Physical Activity One of Six Dimensions in Crane’s Mill’s “La Via” Wellness Program

Exercise Physiologist Plays a Key Role in Crane’s Mill Residents’ Personal Route to Wellness

The La Via Wellness program at Crane’s Mill senior living community enhances resident well-being by focusing on six distinct dimensions of wellness: physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social, vocational, and environmental. We believe that a well-rounded approach is key to long-term health. With the help of dedicated experts who specialize in each dimension of La Via, residents follow their own paths to engage their bodies and minds. Chelsea Rojas, our professional exercise physiologist, oversees the physical aspects of the program.

Chelsea earned her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University before embarking on a career in geriatric health. In her job as a homecare therapist, she grew to love working with the older adult community—a passion that brought her to Crane’s Mill in October 2020. A firm believer in a multidimensional approach to wellness, Chelsea was very excited to participate in the La Via Wellness program.

As exercise physiologist, Chelsea teaches classes ranging from stretching and movement to cardio, strength, and aquatic exercise. She also guides individual residents, crafting plans to help them meet their unique fitness goals. Every three months she conducts a health assessment to see how consistent participants are progressing, or just to check in on benchmarks like balance and blood pressure. Chelsea tries to improve residents’ lives every day through positivity, health, and movement, sharing inspirational words on a bulletin board at the gym. Her mantra? “Motion is lotion!” In other words, the more you move, the better you feel!

Chelsea finds that real-life motivation works wonders for residents. People who might not understand the purpose of exercise for its own sake can often see the point if it has concrete applications. One resident, for example, had trouble walking after a fall and relied on a mobility scooter to get around. Chelsea met with him and determined that he would benefit from tangible goals, so he could apply what they did together to his time alone. Chelsea challenged this resident to walk the distance from his bedroom to his front door, a task he would need to complete in order to pick up a goodie bag that was going to be dropped off. He didn’t just manage to walk that distance—a new record—he wanted to go farther! With Chelsea following closely behind and tracking his steps, he covered a whole mile using just his rollator. He was ecstatic! Anticipating a moment when he could use what he learned in real life motivated this resident to go above and beyond his own expectations.

In Chelsea’s view, the physical dimension of wellness underpins the other five dimensions addressed by La Via—in her words, “The way you start is the way you end.” Improved movement can help with many underlying physical and mental health conditions. Physical fitness also builds confidence; residents who work with Chelsea tend to be more open to trying new things. Fitness can be fun, too—one project Chelsea is looking forward to is the upcoming Senior Olympics at Crane’s Mill, involving feats of mental and physical strength like brain games, egg and spoon races, and the fan-favorite rollator push.

There’s something new every day, and that’s what makes working at Crane’s Mill exciting, Chelsea says. Some residents are eager to get moving, while others take a little more convincing. Either way, they’re never shy about sharing how they feel! To Chelsea, the challenges are worth it, because the results are so rewarding.

Check out the most recent Millstream Calendar to see the latest scheduled programming.