Loading...
The Citizen, 2000-08-23, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2000. Seniors Woman inspires seniors to keep fit, stay healthy By Janice Becker Citizen staff Exercise plays a vital role in keep­ ing the body fit, flexible and resistant to aches and pains and this philoso­ phy is particularly true for seniors. With age, inactivity easily settles in as a way of life as illnesses and phys­ ically limitations make staying active more difficult. A Brussels woman has used her personal situation and a growing interest in fitness to show older adults that anyone at any age can take steps to improve their physical health. Diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago, at the age of 55, Nelva Scott fol­ lowed the recommendation of her physician to get physically active and lose some weight. Though she had been involved in various sports as a young person, marriage, raising four children and the hard work of farm life had taken her away from formal exercise. However, it was those recom­ mended exercise classes which led her to a new endeavour which she has shared with the community at large. After years of participation in classes, Scott accepted the offer from Town and Country Support Services of Wingham to attend a course on fitness for seniors at the Centre for Activity and Aging in London. Since her first course, she has continued to upgrade her skills and knowledge with additional courses at least twice a year. Her most recent course dealt with fibromyalgia. She now leads six exercise classes including three at Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels and one at a local seniors’ apartment. She also offers a class geared specifically to those with diabetes. Scott smiles when telling of lead­ ing classes for older adults. “Senior ladies hate to see a young woman moving around,” she laughs. Through her concern for healthier lives for seniors, Scott became involved with the Huron-Perth Health Unit, working on the board for injury prevention. Focusing on falls prevention, Scott was an inte­ gral part of the Please Help Me I'm Falling project in conjunction with the Year of the Older Person educa­ tion program offered through the health unit. A collection of skits per­ formed by a traveling group of older adults helped inform and entertain dozens of groups around Huron- Perth. In connection with Town and Country Support Services, Scott led several classes entitled Steady as You Go. The program taught seniors how to be aware of risks which could result in dangerous falls and how to prevent putting oneself at risk. “This audience was interested in prevention and we were helping to make them aware of things,” she said. Focusing on flexibility, weight­ bearing movements and leg strength, Scott told her classes how she too benefitted from the various exercises and precautions as she has a bad foot and must be aware of her surround­ ings. With all of her undertakings, Scott emphasizes the need for enjoyment. “We make it fun. It is not about fin­ ger-pointing,” she says. In addition to her “land” exercise classes, Scott has completed the Golden Waves course which deals specifically with seniors and also- undertook the basic class. Exercising in water is a wonderful opportunity for seniors with difficulties as the water provides support for muscles and puts less strain on joints. Scott also emphasizes the need to cross-train as she does land, water, walking and step exercising. Also, it it is important for such programs to be available in all com­ munities, she said. When she first began to look for appropriate class­ es, she travelled to Ethel, Walton and Seaforth in an effort to find appropri­ ate programs. “There needs to be more classes geared to seniors where they can work at their own pace. Participants should not feel hot, tired and both­ ered,” she said. Scott repeatedly points out the fun aspect of her volunteerism in the area of exercise. “I feel really good. The diabetes and blood pressure are in check. I would be ill if I didn’t exercise. I thank God I am able to do so. I am fortunate I can do this with friends and have fun.” P.O. Box 100 Phone: 26 Jordan Drive (519) 357-3010 Belgrave, Ontario Fax: NOG 1E0 (519)357-3143 We Deliver Your Freedom Good for you And fun too. N$va Scott teach­ es seniors that fitness is fun. Don’t stop now. Exercise for life! with: ■ Home Oxygen ■ Wheelchairs ■ Electric Scooters ■ Hospital Beds ■ Bathroom Equipment ■ Electric Reclining Lift Chairs medichair Canada’s Wellness <f>tore.By Carol McDonnell Lost without her job, Nancy was lonely, spending endless hours playing solitaire at her kitchen table. At 65 years of age she had few interests or hobbies. The members of her family were caught up in their own lives, and she rarely saw them. A cousin taught Tai Chi at a loca­ tion nearby and a Christmas gift cer­ tificate led Nancy to sign up for classes. Here, she was challenged both physically and mentally. Gentle stretching exercises seemed tailor- made for her stage in life. When she became discouraged, her family cheered her on, seeing the difference that it was making in her life. Three times a week Nancy now attends classes for Tai Chi. She feels much more positive about herself, and has far fewer ailments. A whole new group of friends has come out of this experience. Indeed Nancy’s life now centres on these classes. Latest research has shown that what we do to our bodies and with our bodies is more important to our health than genetics. Although diet and exercise are not fool proof they can improve not only physical, but mental and emotional well-being. Smoking and too much food and alcohol may do damage which is blamed mistakenly on aging. But the damage of these can be stopped and reversed by a lifestyle change. Aching joints in the morning told me that I’d better change my seden­ tary lifestyle. Now 1 try to do a vari­ ety of activities to keep life interest­ ing - swimming, fast walking, bik­ ing, cross country skiing, yoga. When the weather is blustery, I throw Ali McGraw yoga or an aero­ bics video on, and turn on the tele­ phone answering machine. But weight lifting at the East Side Gym in Goderich is my exercise of choice as a basis for giving me strength and endurance. Exercise doesn't come naturally to me as our family did nothing more than summer cottage swimming and leisurely walking. No family football like the Kennedy’s. Check with your doctor if you are not used to exercising and stretch and warm up before beginning. Start off easily and gradually increase the time and intensity involved. Try to find a sport or sports that suit you, whether it is indoors or outdoors, alone or with a group, and make it a part of your daily routine. My hus­ band and I enjoy swimming and weight lifting together, and friends Bev and Betty are always up for a bike ride, hike or skiing in the win­ ter. But often a walk or bike alone helps you to sort out the world and count your blessings. You don’t have to age in the usual manner, becoming increasingly frail, dependent and housebound. It’s never too late, as people in their 70s and 80s have begun to exercise, and reap the benefits. Golfing, bowling, biking can be done with a friend and you can borrow or rent equipment in order to try it out. Walking is one of the best exercis­ es and easily done with only a sturdy pair of shoes, alone or with compa­ ny, on rough or easy terrain. As some of us have decreasing incomes with retirement, it would be great to have seniors’ rates for the activities offered at our local recre­ ation departments and swimming pools. What a wonderful way to encourage us to try out exercising and set a good example for the next generation. Groups that I contacted about exercise opportunities for the com­ ing year are still getting organized, but below are listed some possibili­ ties: Goderich - The MacKay Centre seems to run all activities for the 55+ age group. Call Kathleen at 524-6660. Wingham - They're looking forward to the new complex, especially the swim­ ming pool completion. Indoor walk­ ing at Madill proved popular last year and will continue. Plans are still incomplete for the fall programs, but low impact aerobics will be offered. Call the recreation department at 357-1208. Clinton - The County Club (beside the Clinton Dry Cleaners) will be offer­ ing a combination package for 55+ age group at 10 a.m., two times week, with aerobics, weight training and yoga. Call Mary at 482-7064. Tai Chi Organization will host two open houses so you can check them out in Goderich - Monday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the MacKay Centre at 10 Nelson St., and at 133 Beech St., The Country Club on Sept. 13 at 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call Con Melady at 524- 8730. Nicole Kerr is leading aerobics classes in Blyth. MEDIchair * MED-E-OX HOME RESPIRATORY & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 282 Suncoast Drive Goderich, ON N7A 4K4 Tel. (519) 524-2020 Fax (519) 524-2222 Toll-Free 1-800-265-5500 1793 3rd Avenue W. Owen Sound, ON N4K 6Y2 Tel. (519) 371-8001 Fax (519) 371-5951 Toll-Free 1-800-997-9951 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Home Health 24 HOUR SERVICE 1 SALES • REPAIRS • RENTALS * Home Oxygen Therapy * Infant Apnea Monitors * Arthritic Aids * 24 HR. Blood Pressure * Breast Prostheses * Bath Safety Equipment * Ostomy Products * Compression Stockings * Medilift Chairs & Hospital Beds * Medical & Surgical Supplies * Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers * Incontinence Products * Work & Sport Bracing * Custom Orthotics Serving Huron County Since 1992 FOR FREE IN HOME SERVICE CALL NO CHARGE DIAL1-800-661-1912 FREE PARKING 180 ONTARIO ST. STRATFORD 273-5770 3 Web: www.ont-home-health.on.ca email: health@ont-home-4iealth.on.ca Ontario Home Oxygen & Health