Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2015)
LIFESTYLES WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1, 2015 Staff photo by E.J. Harris Fitness director Amy Smith shows Beckie Roberts, 68, of Pendleton how to use an exercise machine on Wednesday while working out in a senior fitness class at the Roundup Athletic Club in Pendleton. Seniors on the move Staying healthy both mentally and physically By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Not every activity offered at Sun Terrace is Ellen Nash’s cup of tea, but when it comes to bingo and Yahtzee, she’s there. Nash, 91, has lived at the as- sisted living facility for nearly six years. She may not participate in every game offered in the rec room, but she said she’s grateful for the variety of activities avail- able and will attend to observe and be around others. “The main thing is to get out of my room so I don’t stay there all the time,” she said. Social, mental or physical stimulation are often neglected as people enter old age, but are cru- cial in a person’s overall health. Annette Powell, the Sun Ter- race activities director, provides an array of games, events or so- Staff photo by E.J. Harris cial interactions each day. Even playing bingo, she said, can pro- Margaret Haugeberg, 101, of Hermiston listens for her bingo numbers while playing recently at vide a window to what’s going on Sun Terrace Retirement and Assisted Living Community in Hermiston. with the residents. “There’s evidence that “We watch for loss of func- tion, memory issues or confu- these activities help sion,” Powell said. more by not just shut- Bob Clark, a licensed clinical social worker, said in addition to ting down the brain physical exercise, activities that and watching TV.” use thinking and memory are helpful for older adults — includ- — Bob Clark, licensed ing bingo, crossword puzzles, Su- clinical social worker doku and reading. “There’s evidence that these people getting out, maintaining activities help more by not just social contacts and being in- shutting down the brain and volved in service clubs, church watching TV,” Clark said. meetings and activity groups. The Pendleton social work- Dena Gutterud, general man- er served as a consultant for 15 ager at the Roundup Athletic years at a nursing home in Hep- Club, and Amy Smith, a personal pner. One of the most important trainer, said during the 30 years Staff photo by E.J. Harris aspects, Clark said, was having WKH\¶YH EHHQ DI¿OLDWHG ZLWK WKH Activities director Annette Powell calls bingo numbers recent- ly at the Sun Terrace Retirement and Assisted Living Commu- nity in Hermiston. Staff photo by E.J. Harris Clyde Douglas, 74, of Pendleton uses an ab machine Wednesday while working out in a senior fitness class at the Roundup Athletic Club in Pendleton. club they have noticed more par- ticipation by older members. While there have always been classes available for seniors, Gut- WHUXG VDLG PRUH DUH ¿WWLQJ WKHP into their workout schedules — including aquatics, which histor- ically has been popular with the older crowd. Smith and front desk manager Tasha Forkner said they see the EHQH¿WVRIWKHVRFLDOLQWHUDFWLRQV that occur by coming to the club. “We have a lot of little aqua la- dies and they call it a little social hour — they drink their free cof- fee and work out,” Forkner said. “The whole snack bar area is jammed full. They aren’t just tak- ing off and leaving,” Smith added. “They are developing friendships that continues outside the club.” Smith said she meets individ- ually with new members and will evaluate their needs. One of the main focuses for older members is getting them involved with VWUHQJWKWUDLQLQJ7KHEHQH¿WVDUH UHÀHFWHG LQ HYHU\GD\ DFWLYLWLHV like taking items out of the cup- board, picking up a bag of grocer- ies or bending over to feed the cat. “Anything that helps you get stronger helps you throughout the day for the things you want to do,” Smith said. Clark endorses maintaining physical activity as well — wheth- er it’s walking, riding an exercise bike or just stretching and moving around. Maintaining muscle tone, he said, can prevent accidents. Clark said social interactions and physical activities continue to be important as people age. “There can be a tendency to become isolated and just stay home,” he said. “Not only does that affect mental function, it can contribute to depression in the el- derly.” ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesi- ni@eastoregonian.com or 541- 564-4539. 1C
