood pressure
• Decrease in hospitalizations
• Decrease in levels of diabetic and psychotropic medications
• Improved mental health and increased confidence
• Stronger, healthier relationships

In other words, there has been all-around improvement in key health and wellness indicators… ultimately leading to healthier lifestyles for participants.

For more information on these and similar services, call 717.737.3477 or 800.998.4827.