Question: Why focus on health & exercise?
Answer: Because we care! ❤️
When joining the Beacon team, quality care is top of mind. It starts with our intake department and ensuring all personal needs are met for each family member. Our clinical and medical teams are part of the introductory process. Once everything is organized and setup, transition into the home begins. Your loved one(s) will meet housemates, get setup in their room, go out to dinner with the team, spend time with our Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Home Managers, and get acquainted with their surroundings. Sometimes the transition into their “new home” will take a few days or a few weeks; it all comes down to the individual person receiving care.
Once our new resident is settled into their home, it’s time for them to get acquainted with our fun activities. BSLS follows a renowned food program called MY25. MY25 is great because it takes the guesswork out of everything: food plans are made, shopping lists are created, meal prep is provided. MY25 staff even allow people-supported to speak with chefs on Zoom calls and partake in quarterly fitness challenges to motivate individuals to embrace healthy food choices, improve eating habits, and encourage movement.
Personalized, digital nutrition and proactive support addressing the needs of individuals with IDD, behavioral and mental health challenges, autism, Down syndrome, and TBI; clients in recovery/rehabilitation; and the elderly . . . as well as associated stakeholders & funders. Learn more about how My25 has changed the lives of individuals living with intellectual disabilities, click on the image.
This summer Beacon is raising the stakes! We want to see all of our people-supported (homes) in each state get moving in the ways that inspire them most! We’ve challenged them to “Move 100 miles” by Labor Day. The rules are simple; take any type of movement and convert the fitness type/length of time into miles. We will have a friendly chart to make it a live competition to see who does what type of fitness, where, and how long. There will be prizes for those who meet the 100 mile goal.
Why is exercise important? Basic benefits of exercise include controlling various types of health conditions (very important for our people-supported), boosts energy, improves mood, improves weight/strengthens muscles and bones, better quality of sleep, brings people together with new experiences and laughter, and it’s a reason to be outside.
What types of exercises are there? There is strength/weight training, cardio/endurance, balancing/breathing techniques, and focusing on stretching/flexibility. (Individual type-exercises) Strength training can consist of kettlebell workouts, lifting weights, and even body weights. Cardio includes walking, running, biking, and swimming. Balancing would be exercises on a bosu ball or yoga-type poses. Flexibility can simply be working on stretching, tai chi, and even Pilates.
- Strength and Weight Training
- Cardio and Endurance
- Focus on Balance, Breathing, and Harmony
- Stretching and Mobility
Over 21 million adults between ages 18-64 live with a disability (CDC), and 38% of adults with a disability don’t actively exercise enough (ACSM). It is our goal to inspire and reach them exactly where they are at, and then we slowly help them grow to achieve goals they would like to reach. Health is always a #1 priority. So, we always like to discuss regular exercises. But when regular exercises aren’t always the answer, what are other options?
Sometimes disabilities cause physical or mental limitations but it doesn’t mean the limitation means nothing can be accomplished; it means we get creative. If there is an intellectual disability, we might focus more on arts and crafts, meditating (standing in a relaxed pose), or writing (composing music, poems, short stories). If there is a physical disability, options for exercise can include gardening (this is a favorite at our homes), seated yoga, video games (such as Wii Sports), table sports (like ping pong or table bowling), and writing (strengthens hands; we have a penpal program).
Music and Arts & Crafts are a favorite among many of our people-supported! They can get involved anytime, it allows for a wide-range of creativity, it’s fun, and it can be shared with everyone. Both involve movement, smiles, happiness, and something to share afterwards.
It’s important to be healthy and fit! Taking that one step, that one stride, that one start. Make a beginning that leads to a brighter tomorrow. Perfectly worded by Venus Williams
“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t just pretend that you do and at some point, you will.”
Venus Williams