We offer exercise every day at the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center. It’s our seniors’ favorite activity and we’ve seen amazing changes in level of functioning over time. Whichever classes are offered, I’m constantly amazed at how our Activity Leaders come up with sessions that not only get the body moving, but also combine discussion and socialization to keep the seniors engaged. How often do you hear loud laughter when people are doing exercise? We hear it everyday! Not only do we offer stretching and strengthening exercises, but we also have yoga, Wii computer sports games, bowling, ring toss, jokercise, chair salsa, chair tai chi and chair kickboxing. Usually at the end of exercise, our seniors break out into spontaneous dancing to keep the movement and fun going!

Last week, we talked about what they like about exercising at our center and they told us exercising in a group makes it easier for them to participate and keep up with it. Here’s what they had to say:

• “When I exercise regularly at the center, it gives me more strength in the rest of my life when I’m not at the center.”
• “When you’re older, you have to work harder to maintain health and it helps to see people in the same boat as me.”
• “Being in a group gives me encouragement to keep going.”
• “I’m more likely to exercise when I’m at center than when I’m alone at home.”
• “I think about exercising at home, but I don’t do it unless I come here.”
• “At the center I learn exercises and then I do them at home the days I don’t come to the center.”

Such insightful comments and yet another reason why Adult Day Centers are so beneficial!