Willows Presents 19th Annual Senior Fitness Day [IMAGE GALLERY]

"We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing," said Karen McKenzie, director of the Personalized Exercise Program at the Willows at Westborough, and host of McKenzie on the Move on the Westborough Community Access Television.

On Wednesday, May 30, the Willows held it's 19th Annual Senior Fitness Day. Attendees of this free event included about 100 seniors, half residents at the Willows and half from surrounding towns according to Ari Shuris, public relations specialist at the Salmon Health and Retirement (owner of the Willows). The seniors gathered to hear speakers, participate in workshops and obtain health information. Stay active in a careful way was a central message of the gathering.

Willows resident Martha Fiester told Westborough Patch, "I appreciate the emphasis on balance and strength. This is a way of making the most of the strength that we have, and fitting into the community."

Willows' Occupational Therapist Todd Frieswick added, "The more strength that someone can maintain as they age, the less likely it is that they will fall." He continued, "Our goal is to maintain strength for as long as possible."

The Fitness Day featured speakers interspersed with workshops. McKenzie was the keynote speaker, addressing A Balancing Act - Preventing the First Fall. The next speaker was nutritionist Ann Pantazis, MS, RD, coordinator of the Diabetes Center for Fall Clinics, who spoke about the role of nutrition in maintaining health.

Jenny Silverberg, owner of Studio Joy in Shrewsbury, danced her way through her talk on Nia dance, which melds music, martial arts, dance and yoga. Silverberg said, "One of the reason that I teach Nia is that I want to age gracefully." With the audience joining her, she demonstrated a number of the 52 NIA moves. The spirited Silverberg described the "groovy" Nia moves as, "... a barefoot boogie focusing on agility, mobility, flexibility, and stability."

Throughout the event, seniors were screened for balance issues using a Four Square Test. This timed test involves stepping forward and backward into four squares. In the other end of the room, a blood pressure cuff was inflating and deflating as a seniors lined up to be tested.

Shuris commented, "The entire staff at the Willows is dedicated to helping residents and clients achieve the benefits of an active lifestyle." Shuris also mentioned that the Willows' Personalized Exercise Program features a workout room with number of exercise machines including the recumbent, low-impact NUSTEP machine.

The program ended with a raffle of flowers. Fern Aileen Imse of Westborough was one of the big winners. The mood was positive among the active seniors who were in attendance. Senior Laura Khan said when her photo was taken, "I'll take three 5 by 7s."

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