Making 2021 the healthiest year yet

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Each January, fitness centers and gyms across the country reach record attendance as visitors hope to get physically fit. Fortunately for community members of Devonshire, an Erickson Living owned, operated, and managed senior living community at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, encouragement and a high quality gym are available all year round. The on-site, state-of-the-art fitness center and top-notch wellness staff promote healthy fitness habits, offering programs tailored to individual needs.

“We develop wonderful relationships with our residents and want to see them live their best lives,” says Devonshire Fitness Coordinator Remy Harwood. “Our number one goal is to help them maximize independence, achieve optimal physical and mental health, and live active lives comfortably.”

Nothing stops progress

2020 presented new challenges to residents who were eager to get in a workout. However, the dedicated wellness team quickly found new ways for community members to stay active and healthy.

“We sought ways to creatively build physical activity into daily routines,” says Harwood. Following the governor’s stay-at-home order in March, Harwood immediately began providing a variety of virtual exercise classes, airing on Devonshire-TV, to keep community members active in their homes. “We air all the exercises twice a day, to accommodate both early and late risers,” says Harwood.

Four days a week, intermediate and advanced virtual whole body strength classes are broadcast at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For seeking a lighter workout, seated and gentle whole body strength classes air three days a week. For those looking to improve flexibility, chair yoga is televised twice a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and seated stretch is provided on Fridays.

“Our efforts are directly aligned with the WHO’s ‘Be Active Campaign,’ designed to keep people active despite necessary precautionary measures resulting from COVID-19,” says Harwood.

According to the WHO, “regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind. It can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight, and reduce the risk of conditions that can increase susceptibility to COVID-19. In addition, physical activity improves bone and muscle strength and increases balance, flexibility, and fitness, preventing falls and injuries.”

“Virtual exercise classes and working out as a community helped us come together and build routines when we all had to pivot so drastically last spring,” says Harwood. Community member Lois Wolf continued her faithful commitment to physical health throughout the spring, and in July returned to working out in the fitness center. “I believe I am as healthy as I am because exercise is an important part of my daily life,” she says. “It was important to me to live in a community with a good gym. At Devonshire, I not only have access to a wonderful fitness center with all new equipment, but I also enjoy a strong support system and have made many new friends. I’m very thankful.”

Physical activity is proven to help keep us healthy. According to a 2020 study, published in the Journal of Sport Health Science, “Physical activity has a positive effect on immune competence. In addition, active people are less likely to present symptoms of upper respiratory illness.” “

Now that the fitness center is open again, I make reservations to visit five times a week,” says Lois. “By continuously remaining active, I am staying healthy. When the fitness center was closed, I watched the classes on [Devonshire-TV]. The workouts addressed every part of the body. I also walked regularly, with a mask. And when the pool opened, I made appointments there too.”

Moving forward In June, Devonshire’s outdoor swimming pool reopened with a reservation system, allowing for four residents at a time. The following month, the fitness center also reopened, with similar precautions in place.

“Our staff follows stringent occupancy guidelines, social distancing, mandatory mask wearing, and infection control/disinfecting protocol,” says Harwood. “It’s been working very well and helps keep our residents safe and healthy.”

As restrictions continue to update, Devonshire community members, who all enjoy the benefits of PGA National, utilize the world-class facilities for games of tennis and golf. In the meantime, Harwood encourages community members to continue making fitness a top priority.

“My advice to everyone is this: just because it’s the New Year, and you may have made a resolution for yourself, don’t make a drastic change,” Harwood says. “Start with little steps. Think about what you like to do or what you would like to do and then fit the new activity into your life.”

Photo: Last June, the Devonshire pool opened, via reservations, in one-hour increments. “It’s a terrific way to stay active, especially in the Florida heat,” says Devonshire Fitness Coordinator Remy Harwood.

About Devonshire at PGA National: Devonshire at PGA National, is one of 20 continuing care retirement communities owned, operated and managed by Erickson Living® and is situated on a scenic 28-acre campus on the grounds of prestigious PGA National. The community is
located in Palm Beach County and is home to more than 350 community members.
Additional information about Devonshire can be found at DevonshirePGA.com.

Written by Kelly Shue