| Senior center to offer new exercise program |
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Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009 8:59 pm
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By DONNA RYDER
Messenger Associate Editor
Senior citizens in Obion County will soon have a new avenue to keep fit.
The Obion County Senior Citizens Center will be offering the award-winning program Healthways SilverSneakers®, according to center executive director and class instructor Margaret Cook.
SilverSneakers offers an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially-oriented programming that allows older adults to take greater control of their health, according to its Web site, which said the program won the 2004 HAN Award from the Healthcare and Aging Network of the American Society on Aging.
Seniors who attended a Valentine’s Day party at the Eddie Cox Senior Center last week were offered a sneak peek into what the program has to offer, thanks to Jennfier Fields, SilverSneakers instructor coordinator. She conducted a brief 15-minute session, showing senior citizens how local instructors will guide them using an upper body strength workout using weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball. In addition to Ms. Cook, local instructors include Diane Sanderson, Norma Mobbs and Linda Tarkington. The regular class will last 45 minutes to one hour.
The senior center will get paid for seniors who become members and have AARP or Humana as their Medicare supplements, according to Ms. Cook, who added anyone age 50 and older can participate in the local program regardless of their insurance status. Participants will work toward earning a special SilverSneakers T-shirt when they attend sessions.
“It’s win-win for everybody,” SilverSneakers account manager Andrea Elmore said.
Ms. Elmore told the seniors the program works on muscular strength and range of motion and, since it is a chair-based class, anyone can participate. She added it is an individual workout in a group setting and participants are encouraged to work at their own pace. They can remain seated or stand during portions of the workout. Ms. Fields added the class is designed for all ability levels and instructors will question participants about how they feel throughout the workout based on a number system, which is posted at the exercise site.
All instructors have been certified to teach the class through SilverSneakers, as well as instructed and certified in CPR and use of a defibrillator.
“They know what they’re doing,” Ms. Elmore said.
The SilverSneakers program has provided 30 chairs, weights, stretchy bands and plastic balls to be used in the workout. The ball is used to work on hand strength, which is good for residents who have arthritis, Ms. Elmore said.
All participants are asked dress in appropriate clothing and to bring a bottle of water because staying hydrated is an important part of exercise.
Ms. Cook said letters are being mailed to area residents who have the Medicare supplement insurance, but that all seniors are encouraged to attend an open house about the program Feb. 25 from 2-4 p.m.
She added she was contacted by the Arizona company to be a part of SilverSneakers and is very honored the local senior center is affiliated with the program.
For more information, contact Ms. Cook at 885-1246.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 2.16.09 |
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