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| Kari Richie |
By Kari Richie, Springmoor Health and Fitness Director
Active Aging Week began with our typical back-to-back Monday morning exercise classes. The day started in the pool with Aqua Fitness, followed by Total Body Fitness and then Seated Body Fitness.
We offered delicious and nutritious strawberry, pineapple, blueberry and banana smoothies in between classes. Monday was the “Discover Your Community Scavenger Hunt” for both the residents and staff. About 50 people completed the indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts. Resident Aladine Rogers won a $50 Whole Foods gift card while three lucky employees won $20 gift cards.
I asked resident Audrey Austin (one of the Health Fair prize winners) what she thought about the Health Fair and she said, “I think it’s a wonderful thing. I’ve been impressed with it each time. It’s particularly good for so many residents that can’t get out. Not only for the health standpoint, but they can even purchase shoes if they want to. The people (vendors) that were talking to us that day gave us so much information. I look forward to the event every year and I hope we’ll do it again!”
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| Healthy breakfast demonstration |
Tuesday’s highlight was the evening dance. About 100 residents enjoyed good music, food and company while dancing the night away. Wednesday brought more socializing at the cookout as about 200 residents enjoyed delicious turkey burgers and turkey dogs.
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| Massages |
Thursday’s events provided something for everyone! The morning started with a cooking demonstration with a very tasty and healthy breakfast sandwich. The exercise opportunities provided included Aquacise, Better Balance, Tai Chi and a Walking Aerobics class. As the morning concluded the vendors started preparing for the crowds. About 200 residents and staff participated in the Annual Health & Wellness Fair. It was a busy and exciting afternoon for everyone! SAS Comfort Shoes fitted residents with the perfect shoe, Springmoor Physical Therapy provided popular balance screenings, massage therapists provided reflexology and massage demonstrations, Raleigh Radiology offered free bone density screenings and Kroger Pharmacy did blood pressure and blood glucose screenings.
Everyone received a green, Pathways wellness bag at the door and collected plenty of freebies, food and educational information as they walked around and took advantage of the services and information.
Donna McGee, who works in Medical Records and is a faithful participant in the wellness programming, said, “The health fair was a fun event. They had lots of different booths that covered many areas. It’s wonderful that the staff gets to be a part of the wellness events!”
It was another successful week at Springmoor! It takes a lot of planning and preparation for a week like this, but it’s always worth it because residents and staff are engaged, active and excited!
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| Balance test |
