We “Walked” to Kansas!

Dinora Negrete, Assistant Activities Director at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community, noticed a problem. Sierra View Homes has a well-equipped Wellness Center, complete with indoor pool and machines that assist exercise at all fitness levels, however she noticed that fewer residents were using it than really should. Remaining active as we age is critical, but what could she do to incentivize residents to come work out?

She ended up coming up with a fun and creative way that has made a permanent impact in the lives of multiple residents!

“I wanted residents to come to the Wellness Center, but I wanted (them) to have a motivation, so I started asking them, ‘If you had to choose a place, where would you like to go?’” They chose Kansas because multiple residents have ties to the Mennonite community there. And the “Walk to Kansas” competition was born!

18 residents set out on their ‘journey’ logging their miles. Many visited the Wellness Center to use elliptical machines, bikes, and treadmills. Others logged their steps walking together around the Sierra View Homes campus. Over three months, a friendly competition broke out among the top walkers as they strove to beat each others’ miles. On June 16, when they finally made it, they had a party and gave out medals for the top achievers! The neatest thing? Since then, many have kept walking. They had created a walking habit that stuck!

“They have

become stronger –

that’s what the

purpose was!”

– Dinora