For the past month, residents of Monarch Landing were walking, running or swimming an average of 44 miles each day, as they joined other seniors across the U.S. in Project 1,310. The title reflects the total number of miles in 50 complete marathons and was the goal in terms of miles that the residents want to cross over the course of the month. Project 1,310 is an initiative of Life Care Services, the management company of Monarch Landing, and I’m proud to be part of the national Project 1,310 planning team.
The corporate-wide challenge was developed to honor the accomplishments of Elizabeth Proffitt, the marketing director at Heritage of Green Hills. The senior living community, which is managed by Life Care Services, is located in Pennsylvania. Seven years ago, Proffitt lost her husband to cancer and in dealing with her grief, started running marathons. She set her goal of completing 50 marathons in 50 states before she turned 50 years old. Last fall, Proffitt accomplished her goal, running the final marathon in Des Moines, IA, the hometown of Life Care Services.
In support of Proffitt, as well as in recognition of the corporations’ commitment to health and fitness, Life Care Services launched Project 1,310. All LCS communities were encouraged to participate in the program for one month.
Monarch Landing quickly embraced the challenge with 97 residents who completed 4,142 miles! This put Monarch Landing in 12th place among the 58 U.S. communities competing and 1st place out of the Illinois communities. We were proud to have members of Monarch Landings’ 90 Plus Club comprised of residents ages 90 and over who tallied more than 246 miles.
In total, 3,271 seniors in Life Care Services communities took part in Project 1,310 across the country. A combined 155,329 miles were covered throughout this challenge
At Monarch Landing we gave all participating residents pedometers and encouraged residents to participate in Project 1,310 in whatever physical activity they choose in which distance can be measured…land, water, elliptical. They all had tracking sheets and at the end of each week we compiled the information. There was a sense of competition and camaraderie.
While this was a physical activity challenge, there were certainly several aspects of a resident’s well being that were positively impacted. It was an ambitious goal, but our very active residents were up to the challenge and proud of our accomplishment in completing it.
Tony Galvan is the wellness manager at Monarch Landing, a continuing care retirement community in Naperville, IL.
