Wellness Programs
"Wellness is about perspective, about balance and about the big picture. It is a lifestyle and a personalized approach to living your life in such a way that you enjoy maximum freedom, including freedom FROM illness/disability and premature death to the extent possible, and freedom TO experience life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is a declaration of independence for becoming the best kind of person that your potentials, circumstances and fate will allow." Donald B. Ardell, PhD, Ardell WellnessReport (1999, p. 1)
"Wellness" is your choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It starts with a decision to shape a healthy lifestyle—according to your own definition and your personal goals. The Wellness department at Jefferson Healthcare is here to support you in achieving your wellness goals. We want to help you be the best you can be and to encourage you to reach your optimal level of physical and psychological well-being. We know that feeling better is the first step to actually being well, and we're here to help you take those first steps to wellness.
"A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step." Lao-Tsu., Tao Te Ching
Changing any lifestyle behavior or starting a new routine is generally not easy. Lifestyle change is not simply a single event or a one-time decision but a dynamic process. The process includes self-reflection, learning, making choices, skill development, and occasional readjustment of your plans and goals. We are here to guide you through this process and to help you enter into it in a nonjudgmental frame of mind, so that you are gentle with yourself as you embark on your journey to wellness.
A recipe for healing: Simplify. Sit in Silence. Set your goals. Seek support. Self-care.
To support you, we offer a number of education programs, along with supervised exercise programs and support groups. The programs we currently offer are
- cardiac rehabilitation,
- diabetes education,
- the Exercise for Health program,
- pulmonary rehabilitation,
- support groups,
- massage therapy,
- the Beginning with Balance program,
- exercise treadmill testing,
- the Freedom from Smoking program, and
- community forums–which also are replayed on PTTV.
"Look to this day! For it is life, the very life of life . . .""Kalidasa," excerpt from an ancient Sanskrit poem
Support Groups
"Support group members look at you not with sympathy but with understanding."
Support groups are an important part of healing and learning to live with chronic illness or loss. A support group will provide you with an opportunity to meet other people who are in a situation similar to your own. You will have a chance to express yourself, to explore solutions to problems, to learn coping skills, and to gain new insights about living comfortably. The support group setting is positive and nonjudgmental. The common bond that comes from sharing can bring relief from the stresses of living with loss or chronic illness. Jefferson Healthcare offers the following monthly and bimonthly facilitated support groups:
"And you could keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles in your life. Your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy." From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
- Bariatric Support Group
- Bereavement Support Group
- Better Breathers Support Group
- Cancer Support Group
- Cardiac Support Group
- Caregivers Support Group
- Chronic Illness Support Group
- Diabetes Support Group
- Parkinson’s Support Group
"Every day move ahead. Do the common everyday things that remind you—you are alive . . ." Unknown