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Kroc Center promotes Healthy Aging program
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 900 W. Western Ave., South Bend, is offering a Healthy Aging program for members and nonmembers aged 62 and above. This free, 12-week program offers a pre and post assessment to track progress, REAL services classes, two weekly workout sessions with a trainer, and so much more.
Classes are held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and work outs are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. to 1p.m. There is a pre and post assessment, which tracks body composition, flexibility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health.
Suzanne Matthys, a classmate of the Healthy Aging program, said, “The structure of Healthy Aging has played a pivotal part in building my exercise regime. The classes and instructors have led me to self-reflect on my lifestyle and healthy living.”
Matthys described her life, prior to the program, as “a sedentary lifestyle and lacked the energy I once had.” After the graduating from the program, she described her life as having “a renewed vigor and increased my physical stamina.”
Judy Hofer, a classmate of the Healthy Aging Program, mentioned, “I was finding it hard to motivate myself to get into better shape. I had belonged to the Kroc Center before COVID and was trying to talk myself into rejoining. The Healthy Aging program arrived in my inbox at the most opportune time.”
Hofer said, “At the end of the 12 weeks I found I was feeling better physically and had more energy. I was more aware of the things I needed to do to keep myself healthy.”
REAL services provides edu- cational classes and discussions for students. Topics include nutrition, stress management, preventing falls and other topics relevant to seniors.
Matthys explained the class portion of the program, stating, “We met on Wednesdays for two hours for an educational series put on by Lindsey, personal certified trainer for Kroc, for four weeks and Silja Jaquan, community health educator for Real Services, for eight weeks.”
Jaquan taught “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls.” A program which teaches participants about fall prevention, managing concerns about falling and recognizing fall hazards in the home and community. This presentation also opened up the floor for discussions about thoughts and concerns about falling, This is just one of the presentations taught through the Healthy Aging program.
When asked what she would say to someone considering trying out the Healthy Aging program, Matthys replied, “My advice to anyone considering Healthy Aging is to just go. Regardless of the shape you’re in or how difficult it may seem at first, it will get better. Slowly but surely you’ll find yourself acclimating to the changes and your overall health and state of mind will reflect it.”
Hofer added, “I would recommend the program to anyone who is eligible. The trainers will take you from wherever you are and get you to a better place physically as long as you commit yourself to the program. The program is a start. Up to the participants to continue. Working toward staying healthy and strong will make the years ahead of me much more enjoyable.”
Matthys explained what a workout through the Healthy Aging program consisted of, explaining, “Our group met on Tuesdays for cardio with Shelly Jackson, personal certified trainer for Kroc. For three months, Shelly led our group through a 45 minute circuit of exercises to challenge our balance, strength and aerobic fitness. We utilized various tools such as ropes, various squats, proper use of weights and exercises, and walking a line heel to toe for balance.”
Matthys commented, “I am encouraged by my improvement in my final assessment, and I am continuing to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Silver Sneakers.” Silver Sneakers is a cardio program.
If you are interested in joining the Healthy Aging program, contact Simon Meska at simon. meska@usc.salvationarmy.org, or (574) 855-2701. The fall program registration has yet to be announced.
Editor’s note: Send listings of events, for nonprofit organizations only, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542, or email Editor Phoebe Muthart by Aug. 15 at pmuthart@the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number.
RiverBend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, offers the following events this month: general cancer support group, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 5; Beginning yarn work, 10 a.m. every Thursday; Debbie’s Wig Salon, 1 p.m., Thursday, July 6; Empowered Movement, 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday; Kim’s Bra Boutique, 2 p.m. Wednes- day, July 12; men’s group, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25; chair yoga, 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday; seated strength, 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday; and gentle yoga, 5:30 p.m. every Monday.
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“Nature-on-the-Go at the River Ramble: Flight of the Firefly” will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, at St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend. All programs are free of charge; no registration required. For more information, call (574) 654-3155.
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The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra will present
“Music Under the Stars” Sunday, July 16, at Friendship Botanic Gardens Celebration Pavilion, Michigan City. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free to the public. This is a family-friendly event. The garden gate opens at 6:30 p.m.; enter through the Liberty Trail entrance. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available for purchase on site.
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“Electricity and An 1897 Mansion” is a specialty tour of the Oliver Mansion taking place at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22. On this behind-the-scenes tours conducted by Kristie Erickson, deputy executive director, visitors can learn about the project to upgrade the electricity in the 38-room Copshaholm. Through visits to several of Copshaholm’s rooms as well as the mansion’s lower level, the electrical project will be chronicled, including how the museum updated wiring, receptacles, and all other electrical components in the historic house. The tour is limited; reservations are required. Tickets are $25/general and $20/members and can be purchased online at www. historymuseumSBorg or by calling (574) 235-9664.
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“Let’s make a plan, Stan:
Estate Planning for Seniors” is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 13 at the Kroc Center, 400 W. Western Ave., South Bend. Other programs are: “Don’t Be a Sitting Duck: Scams Targeting Older Adults,” Thursday, July 20, OWLS Club, Elkhart’s Active Aging Center, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart; and “Fall Prevention Strategies,” Friday, July 28, at One Roof Southeast Neighborhood Center, 405 E. Dubail Ave., South Bend. There is no cost for programs or lunch. Visit realservices.org/get-involved/ lunch-learn-programs to register.
