Every week several hundred people are benefiting from movement and exercise classes offered at local councils on aging. These classes provide expertise geared toward understanding how to use one’s body correctly and what types of movements to practice in order to gain or regain flexibility, strength, and forward mobility.
But today, the need has never been greater. The uptick for such classes is in direct correlation to the increasing number of baby boomers entering their “golden years.” Baby boomers may be the first segment of the population to fully embrace the importance of staying as fit as possible for as long as possible. After all, their life expectancies are pretty darn long. They are fighting to stay vertical and take care of themselves independently. A recent needs assessment conducted by Coastline Elderly Services found that 24 percent of respondents said they needed physical activity programs.
The Councils of Aging in Rochester, Marion, and Mattapoisett have been providing movement classes for years. Each community-based organization is slightly different from the othersregarding what types of movement programming are offered and at what cost, but the end game is keeping seniors strong well into those golden years and beyond.
Marion COA Director Karen Gregory shared her point of view: “We look for something for every level of a senior’s ability.” She said that between chair yoga, line dancing, Zumba, strength and balance, and tai chi, there is something for just about every need.
“But it’s more than just physically moving; it’s the relationships, the connections that they develop with one another and with the instructors,” said Gregory, noting that the instructors are invested in the whole individual, and they take the time to get to know the participants and their individual needs, including that extra moment to ask, “How are you doing today?” and really listen to the response.
“The instructors don’t just do a class and leave,” Gregory said. “They interact positively with the people.” She also noted that most classes ask for a small $2 donation or nothing at all. All the directors interviewed said they are always looking for grant opportunities to further remove the cost burden for seniors.
Mattapoisett’s movement programming has been a hallmark of service for many years and today offers Zumba, chair yoga, strength and balance, and Barre.
Barre instructor Shawn Sweet explained the concept of this newly emerging movement style for seniors. “People think you have to have a ballet background, but that’s not true,” Sweet began, adding that the class does not demand a specific level of ability. “You move at your own pace,” but for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, that opportunity is also available. “It builds cardio strength and adds to flexibility, and it is zero-impact,” Sweet said, differentiating this form of movement class from others. Sweet believes her participants realize that one of the bigger takeaways is to “not let fear rule your life. … Keep moving.” Amen, sister.
Mattapoisett COA Director Jacki Coucci talked about the importance of sourcing qualified instructors and instructors who are the right fit for seniors.
“Firstly, it isn’t always easy finding instructors for certain programs. We ask current instructors for referrals, we contact other organizations that may have instructors or may certify instructors, and as with most successful ventures, many of our instructors have been found by word of mouth, especially from participants who have taken a class at another location,” Coucci stated. “Second, the instructors are trained and certified in their respective programs. They carry personal liability insurance and have CPR training as well. Third, we have to ensure instructors are quality, quality of knowledge and training plus quality personalities.”
Eric Poulin, Rochester’s COA director, talked about not only the regularly scheduled classes such as chair yoga, strength and balance, line dancing, or the recently debuted Tai Chi Qigong classes but also the full equipment fitness room in which the community has invested. Membership appointments are suggested for exercise room use, but expanded hours have been recently added.
“Here at the Rochester Senior Center, I try to take a holistic approach towards addressing the physical, social, and emotional well-being of our community members,” said Poulin, explaining that folks participating in classes or using the equipment range in age from 60 to 95 and at any given time may be grappling with profound health issues. “Many view our exercise programming as a form of rehabilitation or a way to improve and maintain strength and balance.”
Poulin said that seniors tell him, “They see improvements in their balance, endurance, and flexibility, and they also express great satisfaction with the social connections that they make with other people in the programs.” He said for all concerned, “It’s a win-win proposition.”
One instructor who has been helping seniors get moving and stay moving for more than 25 years is Strength and Balance instructor Larry Bigos of Dartmouth. Bigos began his fitness career in commercial fitness centers, but after many years of a corporate approach to fitness Bigos made the leap to becoming an independent fitness instructor.
Taking his years of training and knowledge of human anatomy into senior centers just made sense to Bigos. “I saw a need for the older population. It ignited a light in my head; I could provide the type of programming seniors needed,” he said. “The feedback I get from the people inspires me to go on; it is rewarding.”
Bigos also merits the exercise classes with providing those unquantifiable extra, social interactions. “It’s equally as important; we keep each other going!” said Bigos, whose Strength and Balance classes are available in Rochester and Marion COAs.
Karen Corcoran was one of the area’s first senior fitness instructors to identify the need and peruse the proper training and certifications necessary for the health and safety of her participants. Today her classes are highly sought. She also acknowledged that it is a business, and as such, there are certain investments she’s had to make. “There’s liability insurance, CPR training, and the two-year requalifications cycles,” Corcoran shared. The required continuing education credits always bring her to a new level of understanding senior movement, which she believes is critical.
“I’ve been a fitness instructor since 1989,” Corcoran said. As a younger woman, she embraced the high-impact, fast-paced exercise regimes that were sweeping across the nation. “But after seeing some seniors struggling through an aerobics class I was observing, I knew I could do something else for their level of need,” she said.
In 1990, she started Senior Stretch in Marion at a local church hall. The rest is history. Today Corcoran remains focused on the whole-person approach to movement classes with mindful instructions throughout a class that aid the participants in achieving the maximum benefit. Of the people Corcoran interacts with daily, she said, “They inspire me. We have to stay independent, and that takes different forms of activity.” Some of her participants may only be able to tap a toe, while others can move about in synchronized footwork; all have a place in her programs.
As the ancient wisdom states, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
To learn more about exercise programming in the Tri-Town area, visit Mattapoisett.net, townofrochestermass.com, or marionma.gov.
By Marilou Newell