Building Active Minds and Bodies at All Ages
On a chilly spring morning, nine local residents laced up their walking shoes and headed to the St. James Catholic Church parish gym.
Led by Patty Colanero, a 69-year-old retired nurse and WVU School of Nursing alum, the group gathered first for an excerpt from “Walk & Talk: Walking Together with Scripture.” April’s discussion focused on “The Abundant Life,” and Colanero posed engaging questions to each of the members. They discussed how they stay active outside their bi-weekly walking sessions, as well as what it means to live an abundant life.
After roughly half an hour of scripture and discussion, the group eagerly arose from their chairs, queued up their pedometers and fitness trackers, and began their hour-long walking session in a loop around the wooden gym floor.
After 15 minutes, Patty Flanigan alerted the group it was time to switch directions, and they all rotated their path from clockwise to counterclockwise. After that rotation, the group took a 10-minute break, then repeated their walking for another 30 minutes. To conclude their session, Colanero offered a closing meditation.
Colanero, who graduated from WVU with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in December 1975, spent the next 45 years as a nurse, with the majority of her career at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center. After she retired, she began helping with the church more regularly, delivering meals to elderly residents in February, baking Easter bread in March, and volunteering for the spaghetti dinner in May.
She was familiar with other Faith Community Nursing walking groups because of her friendship with Dr. Veronica Gallo, Bridgeport Campus Chair. Gallo then connected Colanero with Dr. Angel Smothers, who provided education, training and funding through Faith Community Nursing to support the launch of the program.
After completing a needs assessment at the parish, everyone decided two days a week would be best for a walking group. They kicked off in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic followed soon after they began. When they were given the green light to restart, they wore masks to ensure their safety.
The group welcomes as many as 14 attendees, all of whom are around retirement age. Each of the members seems to have a special reason for their participation.
“It’s very social,” said Helena Kerns, who is retired from Wells Fargo. “We enjoy each other’s company. We also look forward to monthly lunches out in the community.”
The other attendees agreed that the space provides a great outlet for socialization and exercise in a safe space.
“I feel safe walking inside here with the even terrain,” said Flanigan, who retired as Chief of the Prosthetics Department at the VA Medical Center. “We have easy restroom access, and we can walk no matter the weather.”
For Sara Minnocci and Helena Kerns, they have especially enjoyed the health benefits they’ve received from regular walking, such as improved A1C levels and decreased back pain.
“Something like this gives you purpose after retirement,” said Sharon Bundy, who retired as a respiratory therapist at UHC. “After retirement, you’re sometimes left with, ‘What now?’”
Because of Colanero’s nursing background, she can keep an eye out for any issues the participants may be having. She encourages new members to start slow, and for anyone to take breaks as they need them.
“It’s a good time of fellowship and a good time of sharing,” Colanero said. “And it’s so important to stay active. I’ve seen too many friends who retire who become couch potatoes. I’ve been working against that, and I feel God has led me to be a type of advocate for local retirees.”
Attendees do not have to be members of the church to attend the walking group sessions. To learn more about becoming involved, contact Patty Colanero at pac104@msn.com. To learn more about Faith Community Nursing, contact Dr. Angel Smothers at asmothers@hsc.wvu.edu.
