The Village at Marymount’s Residents Keep Moving With Exercise, Art, Music Classes

While residents of The Village at Marymount enjoy daily gourmet-style meals, one item not on the menu is couch potatoes. A schedule full of fun-filled activities keeps residents fit, healthy, and enjoying life during their retirement years.

Research has shown that seniors who are mentally, physically, emotionally and socially engaged enjoy a higher quality of life, maintain cognitive function, stay healthier and retain independence longer, said Suzanne Nall, RN, LNHA, Executive Director at The Village at Marymount. Residents at The Village at Marymount remain physically active by participating in art and exercise classes, revel in cooking and baking classes, and nourish their spiritual health by attending daily Mass.

“Helping seniors to stay fit and active is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Nall said. “It is imperative for older adults to keep moving and exercise on a regular basis – and enjoy what they are doing. The activities schedule that we have certainly helps residents to remain healthy, vibrant, spiritually connected -- and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.”

Regularly scheduled wellness meetings enable residents and staff to interact and devise new and challenging activities, and healthy food options, for all to enjoy.

Several Marymount Place residents have been transformed into Walk-A-Hall-ics – a group of exercisers who meet weekly to walk the various hallways throughout the facility. Resident Jean Soby was recently honored for covering more than 100 miles, walking each hallway one at a time. Life Enrichment Assistant Susan Milligan conducts a weekly weight training class, and the Marymount Place Exercise Room features circuit training that includes several pieces of exercise equipments and stations.

Morning exercise classes, conducted by the Life Enrichment team, help residents to maintain an optimal level of fitness. Exercise classes are open to the community at 10:15 each Wednesday morning. Wii bowling, corn hole, Zumba dance, and tai chi sessions are also among the offering of activities for residents.

“Plenty of interaction between the residents and staff can go a long way toward helping residents maintain their independence and good physical health,” said Donna Galbraith, Director of Life Enrichment. “Studies show that an active approach to living helps seniors maintain their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual vitality.”

Incorporating a steady diet of exercise into their daily routine will not only help older adults to remain active and energetic, but it will also enable them to keep a spring in their step as the warm weather months approach.