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Health, Fitness in Focus for Seniors -- Bartlett Recreation Center Packed With Health-Seekers

Posted on: Friday, 10 June 2005, 12:00 CDT

Seniors got into fitness on National Senior Fitness Day with Senior Health and Fitness Day at the Bartlett Recreation Center.

An estimated 150,000 seniors participated in NSHFD at more than 1,000 locations around the country to learn ways to better fitness and health.

National Senior Health and Fitness Day, coordinated by the Mature Market Resource Center, is always held on the last Wednesday of May as part of Older Americans Month.

Hundreds of Bartlett seniors visited the Bartlett Recreation Center to check out the area businesses' booths displaying healthful benefits that they can provide. Brad Buntin , facility manager of the Bartlett Recreation Center, said, "We wanted to showcase Bartlett businesses that are available for seniors and also showcase some of the fitness programs available to seniors here at the BRC as well."

The center's own personal trainer, Shirla Kreilich , was on hand to provide seniors with the many opportunities available to them as members of the center.

Seniors can get one-on-one training on better nutrition and eating more healthfully, as well as exercise. Personal trainers at the BRC can develop personalized workout plans for individuals to train at their optimal fitness level. Shirla has worked with seniors in their 70s and a couple in their 80s.

"It always amazes me to see the seniors working with weights in the weight room," said Shirla. "I could never imagine my grandparents working out like the seniors I've worked with. I think it is great that seniors are taking an interest in their health."

The center offers a Senior Fitness Class held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 9:15. The class involves strength training using bands and light weights. The workouts help in getting heart and lungs back into shape with a variety of cardio machines. Developing overall flexibility throughout total body stretching segments is part of the Senior Fitness Class.

Other classes offered through the center that interest seniors are the shallow- and deep-water exercise classes. The shallow-water exercise is designed to improve circulation and flexibility. Deep water exercise is recommended for those who desire to maintain joint mobility and relief from arthritis.

Free fitness assessments are available with new memberships.

For information about becoming a member of the center or about the classes, call 385-6470.

If seniors came to Bartlett Recreation Center looking for ways to deal with stress, they were in the right place.

Susan Tullos, independent consultant with Spa Escapes by Beauty Control, was at the Senior Health Fair to demonstrate the many products available to relieve stress. Tullos demonstrated on Bartlett resident Carolyn Lowe by providing her with a heated herbal neck wrap and a mini-massage. Carolyn enjoyed the treatments, saying, "I may never leave."

Susan provides in-home and office spa treatments to teach relaxation and head-to-toe spa treatments.

"I teach the importance of taking care of the stress for a healthier you," said Susan.

Susan, a Bartlett resident, is available by appointment only by calling 382-1517 or e-mailing spaescapes@bellsouth.net.

Dr. Jeffery Luebbe, with Cole Pain Therapy Group, was at the health fair to demonstrate the importance of staying fit as you get older. Melba Cole , a registered nurse, assisted volunteers by placing them in correct position in front of a grid that allowed Dr. Luebbe to evaluate posture and discuss ways to improve one's posture. "The grid helps us to do a front/back and side to side posture check. We are checking for any problems that we may help to improve," he said.

Eileen Fitzgerald , a center member and a Bartlett resident, had her posture checked. Eileen came to the health fair to see what she could learn about her health.

"I'm pretty good into my weight. I'm going to Weight Watchers and trying to take care of myself," said Eileen.

Cole Pain Therapy Group is at 2845 Summer Oaks Drive in Bartlett and can be reached by calling 377-2340.

Emily Elliott , a registered nurse with Mid-South Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, 6570 Stage Road, Suite 140, in Bartlett, offered information regarding types of skin cancers, treatments and prevention.

Emily encouraged seniors to wear sunscreen. Mayor Keith McDonald presented a proclamation to doctors John C. Turner and Malika Tuli with the Mid-South Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center declaring May as "Skin Cancer Awareness Month."

Call the Mid-South Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center at 372- 4545.

Bartlett resident and independent distributor for Shaklee, Carol E. Eason , displayed nutritional products. Shaklee products include vitamins, dietary foods, skin care products and even household cleaners, all environmentally safe, said Carol. Samples were available for seniors.

"We are all about creating healthier lives," said Carol. "Shaklee is a health and wellness company that had been around for 50 years. I'm so thrilled to see so many seniors that care about health issues."

Carol has passed on her belief in Shaklee products to her children and grandchildren. "It's a lifestyle for all of us and the benefits will be there for years down the road," she said.

Carol can be reached by calling 372-9310.

One of the biggest concerns to the seniors at the health fair was their glucose and cholesterol levels. Dot Hall of Bartlett came to the health fair for the Saint Francis Hospital free glucose and cholesterol screening.

"I just love Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett. I was at the hospital yesterday for a mammogram, and it was the best experience I ever had with a mammogram," said Dot.

Dot's glucose and cholesterol were checked by Angela Giboney , lab manager for Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett.

"My daughter told me about the screenings so I came to have my blood pressure checked and while I was here I got these other tests - things that haven't been checked in a while," said Dot.

Also with Saint Francis Hospital, Lana Harbin, a medical technician, was assisting seniors in getting their glucose and cholesterol levels in check.

Derek Venckus , public relations and marketing coordinator for Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, was glad to see such a great turnout for the first Senior Health Fair at the center.

"The turnout was excellent. It's good to see so many seniors interested in their health," said Derek. "As much as we are into treating, we are also into preventing health issues."

From the turnout at the health fair, it seems that preventing health issues is important to seniors as well.

Source: Commercial Appeal, The

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