How To Nurture Collaborative Learning
Working together, helping one another toward a common goal
Better Quality of Life For Elders And Their Caregivers

• "To Kathy Ward, my gratitude for your work and very best wishes. Warmest regards and remember, forget the prophets and help the people. By helping people we honor prophets and their message. Helen Thomas. Oct. 2002"
  

• Thank you for this message and your work. Lavinia Browne - Personal Assistant to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu - 2007
  

• Kathy, Desde nuestra oficina en Caracas, Venezuela. Muchas felicidades por todo el trabajo que nos inspiras a realizar por nuestros ancianos y por una mejor salud para todos. Aura Aguiar, Trabajadora Social - Caracas, Venezuela
  
  
• For all what you have done for us at Byron House Assisted Living. We are eating better foods and exercising more. We are your family and we will never forget you. Danny and Pat, Potomac, MD 2006
  
  
• "Dear Kathy, thank you so much for your meaningful work. I just want to add that the real full-time nurse that helped my father Norman Cousins was my mother, Eleanor Cousins. It was she who was his partner in belief. (Actually, she believed he would live forever. She was also the one who first taught my father about vitamin C and better nutrition. With appreciation for your wise words, your passion for a better life for the elderly, who know whereof they speak. Sarah Shapiro, Jerusalem, Sept 2006.
  
  
  "The last article my father, Norman Cousins, wrote was a piece entitled, "Don't Tuck Me In," which I recall reading on the Op-Ed page on the way to his funeral. It was a lighthearted but heartfelt protest against the stereotypes of old age. He was 75, and a stewardess on board a plane had just treated him as if he were already over the hill. The message of those final words in print was that he was passionately alive and well, which was in no way contradicted by the fact that a few days later, in November 1990, he had vanished from our midst.. He used to remark that no one gets out of this world alive; it wasn't longevity he was after so much as helping himself and others to savor every day that comes our way.
  My father loved life, every single moment of it, and he celebrated it accordingly. He would be tickled pink by Kathy Ward's efforts on behalf those who are more than halfway through the journey. I feel I can speak for him when I convey his big flash of a smile, and the great big "Grrrreat!" with which he would have applauded your work.
  
  
  With best wishes, Sarah Shapiro, Jerusalem - November 2004"
  
  
  
• Congratulations from all of us at Victory Terrace! This is wonderful website! Thank you for coming to our facility and for your wonderful wellness presentation. Regards, Ingrid and the Seniors at Victory Terrace, Potomac, MD, August 2006
  
  
• Kathy, about the class today, what a great class. The practical ways to seek betterment of myself and that by nurturing my own wellness I can make a difference to my community and the world. It provokes "positive-focused."Thank you Kathy! Edith - June 2006
  
  
  
• 
  
  Palacio de la Zarzuela
  Madrid, 30 de Julio de 2007
  
  

  Doña Kathy J. Ward
  President of WEL, World Elder Land
  Universal Peace Ambassador
  
  My dear friend:
  
  It is with great pleasure that His Royal Highness Prince of Asturias keep receiving information about the diverse activities related to the work that you carry out with WEL, World Elder Land, world-wide in benefit of elders and their caregivers. H. R. H would also like to congratulate you for your appointment as Universal Peace Ambassador.
  
  H. R. H. has asked me to send you his fraternal greetings, and would like to let you know that he totally supports your initiative , proposals and efforts toward the creation of U.N. Goodwill Ambassadors For Elders in matters related to the betterment of the quality of life of elders and their caregivers all over the world.
  
  Cordially greetings,
  Jaime Alfonsín
  Chief Secreatry of the Office of the Prince
  
  

  
  
  
• This class and this instructor (Kathy Ward) will help change the rest of my life! Yvonne
  
  
  
• Kathy, we have received a very complimentary letter regarding your admirable work serving the senior care industry with a true mission. I wish that we can continue working together. Jeff Ferguson, Marriott Senior Living Services - March 2000
  
  
• Thank you so much for the gift of Dr. Muller's book. You are very kind, generous & thoughtful. And thanks for your enthusiasm and commtment to help others to help themselves and to help others. Gratefully, Jim - August 07
  
  
• Ms. Kathy Ward

  I reviewed the completed evaluation forms and summarized the feedback from participants. Overall, the participants really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you. The session was great. Maxine Grey from the DC Office on Aging also highly complemented your presentation. Happy Holidays and I expect we will have another opportunity to work together. Clarence Brown, PhD, Howard University, School of Social Work - November 2005
  
  

  Photo collage
  

  
  

• namaste kathy,
  CONGRATULATIONS........Thanks for always being your bright and shining self.....peace and love to you on this wonderful sunday morn....silver eagle - 2006

• Hi Kathy,

  I will be contacting you soon regarding you speaking here again. We reviewed some excellent feedback from our residents regarding your presentation at our Wellness Fair. Many of our residents and family members keep talking about all your recommendations and they want you back. You will hear from me shortly. Thanks

  Shememe Williams, Wellness Coordinator, Ashbury Methodist Village - Feb 2006
  
  
• Kathy, you are a gifted dedicated person and loved by everyone here. Your programs are excellent. I love reading your newsletter. You have genuine compassion for the sick and infirm. Elsie, 92, Retired Managing Editor Cornell University Press.
  
  
  
• "Thanks Kathy for the phone call and for the sweet sweet e-mail showing elders and how exercise works..and so do you!! 98 and tying her shoes..WOW! Robert loved talking with you as you are such a bright light for him and all the elders.. Big Hug of Gratitude, Robert and Barbara Muller, March 2006"
  
  
  - Photo collage click here
  
  
• "Dear Kathy, On behalf fo the NHMA Staff and Board of Directors I would like to thank you for the vision and knowledge you contributed as a Speaker in making our 10th Annual Conference a great success. In keeping with the NHMA's mission, participants appreciated being able to network with you after the conference, and we understand that one of the most important aspects of this movement is the ongoing collaboration between Hispanic serving healthcare professionals.
  
  Thank you again. We look forward to working with you in the future. Sincerely, Elena Rios, MD, MSPH"
  
  Here with Dr. Elena Rios, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association. Photo collage of my participation at the annual conference.
  
  
  
• Dearest Kathy, Unbelievable!!!!!! What can I say? The content is immeasurable. The photos outstanding! As for your latest email about plants; I actually believe that plants have emotion and feeling. I have proof in my own bedroom and office. One of my plants takes time to ‘act out’ sometimes if I don’t talk to it.Continue to enjoy life and love! J Be blessed and stay in touch. Love, Andrea Rander, Director of Volunteer Services, National Institute of Health, Medical Center, Bethesda, MD - July 2005
  
  
• Kathy, here are some comments from the participants that attended our telehealth - Manitoba, Canada:
  
  Bring Kathy Ward live, she is great!
  
  Loved Kathy's humour, her brain and the model one too.
  
  As care providers, we are so worried about what we are going to accomplish that we forget that it is making the clients still feel good and that they are alive, have a purpose is what really matter
  
  Get her ideas out to other disciplines, finally there is somebody who can prove what we do has a value
  
  We focus on our budget not allowing us to do more with residents but Kathy had good ideas, practical ideas, regarding utilizing community resources, thanks I will be making some phone calls
  
  I have forgotten the importance of not canceling things on the agenda. We forgot how important thee things are at fulfilling someone's life.
  
  She is the only one that has explained the water thing to me. I will be pushing fluids to everyone I meet, thank you!!!
  Kathy Foley and Gail Faser, Bradon Regional Health Authority
  
  

• Hi Kathy!  hope all is well. It is amazing how fast time is flying by.  I am teaching a class this semester on
  Aging, and would love for you to come back as guest professor and lecture on working with the
  elderly. I love your talks because they have so much of  your practice and creative ideas. Let me know what you
  think... are you interested in talking to my graduate course. Feel free to call me or email is also fine.
  Talk to you soon - Mike
  Michael J. Bamdad, M.A., CCC-SLP
  Clinic Director  - Department of Speech and Hearing Science - The George Washington University - September 05
                       

• "Mrs.Ward
  
  This letter is from your friend Omar and Dan from the Somali, Tanzania inter-tribal camp for elders and youth.A year ago a friend from Portland State University sent me your website link.I always read your postings and we have used some of your ideas for the Mental Health program with elders in Bantu that have escaped their oppressors in Somalia and experience trauma-related problems.You have new web pages, congratulations, they are very interesting.With the lack f modern medical assistance in rural areas our people are forced to seek more traditional healers with little academic study.Your work is an opportunity to access western health care, genuine and transparent. Mrs. Ward, thank you for your
  inspiration and more mental health information and programs for elders. Your friend,Omar. Feb 06, Tanzania"
  
  

  

• Your work in neuroplasticity, focusing on models of task-oriented exercise to improve motor function in individuals aging with the disability of strokeis very impressive. We are fortunate to have Andi Luft, MD. a leading neuroplasticity researcher from Germany, here on the UM-SOM campus for 6 months. We also have Dr. Larry Forrester and Dr.s  Jill Whitall (PhD) and Sandy Waller PhD, PT that work with plasticity in stroke exercise  models in our hospital.  I am very much an advocate of the theme of your book. Congratulations. Dr. Rich Macko.
  
                       

• Hi Kathy:  Your classes just get “better and better”!!!!!
  The class today was superb!!! -So much of the class today just spoke to
  me.  From the word “awakening” to “we cannot better our
  emotions if we do not better our thoughts”, to” words are energy”,
  to “practice happiness & kindness” and much more,  I just
  listened, marveled, and absorbed.  I’ve become very conscious of my
  thoughts; it’s glorious to focus the positive; positive thoughts, acts,
  activities. Being mindful of positive just transforms every precious moment of
  the day!  You’ve presented a wealth of information; Any spare time
  is spent reading and rereading your books, and looking over the notes from all your previous classes.  Regarding the journal I made myself  three colored
  pull out sheets to house at the front of each of the body, mind, and spirit
  sections (red for body, blue for mind, and white for spirit) where I wrote
  points you mentioned in class as well as from your one book and it keeps me focused on pertinent meaningful information to record in each section.  Several
  times a day if I’m in my office I record noteworthy bits!  Insights
  are already surfacing!  Like yesterday I suddenly realized after I was
  looking over my food journal that I’m consuming far more fruits than
  vegetables.  It made me pause to think about the effect of the sugar, though
  natural, might be having on the insulin production in my body. Eileen

• Thank you for the gift of your time and the insightful information. You are a treasure! “Everyday, in everyway I am awakening more fully and getting better and better!” I’m so grateful for your wise words!!!! Lucy 86
  

• I know that what you shared with us in the class is attainable and wonderful. Kathy you live what you teach... totally integrated. I enjoyed the relaxed feeling of your presentation and that spoke from the heart. Joan
  
  
• Dearest Kathy, I am fine and doing well and very happy my dear friend. I love what you are doing for other people. You are a wonderful human being. I want to remind you to take good care of yourself. We need you around for a long time.You are ahead of your time and a pioneer in bringing people love, happiness and health.

  All my love and very best wishes! November 2006
  

  Lionel - President and Founder The Happiness Club, Connecticut
  
  

• "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE EDUCATIONAL/INFORMATIONS, PHOTOS AND YOUR SPIRIT. Diana Detorres, October 2006"
  

• Kathy, this class has ben interesting. Inspires you to want to be healthy. I love the assignment of our class to watch "anger management" the movie... to express and draine properly our emotions and how we feel. Do not hold pain and anger and listen to ourselves more. This class has helped me to improve a lot of things about my relationship with myself and with others. Excellent!!! You are a great teacher, easy to understand. Letha.
  
  
  
• Whole-Person-Centered Wellness among Latino elders representing 13 different nationalities.
  
  
  Photo collage.
  
  

• Dear Kathy, Thank you for the two days of inspiration and uplifting ideas. I really needed that. I faithfully write in my "Body, Mind, Spirit" journel every night. I love it! Thanks for the great idea.Thanks, again for your wonderful presentations. Love, Joan Polzin - March 07
  

• "Kathy, you are an inspiration to me. Thank you for helping us live better lives. You were born with the desire. Please keep this with you and read it often and do not allow anyone take you away from your happiness.

  Dance like no one is watching.  Sing like no one
  is listening. Love like you've never been hurt
  and live like it's heaven on Earth.  -  Mark Twain

  Jean 99 years of happiness - March 2005"
  

• Dear Kathy
  
  
  Congratulations - we are delighted to announce that you have been accepted as one of our "Love Ambassadors." Your willingness to live your life dedicated to the vision of love and the work you are doing for the elders of the world is a potent model for so many. By your words, deeds and actions, you are having a profound impact on all those you contact. We are grateful and happy to extend this recognition to you. Welcome and congratulations!
  
  
  We are honored to connect with so many heroes of love like you from around the world that quietly share their vision and personal commitment to loving unconditionally. We look forward to sharing more of this journey of love with you.
  
  
  
  Love, light and peace, Harold W. Becker,President
  John T. Goltz,Vice President
  And The Board of Directors
  The Love Foundation, Inc. - Florida, USA
  
  www.thelovefoundation.com
  
  
• Hi Kathy,
  Thank you for all your efforts to spread the word about Alzheimer's disease. I should be the one thanking you! Your program was excellent and you are a wonderful asset to us and to the Eofula Hispanic Senior program. Keep up the good work!Thank you for the opportunity to meet with the seniors at Eofula. Nancy Dezan, Education Manager, Alzheimer's Association - National Office, February 2004
  
  
• Kathy, I am an activity director in an assisted living facility in idaho, i feel like i am stuck in a rut, i am fresh out of ideas, and i am interested in your program and your website and blog are very helpful to me. Please
  keep making a difference. Tamie - April 2006
  
• 
  
• Hello Kathy

  My name is Taylore. I trained as an RN. I am now retired but act as the newsletter editor for the Canadian Hypnotherapy Association.I would like the permission to print the wonderful article you wrote on the mind body connection in an issue of our newsletter. I want to thank you for sending me your wonderfu new book! I have found it a very enjoyable read. I intend to implement many of your suggestions. Best Wishes, Taylore - Nov 2006.
  
  
• "Congratulations from all of us at Victory Terrace! This is wonderful website! Thank you for coming to our facility and for your wonderful wellness presentation. Regards, Ingrid and the Seniors at Victory Terrace, Potomac, MD, August 2006"
  
  
• "Hello Kathy, I hope that you are well. The questions and answers about Alzheimer's was very well done. I hope that those who need this information find it. The insights and practical tips are highly valuable. I wish you much success and all the best, Tamer, Palestine - May 2006"
  
  

• "Hello Kathy, I hope and pray that you are well.
  The idea of the peaceful garden with humor presented at our hospital is great!! I can visualize my mother in such a place. The whole energy of your presentation was very upbeat and inspiring. Keep up your great work!!
  Much strength in doing all that you are doing.
  All the best, Dr. Bradshaw - June 2003"
                       

• Kathy! Gracias por tu trabajo y la information que nos haces llegar.

  Yo soy psicóloga y me dedico a la psicología de la salud y psicoterapia Gestalt, actualmente además de mi práctica privada, estoy trabajando en SANVITE, una empresa en Guadalajara México, dedicada a la nutrición clínica y a la salud integral, enfocándonos en la práctica del "Wellness" con nuestros pacientes. Actualmente entre a dar clases a la licenciatura en Psicología con la asignatura de "intervención clínica en la tercera edad" por lo que estoy interesada en darles a mis alumnos la mejor información al respecto. Por estas razones contacté con ustedes y me pongo a su disposición desde México. Su revista es muy interesante. Muchas gracias por todo tu trabajo y entusiasmo. Atentamente. Psic. Maria Isabel López Barreiro - Mexico, Guadalajara - Jan 2007
  
  

• "Please keep up the good work! It is wonderful what you are doing in support to elders! May Joy and Peace Reign in the Heart of Humanity now and forever!
  Jeannette of Nazareth - September 2006"
  
  

• "Hi Kathy, a friend of mine forwarded an email to me with your information. I am a yoga teacher and one of my venues is working with seniors. I so enjoyed this uplifting email about elders finding happiness. I was wondering if you have any information you would be able to share with me that I might incorporate in my sessions. In gratitude, Sally May 2005"
  
  

  
  

• Hi Kathy,
  I am briefly in the office and just wanted to thank you for a wonderful presentation at our long term care ombudsman meeting. I look forward to working with you again. Eileen Bennett, Program Manager - October 2004
  
  

  Photo collage
  
  

• Dear Ms. Ward,
  
  On behalf of the GW Cancer Institute and GW's Office of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, thank you for participating in Monday's conference called "Latino/Hispanic Cancer Disparities: Closing
  the Gap." Again, thank you for a meaningful program and we look forward to working with you again.
  Sincerely,
  Dan
  
  Daniel E. Reichard
  Director, Office of Continuing Education in the Health Professions The George Washington University Medical Center

• Dear Kathy Ward,
  Thank you for your presentation. Your experience as a Therapeutic Recreation Consultant and your knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease are both very impressive. The residents and family members of our large assisted living community have certainly benefit from your talks and seminars.
  
  Please let me know if we could interest you in selecting our site for an upcoming seminar/workshop. We have ample space in our Theatre Room to accommodate a fairly large group. I look forward to hearing from you again.
  
  Sharon - Executive Director
  Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights - March 06
  
  
• Dear Kathy,

  Thank you for this beautiful poem. I'll keep it in my heart and from today I'm working on it, together with you and eryone who don't want to lose their dream of a peaceful world where all creatures will sing the song of unity, solidarity and love .

  With love,

  Josefine from Belgium
  

• Kathy, Thank you!

  I continue to be in awe of your accomplishments, but more so of your dreams, which manage to realize! With much affection and respect, Stefanie W. Reponen - Executive Director

  Goodwin House Foundation
  
  

• Hope you had a good weekend.  Both presentations were
  terrific, and both received positive comments from the
  students...agree, they are a really nice class to work with.  I cant thank you enough. Michael J. Bamdad, M.A., CCC-SLP - Clinic Director
  Department of Speech and Hearing Science
  The George Washington University
                       

• Dear friends of CSISW, Kathy J. Ward is back!!
  I wanted to remind you of our exciting workshop with Kathy J. Ward, who recently won U.N. recognition of her work with elders, Human Evolving vs. Aging. It will be this Friday morning, 9 am- 1pm at Caldwell Hall Auditorium on the campus of Catholic University. Details are below, or feel free to click this link or copy and paste it into your web browser: http://csisw.cua.edu/KJWBrochureWORD.cfm
  
  David Kerrigan, PhD, Executive Director
  Center for Spirituality and Integral Social Work
  National Catholic School of Social Service
  
  

• Kathy,
  
  I love working with you because of your passion and
  commitment to what you do. Such dedication is
  priceless.
  Thanks for your work!
  
  Angel

Quality Improvement Interdisciplinary Team Project. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Washington D. C. - Photo collage

Elder Recreation Therapy Workshops - 2005 - Photo collage

Minding Your Memory: Keeping Your Brain Active
Presentation at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD - Photo collage

Peace be with you!

* * * * * *

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com


Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Practitioner and Consultant
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal
Author
National Alzheimer's Association Speakers Bureau
Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
Cell: (240) 393-5456