WELCOME TO THE UPPER MERION SENIOR SERVICE CENTER. We offer a variety of activities to enjoy indoors such as exercise classes, card games, discussion groups, book club, bingo, puzzles, Mexican train (dominos), movies, a large print book library and special events.
It is time to join or renew your membership for 2023. The annual fee is $20 and is open to all 55 or over seniors. We encourage you to have your friends renew or have a new friend who might be interested in joining.
Check out the monthly calendar of activities and monthly newsletter on our website at www.umssc.org or contact the office at 610-265-4715 or email admin@umssc.org for more information or questions.
SENIOR CENTER SPOTLIGHT ON: FUN & FITNESS
(by Judy Gaul, Gold ACE Certified Group Exercise)
It’s that time again when we say goodbye to the present year and usher in the New Year. We make resolutions for 2023, probably to exercise more and eat healthier. Studies have shown that seniors can improve their quality of life as they age by including physical activity. Chair exercise is an excellent way to improve flexibility and build muscle strength, improve blood flow, and lubricate joints.
Mobility and independence become somewhat limited as we age. The more you sit the stiffer the joints become over time cause changes in posture. This affects muscles causing pain and fatigue. As posture changes take place, the lower muscles weaken, causing more difficulty in the support of the upper body. Too much time sitting can cause weaker glutes (buttocks) and core muscles of the abdominals. That leads to back and structural problems. Coordination then becomes a problem as we age.
Repetitive, routine exercises can help with eye-hand coordination so that independence and self-efficiency last longer, allowing better mobility. Increasing mobility through exercise also reduces pains that crop up as we age. Physical exercise releases endorphins that reduce inflammation. Increasing motion lubricates joints making it less painful to use them. Strengthening the core (abdominals) takes the pressure off strained and weak muscles that reduce shoulder and back pain.
Regular exercise 2-3 times a week can help reduce the risk of falling. This is done by strengthening all the major muscle groups using free weights, balls and elastic bands.
What are the benefits of regular exercise?
- Increases bone density that reduces the risk of injury and helps with daily living.
- Decreases the risk of falling and improves balance by strengthening muscles.
- Improves energy for everyday living.
- Improves sleep.
- Enhances the body and mind that connect together for therapeutic benefits.
- Strength training improves independence by strengthening muscles.
- Promotes cognitive function.
- Improves flexibility.
- Promotes socialization with peers.
Exercise is planned, structured, repetitive and intentional movement with the purpose to improve physical conditioning, maintain or lose weight and gain muscle, tendon and bone strength. Exercise is essential to overall health and well-being. It also assists in building strength and endurance for participation in daily tasks and improves cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, as well as body composition. It can help thinking, learning and judgment skills can reduce the risk of depression, and anxiety and promotes better sleeping.
For seniors, doing a variety of physical activities improves physical function and reduces the risks of falls. So why don’t you join us at the Upper Merion Senior Center by participating in the chair exercise class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.