[KJW #108] WELcoming JOY And LOVE For Better Health And Healing

INDEX

JOY and LOVE influence our better health and healing.

Our e-motions are energy in motion. Our thoughts and words are energy. By deliberately choosing the co-creation of better inner energy; by choosing better thoughts, better words, better e-motions and better actions, we are multiplying healing energy which is going to influence the biochemistry in our body... at a cell level.

This is the subject of a workshop in February by Kathy Ward.


WEL Goodwill Ambassadors of JOY For Elders

Our six new ambassadors of JOY are making a difference in their lives, the lives of our elders and their caregivers. By influencing healing and well-being with the practice of positive emotions; happiness, joy, listening, music for healing, love, community integration and by not focusing, promoting or practicing destructive and toxic life-styles. Healing is something we can all co-create. It is about nurturing our spiritual, emotional, physical and mental energy.

We will provide more information about projects and better practices of our dear WEL Goodwill Ambassadors of JOY for Elders.



Conversation with Remarkable Elders About Happiness and Well-Being... Washington D. C. - USA

Kathy: This conversation is about sharing and listening to our feelings, emotions, thoughts and beliefs about our lives. A sort of wellness support group to echo the voices of our minds and hearts. As you know many better ways can begin today, at this very moment, by listening to each other and by listening to ourselves too. I would like to start our conversation focusing on personal happiness. Who goes first?

Gertrude: Happiness is a state of mind.

Lucille: Happiness for me is New York, when I moved out of New York I left my heart and all my happiness there.

Norman: Lucille, you can close your eyes and remember all the wonderful things you lived and had in NY... when you remember you live again. For me happiness is what I make of each moment. I choose to be happy. It is a choice I have learned.

Rosa: I agree with Gertrude and Norman. Happiness is a state of mind. We as elders sometimes cannot do all the things we used to do but we can be happy if we look beyond those things we no longer can do. Because, there are many other things that we can do now.

Kathy: Great Rosa! What do you mean by looking beyond those things?

Rosa: Life is an adventure; we never know what is going to happen next. The longer we live, the more we learn. Today I have so much more self-confidence and wisdom. Life is a joy! There is no need to focus on the past. Let's focus on "what can be done today or tomorrow." However, tomorrow is today!

Norman: I am in a wheelchair and I love to dance. Can you image that? I remember how beautiful it was to dance with my wife. she was my happiness too. She was always smiling no matter what. Today a smile means a lot to me. Not only because it makes me feel good, but also because I value that someone is happy and wants to share that with me. If I choose to say Hi and also smile, it is almost automatically, I also feel happy. The more I focus on happy memories, happy phrases, happy people, I also feel happy.

Ruth: I think we feel happy when we acknowledge other people and things around us. It does change our focus and energy.

Kathy: What do you mean by that Ruth?

Ruth: For example Lucille, she is no longer in New York, she misses the people and places and other things that made her happy. She thinks about NY constantly and her mind is not focused on her life NOW. We are here. We are also people, we can be her friends. We have also traveled and we can talk about many interesting things with her. Life is an opportunity, after opportunity, you take it or waste it.

Lucille: Thank you but... nothing like New York.

Rosa: Being among friends and happy people make us happy.

Kathy: What else makes you happy?

Gertrude: Ah! There is something very important that makes everyone feel good and happy and that is HUMOR. It is very hard to be next to someone with a good sense of humor and be sad. For some people no matter what is going on around them, they seem to find a way to feel good and enjoy the positive sides of life... you know, sometimes it is about the simple things.

Kathy: What other simple things can make us happy?

Lucille: Champaign and chocolates.

Norman: For me education because it helps us to find ourselves.

Ruth: For me my family or a hug. Or being in here with all of you.

Gertrude: For me a walk in the garden or a good book.

Rosa: For me, Santa Clause makes me very happy.

Lucille: How silly! You are an old lady Rosa. Do not tell me that you still believe in Santa Clause, ha!

Rosa: Oh Yes, I do. It is wonderful to know that there is someone out there that can do something to help you, unexpectedly, and will not ask for anything else in return. I do believe in Santa Clause and I do believe in people doing good.

... the group applauded Rosa. Norman said, "I want to sit next to you Rosa, do you mind?"

Kathy: How many of you believe in Santa Clause? (By show of hands everyone except one person.)

Norman: The most amazing thing about this metaphor is that all of us can be Santa Clause at any moment if we choose to do so. This is not about religion; this is about being a kind human being. It is selfless service – decency.

Kathy: I am with you Norman. It is about co-creating a better reality, a better life, a better world. Not only with good intentions but with good actions. Sort of ACTIVATING THE WORD HAPPINESS and PEACE. Beautiful actions based on the language of the heart. We all can do that in spite of our disabilities, limitations or our chronological age. Each one of us is a seed of JOY... have you thought about that?

Raymond: To know that we are here in this world and that we can make a difference in our own life and other people’s life is an invitation, a sort of "calling". It is true that parts of our body may not work in the same way as they used to. Perhaps this is part of growing up. It is true that we may no longer drive or dance, but there are other things we can do. You see, we seem to focus more on what we no longer do or have and we sometimes choose to ignore what we do have. For example, how nice is to sit around the fireplace, in the basement of our home, to discuss our feelings and what is in our minds and hearts.

There is something I have to tell you... I have lived here for six months and today for the first time I do not feel like a stranger. I feel you are my family and I like the way some of you think. I wish we could do this more often.

... Norman unlocked his wheelchair and approaching Raymond said...

Norman: Hi Raymond, my name is Norman, nice to meet you, please join me for dinner.

Raymond: Nice to meet you too. Sure, I will have dinner with you.

Rosa: Well, I guess I would have to have dinner with Santa Clause then.

Raymond: Rosa, would you like to join Norman and I for dinner?

Rosa: What took you so long?

Lucille: How silly is all this. I had enough of all of you.

Ruth: I think that happiness is a personal matter because it is up to us to accept and live life and to stop feeling dead inside. I feel good about my friends and I think that among them today at dinner the chicken will have more substance.

Kathy: I agree with you Ruth. Caring for others is one of our most precious human values and actions. We have been here for more than 35 minutes listening to what each one of us wants to share with everyone. I am glad you feel good and I wish we could continue meeting more often. Your feelings and thoughts are important. When we look beyond our limitations, others too will do the same. As you acknowledged your own capacities to nurture your life you can find better ways to live.

WEL, World Elder Land has partnered with The Love Foundation to promote and observe "Global Love Day, May 1, 2009"

Choose to be LOVE

It is our vision to unite one and all in a celebration of love and compassion. We honor each May 1st as a symbolic day of unconditional love and call upon all people and all nations to gather together in the wisdom of peace and love.

WEL is promoting the multiplication of actions and moments of LOVE among our dear elders and their caregivers. Please share your stories, special celebrations and projects with us. Remember we can make a difference!

What I Can Do? Simply be love. Let the love within your heart be the focus of your awareness throughout the day. Allow yourself to be accepting, forgiving, peaceful, joyful and in harmony with yourself and all life around you. Just be!

Everyone is invited!!!

Harold W. Becker, Founder and President, John T. Goltz, Co-Founder and Vice President, Kathy J. Ward, Love Ambassador by The Love Foundation, Florida, USA

Healing Art Project With Elders.

If I see through your eyes what would I see?

"Seeing Love Through My Eyes."

Healing Art Class With Kathy And Our Elders.

Before we began our project we had a conversation about the
importance of healing emotions and visualization. How can we
visualize love and co-create a better reality in our brains... more over,
can we materialize our "dreams"? You'll see, yes our elders decided
to choose their favorite animals and make them in
shapes of hearts...love.

The elder that made this composition wrote,
"This is all we need." Mr. Williams.

Dearest source of love, help us become instruments of PEACE!

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com

Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward, Universal Peace Ambassador
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Author
website: www.kathyjward.com/KJW
blog: www.kathyjward.com/blog

© 2006-2010 Notice: No part of KJW blog or KJW websites: WEL, World Elder Land, ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy, BWCA, Better World Community Adventures, may be reproduced, totally or partially, in any form or by any means, without the written prior permission of the author. The use of our materials in KJW websites, conferences, group presentations, publications or network computer system is prohibited without the written prior permission of the author. The use of proposals presented and discussed during individual meetings by WEL or KJW is prohibited without the written prior permission of Kathy J. Ward. There can be a civil penalty for a person or organization that violates KJW copyright.

PRACTICE - EDUCATION - SCIENCE

[KJW #107] WELcoming a festive season of love and healing...

I N D E X

- Our Holiday Message 2008

- Chapters For Peace - A community-based program

- Veterans History Project, National Library of Congress - Update

- Workshops With Elders... Wellness Of The Mind

We are Christmas!

What did Jesus do at Christmas? Did he go with Mary and Joseph's for a family meal? Did he sing carols? Did he open presents?... He never knew Christmas. If he came back today, he wouldn't know what on earth is going on? Do you?

Now, a quick question... What do you really believe in? What aspect of what you are doing this festive season represents a genuine display of feelings, beliefs, actions and intentions? For whose benefit are you holding Christmas this year?

For me Christmas is the welcoming of love in our souls and lives. Christmas is giving birth to love. Is it possible that WE are Christmas? May this universal Christmas be an inspiration to become and transform our lives into prophets of hope, givers of grace, co-creators of love and bestowers of well-being in our lives. May the echo of our good deeds and healthy feelings influence all living beings; people, animals and nature.

I am not proposing the celebration of two Christmases or to hold on to a festive season all year through. I am proposing to extend a genuine Christmas, a metamorphosis of a tradition into a daily rebirth of LOVE.

Thank you for your good energy. For allowing and for sharing... the world needs our love.

Merry Merry Christmas and Peace be with you!
Kathy Ward

- Chapters For Peace: A WEL community-based program.

In 2003 WEL, World Elder Land started an initiative to foster meaningful social support networks and community integration, intergenerational dialog and the inclusion of ALL community members into the process of betterment of their small worlds.

The first Chapter For Peacewas formed in South East, Washington D. C. while we were restoring an old house that served as a home for elders with HIV that did not have access to medical insurance. All community members were invited to volunteer their time and resources. We did not ask for government or corporate help or assistance from any other agency or organization. The Chapter For Peace was formed by people that wanted to make a difference, at their pace, where simplicity, love and generosity of hearts are ways to co-create a better world for everyone; people, animals and nature.

Benefits of three aspects of community integration: physical, psychosocial and the betterment of our spiritual humanity.

Promote a number of significant social roles. Such roles facilitate meaning and purpuse. The sense of belonging, personal well-being, better communication skills, problem-solving skills and self-efficacy that stems from these roles is an important part of everyone's health and community healing. More over, it fosters a better understanding of our basic human rights.

Members of the Chapter For Peace decided to decorate the four bedrooms of this house. The theme, the four seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. Others donated blankets (new or used), a sound system, a portable CD player, heaters, their time and professional help too.

With so much JOY we are happy to report that as of today there are 64 Chapters For Peace on planet Earth. Some of them led by elders members of their communities. If you wish to form a Chapter For Peace or learn more about it, please download the form below... and let us know about your progress by writing to wel@worldelderland.com Everyone is invited!!!

Better World Community Adventures is a project of WEL, World Elder Land as it is the "Chapters For Peace." However, all Chapters are independent and do not report to us.

Click here to obtain a printable pdf color brochure

Veterans History Project at the National Library of Congress. A tribute to our elders... 2008 Update

Jeff Lofton and Kathy Ward got together in September 2004 and brainstormed about better ways to design a Retirement Community Outreach Program to collect stories from our veterans to be kept at the National Library of Congress... Four years later, with more than 60,000 entries, a new location and exhibit, we bring you an update, new photos and more information about this meaningful project.

Jeffrey Lofton and Kathy Ward: 2004 - 2008

The Mission of the Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of  war veterans who served our nation so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

A better world is possible!

At the exhibit there is a wonderful newspaper that focuses on positive news. One of the soldiers in the war decided to make her own newspaper including happy messages, positive news, drawings and announcing events that never happen but as if they were going to happen. This initiative was very popular among everyone then.

Unfortunately over 1,000 WWII and Korean War veterans pass away each month.  For that reason, VHP is eager for care-givers or volunteers to make it a priority to collect their stories.

VHP is also eager for volunteers to record more stories of women and minority veterans to ensure that the stories in the VHP collection represent the veterans who served our nation.

Volunteers interested in recording the stories of veterans may download a "how to record a story" booklet by clicking here. The Field Kit provides easy-to-follow steps on how to record a story of a veteran, complete the required forms, and send the collection to the Library of Congress.

The VHP general information brochure is also available online. Click here to obtain a copy.

WEL encourages Activity Directors, Directors of Volunteer Services, Social Workers, Therapeutic Recreation Directors, Chaplains, family members and all community members to motivate our veterans and their caregivers to submit personal accounts of war veterans.

Photos of the new exhibit at the National Library of Congress

Click here to view a 2004 photo collage

As Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu recently noted, “It is by preventing, rather than reacting, that we can truly fulfill our shared responsibility to end the worst forms of human rights abuses. The Responsibility to Protect is frequently misunderstood. It is not a justification of military intervention. It simply requires states to protect their own people and help other states to build the capacity to do the same."

Workshop with Elders: Wellness Of The Mind

Objectives of the workshop:

- The brain bears the footprints of the decisions we have made. Learn how to empower the mind to better the brain and the whole-person.

- Our thoughts are not facts. Learn how to utilize visualization therapy, color therapy and meditation to co-create healing.

Comments from the participants:

Life is a life-long learning process and we have the ability to influence its direction.

I have learned not to feel uncomfortable, that I have things to work on. Rather, look at them as an opportunity to build upon not beat self down.

I now realize we have to live in balance (all aspects of wellness), and I will help myself and be my best friend. The content is helping me manage my own depression, my Dad's "graduation" and my own aging.

I love your view of death as a "graduation". I love the idea of a "spiritual breakfast."

I have learned today to love myself more. To be my own cheerleader. The exercises to heal mind fog were great!

Kathy, you teach me so much. I have been a self centered brat when I could have been a being of love. I know ... self-criticism does not help either.

Dearest source of love, help us become instruments of PEACE!

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com


Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Practitioner and Consultant
Member NGO Committee on Aging, UN
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal
Author
Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
E-mail:    connection@KathyJWard.com

 © Copyright 2009 Kathy J. Ward. All rights reserved.                  

No part of KJW blog or KJW websites: WEL, World Elder Land, ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy, BWCA, Better World Community Adventures, may be reproduced, totally or partially, in any form or by any means, without the written prior permission of the author. The use of our materials in KJW websites, conferences, group presentations, publications or network computer system is prohibited without the written prior permission of the author. The use of proposals presented and discussed during individual meetings by WEL or KJW is prohibited without the written prior permission of Kathy J. Ward. There can be a civil penalty for a person or organization that violates KJW copyright.

[KJW #106] Global Health, Harry Potter And The Responsibility That Comes With Power.

This material is based on subliminal positive persuasion that reprograms thoughts, beliefs and habits. Kathy invites you to enter in a wonderful peaceful time and space of rejuvenation for your healing, mind and soul. Kathy helps you to unclutter your mind using guided imagery and each CD focuses on a specific aspect of health and healing.

These CDs are ideal for elders and their care-givers; family members, volunteers or health care professionals working with elders.

Title: Spiritual Breakfast, Scan Your Body and Mindfulness To Manage Stress - Self- empowerment visualization and meditation exercise for elders and care-givers. (click here to order).

Title: Listening To Our Body, Breathing and The Present Moment - Self-empowerment visualization and meditation exercise for elders and care-givers. (click here to order).

Title: Influencing Our Reality, Letting Go, Co-Creating our Better Truth Learn how to utilize your mind to influence healing in your physical and spiritual body. (click here to order).

Combining Spirituality and Visual Spatial Skills.

The brain has the ability to appreciate one’s position in space and to also understand other objects and their relationship in space. This skill is thought to be related to the function of the parietal lobe near the posterior of the cortex.

Spatial skill becomes important as we navigate in the world, with driving, and with simple walks around the block. Sometimes we might get lost in an environment such as a parking garage that represents a type of spatial disorientation. The brain has the capacity to affix landmarks and cues to new environments to help us with spatial orientation. Some forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, also affects the spatial skill of the brain often leading to a person getting lost and eventually requiring locked doors to prevent walking away.

During this project, our elders are invited to trace their hand on a sheet of paper. After they decorate (their hand), they will proceed to chose magazines cut outs with words, figures, letters, colors, etc., to tell a story about their lives, preferences, thoughts, experiences, feeling and future.

Neurotheology

Spirituality is an important component of brain rejuvenation and health. The soul collage is a form of expressive art therapy that promotes feelings of self-efficacy, self-esteem, well-being and better immune system. It is an opportunity to connect with the "self", explore our deepest beliefs, habits and personality traits. The soul collage is completed after a short guided meditation. A whole new field of study referred to as “neurotheology” has been advanced to study the neurophysiological correlates of prayer and meditation. (please contact me for more information about this therapeutic fun program.)

WEL, World Elder Land in a new partnership with Global Peace Festival

- Fostering An Intergenerational Dialog and Culture Of Peace
- Inspiring An Innovative Approach To Peacebuilding

Peace is a process of our human evolving and we can activate it and co-create it.

A called for ordinary citizens, including our elders, to become more involved in voluntary peacemaking and service efforts on the world stage.

Fifty thousand people crammed into Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium for the latest in a series of spectacular successes for the Global Peace Festival. One of the largest interfaith gatherings ever held in Japan highlighted months of community service and outreach aimed at encouraging Japan, already a strong player in aid and environmental issues, to become a global force for peace.

The Global Peace Festival moves on this week from Tokyo to London, followed by the Solomon Islands, Brazil, and the Philippines. By the end of the year, organizers estimate that over a million people will have joined the festival worldwide.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Hiroo Suzuki, Chair of the GPF Japan Executive Committee, thanked the more than 100 local Non Government Organizations and community service partners, presenting awards to five of them. Notable among the many community service projects held nationwide in the weeks before the Global Peace Festival was a bottle-cap-recycling drive started by schoolchildren in the Tokyo area.

Sign in the WEL Family Map
You are invited to sign our guest book
with inspirational and positive messages.

Send us your inspiring holiday message.

* * * * *

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com

Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Care Practitioner and Consultant
Author
Member NGO Committee on Aging, UN
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
E-mail:    connection@KathyJWard.com
                   

© Copyright 2004-09 Kathy J. Ward. All rights reserved.
No part of KJW blog or KJW websites: WEL, World Elder Land, ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy, BWCA, Better World Community Adventures, may be reproduced, totally or partially, in any form or by any means, without the written prior permission of the author. The use of our materials in KJW websites, conferences, group presentations, publications or network computer system is prohibited without the written prior permission of the author. The use of proposals presented and discussed during individual meetings by WEL or KJW is prohibited without the written prior permission of Kathy J. Ward. There can be a civil penalty for a person or organization that violates KJW copyright.

[KJW #105] ... and the WEL Better Ways Award of 2008 goes to

Vermont, USA: Garry Davis, 87, an activist elder and first world citizen, receives the WEL Better Ways Award of 2008 from
Kathy Ward, president of WEL, World Elder Land.



The Law of Love

WEL has chosen to honor the work and meaningful life of our Garry Davis because of his vision of a world without borders where all members of the human family can live together as citizens of planet Earth, serving and loving each other, in peace. National citizenship is exclusive. World citizenship is inclusive. In 1948 Garry renounced his U. S. citizenship and declared himself a world citizen and began a movement that now includes over 950.000 registered world citizens.

Also, because of the creation of a the World Passport, the World Identity Card, the World Birth Certificate, the World Marriage Certificate and the World Political Asylum Card.

Garry Davis is an inspiration to all of us. Garry has chosen a path of human service, peace and love for everyone. Garry, with an open mind and heart, has invested his life in the betterment of the life of others. On receiving the WEL Better Ways Award, Garry said he was amazed. "I never thought of myself as an elder. But the more I thought about it, I see the correlations between elders and the young. Elders are not just to be doted on and taken care of. It is our responsibility to protect our young people. We should be respected not only because we are old, but because we earn it with our contributions and life."


Our elders attending the program and with Garry Davis and Robin Lloyd. Special thanks to Robin Loyd, peace activist and Coordinator of the World Women's Commission, for her support facilitating the organization of this meaningful event in Vermont.


About the WEL Better Ways Award; it was created in 2005 to:

1. Acknowledge global meaningful, creative, and wholistic healing ways to facilitate a better quality of life for our elders and their care-givers.

2. Given to joyful elders that are an inspiration for other elders, their caregivers and their communities. An inspiration because they are an example of better and meaningful longevity.

3. Given also to people or institutions all over the world, that have made a difference facilitating healing, meaningful social support networks, community integration, care and all dimensions of wholistic health (whole-person-centered wellness for our elders and their caregivers)

4. Giving to elders or care-givers that foster and honor the rights of our elders. For truly listening and empowering our elders to be actively integrated in their process of betterment.

Previous recipients of the WEL Better Ways Award:

- Pastor and Musician, Dale Jarrett, Maryland, 2005
- Lawyer, 97, Irene Slattery, Texas, 2006
- Former Assistant Secretary General, United Nations,
Dr. Robert Muller, 86, Costa Rica, 2006
- Social Worker, 78, Aura Aguiar, Venezuela, 2007
- Ambassador and Singer Harry Belafonte, Jamaica, 2007
- Journalist, 88, Helen Thomas, Maryland, USA 2007

Chicago, USA: "Human Evolving vs. Aging" workshop presented by KJW at the 2008 International Convention of Women Educators.



Comments from the participants:

- I have learned in this workshop with Kathy that I can influence the quality of my life. I now know more about the power within to co-create wellness. I know I can design my life.

- Health is not outside of me. My mind and soul are instrumental to better my health.

- I love the concept of spiritual breakfast (gratitude and attitude to begin a day) and graduation day vs. death.

- The workshop has giving me the tools to improve areas of my life that have been neglected.

- What I liked the most of the program is the respect and affection that Kathy shows for elders. Also, not to waste time with negative people and negative situations.

- I have learned various things that I can do right away and others that I will do when I get home to start my own betterment. I like it because I feel empowered by learning how to start my own wellness plan.

- Kathy's teaching style is very humorous and yet delivery was in progression. She asked lots of questions to get thinking going.

- I love the way that Kathy explains how to activate the brain to form new neurons.

- When Kathy said, "Life mirrors the feelings within." , a lot of things started to make sense. I am using more healing words in my conversations.

- I never considered that the environment influences aging. Also my interaction with others and myself influences my aging. Excellent presentation!!!

- I can listen to you for six hours if I need to. Thank you for pulling it all together. How can I get copies of your books and CDs?

TO OBTAIN COPIES OF MY BOOKS PLEASE VISIT THE WEL STORE BY CLICKING HERE. YOU CAN PURCHASE THEM BY CREDIT CARD OR YOU CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO connection@kathyjward.com

Article: Inspiring Global Service Organizations To Become Co-Creators of A Better World.

Connecting The Brain To The Heart...A First-Timer's Viewpoint
By Kathy J. Ward

My first time attending the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention has been an unforgettable experience, both professionally and personally. But above all, it has been a meaningful experience from heart-to-heart. Yes, the brain produces excuses, but the heart sees beyond this and eliminates them.

At the the opening ceremony on Tuesday night, my brain acknowledged that the flags on stage were celebrating and representing the diversity and differences of the members of Delta Kappa Gamma in the world. However, over the span of four days, my heart did not stop listening and communicating because of the universal language of love within the hearts of all the delegates, speakers, musicians singers, volunteers and even the children's strolling string ensemble who performed for us at the closing ceremony. Our hearts and brains across generations and cultures were connected.

Everyone's kindness, feeling of friendship, understanding, cooperation, wisdom and passion helped me realize that we have already achieved world union. The human family has so much in common, so much to be grateful for, so much to share and to learn from each other.

The community of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a multicolored fabric of women educators with happy hearts, is co-creating a better world for everyone--people, animals and nature.

Let's continue leading now--because NOW will not happen again.

WEL Global Networks and E-Mails Now Available (below). WEL Continues Facilitating Meaningful Social Support Networks For Elders and Care-Givers.

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com


Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Practitioner and Consultant
Member NGO Committee on Aging, UN
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal
Author
Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
E-mail:    connection@KathyJWard.com

                  

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[KJW #104] The Power Of The Human Heart To Co-Create Love For Our Elders... everyone is invited!!!

I. Our Human Family Speaks Out Supporting the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights.

II. Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in French
La Déclaration Universelle Des Droits de L'Aîné
(pdf click here)

III. Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in Spanish
La Declaración Universal De Los Derechos De Los Ancianos
(pdf copia aquí)

NOTE: Click here to view a pdf of the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in English. Also visit the blog announcement
#KJW 103

(Translation by our colleagues and friends at the Universal Peace Circle of Ambassadors For Peace, Orange, France.)


Chaque aîné a le droit d'être traité avec le respect et la dignité indépendamment de leur santé ou statut mental, sexe, couleur de la peau, langue, nationalité, religion ou croyance culturelle.

Chaque aîné a le droit de vivre dans la liberté et la sûreté comme n'importe quelle autre catégorie d'âge de notre famille humaine, partout dans le monde.

Personne n'a le droit de maltraiter ou de torturer nos aînés verbalement, physiquement, avec émotion ou psychologiquement ou d'aucune autre manière.

Chaque aîné a le droit à la protection légale de la même manière que n'importe quelle autre catégorie d'âge de notre famille humaine partout dans le monde.

Chaque aîné a le droit à un jour juste et égal de travail et compensation pour leur travail, à la pension sociale et ou à un salaire qui permet leur indépendance financière.

Chaque aîné a le droit à la stimulation et au développement de leurs capacités de talents, intellectuelles et physiques à leur pleine capacité.

Chaque aîné a le droit à l'intégration totale et à la participation signicative dans nos affaires humaines et sociales d'évolution et de communauté.

Chaque aîné a le droit à la nutrition appropriée et à la plus-value de leur santé et les marqueurs biologiques du vieillissement, selon leurs choix basés sur les leurs besoins, croyance, cultures et valeurs.

Chaque aîné a le droit d'être écouté. Chaque aîné a le droit de savoir, d' être instruit et de choisir librement leur plan entier-personne-centré aux services de soins de santé et un meilleur choix de style de vie.

Chaque aîné a le droit de maintenir et consolider leur indépendance phycho-sociale, émotive et professionnelle.

Chaque aîné a le droit de travailler pour la PAIX et vivre dans la PAIX à côté de la PAIX en déclenchant dans leurs actions, mots, communications, pensées, écritures, arts expressifs, sentiments, travail et énergie émouvante.

Chaque aîné a le droit de vivre dans le BONHEUR, d'enseigner et de modeler le BONHEUR.

Chaque aîné a le droit à la formation permanente, de participer aux affaires politiques du monde, pour Co-créer et appartenir à signicatif social-soutenez les réseaux, ledroit de voter et de communiquer leurs propres idées.

Chaque aîné a le droit d'être honoré, reconnu et encouragé pour leurs contributions, accomplissements signicatifs de la vie.

Chaque aîné a le droit d'être prisé comme micro-cellule de notre famille humaine en évolution… avec leurs enfants ; la vie d'idées, de travail, de peintures, de poésies, de story-telling, d'accomplissements, de famille et de communauté.

Chaque aîné a le droit de mettre des ailes à leurs rêves, soit créateur, participe aux arts expressifs, à l'intégration de la communauté et à la Co-création d'un meilleur monde pour tous les êtres vivants ; les gens, les animaux et la nature.

Chaque aîné a le droit d'émigrer librement à n'importe quelle autre partie de la notre terre et univers de planète.

Chaque aîné a le droit de vivre joyeux parmi la famille humaine jusqu'au jour et au moment ils disent" parce que nous devenons ce que nous aimons.

Chaque membre de la Communauté est invité à Co- créer et faciliter la structure, les ressources et le civique-enclenchement nécessaire pour la planification et l'exécution d'une meilleure qualité de vie pour nos chers aînés.


Click here to obtain a printable pdf copy of the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in FRENCH.

(Traducido al Castellano por Kathy J. Ward, Madrid, España)

PREÁMBULO

No existe un tratado universal or internacional que promulgue los derechos de nuestros ancianos. Sin embargo, el universo, como parte de su evolución, esta plenamente integrado en un proceso por alcanzar su realización. Todos debemos contribuir facilitando y promocionando los derechos de nuestros ancianos, así ellos podrán disfrutar de su libertad, felicidad, y una mejor calidad de vida.

Nuestra familia humana necesitaba de su fuerza sanguínea, de un cerebro, de un corazón y de un alma. Es por ello que se crearon a nuestros ancianos con ese propósito. Nuestros verdaderos tesoros, nuestros ancianos, son los pilares de nuestras comunidades y familias.

En WEL, World Elder Land estamos totalmente dedicados a continuar promoviendo, diseñando, implementando y co-creando lazos significativos que nutran una cultura y forma de pensar en base a un proceso de mejoramiento y felicidad. Creemos firmemente en la inclusión y paricipación de nuestros ancianos en su proceso de mejoramiento. Creemos en la importancia de mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestros ancianos y de las personas que proveen cuidados a ellos en todas partes del mundo.

La historia nos ha enseñado que los sueños no se alcanzan con el esfuerzo de una sola persona. Todos están invitados a ponerle alas a el mensaje de este documento de amor y respeto para nuestros ancianos.

Declaración Universal De Los Derechos De Los Ancianos
por Kathy J. Ward
Embajadora Universal De La Paz
Presidente de WEL, World Elder Land

Artículo 1
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a ser tratado con respecto y dignidad sin importar su salud o estado mental, sexo, color de piel, idioma, nacionalidad, religión o creencia cultural.

Artículo 2
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a vivir en libertad y seguridad, como cualquier otro grupo de nuestra familia humana en nuestro planeta La Tierra. Nadie tiene el derecho de abusar o de torturar a nuestros ancianos verbalmente, físicamente, emocionalmente, psicologicamente ó de cualquier otra manera.

Artículo 3
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a ser protegido legalmente de la misma forma que se protege a otros grupos de diferentes edades de nuestra familia humana.

Artículo 4
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a una jornada de trabajo y remuneración justa por su trabajo, a la pensión social y ó a un sueldo que le permita su independencia económica.

Artículo 5
Cada anciano tiene derecho al estímulo y al desarrollo máximo de sus capacidades, talentos, facultades intelectuales y físicas.

Artículo 6
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a la integración total y participación significativa en el proceso de evolución de la raza humana, asuntos sociales y al mejoramiento de nuestras comunidades y familias.

Artículo 7
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a una nutrición apropiada y al mejoramiento de su salud, marcadores biológicos y psicológicos de su envejecimiento, según sus decisiones y basadas en sus necesidades, creencia, culturas y valores.

Artículo 8
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de ser escuchado.

Artículo 9
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a expresarse libremente.

Artículo 10
Cada anciano tiene el derecho ha conocer, ser educado y poder elegir libremente su plan de salud enfocado en su persona y vivir holísticamente, saber sobre sus medicamentos, servicios de cuidado médico y mejores opciones de forma de vida y reabilitación.

Artículo 11
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de mantener y de consolidar su independencia social, intelectual, emocional y vocacional.

Artículo 12
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a trabajar por la PAZ y a vivir en PAZ activando la PAZ en sus acciones, palabras, comunicaciones, pensamientos, escrituras, artes expresivas, emociones, trabajos y comunicando energía positiva y alentadora.

Artículo 13
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de vivir en completa FELICIDAD enseñando, co-creando, sembrando y practicando FELICIDAD.

Artículo 14
Cada anciano tiene el derecho a continuar su educación, a participar en asuntos políticos locales y del mundo, a co-crear sociedades pluralistas y participativas, derecho a votar y a comunicar sus propias ideas.

Artículo 15
Cada anciano tiene derecho a ser honrado, reconocido y agradecido por sus contribuciones, trabajos, logros significativos personales y comunitarios.

Artículo 16
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de ser atesorado como una micro-célula evolutiva de nuestra familia humana… con su historia, vida, ideas, sueños cumplidos y por cumplirse.


Artículo 17

Cada anciano tiene el derecho a ponerle alas a sus sueños, a ser creativo, integrarse a la comunidad y a la co-creación de un mejor mundo para todos los seres vivos; personas, animales y naturaleza.

Artículo 18
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de emigrar libremente a cualquier otra parte de nuestro hogar La Tierra y del universo.

Artículo 19
Cada anciano tiene el derecho de vivir alegremente entre la familia humana hasta "el día de su graduación¨, el último día de su vida entre nosotros...

Artículo 20
Se invita a cada anciano y demás miembros de la familia humana a co-crear y facilitar la estructura, los recursos y la participación cívica necesaria para el planeamiento y la puesta en práctica de una mejor calidad de vida para nuestros queridos ancianos.

Yo, Kathy J. Ward, Embajadora Universal De La Paz y Presidente de WEL, World Elder Land resuelvo y propongo que La Declaración Universal De Los Derechos De Los Ancianos sea distribuída, exhibida en carteleras, impresa en medios masivos de comunicación y adoptada como un documento de AMOR por nuestros ancianos.

WEL, World Elder Land le hace un llamado a todos los ancianos del mundo entero a que se unan a los esfuerzos universales por la transformación y mejoramiento de un mundo mejor, un mundo donde predomine la PAZ entre todos los seres vivientes; personas, animales y la naturaleza.

Siempre juntos...

Firmado el 4 de Enero del 2008 por su autor,

Kathy J. Ward
Embajadora Universal De La Paz
Presidente de WEL, World Elder Land

Que la PAZ este entre todos siempre!

WEL congratulates and acknowledges the goodwill efforts of so many individuals and organizations, including the
United Nations, for their contributions, initiatives and hard work for the betterment of the quality of life of our dear elders.

Thank you for sharing our vision and joy!

Todas aquellas personas que deseen endorsar la Declaración Universal De Los Derechos De Los Ancianos pueden enviarnos sus comentarios y photo por correo electrónico a wel@worldelderland.com Todos estan invitados!

Pulse aquí para obtener una copia del documento que puede imprimir con La Declaración Universal De Los Derechos De Los Ancianos en CASTELLANO.

If you wish to volunteer your time and skills to translate the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in other languages like; Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Hebrew, Russian, etc... please send us an e-mail to wel@worldelderland.com

Dearest source of love, help us become instruments of PEACE!


Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com



Peace be with you!
Kathy J. Ward
Universal Peace Ambassador

[KJW #103] WEL, World Elder Land and Kathy J. Ward call on the human family to sign up and uphold the WEL

Universal Declaration of Elder Rights
(document after the photos)

Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Barbara Muller and KJW	Dear Kathy, This is the most incredible document... Congratualtions and we endorse it 100%. Love Barbara Muller and Robert Muller www.goodmorningworld.org/blog
Martina Navratilova and KJW	The WEL Universal Declaration of Elder Rights was also shared with Martina Navratilova, AARP Health and Fitness Ambassador.
Robert Butler and KJW	With so much joy we shared our WEL "Universal Declaration Of Elder Rights" with Robert Butler, MD, President of ILC International Longevity Center. He is a founding Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society and has served on the National Advisory Committees of the Physicians for Human Rights. KJW congratulated Dr. Butler for their meaningful work. We need more elders fully awake and integrated with their process of betterment.

"Universal Declaration of Elder Rights."

PREAMBLE

There is no specific international or universal covenant which promulgates the rights of older persons. However, the universe is engaged in one gigantic effort to find its fulfillment. We must each contribute by facilitating and fostering this for every elder of our human family, so they can enjoy the right to liberty, happiness, and a better quality of life.

Our human family needs a bloodstream, a brain, a heart and a soul. It developed our elders for that purpose. Our elders, our real treasures, are the pillars of our communities and families.

WEL, World Elder Land is committed to continue promoting, designing, implementing and co-creating meaningful partnerships for a culture of process-improvement and happiness with the full participation of our elders, and for the betterment of the quality of life of our dear elders and their care-givers all over the world.

Everyone is invited...

"The Universal Declaration Of Elder Rights."

Author: Kathy J. Ward
Universal Peace Ambassador

Every elder has the right to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their health or mental status, sex, skin color, language, nationality, religion or cultural beliefs.

Every elder has the right to live in freedom and safety like any other age group of our human family, all over the world.

Nobody has the right to abuse or torture our elders verbally, physically, emotionally or psychologically or in any other ways.

Every elder has the right to legal protection in the same way any other age group of our human family has, all over the world.

Every elder has the right to a fair and equal work day and compensation for their work, to social pension and or a salary that allows their financial independence.

Every elder has the right to the stimulation and development of their talents, intellectual and physical abilities to their fullest potential;

Every elder has the right to full integration and meaningful participation in our human and social evolving and community affairs;

Every elder has the right to proper nutrition and the betterment of their health and biological markers of aging, according to their choices based on their needs, beliefs, cultures and values.

Every elder has the right to be listened to.

Every elder has the right to know, be educated and choose freely their whole-person-centered wellness plan of care, wholistic betterment, medications, health care services and better life-style choices.

Every elder has the right to maintain and nurture their phycho-social, emotional and vocational independence.

Every elder has the right to work for PEACE and live in PEACE by activating PEACE in their actions, words, communications, thoughts, writings, expressive arts, feelings, work and soulful energy.

Every elder has the right to live in HAPPINESS by teaching and modeling HAPPINESS.

Every elder has the right to continuing education, to take part in the world’s political affairs, to co-create and belong to meaningful social-support networks, the right to vote and communicate their own ideas.

Every elder has the right to be honored, acknowledged and encouraged for their meaningful contributions and life-long achievements.

Every elder has the right to be treasured as a micro-cell of our evolving human family... with their children; ideas, work, paintings, poems, story-telling, accomplishments, family and community life.

Every elder has the right to put wings to their dreams, be creative, participate in expressive arts, community integration and the co-creation of a better world for all living beings; people, animals and nature.

Every elder has the right to migrate freely to any other part of our planet Earth and Universe.

Every elder has the right to live joyfully among the human family until "graduation day, the day and moment they die", for we become what we love.

Every community member is invited to co-create and facilitate the structure, resources and necessary civic-engagement for the planning and implementation of a better quality of life for our dear elders.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Kathy J. Ward, Universal Peace Ambassador and President of WEL, World Elder Land, propose that the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights be distributed, posted and adopted as a universal document of LOVE for our elders.

WEL, World Elder Land calls upon our dear elders of the world to join our universal efforts of transforming and evolving a better world, a more peaceful world for all living beings; people, animals and nature.

Signed on January 4, 2008, by its author,

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador
President of WEL, World Elder Land

WEL congratulates and acknowledges the goodwill efforts of so many individuals and organizations, including the
United Nations, for their contributions, initiatives and hard work for the betterment of the quality of life of our dear elders.
Thank you for sharing our vision and joy!

Elena Rios and KJW Latino elders, representing 14 different nationalities and KJW	With Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association. Copies of the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights were distributed at the 2008 NHMA Conference. Latino elders gathered in Washington D. C. with KJW to obtain copies, endorsed and discussed the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights...
	Our colleague, the Honorable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Canada's first Minister of State for Public Health and KJW.

To our elders, care-givers, intitutions, NGOs, goverment offices and everyone who wish to sign-up and uphold the WEL Universal Declaration of Elder Rights, send us an e-mail to wel@worldelderland.com. Your name will be added to more than 180 individuals and institutions, all over the world, who have already endorsed the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights. Everyone is invited!

Click here to obtain a printable pdf copy of the Universal Declaration of Elder Rights in English.


Soon! this document will be available in Spanish.

Dearest source of love, help us become instruments of PEACE!

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com



Peace be with you!
Kathy J. Ward
Universal Peace Ambassador

[KJW #102] The Leonardo Da Vinci Of Our Own Lives...
Co-Creating Better Opportunities With and For Our Elders.

1. Your letters to Kathy J. Ward

Hello Kathy: I so appreciate what you have done for me and my betterment of life. It is a slow process and one I give much thought to. I journal my thoughts and feelings, not every day but most of them. The last year tells of the journey I have taken and the progress I have made. Coming from a 40 year abusive marriage, I have learned to face my fears and invite them in (as you suggest) and find they were not worthy of fearing in the first place.... an amazing discovery. I practice meditation, your CD is wonderful, and I am also taking Yoga lessons now. I have plans to get more into meditation and good energy. I am much more at peace with myself, grateful for small things as well as meaningful things. Sometimes, when I am down, I have those "dark feelings" that you mentioned in the class. I recognize them, acknowledge that they are there but do not allow them to have life (as you suggest). I invite a stillness to give me calm. I am on a journey of discovering who I am; something I did not know and it is a tragic situation at age 67. Just 2 years ago, I wanted to die as I felt so unworthy of life. Oh my, now I want to live and love and give and do all I can do to make this world a better place. Thank you for touching my life. * * * * * Response: My dear elder and student, I am glad you have decided not to let anyone take your happiness away from you. One of the most difficult things in life is to INSPIRE others to actually co-create their own betterment investing the many gifts within. Thank you for sharing your progress! We can transform and evolve into more peaceful, harmonious and healthier spiritual human beings. Continue learning with all your heart and soul from the treasures of your own experiences. Listen to your mind, which is not the brain... We are the masters of our own life, not its slaves. It takes a second and a YES to become a better person, to better your emotions, your health, your thoughts, your relationships, to love yourself. Invest the good energy in you into what the universe and you are seeking to co-create... something spectacular, another miracle. Avoid using negative words to describe yourself or your behaviors and remember that words are energy. To achieve alignment with our source of love we first need to "disarm our minds." Fear is not an obstacle, is a distraction. Keep going, stay in focus... Peace be with you! KJW * * * * * Dear Kathy, I am so grateful for your help with my mother while she was at a nursing home in Hospice. You helped my mother so patiently find creative ways to write her thoughts. I found her poems relate to her relationship with me and her purpose in life. The message says so much about her inner pain and how she finally found a way of healing. My mother has never been able to make combinations of words or ideas like the poems she wrote with you in her last two weeks. I need to tell you that Hospice was a positive experience for me because of your vision, "HOSPICE IS NOT ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE TO DIE. IT IS ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE LIFE BEFORE GRADUATION DAY." Before my mother took her last breath she asked me not to ask for a "death certificate"... because she will always live in every person who reads her poems. In loving memory of Doris, 91. * * * * * From J. Willard Marriott, Jr. (Chairman & CEO Marriott International) Dear Kathy, Feb 2008 I am honored and flattered that your Marriott HC experience has made a difference in your career. Congratulations on your good work with the elderly and as Peace Ambassador. With warm regards, Bill. HAPPINESS IS HEALTH !

2. KJW, Universal Peace Ambassador and a strong advocate for the rights of our elders all over the world, was invited to attend this meaningful Cartooning For Peace Exhibit at the United Nations.

The illustrations by 17 artists from Algeria, Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Iran, Israel, Japan, Palestine, Russia and the United States were exhibited in Rome on 10 December 2007. Brussels led this Human Rights Day special edition and spin-off of the Cartooning for Peace Project.







A simple meditation... a connection with your-self.

• Find a place where you will not be disturbed, i.e. a room where no one will come in, where the phone does not ring, where little or no noise can get in, etc. Or find a place near nature.
• It is very important that you are physically comfortable when practicing meditation.
• Turn your attention inward, away from the outside world. Close your eyes and mouth, breathing deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
• Release to relax!
• Keep your attention on your breathing. Feel the inhale and exhale. Withdraw your attention from thoughts about the past or thoughts about the future. Using your Will, hold your attention and just be with your breath.
• Focus and visualize healthy and peaceful thoughts and emotions. Enjoy the minutes of this beautiful connection with your self and with love. Listen to "the silence of your mind and around you."
• Don't worry if you find yourself thinking a lot. This is normal. Over time, you will gain the ability to quiet yourself more and more. Like anything else, it just takes practice.

Practice gratefulness.
Practice love. Activate peace.


Reference:

Early scientific studies on the neurophysiology of meditation focused on changes in brain wave (EEG) patterns, and differences in brain wave patterns between meditators and non-meditators. In summary, mediation was shown to

• increase Alpha (8-13 Hz or cycles per second) production
• increase Theta (4-7 Hz) production
• increase high Beta (20-40 Hz) activity (with experienced meditators)

The figure was obtained during an ongoing study of the neurophysiological correlates of meditation. Briefly, we have been studying highly experienced Tibetan Buddhist meditators using a brain imaging technology called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). SPECT imaging allows us to image the brain and determine which areas are active by measuring blood flow. The more blood flow an area has, the more active it is. The image below shows the results from a baseline scan on the left (i.e. at rest) and during a "peak" of meditation shown on the right. (work by Andrew Newberg, MD)

Neurochemical Effects Of Meditation


Some benefits of meditation:

• Decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
• Better concentration.
  
• Reduction of free radicals - unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.
  
• Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Better digestion.
• Better sleep patterns.
• Improve flow of air to the lungs.

3. "Clinical Therapeutic Recreation For Elders" ©: Workshop With Elders And Caregivers - USA

Clinical Therapeutic Recreation For Elders, ERT, did not exist pirot to the work of Kathy J. Ward. ERT also helps nurture community integration; it takes a community to better a community." Everyone is invited to co-create a better quality of life for all community members.

More information about ERT can be found in KJW books
1. Poems and Reflections For A Better Life. Published in 2006.
2. ERT, Happy, Meaningful and Integrated Life-Style
For Elders and Their Caregivers. Published in 2004

What is cognitive performance?

The brain mechanisms of mental processes like memory, attention and concentration, planning, problem solving, cognitive flexibility, language, perception, and others. Most people operate below their peak cognitive capacity level because of lack of brain stimulation, poor nutrition, etc. These skills can be improved through carefully designed cognitive exercise programs individually tailored to their needs and capacities.

The most important thing is to keep in mind that brain functions can be influenced, stimulated and rehabilitated.

Our life-style choices, habits and activities influence our brain and can promote independence as we age.

Dearest source of love, help me become an instrument of peace!

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com

[KJW #101] More About Environmental Gerontology, Collaborative Interdisciplinary Team For Better Longevity

Martha Stewart Center For Living at Mount Sanai Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development welcomes Kathy J. Ward, President of WEL, World Elder Land - New York, USA

	How environmental gerontology and interdisciplinary collaborative learning influence health, wellness and a better quality of life for our elders and caregivers, by KJW
	First WEL interdisciplinary geriatrics and gerontology professional development conference for elders and caregivers - USA

Environmental Gerontology: Overview

Multiple studies report that older person overwhelmingly wish to age in place in their own homes and neighborhoods (cf.Lawton, 1975, Tilson, 1990; AARP 1996). Yet, our society continues to build low-density, auto-oriented suburban communities that will make the accommodation of aging in place increasingly difficult (Calthorpe, 1993). Similarly, although multiple studies report that older Americans view traditional "medical model" nursing homes as a residence of last resort, too many such facilities continue to be built (Schwarz, 1997). Home safety is a major concern for older persons, however seldom appropriate modifications are made to facilitate independence and better quality of life for our elders.

Pay more attention to better environmental design in health care. The industry is growing very fast and more often we see new assisted living, group homes, or big beautiful retirement communities decorated like grand hotels but lacking in functionality for addressing the needs of our elders and caregivers, i.e., comfortable and safe arm chairs so our elders can achieve healthy posture and reach the floor with their feet.

Environmental gerontology (EG)— the relation between elderly persons and their sociospatial surroundings—has emerged as a subfield in its own right. When we encourage communities to develop, implement and practice Whole-Person-Centered Wellness programs, we also focus on the environment as our extended body acknowledging the meaningful interrelations of the environment and its effects our body, health, energy, communication, social relations, mental health, harmony and overall wellness. This is why we have chosen to visit the new Martha Stewart Center For Living that specializes in care for older adults, rehabilitation medicine and better quality of life for elders and their caregivers.

One of the most impressive programs at this location is disease prevention and integrative medicine for better longevity.

Stewart said she wanted the center to encourage older patients to "embrace a healthier lifestyle. We all want to live for many, many years but it's important to have a good quality of life, too."

WEL, World Elder Land congratulates Martha Stewart, Dr. Audrey Chun and their wonderful care team for designing, implementing and evaluating better ways to continue helping our dear elders and their caregivers... Bravo!!!

First Interdisciplinary Geriatrics and Gerontology Professional Development Conference For Elders and Caregivers - USA

Dr. Robert Muller, a magnificent elder, our keynote speaker, with his wife Barbara Muller, sharing his ideas about dreams, the importance of becoming healers of Earth and his views about "refirement" vs. "retirement. (Video presentation) Kathy J Ward presented three workshops at the conference; The Whole-Person-Centered Wellness program, Clinical Therapeutic Recreation For Elders and Listening Beyond Cultures and Challenges To Better Provide Health Care Services. Some of our participants

Surprise!!! A group of elders "Seniors On The Move" and their leader Toni Kruder showed us how to better our balance, motor coordination and daily aerobics. With their good energy, they put everyone to move showing that elders can inspire and stay fit while having fun!

Interdisciplinary Team Approach vs. Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Benefits of collaborative interdisciplinary teams delivering health care services:

• Facilitates team members to collaborate with health care providers across the continuum of services.
• Early recognition, better planning and implementation of rehabilitation medicine for better care.
• Opportunities to better the use of constructive feedback and objective observations. The practice of responsibility and accountability are also essential to collaborative interdisciplinary.
  
• Informed team decision making for complex care situations.
• Team members monitor each others performance, peer review, during care transitions improving assertiveness. Participating disciplines adequately contribute input to the selection, evaluation of findings, and identification of areas of improvement and planning. Effective listening is critical for better communication.
• Clinical competence means that the individual professional has demonstrated the technical skills and judgment to provide effective patient care.

By delivering whole-person-centered wellness care, the interdisciplinary team moves to the forefront facilitating better communication and services. Most of us strive for an interdisciplinary versus a multidisciplinary team, because we know such a team is more efficient.

In all our efforts to pull such a team together sometimes we forget one very important component: the patient. The development of common goals that are person-centered, not centered on individual team members or disciplines, but rather involving the patient in a team discussion and most important... listening to the patient and to each other, validates, positively reinforce everyone and evaluates team members as a whole more efficiently.

An effective interdisciplinary team has the ability to reduce health care costs and improve health and healing for patients and their caregivers. "Effective" means that the team has good communication, and works in an environment promoting openness, a culture of process improvement, creativity and true teamwork.

Suggestion: Create "The Good News Book" in your health care community. Promote this idea and encourage everyone to focus on the positive and better ways that everyone is able to do. This book provides a public way of passing along positive comments, good news and good energy to an individual or group, including comments from patients and families, and to communicate important team events, accomplishments and developments. Supervisors can use it to comment on the accomplishments of specific employees, volunteers or other community members. This book is often one of the first things turned to when people come to work. It is, indeed helpful in pulling a meaningful team together.

Example of multidisciplinary vs collaborative interdisciplinary team work

Concept of multidisciplinary team work

Concept of collaborative interdisciplinary team work

Dear Kathy and colleagues:

May God bless You and Your families, stay happy and healthy in coming New Year!

Regards, Anna
UNFPA/Armenia

         

I feel as though our work has it's own rewards as we continue to practice person centered service to others !
God Bless you in the coming year!

Peggy Connelly
Corporate Director Programs and Dementia Services, Florida, USA

[KJW #100] WEL Begins The New Year 2008 Nurturing Strong Global Partnerships, Extending Our Services In Spanish To Venezuela, Colombia and Chile.

WEL, World Elder Land continues promoting global meaningful partnerships, civic engagement, better living arrangements, resources, "whole-person-centered wellness©" programs and healing for our elders... WEL believes in the active participation of our elders to influence the design and implementation of better practices, policies and programs that affect them directly.

Participation and empowerment of older persons, a meaningful and efficient way of co-creating betterment for our elders.

As older persons continue to constitute an ever-greater proportion of the total population, they have the potential to be more influential in society. Empowerment and civic engagement vary greatly across countries, for example, there are countries where older people carry great social and political weight, mostly associated with the important concentration of economic resources and a tradition of political participation; in many countries however, older people are not organized and experience great difficulty in voicing their concerns and incorporating them in the public debate and the policy agenda.

WEL continues promoting efforts to organize and facilitate the inclusion of our elders in their own betterment. Solitary living, which may result in increase isolation, makes care-giving by family members more difficult to arrange; it also increases the need for additional support services so as to enable older persons to remain in their own home. Developing countries may have difficulty providing such services. (World Economic and Social Survey 2007). WEL continues promoting civic engagement and education facilitating meaningful "Clinical Therapeutic Recreation©" services that can be implemented by each elder, at home and at a community level nurturing a better and healthier quality of life for everyone.

Living arrangements of older persons (aged 60 years or over) in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.

In developing countries, the large majority of elders live with their adult children. In Africa, Asia and Latin American and the Caribbean, the proportion is two thirds. Solitary living in developing countries is particularly problematic because of the generally limited social support programmes and networks. (World Economic and Social Survey 2007, United Nations). In Latin America and the Caribbean region, only 1 to 2 per cent of older persons live in institutional care facilities. (Pelaez, 2006).

Aging is not the major factor that is rising health care cost, our daily lifestyle choices are what mirror the way we aged. We can better and influence the way we aged.

In Canada, the use of high-tech medical treatments and new drugs is a reason for high expenditures on older persons. The high cost of health care are partly a result of the use of an extended period of time owing to chronic illness (Mathiason, 2003).

Improvements implementing a culture of process-improvement in the areas of:

• nutrition
• literacy
• sanitation
• integrated medicine
• mindful health care services
• community integration
  
• financial independence, and
• meaningful social support networks
  

can co-create and influence better longevity, economic growth, social development, overal productive growth, migration and more...

KJW meeting with elders from Latin American countries about the implementation of whole-person-centered wellness self-care programs.

Each person can engage totally in their whole-person-centered wellness planning, implementation and evaluation process of betterment. Individuals, communities, governments and the international community can focus their ATTENTION, INTENTION and BETTER RESOURCES into nurturing meaningful partnerships, the development of societies for all ages and betterment for our elders into the global agenda in 2008.

We have each other, we can always do better... Everyone is invited, together we can nurture a paradise of Earth... WEL, World Elder Land for our elders and their caregivers.

Puerto Rico: Collaborative Major Study Of Older Puerto Rican Health Conditions

China: Beauty Contest Held For Our Elders

Chile: Government Initiatives in Support of Older Chileans

El Salvador: A Month of Festivals for the 50

References:
- Development in an Ageing World, United Nations 2007
- Pan American Health Organization. (1998) Health in the Americas
- World Economic and Social Survey, United Nations 2007
- United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com

[KJW #100] WEL Inicia El Nuevo Año 2008 Mejorando Lazos Globales De Fraternidad y Cooperación Mútua, Extendiendo Nuestros Programs En Español A Venezuela, Colombia y Chile.

WEL, World Elder Land (WEL, El Mundo De Nuestros Abuelitos) continúa promoviendo lazos de fraternidad y cooperación mútua, una sociedad más participativa, mejores condiciones de vida y recursos, ¨programs de sanación integral centrados en el individuo ©"y un balance óptimo para nuestros ancianos... WEL cree firmemente en la participación activa de nuestros ancianos para influenciar el diseño y la implementación de práticas más efectivas, en políticas y programas que los afectan a ellos directamente.

Facilitando la particiapación y delegando autoridad en nuestros abuelitos, una forma eficiente de co-crear mejoras para nuestros ancianos.

Ya que nuestros ancianos continúan constituyendo una gran porporción del total de la población, ellos tienen el potencial para influenciar aún mucho más en la sociedad. El delegue de autoridad y mejores maneras de participación varía entre países. Hay países en donde los ancianos representan un gran peso político y social, mayormente asociado con importantes concentraciones de bienes y recursos económicos y la tradición de participación en la política; en otros países por el contrario, los ancianos no estan organizados y experimentan gran dificultad en expresar sus preocupaciones, puntos de vista y en el incorporarlos en temas de debate público.

Procentaje de la población de 60 años o más que viven solos, por región y sexo, 2005

WEL continúa promoviendo esfuerzos para organizar y facilitar la inclusión de nuestros ancianos en su mejoramiento y salud global. El vivir solos, lo cual causa muchas veces soledad, contribuye a que el cuidado proporcionado por los miembros de la familia resulte un poco defícil, además ésto contribuye a el aumento de servicios adicionales que faciliten que las personas de avanzada edad permanezcan en sus propias casas. Países desarrollados pueden tener problemas al tratar de facilitar dichos servicios. (World Economic and Social Service Survey 2007). WEL continúa promoviendo la participación comunitaria y educación a través de los programas de Recreación Clínica, Rehabilitativa y Terapeútica Para Ancianos©" Servicios que pueden ser implementados por cada persona anciana, a nivel personal o de comunidad mejorando así su calidad de vida.

Por favor envíen sus comentarios, preguntas o solicitudes de consultoría a Kathy J. Ward, Presidente de WEL, World Elder Land (WEL, El Mundo De Nuestros Ancianos). Escriba a: connection@kathyjward.com

Dearest elders, care-givers, colleagues and friends: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done for the betterment of the quality of life, better resources and opportunities for our elders in every magic space of our marvelous Planet Earth and Universe. Our words, actions, thoughts, writings and "invisible feelings" are energy able to heal or pollute all living beings; people, animals and nature. For Peace is affected by our ways to live and the choices we make, decide to activate Peace in your life. May this new year we continue finding ways to be or become instruments of peace... and better ways to put our creative minds, talents, gifts and unstoppable happy hearts into continuing co-creating a better world for everyone. May this new year our world-wide efforts to integrate our elders in the global agenda brings us prosperous and meaningful accomplishments. Everyone is invited... Peace be with you! Kathy Ward President, WEL, World Elder Land

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com



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[KJW #097] Honoring And Facilitating A Better World For Our Elders

	Helen Thomas received the WEL Better Ways Award - December 10, 2007
	How to start your own "Whole-Person-Centered Wellness©" program, a WEL model of self-care that has been empowering elders and caregivers, for six years, to learn, test and implement holistic and meaningful life-styles.
	WEL, World Elder Land invited to join Wise Earth, a networking forum toward a better and sustainable world created by community members who are transforming and evolving our dear planet Earth.

Our dear elder Helen Thomas, Senior White House Press Correspondent and Kathy J. Ward, President of WEL World Elder Land

About Helen Thomas: A magnificent elders, a noted news service reporter, a Hearst NewspapersWhite House Press Corps. She has served for 57 years as a correspondent and White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy, was the first woman officer of the National Press Club, was the first woman member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and the first woman member of the Gridiron Club. Helen has written four books. Her latest book is called Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public.

About the WEL Better Ways Award; it was created in 2005 to:

1. Acknowledge global meaningful, creative, and better ways to facilitate a better quality of life for our elders.

2. Given to joyful elders that are an inspiration for other elders, their caregivers and their communities. An inspiration because they are an example of better and meaningful longevity.

3. Given also to people or institutions all over the world, that have made a difference facilitating healing, care and whole-person-centered wellness for our elders and their caregivers...for truly listening and empowering our elders.

Recipients of the WEL Better Ways Award:

- Pastor and Musician, Dale Jarrett, Maryland, 2005
- Lawyer, 97, Irene Slattery, Texas, 2006
- Dr. Robert and Barbara Muller, Costa Rica, 2006
- Social Worker, 78, Aura Aguiar, Venezuela, 2007
- Ambassador and Singer Harry Belafonte, Jamaica, 2007
- Journalist, Helen Thomas, Washington D. C, 2007

The award ceremony was hosted by
Kensington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center,
a beautiful health care community in Maryland, USA.

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com


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