Last year, Aegis Therapies Wellness Coordinator Sarah Talimonchuck along with Aegis Therapies Wellness Coordinator Tracy Vogel incorporated the WALK! with Aegis Therapies theme and activities into the fitness program with huge success. When Sarah invited the director of the Missouri State Senior Games, Dave Fox, as a motivational speaker last year, she had no idea how it would impact her patients at Park Place Senior Living at WingHaven® in St. Louis, Mo.
Inspired by Sarah’s continued support and encouragement during wellness sessions as well as various events during the WALK! with Aegis Therapies in 2014, both George Abbe, 95, and Larry Rufkahar, 60, decided to focus their energies on training for the local St. Louis Senior Olympics while in Sarah and Tracy’s program. After the 2014 WALK! with Aegis Therapies events, George began his training in October for weight lifting and a few other events like shot put that work the same muscles.
According to George, “Sarah emphasizes a gradual build up to different exercises with form first and then an increase in weights.” He continued, “she makes the training fun and keeps us motivated to do 30 minutes every day with her guidance.”
Larry chimed in about the number of activities available to seniors. “They have everything you can imagine, if you are interested, from pistol shooting to tiddlywinks,” said Larry as the group interviewing him laughed at the last event description.
George and Larry compete in bench press, arm curl, shot put and a couple of other events.
George lives in the independent living section of Park Place with his wife Joan who also stays very active every day. They have lived in this part of Park Place for the past three and a half years. Larry moved into the assisted living section of Park Place and after a lot of hard work, he was able to reach his goal and move into independent living after about a year.
George and Larry both enthusiastically agree that anyone thinking about getting more active or involved in something like the Senior Olympics should just do it. The activities keep them busy as well as allowing them to meet so many more people. They also add that it is important to accept that you may fail, but to do your best and accept failure. It is part of the process that makes you better.
Aegis Therapies has developed approximately 82 classes at Park Place that aid an active lifestyle for different levels of ability including strengthening for beginner and advanced, cardiovascular endurance for beginner and advanced, flexibility, brain power, senior yoga, tai chi, balance for beginner and advanced and aquatics.
For the 2015 WALK! with Aegis Therapies week-long events, Sarah said that they are ready for another exciting year. Sarah mentioned lining up George and Larry to speak as this year’s motivational speakers. “I still have to convince George and Larry to speak. They are truly inspiring,” said Sarah. “The best motivation for our seniors is seeing and hearing from their peers.”
We have developed a passport to wellness so participants can get a stamp in it each day for attending that day’s events. A drawing is held at the end of the week for prizes of hand weights, pedometers and other small items.
Keeping it exciting, Sarah is working on some events that are outside of the team leader guide from the WALK! with Aegis Therapies for this year. She has had requests to tie in dancing exercises like zumba into a daily event and is working on incorporating this event. She also tied into the nutritional wellness aspect of active aging by planning a field trip for her seniors. Seniors will be taken on a field trip to Whole Foods Market for a nutrition demonstration and lunch in the café. In addition to the occupational therapy day, Sarah has thrown in brain power fitness and included counting in a different language each day of Active Aging Week.
This year Sarah and team has invited Bill Cannon, a repeat Senior Olympian in his 80s to be their motivational speaker. He is sure to make an impression as he has been competing since his 60s.
Having something new and fun to try during the WALK! with Aegis Therapies is a great way to get seniors involved and excited about active aging. George and Larry are great examples of how seniors can get motivated and active by just attending the WALK!. It is never too late to add to your WALK! events.
For any questions, please contact the WALK! taskforce or go to www.walkwithaegis.com and login for more information.
InnerCircle 