Living Well at Friendship Village Kalamazoo: Our Health and Wellness Navigation Program
Living Well at Friendship Village
Emotional Wellness
The friendship and camaraderie you’ll find at Friendship Village are up-lifting and life-affirming. Our Living Well philosophy encourages laughter and good times!
- Mindfulness (meditation) classes
- Tai Chi
- Dominoes, bridge, pinochle, Bingo and other board and card games
- Support groups that focus on veterans, caregivers, family and residents, grief and others
- Pet friendly
- Nature walking trails
- Nurturing massage therapy
- Reminiscing Groups, Relaxation Groups
- Laughter for a Change – Therapeutic Laughter/Laugh Factor Activities
- Activities for Large groups, small groups as well as one-on-one
Environmental Wellness
Friendship Village is a good citizen of the planet. We manage our resources and strive to leave a smaller footprint on our world. You’ll be able to help us. Together, we’ll lead a lifestyle that is respectful to our environment.
- Campus recycling center
- Eco-friendly raised-bed and ground gardening
- Reduced paper usage
- Preservation of our expansive green spaces
- Container gardening
- Bird feeding and watching stations
Health Wellness
Friendship Village emphasizes the importance of wellness and staying healthy. Living Well services offered at Friendship Village that a resident can access anytime for the highest possible quality of life include:
- Full-time Health Care Navigator to assist and coordinate all health related care for residents
- Assistance in dealing with life changes
- Liaison with home health agency for provision of home health services
- Collaboration with emergency personnel during 911 response
- Coordination of discharge planning following a hospitalization
- Education for Advance Directives
- Assistance in arranging for in-home private companion or nursing care
- Assistance in coordinating physician and other medical appointments including pre-planned hospitalization or surgery
- Blood Pressure Checks
- Assistance in obtaining physician ordered physical, occupational and speech therapy services as well as audiology, podiatry and other medical services
- Skilled nursing care
- Physician supported care
- Podiatry, dentistry, vision and audiology consults
- Recreational director-led groups to discuss different techniques to live healthy
- Medication management
- Nurses on duty 24 hours a day
- Assisted Living Apartments arranged in neighborhood settings to accommodate for mobility, hearing, and vision challenges.
Intellectual Wellness
When we exercise our minds – just like our bodies – they stay in shape and get even sharper as we age. An active mind tries new things and is committed to continually learning. Never stop learning!
- Education programs and lecture series including select on-site Osher Life Long Learning classes offered through Western Michigan University
- Monthly book clubs, including in the Kalamazoo-wide Community Read of the Kalamazoo Public Library
- Computer training classes for both Apple and PC devices
- Creative Writing and Art classes
- “Third Thursday” and “Tall Tales” resident-run groups
- TED Talks with Ken (TED=Technology, Education and Design)
- The incredible Alberta Brown Library
- Media Center stocked with movies, popular magazines, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, audio books and computers
- The Ann Harrison Art Gallery
- Resident-led discussions – Q & A sessions on life experiences, profession, etc.
- Travel art galleries – “Hands on Art” w/ lead discussion, education and hands on experiences
- Crafts
- Trivia, Mind Joggers, Craniums Crunchers
- Montessori Program & Sensory Stimulation
- Mneme Therapy (Art Therapy)
Physical Wellness
Strengthen Your Body! Your path to Living Well at Friendship Village involves physical activity, nutrition, preventive health screenings, even sleep and stress management.
- State-of-the-art Fitness Center featuring strength and cardio equipment especially designed for older adults
- Full-time Fitness Center Manager who leads a variety of exercise classes in our Group Fitness Studio for all levels of abilities – from sitting to really moving: Chair Fitness, Seniors of Strength; Cardio Fusion and Line Dancing.
- Enjoy a walk on the nearly two miles of paved trails through our wonderful and serene Village Woods. Or, stay indoors and do the inside circuit through our hallways!
- Chef Nicole leads monthly presentations on seasonal foods and eating right and healthy
- Monthly tai chi classes
- Daily exercise groups
- Chair Zumba
- Adapted sports
- Wheelchair walks indoors and outdoors
- Restorative Care Program
Social Wellness
Living Well at Friendship Village means having an active social life! Socialization increases quality of life, feelings of belonging, mental function, and longevity. Our culture, woven throughout Friendship Village, promotes a desire to take advantage of increased free time to discover new opportunities for camaraderie and great conversation!
- Join our full range of social activities, both on and off campus
- Weekly Happy Hour in the Courtyard Café
- Musical performances in the Kiva Auditorium
- Day trips to museums and theaters, like The Civic, Miller Auditorium and the Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Out to Lunch Bunch
- Dominoes, bridge, pinochle, Bingo and other board and card games
- Fine Films and Movie Night
- Friday night Wii bowling
- Annual trips abroad to exotic and great destinations like Ireland, Hawaii and others
- Birthday Parties
- Movies Nights
- Discussion groups, social hours
- Musical performances
- Annual facility-wide fair & petting zoo, Marathon
- Annual Winter Gala
- Senior Prom (WS & HC)
- Annual Nursing Home Week Celebration – daily interactive themes for all staff and residents
- Neighborhoods of 10-13 apartments create an intimate environment ideal for developing and nurturing friendships.
Spiritual Wellness
Our Live Well™ philosophy means your religious and spiritual journey will find a safe nurturing place here at Friendship Village. We know it’s an important part of whole person wellness.
- Meditation classes within the community
- A full range of spiritual opportunities
- Sunday vespers led by our chaplain
- Friday Bible study
- Catholic mass
- Tuesday Rosary
- Tai-chi classes
- Holistic massage therapy
- Hymn Sing
- Chaplin-led weekly non-domination services
- External church volunteer groups come to the Health and Rehabilitation Center to minister to residents
- Spiritual Inspirations
Vocational Wellness
Your talents, wisdom and experience are valuable to Kalamazoo – give something back! Live Well™ at Friendship Village promotes opportunities to volunteer, both here and within our surrounding community.
- Outdoor area with opportunities for resident herb garden and raised gardening beds for vegetables and flowers
- Variety of volunteer opportunities that include student mentoring, health care companionship, Resale Shop, Village Store and philanthropy
- Wood working in our fabulous and fully outfitted Wood Shop
- Crafting
- Resident Council and its committees
- Guardians of Gratitude Committee
- Resident council
- Crafts
- Interns w/ one on one interaction
- Resident-led wisdom and experiences – example: foreign language
- Cooking Club and Cooking Demonstrations
Moving to Friendship Village was more than just a move into a new residence; it was a move into a new way of life!
Jerry McLellan
Resident
At Friendship Village I have everything I need to live well; socialization, transportation, nutrition, intellectual stimulation, fitness classes and equipment, entertainment, and much more!
Fay Woolrich
Resident
