Center Update 4-19-20
I saw a video on a friend’s Facebook page the other day of her dancing in her kitchen, swaying happily, and finding uninhibited joy in movement. It was beautiful. And then I wondered, when was the last time I let the music move me? I’m guessing it was 1964, when I was three years old and was the lead bunny in the Fulton Alabama School of Ballet Spring Recital. Let’s just say I peaked early. When my father affectionately called me Grace, it was usually after I had banged—yet again—into the corner of the dining room table. (Note: I still have that table and still run into the corner at least once a week. Grace is alive and well on Vashon.)
We all can’t be graceful, strong, and limber, but we can fight inertia, and the seduction of the couch. The stay-at-home order has put a big dent in our ability to move around as freely as we used to. Books, podcasts, documentaries, and newspapers can keep our minds sharp, but what about our physical sharpness? How can we stay active, whatever our limitations? I broke my back when I was 21, and while I am blessed with a relatively healthy body, if I don’t keep moving I end up in bed. I know that many of you face debilitating physical challenges, but what can you do that will strengthen your body? Move. Wave your arms around. Flex your feet. Squinch your eyes and then open them as wide as you can. Make a fist then stretch your fingers wide. Try chair yoga!
The Center is so very fortunate to have a wonderful chair yoga instructor teaching classes every Thursday on Zoom. Lynelle Sjorberg will help you increase your mobility, stretch your muscles, and improve your circulation, and help maintain good balance. Chair yoga can also reduce anxiety, build strength, and improve flexibility. Click here for a link to Lynelle’s Zoom classes. (Please check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.)
I mentioned my back problems that get exacerbated when I don’t take care of myself, but how else do we put our health at risk when we are too sedentary? We increase our risk of falling. Falls are the main cause of serious injuries in older adults. Many falls don’t cause serious harm, but one out of five falls causes a broken bone or a head injury. So, what can you do to prevent falls? The Mayo Clinic has a number of simple fall-prevention strategies you can read about at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358. They include talking with your doctor, keeping moving, and eliminating home hazards (such as securing loose rugs, using non-slip mats in your bathtub or shower, keeping your home well lit, and using assistive devices such as handrails).
What else? Nutrition. A healthy body needs fuel to function at it’s best. Over the past several weeks we’ve been delivering hot lunches to members. Do you know a senior who could use a hot meal? We are expanding our deliveries to all seniors on Vashon and Maury. We have delivery teams raring to go, so please encourage anyone you know to sign up! Email Kate Smith at bluebird@vashoncenter.org and we’ll get them added to the list. (We’ll need to know by Wednesdays for the following week.) Donations are always welcome, but thanks to the generosity of our community, everyone who wants a lunch will get one. Delivery days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Finally, giveBIG 2020 is in full swing. To support the Senior Center, please go to https://www.givebigwa.org/vashonseniorcenter. Your donation directly supports our mission of enriching the lives of older adults on Vashon. This annual fundraiser is an easy way to show your support for the work we do.
Keep moving,
Catherine/Grace