Senior

Highlights

Each year, the month of May is proclaimed Older Americans Month throughout the nation. The Administration on Aging develops a theme for Older Americans Month and the President signs a proclamation regarding Older Americans Month in celebration of the achievements and contributions of the nation’s older persons.

The 2009 theme is “Living Today for a Better Tomorrow” and “reflects the Administration on Aging’s continued focus on prevention efforts and programs throughout the country that are helping older adults have better health as they age and avoid the risks of chronic disease, disability and injury.”

We, as a nation, must work together to give older adults the tools they need to make healthy decisions. By 2030, one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. Although the risk of disease increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Many illnesses, disabilities and even death associated with chronic disease are preventable.

Nearly 40 percent of deaths in America can be attributed to poor health habits like a lack of physical exercise, poor eating habits and smoking. Older Americans can prevent or control chronic disease by adopting health habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and ceasing tobacco use.

The benefits of regular physical activity include weight control; healthy bones, muscles and joints; arthritis relief; reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and more. Exercise does not have to be strenuous and is safe for people of all age groups. In fact, it’s healthier to exercise than to eliminate it altogether. Older Americans can greatly benefit from a regular exercise routine that includes strength, balance, stretching and endurance exercises.

In addition to a regular exercise routine, good nutrition is vital in maintaining good health. Improving older American’s diets can reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases, but most older adults over the age of 65 do not maintain a healthy diet. Reducing saturated fats and eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and grains can help older Americans on the right track to staying healthy.

Tobacco use increases the risk of heart disease and cancer and is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Older adults who stop smoking will gain immediate and long-term health benefits.

While it’s important for older Americans to have good physical health, it’s equally important that they maintain good mental health. Nearly 20 percent of Americans age 55 and older experience depression and anxiety disorders.

Studies have shown that engaging in social activities within the community can greatly improve mental health. In fact, research has demonstrated a strong relationship between volunteering and mental health and that volunteering provides older adults with greater benefits than younger volunteers. Benefits include improved mental and physical health, greater life satisfaction, lower rates of depression and lower mortality rates.

Americans of all ages and backgrounds can celebrate Older Americans Month. Find ways to enrich the lives of older adults who touch your life.

The Enumclaw Senior Activity Center offers many opportunities for good health and wellness. We have a seated chair aerobics video program at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, offered free of charge. We also have instructor-led classes for Pilates, stretching and balance. Call the center for class details and costs. How about signing up for the Wii bowling league? Our Wellness Committee is getting ready to kick off our DDR program on Monday mornings at 11 a.m. DDR stands for the Nintendo Wii exercise game “Dance Dance Revolution.” When you are having so much fun bowling, playing tennis or dancing, you don’t even know you are doing something good for your heart and muscles! As with any exercise routine, we, of course, recommend you check with your physician to make sure he or she approves.

Do you sit at home eating way too much processed food? Do you ever check to see how much sodium and fat is in that canned soup or frozen pot pie? Even changing your routine to have lunch once or twice a week at the Enumclaw Senior Activity Center – Evergreen Club Lunch Program will “spice up” your eating routine! We use fresh, whole ingredients, practice low-sodium cooking, season with spices and herbs, cook with fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible and are trans-fat free! Call the center for lunch details – we will gladly mail you a menu.

Volunteering is good for the heart – both yours and the person you are helping! If you are sitting around the house bored and would like to share your time, talent or smile with someone else who might need a smile, stop by the center and see what volunteer positions may be open. We are in need of kitchen volunteers at this time. You only need to volunteer for one day a week, for two to three hours, be willing to take the test for a King County Food Handlers Card (we pay for the card and take you to the test, they just won’t let us take the test for you) – and, honestly, we have the cutest aprons in town!

As the Administration on Aging proclaims, “Living Today for a Better Tomorrow” is a great motto for any one of us. The Enumclaw Senior Activity Center can help you in this goal. If “Living Today for a Better Tomorrow” were a prescription, our community senior center is where you would have it filled.