As a new year begins, many of us think about changes we hope to see in our life in the year ahead.
Haley Brumbach, Pleasant View’s Director of Wellness, helps residents, staff, and community members to make those hopes a reality. Her approach to wellness is simple: focus on gradual habit changes and education to help improve one’s health holistically.
“Your health is everything,” Haley explains. “It’s how you feel, function, and live your life every day.”
More than 11 years ago, Haley began work at Pleasant View as manager of what is now PVFiT, and she still oversees the center which serves over 1300 active members. She is a certified personal trainer, a certified nutrition coach, and a certified master health coach.
In 2025, Pleasant View will implement a new strategic plan and wellness (including mental health) is one of the areas of focus. Dimensions of wellness include physical, mental/emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, environmental, and financial, as explained in this article by Haley.
Each month in 2025, Haley will focus on one aspect of wellness. For visual learners like her, she has begun to create brief videos. She will continue to share videos, articles, and thoughts via Wellzesta and “all staff” emails and Paylocity. “I will work with the activities and recreation therapy staff to facilitate programs for residents that have not been done before and relate to the wellness focus,” says Haley.
Recently, Haley shared articles about “Finding Comfort & Joy in Winter” and “What Defines True Health.”
Haley’s approach to health coaching
In her role as Director of Wellness, Haley provides free one-on-one health coaching for residents and staff.
Haley notes that because of information overload and confusion about nutrition and exercise, many of her clients have tried things that have not worked. Haley’s goal is to help her clients to identify the barriers and root problems versus a quick fix. She explains, “Stress or lack of sleep might be a problem instead of nutrition or exercise. And, because of hormone changes, etc., we need different workouts as we age.”
Haley likes to get people out of their comfort zone but explains that clients can’t change if they are not ready to put in the effort. “I love when a client realizes they can do more than they thought they could do.”
Client testimonials
Resident Dale Mort shares, “By the time I retired I was significantly over an acceptable body mass index. Through my own efforts at dietary changes and light exercises I was able to lose 15 pounds over 3 1/2 years, but that was just half of what I needed to take off. Recent health issues limited my exercise routine, so I went to see Haley. By following her advice about additional changes in my eating habits, I was able to take off another 15 pounds in just 3 1/2 months and am now within my acceptable BMI.”
Resident Violet Welk shares, “After my shoulder surgery I was becoming more sedentary which resulted in increased joint stiffness and pain. I reached out to Haley about my physical health issues in hopes that she could help me. My prayers were answered when she recommended a meal plan that did not include processed foods and a workout program. Since being on this plan, I have experienced improved mobility, increased energy, and weight loss. The most important improvement was my joint pain has been reduced to a manageable level…. I would encourage others to enroll in a wellness coaching program because there is much to learn about the food you eat and how it affects the body. Most important is that Haley cares about you and wants you to succeed.”
Wellness for Team Members
Haley also facilitates a wellness program for staff. Those who participate using the MoveSpring app can earn a significant discount on medical insurance premiums. In 2025, she will add incentives for part-time and PRN staff. Haley plans to shadow health care staff and other departments to learn their wellness needs and is available to address wellness concerns and goals.
As she works on the vision of the CEO, Jonathan Hollinger, that PV is a “wellness campus,” Haley is seeking grants and donations for resources that will help. Current “wish list” items are SmartFit technology for residents (to improve mobility and cognition), exercise stations for the new walking path, and a staff break room that will bring departments together and be filled with wellness opportunities. Please contact Haley or the Development office for more information.
How did becoming a grandma change Haley’s life?
Haley grew up in Manheim and her mom had a hair salon on Main St for over 30 years. Haley currently lives in Lititz with her two daughters (Morgan and Sidney), John (Haley’s boyfriend of 16 years), AJ (soon to be son-in-law), Haisley (her 3-month-old granddaughter), and their three dogs: Zoey and Lola (Yellow Labs) and Abby (Great Dane). She has a full house but wouldn’t have it any other way! In 2024, Haley became “Gaga” to her granddaughter, Haisley, who brings so much love and joy to her life.
Haley is grateful for how there is less stress and pressure in being a grandma versus being a mom. She has always worked hard, but in this season of her life (she will turn the big 5-0 in February), Haley seeks to prioritize self-care, balance, and family time (and to encourage others to do the same).
To practice what she preaches, Haley will be on vacation until Jan. 20 but looks forward to returning to Pleasant View to “build an environment where residents and team members feel supported in their wellness journey.” Pleasant View is very thankful to have Haley as our Director of Wellness.
