Today’s independent living communities challenge the previous boundaries of senior fitness and staying in shape. It was once widely believed that exercise for older adults would be unproductive and likely result in injuries.
But today, we know it’s never too late to start an exercise routine – or to increase muscle mass and strength. When considering senior whole health, a new study of older adults using resistance exercises found that even those in their 80s and 90s – who hadn’t weight trained before – showed significant gains.
Senior whole health: The impact of movement
Changing the perception of what is physically possible for older adults can still be difficult. But if you launch your new lifestyle at Tenfold’s Bruceville Point, you’ll find it’s never been easier. Every step, stretch and strength-building moment offers individuals an opportunity to rewrite how they want to age.
The dedication and commitment of our fitness program and full-time fitness director are unsurpassed. To gain insight into our exercise philosophy, we invite you to read a recent conversation we had with Fitness Director Anthony Siouffey, who strongly believes that staying in shape – and having fun – are both key to helping residents maintain their independence.
Download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living.
Senior whole health at Bruceville Point: A Q & A with Anthony Siouffey
Question 1: How do you personalize the fitness program to meet the physical capabilities and health conditions of a resident?
“After a fitness assessment, I talk with the resident about the classes and personal training that is offered and what might be the best fit to meet their goals,” said Siouffey.
“For example, I had a resident with weak ankle mobility and I prescribed exercises he could also do on his own three times a week. Compared with a few months ago, he is now able to do more strenuous exercises without pain and hasn’t depended on his cane as much.”
Question 2: What are a few key benefits of a regular exercise routine for senior whole health?
“Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, increases strength, reduces the risk of falling and helps people stay independent,” Siouffey said. It also greatly contributes to mobility and self-reliance. “Staying independent is the goal of most residents so they don’t need to depend on others to complete activities of daily living,”
Question 3: What are a few of the favorite activities among the residents?
“Residents love the Sit & Stretch and Better Balance classes,” Siouffey said. “Those programs are the pinnacle of senior fitness. Sit & Stretch helps improve flexibility and decreases the symptons of arthritis. Better Balance helps residents improve their balance, decrease their chance of falling and also provides a significant boost to maintaining independence,” he said.
Question 4: Can you share a resident’s success story as a result of participating in the senior whole health fitness program at Bruceville Point?
“I had a resident who was using a walker to get around. A couple of months into the fitness program and personal training sessions, he is now able to use a cane to walk instead of a walker,” said Siouffey.
“He had problems with plantar flexion in his right foot, causing him to shuffle his feet when walking. We worked together using different exercises to help strengthen his lower leg muscles. He has come a long way since then and has become one of the most attended residents in my classes.”
Question 5: Are there common challenges to exercising among residents? How do you address them?
If you’re worried that you’re not at the fitness level of other residents to attend classes, you needn’t be. “I take into account everyone’s physical capabilities and make sure there is no pain,” Siouffey said. “If there is, I modify the exercise to help make it easier for a resident to do.”
“I address this as well during my classes. For example, if a resident feels knee pain during squats, I would have them sit down, wrap a resistance band around their ankles and perform leg extensions instead.”
Question 6: Are there any exercises or activities you might recommend a resident avoid and why?
“It always depends on the resident’s health and physical capabilities, but if I had to choose one in general, it would be running,” said Siouffey. “The chances of falling are a lot higher.”
Question 7: Do you include mental health/cognitive function exercises in your senior whole health fitness program?
“Yes. An instructor comes in twice a week and teaches meditation and chair yoga classes. Along with breathing exercises, she asks the residents to visualize something and use that to practice spiritual awareness,” Siouffey said. “On some days, I also provide crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and Wordle to the residents between classes.”
Senior whole health: Staying fit at Bruceville Point
Like all the programs at Bruceville Point, the residents are active participants in shaping the content, including the fitness classes. Siouffey said residents requested he add more cardio classes, which he did. He also added a step aerobics class to add more variety to the cardio classes.
For older adults and their families that may be searching for an independent or assisted living lifestyle where residents are fully supported to achieve their health and wellness goals, Bruceville Point offers first-class options.
It’s never too late for senior whole health at Bruceville Point
Siouffey offers the perfect reassurance for those who may have been sedentary for a while or are hesitant to start exercising.
“Not only is it never too late to start exercising but it will be one of the best decisions you’ll make for yourself,” said Siouffey. “Everyone starts somewhere and you can only improve from there.”
“I advise them to start off with seated-only classes like Sit & Stretch, Sit Fit and chair yoga because these aren’t as strenuous as the other classes I teach. This is a great way to ease into the fitness program.”
As all the residents know, you’re in good hands at Bruceville Point, with Anthony Siouffey leading the charge.
Discover life at Tenfold’s Bruceville Point
We created Bruceville Point to support our residents to live their best lives possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on helping to connect, engage and create an enriched life.
If you’re searching for senior living that is different from the rest, we hope you will consider Tenfold’s Bruceville Point. We invite you to download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living. Contact us to speak to an advisor, or schedule your tour of Bruceville Point today to experience senior living and our community for yourself.
