Older adults, their families and friends in the community are encouraged to get moving during the tenth annual Active Aging Week, beginning Sunday, September 25.
“We have found that the ‘Active Aging’ philosophy can truly be a ‘fountain of youth’ for many older adults,” explains Kelly Berger, program director, Wyndemere. “At Wyndemere, our residents are so engaged in life and we support their physical, emotional and intellectual discovery through our fitness center, creative arts studio and classes for lifelong learning.” Watch Kelly on www.YouTube.com/WyndemereLCS
Active Aging week was established by the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA) to emphasize the benefits of lifelong body and mind fitness for seniors.
“Staying physically active as we age is so important, because as soon as we hit age 25, we begin to lose muscle, and as our gait shifts, our reduced balance and mobility put us at greater risk for falls,” according to Ruth Reyna, Wyndemere’s fitness center manager, an employee of the National Institute for Fitness and Sports who holds a Masters of Kinesiology. “Physical exercise offers numerous benefits to seniors, from helping the mind stay nimble and the memory stay sharp to managing heart disease and diabetes. The most gratifying part of exercise is that no matter what level or age you are when you start, you will get stronger and build muscle, even well into your 90s.” Watch Ruth on www.YouTube.com/WyndemereLCS
Experts at active aging for seniors, Wyndemere offers these top tips for seniors looking to get, and stay, active:
•Balancing Act. Start with a balance assessment. These are crucial for seniors to pinpoint exactly where they might be most at risk. Specific exercises can be prescribed to prevent falls and improve balance during walking, sitting, moving and lifting.
•Tai Chi. This gentle and flowing exercise is becoming a favorite among Boomers and seniors because it helps improve balance, posture, coordination and provides a feeling of positive energy throughout the body. “Tai Chi sends messages to the mind about where and how to move and keeps mind and body sharp,” says Reyna.
•Walk More. Adding a 20-minute walk to your routine will exercise the body AND the brain. A fit body pumps more blood to energize the brain. Make a walk the highlight of your day, every day.
•Socialize. Having a supportive friend network can improve your overall well-being and reduce stress—important factors for improving physical and mental health. Take a class, join a club, volunteer in your community or move to an active senior lifestyle community to discover new circles of friends.
•Get Creative: Engaging in activities like painting will relieve stress, challenge your mind, improve dexterity and calm fidgety feelings. Join an art class and stimulate the need for socializing as well. See Wyndemere’s Creative Minds at www.YouTube.com/WyndemereLCS
•Take a Class: Seniors should challenge the mind with brain exercises, puzzles, playing charades with friends, or signing up for a class at your local community college or senior center. “Your brain can continue to add physical capacity but like our body, it needs to be exercised to stay mentally and emotionally fit,” says Berger.
“Active Aging Week is a great time to connect with other people and activities,” says Colin Milner, CEO of International Council on Active Aging. “The week’s focus is on what older adults CAN do, not on what they cannot or ‘should not’ do. By expanding their experiences, participants find the activities that have meaning for them, and maintain their health so they can pursue their avocations.”
Active Aging Week was established in 2001 by the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA) to give as many older adults as possible the means to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere. www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm
Wyndemere Senior Living Community is located in the heart of Wheaton, Illinois at 200 Wyndemere Circle, and is owned and managed by LifeCare Services. For more information about retirement living and the Wyndemere Community, visit our webpage at www.WyndemereLCS.com or call (630) 690-8889.
