Number of registered hunters in Massachusetts just shy of 60,000, masslive.com/living
Better Health D |
DAKIN: When animals and people need help, D9 EXHIBIT: Springfield Museums celebrate women artists, D9 FILM: Trauma behind ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ D9
| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023
During the colder months,
it’s important for Everyone Even Seniors -
To Say Active
George F. Kelly enjoys taking classes — like strength training, balance and some cardio. He goes to the gym and participates regularly in aqua aerobics classes and works with a fitness instructor. By Cori Urban
Special To The Republican
He is a member of a men’s group, attends TED Talks, participates in trivia groups and sings with a chorus. He is 81. The former trial attorney and federal prosecutor in Springfield, formerly of East Springfield, now lives at Glenmeadow — a Life Plan Community that provides various retirement living options with enriched social engagements. It’s there that he participates in the various activities, where he said he has “access to more ways to stay physically and mentally healthy in the winter.” During the colder months, it’s important for everyone — even seniors — to say active. “Wellness at Glenmeadow is not just limited to physical fitness,” said Kelsey C. McDonald, Glenmeadow’s director of Wellness. A range of programs is offered to stimulate the mind, spirit and body. These include daily exercise classes for strength and balance, and indoor mile walk, Bosu Ball and circuit training, water aerobics, Tai Chi, Otego, meditation, crafts, sketching and art classes, lectures and dis-
cussion groups, pet therapy, social gatherings, TED Talks, round-table debates, cooking classes, Broadway musicals, movie matinees, horticulture, group outings, bowling, word and memory games, religious services of all denominations. “Morning exercise is our most attended program. Bowling and TED Talks presentations are a close second and third,” McDonald said. “We offer a variety of programs to allow for every one of our residents to stay engaged.”
“George and I attend a lot of the special programming to keep our minds sharp; as a former teacher, it’s important to keep my mind going!” - Sheila A. Kelly
Kelly’s wife, Sheila A. Kelly, 78, enjoys the bowling league at Glenmeadow that takes place all year long: “And I even have a few gold medals to prove it!” The former Springfield elementary school teacher attends many of the educational
and religious programs there but continues to be active outside of Glenmeadow too: She is part of a regular book group and plays cards monthly with a group of retired teachers. She likes word games and stays in touch with people she doesn’t see often by playing “Words with Friends.” Like her husband, she has made a number of new friends at Glenmeadow. He still takes the Glenmeadow bus to Coffee Time in East Longmeadow to meet with his friends there, just as he did when they lived in East Longmeadow. “One thing we learned from COVID is that isolation can be detrimental to one’s mental and physical health,” McDonald said. “Humans are social creatures by nature. At GlenAbove: Residents at Glenmeadow enjoy exercise programs every day to stay fit during all 4 meadow, we strive to create seasons. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GLENMEADOW) a warm, family-like environment, nurturing social connections not only amongst our residents but also amongst our staff. Our community is very close knit.” Especially in the winter at Glenmeadow, Sheila feels safe and among her peers instead of being isolated in her home. “George and I attend a lot of the special programming to keep our minds sharp; as a former teacher, it’s important to keep my mind going!” She knows being fit goes beyond just working out; “it is mental, spiritual and social health that makes all the difference.” Her husband agrees: “Being active and social fosters better mental health and connection to people.” For those who are not, he suggests beginning slowly with something they SEE GLENMEADOW, PAGE D3
(ABOVE PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK IMAGES)