Carson-Newman University ‘Exercise Concept’ Group Receives Life Care Volunteer Award

Carson-Newman University’s Exercise Concept group received Life Care Centers of America’s Group Volunteer Award for its service to Life Care Center of Jefferson City.

The presentation was made Aug. 26 during the company’s annual management meeting in Cleveland.

In November, Carson-Newman Assistant Professor Greg Stanley contacted Life Care Center of Jefferson City to discuss starting an exercise program for residents. Students working toward a degree in physical education and exercise science started coming to the facility twice a week. Stanley and the students coordinated a program for the residents to increase physical fitness, health knowledge and social engagement through activities that are fun and easy to implement.

“In a short amount of time, our residents bought into the program and were actively wanting to participate, and it grew rapidly,” said Juan Miranda, executive director at Life Care Center of Jefferson City. “The best thing about the program is the joy that this brings to our residents. This group has really improved our residents’ physical fitness and social engagement.”

Life Care President Beecher Hunter said, “We value our partnership with Carson-Newman. The University has proven that its students make the lives of our residents so much better, and they learn valuable lessons about interactions with the elderly in the process.”

The Volunteer Group of the Year Award is presented annually and selected from the best of every region and division within Life Care. Criteria include active, ongoing and hands-on service and raising community awareness of the Life Care center.

Life Care Center of Jefferson City is located at 336 W. Old Andrew Johnson Highway.