Wellness Program

Many of the people we support had few choices and little privacy or contact with the outside world before arriving at Hope House. They seldom learned how to perform tasks most people take for granted, such as cooking, doing laundry, buying groceries. They were even less likely to learn about the relationship of balanced nutrition and exercise to good health.

When people with developmental disabilities begin living on their own, their lack of knowledge can lead them to a variety of unhealthy behaviors, including smoking, eating foods high in sugar and fat, and sedentary lifestyles. These behaviors can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Since its inception in 1997, the Hope House Foundation Wellness Program has been supported by community grants and outside funding organizations such as the Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation, the Sentara Foundation, the United Way of South Hampton Roads Community Investment Fund, the McGowan Charitable Trust and Susan G. Korman for the Cure.

The Wellness Program includes creative and multi-targeted approaches to accomplish its goals, including:

• aerobic and stretching classes designed for people with disabilities
• trips to the YMCA for water aerobics and other fitness activities
• supermarket training in which people are educated about choosing healthy foods
• individualized weight-loss plans
• cooking classes
• breast health
• pedometer walking fit challenge
• education on managing chronic illnesses
• contests to motivate people

As a result of this project, blood sugar has been stabilized from dangerously high diabetic levels, obese individuals have lost weight, many people’s self-esteem has blossomed, and life has simply gotten better for a lot of people.

If you would like to learn more about the Wellness Program, or if you would like to volunteer as a fitness or nutritional consultant, please contact Paula Traverse-Charlton by email or by calling (757) 625-6161.