As part of the month long celebration of Older Americans, today is focused on Senior health and fitness.  I cannot commend enough those activity directors and employees that make sure the residents in their communities stay active.  You are doing a great thing that pays benefits to that person, their family and your community.   No matter what your age, staying active contributes to bettering all aspects of your life.  It has been proven that staying physically active improves your mental health.  If your community doesn’t do a good job of promoting activity, get involved!  No matter how minor the exercise, it is better then nothing and for those communities that are feeling the effects of the economy, you can do a lot of fun and healthy activities with very little equipment.

At New LifeStyles, we also have a firm commitment to fitness.  Employees are rewarded for participating on our annual fitness program and there is a culture of healthy living and eating in the office.  Its not radical, as we still have our feasts and devour the occasional cake or batch of cookies, but it is supportive of a healthy lifestyle, which pays benefits for both the company and the employee.  We also have a couple of annual outings that are consist of somewhat competive kickball and bowling.

If your community or company doesn’t have an emphasis on fitness and health, take the initiative to get something started.  Start a contest.  Set goals for everybody.  Find out what people like to do, as enjoying the exercise is a key to is working.

If your assisted living or independent living community have activities that are fitness based and enjoyed by many, let us know!  If you incorporate activities in your home health company, inform others! Same with your company.  What motivates your team to get in shape? 

Well, I’m off for a bike ride, or a swim, or a run.  Cheers, Doug