ART + WALK

New program encourages exercise and art appreciation

Amanda Cochran, right, a physical therapist at St. Charles Bend, uses the Art + Walk program to help patient Dale Fleischer in his recovery from brain surgery. Cochran said the program is an excellent way for patients to exercise their physical and mental abilities by using a map to find their way through the hospital to various pieces of art. Fleischer said he enjoyed seeing the paintings and sculptures in St. Charles Bend's main lobby.

Patients, visitors, caregivers and physicians now have the chance to get some exercise while appreciating part of the extensive art collection on display at St. Charles Bend. The Art + Walk program was recently launched, thanks in part to a generous grant from Johnson & Johnson/Society for the Arts in Healthcare Partnership to Promote Arts and Healing. The idea behind the program, explained Marlene Alexander, Arts in the Hospital Coordinator for Cascade Healthcare Community, is to provide an interesting indoor exercise option for visitors and caregivers as well as innovative and inspiring therapy motivation for patients.

"I cannot wait for the community to be able to come to the hospital, get their exercise, look at exceptional art and not be fearful of a medical environment," Alexander said. "I'm hoping it opens up a warm feeling for the community and the caregivers."

To use the Art + Walk program, people will check out brochures, including a walking map, and pedometers from the information desk inside the St. Charles Bend main entrance. From there, participants will follow the directions inside the brochure and, like a scavenger hunt, discover intriguing pieces of art while the pedometer tracks their steps. The complete loop covers more than 3,546 feet, or a little more than half a mile.

Along with providing a healthy diversion for guests, the program will also be beneficial for rehabilitation patients as it provides physical and mental challenges to overcome. "I'm so excited," Alexander said. "It has been a huge project, but is well worth it." Many groups contributed to the Art + Walk project including the Clear Choice Foundation, Pauline Caine Shelk and Art in Public Places.