Exercise Among the Senior Population

Everyone knows that exercise is important for our physical and mental health.   As we age, we tend to change our lifestyle and slow down.  A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain, depression, lower immunity and cardio vascular problems.  We also know that regular physical activity is associated with decreased mortality.

Older adults need to continue to exercise and stay active for many reasons, but how do we encourage our elderly loved ones to stay active but also stay safe?  Especially when they are often alone during the day, unsupervised?

An adult day care center can offer the solution for caregivers who work during the day.  A good facility will offer members multiple opportunities throughout the day to remain active.  Seniors should be required to move from one room to the next for planned activities and breakfast, lunch and snacks.  Scheduled exercise activities should be  tailored to the member’s physical abilities. 

Bon Vivant Adult Day Club is the premier adult day care center offered in Fenton, MO.  Our exciting new “Walking Club” offers a unique opportunity for members to walk laps around the club and keep track of their laps throughout the month.  There are a variety of recognitions and awards for the most number of laps, most improved and best effort.   Angela Denicola, RN, the club’s owner and director, understands the importance of exercise and is also on site to help monitor each member’s physical activity level.

It is common to walk through the doors of Bon Vivant Adult Club and see several members walking around the walking path, talking and laughing, reminiscent of younger days.  Angela also boasts with pride as she discusses the progress made a stroke victim who is a loved member of Bon Vivant Adult Day Club.  He was recovering from a stroke and using a wheel chair while in physical therapy.  He had taken only a few steps since his stroke, which had been an accomplishment at the time.  He rolled his chair over to Angela while she was discussing the “Walking Club” and asked if he could participate.  They agreed that he could count each step as a lap.  He stood up, steadied by a trusted staff member, and took five steps…resulting in tears of happiness and cheers among his friends and fellow club members and staff. 

“Our members may be older, but they are still competitive” explains Angela Denicola. “ The ‘Walking Club’ allows them to remain physically challenged and engage in healthy competition with their friends.”

Bon Vivant Adult Day Club is ideal for seniors who live with a care giver but need supervision during the day while their caregiver works.  The cost is less than half of assisted living and less than one fourth of the price of nursing home care.  Payment options include Missouri Aged and Disable Waiver, long term care insurance, veteran’s benefits and private pay.

Bon Vivant Adult Day Club is licensed by the State of Missouri and welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and your loved ones to answer your questions about adult day care.  Please feel free to visit the Bon Vivant website at www.goodlivinglonger.com or call Angela at 636-343-1600.  Follow Bon Vivant on Facebook and Twitter.

Article by Beverly McKee