The Sarah Community, a faith-based continuum of care retirement community in Bridgeton, Mo., is building on its longstanding commitment to wellness with the debut of a new state-of-the-art Wellness Center. A recent ribbon cutting marked the official opening of the 1,000-square-foot addition, which features the latest fitness equipment, dedicated massage areas and space to host a series of wellness classes that promise something for everyone living and working in the community.
“Overall wellness of the body, mind and spirit has always been a primary focus at The Sarah Community,” commented Executive Director Mary Beth Hunt. “We are delighted to expand our offerings to include this new facility, which will help us to continue to deliver on our promise to be a community that is an active, vibrant and purposeful place to live.”
The Wellness Center will be utilized by the more than 300 nuns and seniors who reside in the community, as well as staff. They will have access to yoga, strength training, stretching and cardio group sessions; personal trainers; and representatives from Select Rehab, who will provide orientation and consultation on how to use the new equipment.
Transportation services will also be provided to the Bridgeton Community Center so residents can gain aquatic experience through water-based classes and activities in an Olympic-size pool.
Thanks to the Sarah Community’s commitment to overall health and wellness, residents have access to an array of additional opportunities outside of the Wellness Center. This includes programs like the Walking with Naomi experience that combines elements of both spiritual education and fitness as participants retrace the footsteps of Jesus during his lifetime. They consider the history, geography, ancient and contemporary culture of the area, as well as what Jesus did or said there. Residents who have visited these areas are invited to share their photos and stories. They gather once a month to share their mileage with each other, welcoming people who logged the miles on their own two feet or used motorized chairs or scooters for their personal journey.
The Sarah Community also has a parish nurse on staff, who is also a Presbyterian minister; in addition to offering overall healthcare consultations she holds ecumenical services for residents and staff of all faiths. Blood pressure check-ups, advice on insurance, and other supportive services that enable residents to remain independent longer, are provided through an ongoing relationship with St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions. Plus, DePaul Hospital is conveniently located adjacent to the Sarah Community so residents can get more comprehensive medical care as needed.
The importance of helping residents stay engaged and have the ability to continue to serve those in need is also being addressed, as plans are in the works to provide transportation for residents interested in volunteering their time and talents at a nearby homeless center.
Hunt notes that the dedication plaque in the new wellness center bears the inscription of a Corinthian verse that is at the heart of all the different components of their wellness initiative: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”
“We’re providing more opportunities every day for our residents and staff to embrace that message,” said Hunt.
Ken Dowden, who lives at Naomi House in the Sarah Community, agrees that such opportunities abound.
“There is no doubting the Sarah Community’s commitment to wellness,” said Dowden. “I have been active for most of my life, and I have always been independent. I’m 82 years old now and as my health deteriorates, I want to be as independent as possible for as long as I possible. I know living an active, healthy lifestyle is part of what helps me to stay independent. With the addition of the new Wellness Center and other fitness programs, the Sarah Community has created an environment where I can grow, thrive and keep my independence longer through their commitment to wellness.”
To learn more about the unique care environment offered throughout the entire The Sarah Community, call (314) 209-7000 or visit www.thesarahcommunity.com.
The Sarah Community is a non-profit, continuum of care retirement community located in Bridgeton, Mo., that offers older adults access to retirement apartments, assisted living and skilled nursing care through the Naomi, Veronica and Anna Houses, respectively. It was founded in 1997 through the collaboration of five Catholic religious congregations, including The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Fanciscan Sisters of Mary, Religious of the Sacred Heart, School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Loretto. The Sarah Community was developed and is managed by St. Andrew’s Management Services.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Hauser
(314) 436-9090