Many studies show that exercise is the single best action we can take during senior living to reduce our odds of developing dementia, diabetes, heart disease and obesity and avoiding falls. Regular exercise also helps us to reduce stress and elevate our mood.
That’s why, for many years, each Country Meadows community has included a fitness program, led by a qualified fitness director, among our retirement community activities. Exercise programs are held for residents at all levels of care—independent living, assisted living and personal care—as well as those in post-rehabilitation and memory care.
Renee Harlow, fitness director at Country Meadows of Mechanicsburg for 11 years, loves working with our residents. “When they come in and I work with them and they feel wonderful when they finish, it is a great feeling for me. I have seen some big turn-arounds.”
So many options—take your pick
Our variety of programs includes fitness, endurance, strength, chair yoga, chair exercise, hand exercise, Wii bowling and walking. In addition, Arthritis Foundation-certified classes are taught at all Country Meadows senior living communities, and most campuses offer instruction in tai chi, which promotes slow total-body movement and reduces stress.
The Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is available at several Country Meadows retirement homes, providing seniors with activity to help them stay healthy and independent. SeniorSneakers is a total-body conditioning course that helps increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. Participants can move at their own pace and exercise while either sitting or standing. The nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for Medicare-eligible adults, SilverSneakers is also open to members of the surrounding community who are age 65 and over and are enrolled in participating insurances that offer it.
Another option is Zumba Gold®, an easy-to-follow, dance-fitness class that allows participants at our senior communities to move to the beat at their own speed. Though invigorating and exhilarating, Zumba Gold offers modified, low-impact movement for active, older adults.
In addition to regularly scheduled classes led by fitness directors, professional exercise equipment is available to residents at all campuses, and the Country Meadows grounds accommodate safe, outdoor walking in nice weather.
Words of advice
Kim Eichinger, executive director of fitness for Country Meadows Retirement Communities, suggests being active for 30 minutes a day—either in several short sessions or sustained for a longer period of time. “Whatever you choose to do for a physical activity, make sure you enjoy it.” She cautions, however, that seniors should see a health care provider before increasing their physical activity.
For new exercisers, AARP has this advice: start slowly and gradually increase the intensity; wear comfortable, supportive shoes; wear a pedometer as an incentive to keep moving and fit exercise into your daily routine.
When choosing a retirement community, be sure to visit the ones that interest you and ask about their fitness centers and activities. We welcome you to visit any of our retirement communities in Pennsylvania as well as our Maryland community. Please contact us to request information, schedule a visit or join us for an exercise class.
Country Meadows
