Exercise helps seniors remain strong, flexible

EVANSVILLE — When you get to a certain age it's no longer about bodybuilding or body sculpting, says Sharon Alvey, director of the activities center at the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging.

"It's about flexibility. Stretching and toning ... increasing range of motion (in order to accomplish life's simple tasks like putting on clothes)," she said.

Even exercising the hands and fingers is important to the total quality of life among the Tri-State's vintage citizens: Shirts and blouses have buttons, after all.

BOB GWALTNEY / Courier & Press Bob Nelson, left, and others march in place as they do an hour-long cardio workout at the SWIRCA Stretch and Tone Exercise class.

BOB GWALTNEY / Courier & Press Kristin Hood leads an exercise class at the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging facilities in Evansville. Hood starts everybody with some seated stretching and warm-ups.

BOB GWALTNEY / Courier & Press The SWIRCA Stretch and Tone Exercise class meets twice a week at the Virginia Street Center in Evansville from 10:30 to 11 am Wednesday and Fridays.

Tom Rutledge uses light weights as he exercises at SWIRCA. Rutledge and his wife Francis both attend the twice weekly sessions.

BOB GWALTNEY / Courier & Press Shirley Kinsey squeezes a ball as part of the SWIRCA Stretch and Tone Exercise class. The exercises in the class are tailored specifically for seniors.

For some, "Even getting in and out of a chair can be a big thing," said Sharon Campese, SilverSneakers Senior Advisor at the YMCA in Downtown Evansville.

There also is the prevailing need to maintain cardio-fitness, and the connection between physical and mental health, both women said.

To these ends, SWIRCA, the YMCA and several area churches now offer a wide variety of fitness programs for seniors -- from chair aerobics to line dancing.

SWIRCA's programs are available to anyone over age 60, Alvey said; there is a free-will offering.

The YMCA Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness program (at both locations in Evansville and in Henderson) is a collaboration between Medicare Supplement and Advantage plans and service providers such as the YMCA.

"We are the conduit," said Healthways Inc. Account Manager Holly Olson.

"Healthways is a wellness company" she explained. "We partner with Medicare Supplement and Advantage plans (including AARP) to give health benefits to Medicare recipients."

The plans pay for their members to join SilverSneakers programs although anyone can participate for a small fee, Campese said.

The guiding philosophy is that exercise can decrease and even reverse the development of many underlying health issues, including arthritis, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, Olson said.

Campese says that unlike conventional fitness programs, senior programs do not push participants to do anything they can't do or shouldn't do, such as deep knee bends for people who have had knee or hip replacement surgeries.

"And we never get down on the floor, not even for yoga.

"We want everyone to get a good workout and have a good time," she said, adding that there is a strong social component to the programs, too. Once a month the group gets out for a social activity -- an Otters game, or a restaurant meal, for instance.

"People really begin to care about one another. They worry when someone is missing," Campese said. "They call or send cards."

This social aspect runs through all of the fitness programs at the YMCA and SWIRCA, said Alvey, who added that some of the most popular, well-attended classes SWIRCA offers are erudite disciplines like Yoga and Tai Chi where as many as 50 to 60 people may show up.

"And then they stay for lunch ... and for afternoon social activities," Alvey said.

"Loneliness can be an issue among seniors," said Campese. "We are in here working hard but we are having a blast.

"There is a lot of laughter."

EXERCISE IS THE KEY

PLANO — Senior centers once conjured up images of elderly people sitting around a television, watching game shows.

But that's not the case anymore — especially in North Texas. Some area senior centers have become a hotbed of activity for the mind, body and soul.

Frances Dougherty started working out at the Plano Senior Center the day after she came to Texas.

That was 10 years ago. She credits aerobics for her good health and long life.

"I'm 90 years old, and if I don't keep moving, what happens to me?" she asked.

A walk down the halls of the Plano center reveals bustling activities in every nook and cranny. Some, like mahjong, are designed to promote an active intellect.

"I'll never get Alzheimer's because I keep my mind so busy," said Betty Grunewald.

Right next door, other seniors are practicing the ancient art of tai chi, which uses gentle flowing movements to reduce stress and improve health.

"Without using our muscles, our muscles forget what they're supposed to do, and no one wants to experience life from a chair or a bed if they don't have to," said Cindy Harrison-Staub, an exercise instructor.

Vicky Elwood said a perfect combination of wellness, fellowship and fun helps seniors like her stay active, alert, happy, and — most importantly — healthy. "There are people here who are 85 years old who have been coming here for 10 to15 years," she said. "So it's proven that they stay younger."

Traditional activities, like billiards, are still popular. Seniors told us there is something for everyone at the Plano Senior Center, from dancing the cha-cha to playing canasta.

"It's good for us mentally," Grunewald said. "The more friends you have, the happier you are."