Roxy and Barb are exercise champions! Each has experienced a marked improvement in their physical health, in part by getting involved with our Active Living programming.
Barb came to live at Episcopal Homes about 2 ½ years ago. Before moving to the Terrace, she typically walked 1-2 miles per day, went to the YMCA three days a week and worked in her gardens. When a regular exercise class was launched by Anthony Munkholm shortly after he arrived, Barb eagerly signed up.
“Several years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis due to a compression fracture in my back. All I heard was what I should or could not do,” said Barb. She felt she was looking at a future with limited activity and constant yearly infusions to try and stop the deterioration of her bones. First she joined the daily outdoor walking group and then worked with Anthony to develop a personalized exercise program.
When Barb finally was able to schedule a bone scan and infusion after the quarantine, her doctor was surprised at what he saw. Her bone scan showed a 6% increase in density in her hip and a 1% improvement in her arm! With such great progress, she didn’t need an infusion. Barb attributes the improvement to exercise, classes and a steadfast avoidance of the elevator when stairs are available.
Barb used the Active Living classes during the pandemic to stay active, busy and try to stave off the effects of the osteoporosis. For Roxy, participation in these classes had many obvious benefits, both physically and mentally; she truly believe they helped to keep residents “sane” as well as healthy!
Roxy always understood the importance of exercise; until she moved to Episcopal Homes, she didn’t always find ways to fit it into her life. While living in St. Anthony Park (SAP), she attended the classes offered weekly through SAP Seniors at the SAP Library, and often used a DVD to exercise at home.
When she moved to the Terrace 3 ½ years ago, Roxy got involved in whatever exercise classes she was able to find on campus, some in The Terrace and some in Iris Park Commons Assisted Living. “I …(am) extremely grateful for the quality of the fitness programs we have at Episcopal Homes, especially the excellent classes Active Living offers,” Roxy enthusiastically shares. She continued, “I have always enjoyed LaLa’s “dance” classes twice a week, and do find (staff) yoga with Michelle on Sunday, and Val’s class on Monday to be excellent and beneficial.”
Roxy believes that regular participation in these classes has many obvious benefits, both physically and mentally, noting that during the early Covid lockdown, she believed the exercise classes helped to keep residents “sane” as well as healthy.
Barb strongly recommends taking the classes offered through Active Living and setting up an exercise schedule for the gym with Anthony. When asked what advice they would give others about the importance of exercise, Barb implored, “Work to be able to give up your walker and take the stairs. You will be surprised with what you can do if you work at it.” Roxy’s advice was short and sweet: “simply do it!”
