Older Americans Month – Never Too Old to Play! Celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 30 at SAGE Eldercare
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 • 6:51am
May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our community. Since 1963, communities across the nation have joined in the annual commemoration of Older Americans Month – a proud tradition that shows our nation’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Americans.
“While SAGE Eldercare provides services, support and resources to older Americans year-round, Older Americans Month is a great opportunity to show special appreciation for some of our most beloved citizens,” stated Jessica Rosenzweig Gruber, Executive Director of SAGE Eldercare.
At the end of the month, SAGE Eldercare will be participating in the National Senior Health & Fitness Day, which is held across the country on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 as part of Older Americans Month celebrations.
On May 30 from 10 am to noon, SAGE will be offering a free event to the public, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Karen Ensle, RD Family & Community Health Sciences Educator at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Dr. Ensle’s topic of discussion, “Physical Activity for Mature Adults,” will be presented, as well as a sampling of exercise classes and discussions on various health topics.
“Being physically active helps adults stay healthy. People need to exercise no matter what their age, but mature adults in particular need to be physically active on a daily basis,” Dr. Ensle said. “Physical activity helps adults stay fit, have more energy and a have a better outlook on life. Daily activities such as climbing stairs, getting in and out of cars, or playing on the floor with grandchildren are easier when you have an active lifestyle.”
SAGE Eldercare offers regular exercise classes on a weekly basis for $8 per session. The classes are geared to help with fall prevention and balance. Fun-to-be-Fit exercise classes are offered weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and Tai Chi classes are offered weekly on Tuesdays from 11 am to 12:15. A sampling of these classes and more will be part of the May 30 National Senior Health & Fitness Day activities.
To register for the free May 30 program or SAGE’s weekly exercise classes, please call 908.598.5548 or email education@sageeldercare.org.
SAGE Eldercare supports the independence, well-being and quality of life of older adults, their families and caregivers, through the provision of client-centered health, social and support services. Founded in 1954, SAGE is both the oldest and one of the few non-profit eldercare agencies in the United States that offers a broad and comprehensive array of services under one roof that assist elderly, often frail, adults to remain independent in their own homes. SAGE Eldercare programs include: HomeCare; Meals on Wheels; Spend-A-Day Adult Day Health Center; GPS (Guidance Planning Support) Services; InfoCare free information and referral service; Fall Prevention Initiative; Home Repair Service; Grocery Shopping and Errand Service; Bill Paying Service; Alzheimer’s and PREP caregiver support groups; and SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). SAGE Eldercare serves over 5,000 older people and their families annually in Union, Essex, Morris and Somerset counties. For more information, call 908.273.5550 or visit www.sageeldercare.org.
