The Wellness House

April 8, 2010

The Wellness House

 

We tell our patients during their first consultation appointment how important it is to get the emotional support they need for themselves and their family members. How lucky is it that we have a great resource like the Wellness House right down the street? Many of you may be experiencing the benefits of the Wellness House already, but for those who have not, Lisa Kolavennu, Clinical Director, has answered several questions that you may be wondering yourself.

1. What is the Wellness House and where is it located?

Wellness House provides information, support and a community to help families live with cancer. Founded in 1990 by a committed group of community leaders in Hinsdale, Wellness House serves as a vital complement to medical treatment for anyone experiencing the effects of cancer by providing a comprehensive array of programs at no cost to participants. Wellness House exists to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by cancer and its treatment.

Our hope is that people will feel less alone and isolated, more informed, and more empowered to take on the challenge of cancer. At Wellness House, you can connect to the latest cancer information through one of our many special events; connect to others who are going through similar experiences in our networking groups; connect to programs and resources for stress reduction and healthy lifestyles in our exercise and nutrition classes.

The Wellness House is located at 131 N. County Line Rd., Hinsdale, IL 60521 Get Directions

2. How important is it for those affected by cancer to get emotional support?

To be heard and understood by others is crucial during the cancer experience. Support during this time can help normalize unfamiliar feelings, provide validation of your experience, and help you know that you don’t need to face cancer alone. Being with others who are in a similar situation can provide hope and strength.

3. You have so many different support groups, how does one go about choosing the right one for them?

The best way to get started at Wellness House is to attend an orientation session, Welcome to Wellness, on Mondays at 5:30 or Thursdays at 10:00am. This informal meeting provides an overview of programs, a tour of our facility, and a chance to meet staff and other participants. The staff at Wellness House will assist you in identifying your needs and recommend programs to help meet those needs. If the Welcome to Wellness times are not convenient, you can call 630-323-5150 and ask for a Program Associate.

4. What kinds of classes do you offer?

Wellness House provides programs in five distinct areas:

• Information and Education – Classes, workshops, and speakers to inform participants about the various effects of cancer and ways to cope with the challenges presented by a cancer diagnosis.

• Support and Networking – Weekly and monthly groups to assist participants in the open expression of thoughts and feelings associated with a cancer diagnosis, and to provide participants with the opportunity to meet others in similar life situations.

• Family Matters – Programs designed to help children, adolescents, and families learn that they are not alone in their struggles with cancer. Programs help to normalize the experience of cancer in the family through activities that facilitate open expression and the exchange of support between participants.

• Healthy Living – Programs teach participants information about cancer-related nutrition, and provide a variety of instructor-led exercise classes for people at all levels of fitness and in different phases of recovery from cancer.

• Stress Management – Classes and programs to teach skills to reduce the stress often brought about by a cancer diagnosis. Programs give participants knowledge, tools, and experiences to enhance their ability to respond to the stress of cancer, and to live well in mind, body, and spirit through and beyond cancer.

5. What kind of classes are people surprised to find out you offer?

People are often surprised to learn that we offer exercise and nutrition classes. Wellness House has almost 20 exercise classes per week. Additionally, we have nutrition classes with cooking demonstrations that teach participants how to make healthy, cancer-fighting foods taste good!

6. What would you tell someone who has thought about coming, but has been putting it off?

It is common to feel hesitant about seeking out resources and support; after tests, diagnoses, and treatments, people may feel so overwhelmed that they cannot take on one more new thing. Others may feel that they can handle their cancer situation on their own and that they don’t need support. However, for most seeing is believing. Our staff is warm, welcoming and ready to help. We work with you at your pace to make Wellness House useful for you. There are many ways to “test” Wellness House like dropping into one of our stress management programs, scheduling a massage, or attending an educational event. There is no time like today to take advantage of the resources we offer.

Visit www.wellnesshouse.org or stop by Wellness House to learn more. 

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