News

By Program and Events Coordinator Jena Necrason

This quote by playwright George Bernard Shaw expresses something deeply connected to the joy we find in living and inspires us to keep our spirit of play as we move through the stages of our lives.

We hope that we can inhabit our body with an energetic mind that helps us fulfill our true potential. We hope to give our mind the gift of a body that is strong and resilient.  The synergy of mind and body helps us continue to embrace wellness, even when the going gets tough.

Working as Program and Events Coordinator here at Wake Robin has taught me many new things about active aging.  As part of the team who oversees all wellness programs and fitness spaces on campus, we keep asking two questions:

Is this an innovative way of looking at things?

How can we continue to push ourselves to embrace new and engaging trends in active aging wellness?

Residents working out on the new Keiser training machines

In December of 2019, Wake Robin opened a new Fitness Center.  Our new space offers diverse options for residents to have their Wellness needs met right here on our beautiful campus. Our Strength Studio is full of state-of-the-art Keiser Strength Training equipment.  Our Cardio Area includes numerous machines ranging from a NordicTrack Spin Bike with technology that connects the user to online workout sessions both at gyms and in spectacular outdoor locations around the globe, to recumbent bikes that support a more rehabilitation-focused workout or a low-impact exercise session.

We look for ways to offer continuing education opportunities as part of our wellness program. Interactive workshops that demonstrate equipment use, ideas for progression of exercises, and how to use newer-trend handheld equipment are a fun way to encourage confidence and motivate residents to use the new space. This initiative is key to offering residents the opportunity to see themselves as active participants, break down barriers, and find community around wellness.  Our goal is to demystify the conversation, so our residents feel included and curious to know more.

Residents are excited to find, or re-connect with, their most-healthy self and this can lead to increased fitness levels, sharper brain health, and a boost in social engagement. Empowered by knowledge and basic building blocks, residents start to envision the Fitness Center as part of who they are.

This is an exciting time for Wake Robin. We are ready to meet the future in health and happiness and just as importantly, with a continuous spirit of play.

At Wake Robin, every Friday is jeans Friday. What does this mean? Each Friday, staff is encouraged to wear their favorite denim, and in exchange, they contribute one dollar to a donation fund. The Jeans Fund started five years ago.

Wake Robin HR Director Anne Levesque donating over $2,419 to Director Rob Meehan, Community Engagment Coordinator Anna McMahon of Feeding Chittenden

Well, as Mr. Franklin said, “a penny saved is a penny earned.”

We are happy to announce that during the past year, The Jeans Fund has continued to grow to nearly $2,500. These funds are then donated to area organizations for the betterment of the local community and this year Wake Robin’s HR Director Anne Levesque presented the annual donation to Feeding Chittenden, the largest direct service emergency food provider in the state of Vermont.

Why Donate to Feeding Chittenden?

Anne summed up why Wake Robin donated to Feeding Chittenden with the following.

“Each year we take donation ideas from the staff. We then list them and ask staff to vote for their preference. In this process we also try to highlight organizations that align with our values.  At Wake Robin, we are aware of how food insecurity can be a challenge for Vermonters who work by our side, but struggle to make ends meet. Feeding Chittenden works at all levels of food production chain, matching Wake Robin’s commitment to Healthy Food in Healthcare, a national initiative to support food sustainability and promote a healthier food system.”

Filling the food shelf at Feeding Chittenden

So, on a bright January afternoon, Anne and Media-Marketing Coordinator Francis McGill visited Feeding Chittenden, which is located on North Winooski Avenue in Burlington. They met with Feeding Chittenden Director Rob Meehan and Community Engagement Manager Anna McMahon. Rob and Anna gave the Wake Robin representatives a tour of the premises while highlighting the impact and reach of Feeding Chittenden’s programs.

Feeding Chittenden’s Impact

Feeding Chittenden not only serves the community but engages it. Its Community Kitchen Academy demonstrates this. CKA is a culinary job training program led by professional Senior Chef Instructor Jim Logan where students develop the professional and inter-personal skills they need to find and retain employment in the hospitality industry. The meals they prepare in the program are then used to fight hunger in the community.

A CKA culinary student

Besides, the Academy, Feeding Chittenden feeds over 10,000 county residents through its Food Shelf, operates a “Good Food Truck” that goes directly to communities in need, provides groceries to homebound clients and rescues over one million pounds of food waste each year. 

Make a Difference

Like Wake Robin, you can make a difference by joining the fight against hunger. Give your hands and heart by volunteering, or host a food drive.

You can make financial donations to Feeding Chittenden here.

Wake Robin is proud to announce that several members of its staff were honored at the VHCA (Vermont Health Care Association) annual convention, held September 24-26 at the Killington Resort.

The Environmental Services team was recognized as the 2018 Outstanding Environmental Services Team. Environmental Services at Wake Robin includes the Security, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Laundry, and Transportation Departments.  In addition to the regular day-to-day operations of a large campus comprised of independent living, residential care and nursing care, the Environmental Services staff is tasked with keeping Wake Robin operating smoothly in the midst of the expansive construction and renovation project currently underway.  The staff is managing this task through extraordinary teamwork, while keeping focused on the needs of Wake Robin residents in every setting within the community.

In addition, two Wake Robin staff members were individually honored at the convention.

Tasia Benham was named Occupational Therapist of the Year. Ms. Benham is not only dedicated to her role as an Occupational Therapist, but also delivers challenging and motivating wellness classes on a weekly basis including Tai Chi in Wake Robin’s therapeutic pool (known as Ai Chi) as well as a cardio based aquatic class. Tasia is skilled at modifying and adapting to new ideas, challenges, and resident feedback in a positive and seamless way that continues to drive the success of Wake Robin’s programming.

Amy Lyman was named LPN of the Year. In her over 20 years at Wake Robin, Ms. Lyman has worked every shift, and in every neighborhood, in numerous roles.  The VHCA award recognizes Amy’s organizational skills and ability to transform chaos into functionality and purpose.  Her nomination to this award was submitted by her team, attesting to her leadership skills.

The Vermont Health Care Association is committed to advocating on behalf of residents, staff and communities that depend on Vermont’s nursing, residential care, and assisted living homes as an integral component of the long-term care continuum

Congratulations to all!