It is common knowledge that anyone who exercises regularly gains physical, mental, and emotional benefits. This is especially true for our senior loved ones. Whether it is gardening, walking, or more intense activity such as water aerobics, regular exercise improved seniors’ well-being, especially when they work out with friends or family members.  Consider joining your loved one for a walk around the neighborhood or assisted living community.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), seniors who stay active:
·    Have more energy
·    Improve balance, which lowers risks for falls
·    Prevents hearts disease, diabetes, & serious heart health problems
·    Sustains joint health
·    Reduces their chance for depression
·    Allows independence longer due to maintainence of strength and mobility

Few Exercise Ideas:
·    Walking
·    Gardening
·    Climbing stairs or stepping on aerobic step boxes
·    Swimming or Water Aerobics classes
·    Yoga
·    Biking or stationary bike
·    Resistance Bands (*Great for post therapy)
·    Meditation
·    Leg lifts in chair or wheelchair
·    Light weight dumbbell  exercises (wheelchair friendly)

It's 2 p.m. and your energy is waning.  Thank your natural circadian rhythms, which trigger a strong urge to sleep between the hours of 1-3 p.m.  To thwart this slump, try these tricks: 1.  Drink your Agape' Water, 2. Take a nap, 3. Eat a protein-carb snack, 4. Exercise, 5. Turn on some tunes, 6. Break up the routine, and finally 7. Indulge in a little caffeine.

You will not often see me with a plain bottle of water. Most of the time, I have lemons floating around in my water. This morning it dawned on me that this simple habit has multiple health and beauty benefits and I should share them!

I first heard of this concept in college reading a Traditional Chinese Medicine Book, it recommended starting your day with a room temperature glass of lemon water. It boasted that lemon water hydrates and purifies the body naturally. It also removes toxins that cause the body to accumulate visceral fat. When toxins enter the body, they are surrounded by fat cells and then stored. Drinking lemon water is a great way to get rid of those impurities and lose weight. Hooray! I immediately ran out and bought a bag of lemons and I have never looked back.

Nutritionally, the potassium content in lemons feeds the brain and nerve cells; as well the calcium content builds healthy bones and strong teeth. With high Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) content, lemons help prevent infection, speed wound healing, and diminish allergies. Additionally, that Vitamin C content also combats free radical damage, minimizes wrinkles, and reduces inflammation. One last thing, lemon water is widely known as a digestive tonic; citrus flavonols stimulate and purify the liver. The bottom line, fresh lemons take plain old water up a notch in so many ways beyond taste.

Simple, affordable, endless benefits…it’s definitely worth a sip.

Michelle Haladay

Good Life Cafe

www.goodlifecafe.net

5 Myths about Exercise and Older Adults

Myth 1: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway.

Fact: Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Myth 2: Elderly people shouldn’t exercise. They should save their strength and rest.

Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Period. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.

Myth 3: Exercise puts me at risk of falling down.

Fact: Regular exercise, by building strength and stamina, prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, actually reducing your risk of falling.

Myth 4: It’s too late. I’m already too old to start exercising

Fact: You’re never too old to exercise! If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a while, start with light walking and other gentle activities.

Myth 5: I’m disabled. I can’t exercise sitting down.

Fact: Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.

Myths and Facts were from an article at HELPGUIDE.org. For more information on the benefits of exercise please visit: http://www.helpguide.org/life/senior_fitness_sports.htm

For more information on Agape Senior, please visit:

http://askagape.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dougal Kear

DKear@AgapeSenior.com

www.AgapeSenior.com

www.AskAgape.com

New Health and Wellness Studio Opening at Carolina Commons

Fort Mill, SC – Agapé Senior expands its services in Lancaster and York counties with a new unique center for the residents of the Indian Land / Sun City areas.

The Agapé Health and Wellness Studio, located at 6251 Carolina Commons Drive, Suite 100, off Charlotte Hwy. (US 521) in Fort Mill, SC, will help area residents stay fit, keep healthy, and recover from injury so that they can maintain their way of life.

The studio offers a broad spectrum of health care services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, podiatry and chiropractic services, massage therapy, durable medical equipment, a senior resource center, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Agapé Senior has been improving the lives of senior adults since 1999 with assisted living, rehabilitation, hospice, and other services. The Agapé Health and Wellness Studio will be offering prevention and wellness programs, a transition from Agapé’s traditional residential and home-based services.

“At Agapé Senior, we recognize the importance of preventative measures and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By opening the new Agapé Health and Wellness Studio, we will provide everyone in the community the opportunity to maintain, and improve, their active, healthy lifestyle,” remarked Janet Inkelaar, regional president of Agapé Senior.

A grand opening is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Throughout the day, they can enjoy free refreshments, door prizes and get a first look at the studio.

For more information about the Agapé Health and Wellness Studio, contact Scott Thompson, Wellness Center Manager, at 803-727-3946 or via e-mail at SThompson@AgapeSenior.com.

Agapé Senior is a network of residential and health-related companies with services across South Carolina. For more information about Agapé Senior, visit AgapeSenior.com or call 1-800-411-AGAPÉ (2427).

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