Whole Health

Whole Health Monthly Highlights

Move with Heart

February is American Heart Month, and this month, we are encouraging you to focus on your cardiovascular fitness! Perhaps this looks like going on one extra walk per week, or maybe it's hitting that goal of 30 minutes of cardio per day. Wherever you're at in your fitness journey, getting up and moving our body has impactful benefits to the longevity of our health! While physical fitness and being active is always important, we would also like to highlight the impact of Personal Development (found on the Circle of Health below) on our wellbeing. This area focuses on enhancing growth and control over your life by encouraging identification of meaningful goals that will contribute to your overall happiness. If you'd like further guidance on Personal Development, check out this video!

Whole Health: Personal Development - YouTube

Continue to learn about the Whole Health approach to care and how what matters most to you fits at the center of your care with the VA by watching the video below.

Go to video

Brand New Gerofit Program!

VA Eastern Kansas is excited to announce the launch of our brand new supervised exercise program - Gerofit! This program is for Veterans age 65 and older and is offered via telehealth. It encourages increased physical activity, aims to reduce fall risk, and boosts your weight loss and energy level! Gerofit offers strength training, balance exercises, flexibility exercises, and cardio fitness to improve your endurance. Most importantly, we will assess your functional limitations and be sure to create an individualized plan that aligns with your fitness goals.

To participate in this program, you will need internet access and a computer, tablet, or smart phone. To enroll, please reach out to your primary care provider and request a Gerofit consult through the Whole Health program. We can't wait to join you on your health and wellbeing journey!

Whole Health Veteran Classes

ALL Veterans are welcome!

Join us in one of our entry level classes to learn more about what Whole Health is and resources available to you through VA Eastern Kansas! Call (785) 350 - 4512 or send a message via MyHealtheVet (secure messaging address EKHCS, Whole Health _WH) to enroll.

You can also join us for one of our Tai Chi, Yoga, Mindfulness, or sleep courses without the need to sign up by clicking on the direct links below in the drop-down menu! *If you are accessing class through a mobile device, we recommend you download and use the Webex application. If you have problems accessing the class, please reach out to vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov for assistance.

Don't wait to enroll to get started on your health and wellbeing journey! You can begin with completing your Personal Health Plan found in the link below.

Personal Health Inventory (PDF)

Introduction to Whole Health

Introduction to Whole Health is a one-time class where Veterans learn more about the Whole Health approach to care, the concepts behind Whole Health living, and complete a Personal Health Inventory.

This class is offered virtually and in person on the Topeka and Leavenworth campuses.

Virtual: 4th Tuesday each Month 10 AM - 12 PM
In Person: 3rd Tuesday each Month 10 AM - 12 PM at both campuses.

Spouses and caregivers are welcome to attend!

Taking Charge of My Life and Health

Taking Charge of My Life and Health is a once a week for 6-weeks group course that provides an opportunity for more self-exploration, self-care, and goal creation around what really matters to the Veteran. Through this offering, together Veterans explore their new missions, delve into each aspect of the Whole Health circle, and begin to create an overarching personal health plan.

This class is currently offered virtually on the following days and times:

Co-ed group: Tuesdays, 14:00 - 15:30; Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:30
Women's group: Thursdays, 14:00 - 15:30

Yoga

Yoga is a mind and body practice with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various styles of yoga typically combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. It has been recommended as a first line treatment for acute and chronic low back pain. Regular Yoga practice may also reduce stress and body-wide inflammation, contributing to healthy hearts. Whether you're struggling with pain or interested in learning more about mind-body practice, yoga is available to you at VA Eastern Kansas!

Live Yoga Classes are classes that are held virtually or in person, as indicated below, with a live instructor leading you in your practice.

Monday

Chair Yoga 1:00 pm (Virtual) - Click on the link for instant access to this class.

Wednesday

Chair / Beginners Yoga 7:15 am (Virtual) - Consult Required for this class.

Friday

Beginners Yoga 11:00 am (Virtual) - Consult Required for this class.

Restorative Yoga 1:00 pm (Virtual) - Consult Required for this class.

On Demand Yoga are recorded classes with an instructor that are available, day or night, when it fits your busy schedule. They can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

Whole Health Mobile Apps and Online Tools

Whole Health Moving the Body

#LiveWholeHealth - Once you click this link, type "yoga" in the search box for results

If you are unsure which class is right for you or if you want to enroll in a class above, contact a member of your healthcare team and ask for a yoga consult today!

Please Note: If a class falls on a Federal Holiday there will not be class on this day.

Mindfulness Based Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an ancient mind-body exercise rooted in traditional martial arts. Training with a calm mind in the slow, circular and intentional movements of Tai Chi strengthens and integrates the mind and body. An excellent exercise for persons of all ages and all abilities, Tai Chi enhances relaxation, focus, posture, balance, strength, coordination, immune response and mood.

Participants will develop foundation mind/body skills, learn the building blocks of Tai Chi movement, and combine skills into a flowing sequence increasing strength and flexibility.

Want to know more about Tai Chi, click on the link: Tai Chi for Veterans

Class Schedule

Virtual – 10-week Tai Chi Group - Mondays 11:00am – 12:00

In Person (LV) - 10 Week Tai Chi Group Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:00

Virtual WebEx Open Tai Chi Class – Thursdays 8:00am – 9:00am - Click on the link for direct access to this class.

To self-enroll call (913) 682-2000 extension 66970 or connect with your healthcare team for a whole health consult for tai chi classes.

Additional Practice Resources - Tai Chi with Tricia Yu If you are looking for guidance with your practice in between classes, the Tai Chi with Tricia Yu offers YouTube Channel videos and demonstrations that corelate with tai chi classes available above.

Wednesday Mindfulness Practice

Join us every Wednesday from 1:20 - 1:40 for a 20-minute mindfulness practice designed to create space for grounding yourself in the midst of a busy day! Learn how to use breath work to increase your sense of self-awareness and release tension. Click on the link below to join the class.

Wednesday Mindfulness Practice

Smoking and Tobacco Cessation

If you are trying to quit smoking or want to stop using tobacco, we can help you with support, resources and programs. These include:

Virtual tobacco cessation group - Every Wednesday at 1130 am
Tobacco Cessation Quitline for individual counseling and strategies
SmokefreeVET text message program for daily advise and interactive support
Stay Quit Coach mobile app to help you quit smoking and stay smoke-free

Learn more about how to quit

To enroll in virtual tobacco cessation group call (913) 682-2000 extension 62991.

Healthy Sleep Habits

If you are having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up not feeling refreshed, try our Healthy Sleep Habits Group - 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each Month from 1200 - 1pm

You can join this one-time Healthy Sleep Habits Group by clicking on the link and using Password: Healthysleep1! to learn about tools and resources available to help you improve your sleep and feel great again.

Learn more about healthy sleep.

Advanced Care Planning

Advance Care Planning is a one-time session providing education and assistance with completion of an Advance Directive, free of cost!

Regardless of age or health status, having an Advance Directive is important for all adults. If you were ever seriously ill or injured and unable to communicate your own health care wishes, an Advance Directive gives you the opportunity to appoint a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and provide instructions regarding your treatment preferences. During this session, staff will be available to assist with completion of the appropriate documents if you choose. Veterans are welcome to bring along a trusted friend or family member.

If you would like to participate in a virtual session, please call to be scheduled. If you would like to attend a session in-person, please see the table below for the most convenient offering that fits your location and schedule.

For enrollment in virtual session or for questions, please contact our Advance Care Planning Coordinator:

Elizabeth R. Brown, LSCSW

(913) 682-2000 ext. 63606 or (816) 510-0209

Table

Campus Location	Day of Week	Time and Room Number
Leavenworth	Monday's	10AM - A183 (main hospital)
Topeka	Tuesday's	10AM - A552 (Bldg. 1)
Kansas City CBOC	1st Wednesday of month	9AM - Check in at front desk
Platte City CBOC	1st Wednesday of month	2PM - Check in at front desk
St. Joseph CBOC	2nd Wednesday of month	1PM - Check in at front desk
Lawrence CBOC	1st Tuesday of month	2PM - Check in at front desk
Junction City CBOC	4th Wednesday of month	10:30AM - Check in at front desk

Coaching

Whole Health Coaching

Whole Health Coaches work with Veterans one-on-one and in group settings to empower the Veteran to develop and achieve self-determined goals related to health and wellness. Coaches support Veterans in identifying internal and external resources, and in developing self-management strategies for making sustainable, healthy lifestyle, behavior changes. As partners and facilitators, coaches support Veterans in achieving health and behavioral goals while collaborating with the Veteran’s healthcare team. Coaches assist Veterans to use their insight, personal strengths and resources, goal setting, action steps and accountability toward whole health changes.

Telephone Lifestyle Coaching

In addition to Whole Health coaching, VAEK also offers Telephone Lifestyle Coaching (TLC). TLC is a 10-session protocol offered Monday - Friday, 7AM - 10PM via telephone for those who would like additional support in any of the following areas: Striving for a healthy weight, healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol use, and managing stress. This option is great for those who need availability after business hours or who have already engaged in Whole Health coaching and would like continued support on their goals.

*Please call (913) 682-2000 , ext. 62699, or secure message EKHCS, Whole Health _WH for additional questions or to enroll!

Whole Health Coaching Brochure (PDF)

Components of Proactive Health and Well-Being

The Components of Proactive Health and Well-Being picture will help you think about your whole health. All of the areas in the circle are important. They are all connected. Improving one area can benefit other areas in your life and influence your overall physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being.

The inner circle represents you, your values and what really matters to you. Being in a state of mindful awareness helps you identify what matters to you. The next circle is your self-care. These are the circumstances and choices you make in your everyday life to take care of you. The next ring represents professional care you receive. Professional care may include typical medical interventions like examinations, tests, medications tests, medications and counseling. This circle also includes complementary approaches such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and other mind-body therapies. The outer ring represents the people and groups to whom you are connected.

The Circle of Health

The Circle of Health illustrates the big picture connections between your health and other aspects of your life. Whole health opens the door to discuss not only your health conditions, but the things that impact your well-being.

Me

The innermost circle represents each of us as unique individuals. We start at the middle saying, “I am the expert on my life, values, goals, and priorities. Only I can know what really matters to ME. This knowledge needs to be what drives my health and my healthcare. I am the most important person when it comes to making choices that influence my health and well-being. I am the leader of my team, and my medical team professionals are some of the invited players.”

Examples of the types of services Veterans can access and use to support this area include (but are not limited to):

What REALLY matters to you in your life?
What do you want your health for?
What is your vision of your best possible health?

Mindful Awareness

Mindfulness is being fully aware, or paying attention, to the present moment. Sometimes, we go through our daily lives on autopilot with a tendency to dwell on the past or plan events in the future. At times we struggle to pay attention to what is happening right now; without judging or trying to fix it. Being mindful, or aware, allows you to make conscious proactive choices about every aspect of your health. Mindfulness connects you to each component of your well-being, and to your whole self.

The Eight Areas of Self-Care

Self-care is often the most important factor in living a healthy life, which in turn allows you to live your life fully, in the ways that matter to you. Self-care includes all the choices you make on a daily basis that affect your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Evidence shows that each of these eight areas of self-care contributes a great deal to your overall health and well-being and positively impact disease prevention. Consider your values, lifestyle, habits, and motivations in each area. Taking stock of where you are now and where you want to be in each of these areas is the first step in living a healthier life.

Professional Care

Prevention and treatment of illness or disease and traditional and complementary medicine are part of professional care. Preventive care includes things like immunizations and cancer screening. Common treatments include checkups, medicines, supplements, physical therapy, surgery, and counseling. Complementary medicine includes approaches like acupuncture, chiropractic care, dry needling, and mind-body therapies. It is important to stay current with your personal care plan for health and well-being.

Community

The outer ring represents your community. For some, their community is close by and for others it is far way. Your community is more than the places you live, work, or worship. It includes all the people and social groups you connect with that add value and purpose to your life.

Whole Health Wellbeing Offerings

MOVE! Weight Management

The best way to manage your weight is to eat smart and be physically active. MOVE!® is a national weight management program that helps Veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health. MOVE!® is a comprehensive lifestyle intervention that focuses on health and wellness through nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change.

For more information contact Chelbie Glenn at 913-682-2000, ext 62274, or you may request to be invited to a virtual 20-minute informational class by calling 913-682-2000, ext 62243. These classes take place on Wednesdays at 12pm.

Nutrition Service

Whether you'd like to get your hands on healthy recipes, learn about food preparation, or work with a dietitian to develop an individual plan that meets your needs, VAEK Nutrition Service has something to offer! Call 913-682-2000, ext. 62243 to get scheduled for your nutrition consultation today.

Recreational Therapy

Whether you're wanting to work on personal development, recharging, or connecting with others, VA Eastern Kansas has something to offer you through our Recreational Therapy program! Through this program, you'll have the option to learn how to play a new instrument, engage in mindfulness-based music practice, and so much more! Reach out to Andrea Chaffee at 785-350-3111, ext. 63067 to learn more or enroll.

Chaplain Services

Spiritual wellbeing offers opportunity for connection to one's deepest values and is an important part of overall wellbeing! VA Chaplains are available to you to provide religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical direction. You can reach VAEK Chaplain Services today by calling 785-350-3111, ext. 64717 for more information and to get connected.

Whole Health Resources

Veterans Health Library

The Veterans Health Library is one stop shop available to assist Veterans with gathering information related to living well, mental health resources, managing health conditions, and beyond! Visit the Veterans Health Library today where you'll find a wealth of information!

National VA Whole Health Resources

Visit the National VA Whole Health website to access a Whole Health library, gather more information on how to get started on your Whole Health journey, hear success stories from other Veterans, and beyond!

What is Mindfulness?

Learn the basics of Mindfulness in this 7 minute video.

Four Ways to Cultivate Mindfulness

In this 4 min video, Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD and Greg Serpa, PhD (from Greater Los Angeles VA HCS) talk about how mindfulness can be cultivated. Through grounding, the STOP acronym, use of anchor phrases, and engaging the “3 P’s” this video provides detailed tactics to achieve mindfulness. This video may be used as an individual or group learning tool.

Beginning Mindfulness Practice

In this 5 min video, Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD and Greg Serpa, PhD (from Greater Los Angeles VA HCS) explain how clinicians can teach mindfulness. Core to the idea of teaching “mindfulness” and helping others achieve this state of mind requires one to practice this strategy. Working towards mindfulness only takes a few minutes each day. Watch this 5 minute video to learn more.

#LiveWholeHealth

Find out how you can practice self-care from home through the #LiveWholeHealth videos. This series highlights Whole Health resources—such as video sessions for yoga, tai chi, acupressure, meditation and much more —that you can follow along at home to live healthier and happier.

VA Mobile Apps

Veterans, as well as their families and caregivers, can use VA Mobile apps for more information and control over their VA care. With My App List, you can build a list of apps that help you take charge of your health and wellness. You can also create a list to share with someone you know.