By Cassie Galasetti
Year after year we are in search of the next anti-aging cream or the new trendy exercise regime to make us look and feel younger. Although we have not discovered the Fountain of Youth just yet, there are still important measures to take so that we can all stay healthy and active as we age.
New Jersey ranks as the ninth state in the nation with the number of citizens aged 65 and older. What is worrisome is that we have an estimated 27 percent of obese adults in the state. Fortunately, the New Jersey Department of Health has devised a health improvement plan called Healthy New Jersey 2020 to “promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages.”
According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 70 percent of physical decline associated with aging is due to poor lifestyle behaviors, which means a lack of physical activity, poor nutrition and the negligence of acquiring regular screenings and immunizations. In New Jersey alone, an estimated 33 percent of seniors reported engaging in no leisure-time physical activity.
Many physicians and experts have suggested alternative ways to get some sort of daily exercise and activity into your life to help keep you healthy for years to come.
The Community YMCA offers a number of health, low impact aerobic and aqua classes. Swimming schools such as Five Star Aquatics in Eatontown offer adult classes like aquacise, aqua zumba and aqualite classes that provide low impact exercises which aid in reducing blood pressure and obesity and reduce and support muscle and joint injuries.
If water activities are not for you, senior centers, found in almost every town, provide residents, usually ages 60 and older, a place for socialization and activities.
Facilities like the Red Bank Senior Citizens Center offer weekly shopping trips, daily exercise classes, crafts, bingo, bridge, movie trips and more. Celebrating 40 years of service, the center provides for more than 1,200 seniors each month. It supports members’ social and mental needs while creating a comforting atmosphere that builds self-fulfillment and friendships, not to mention encouraging seniors to stay active each day.
Red Bank is also home to the The Atrium at Navesink Harbor, a retirement community offering senior living and care with backyard views of the Navesink River. Everything from restaurant-style dining to health care services are available to residents, including a host of vibrant activities. Residents are encouraged to enjoy exclusive events on the water as well as boat trips and champagne and chocolate cruises.
For almost three years, Nancy Gosnell Molineux has been a resident of The Atrium at Navesink Harbor. “There’s a lot going on here to take advantage of,” she said. “A lot of socializing which is nice. I practice Chi Gong once a week and also play dominos. I go to the writing class, which I love, and I play duplicate bridge on Saturdays.”
Molineux is just one example of how a retirement community presents ways to have an active lifestyle after the age of 60, which ultimately will help a person’s overall health and well-being.
Good nutrition is also a particularly important part of aging gracefully and staying strong. Onora, a family-owned company in Ocean Township prides itself on the art of caring for loved ones. Onora offers a home to its residents with an intimate setting, 24-hour care, a professional chef and a registered dietician among other caregiving necessities. Residents have a wide range of nutritious dining options to choose from, including gluten-free selections, which is important as older adults need a diverse balance of nutrients to ensure mental and physical health.
Another popular service that Onora offers residents is meal preparation for those who enjoy cooking. It’s a great way to ease into cooking again just like they may have done at home. Likewise, cooking offers social interaction, as many will gather together to help cook meals – a great benefit and opportunity to socialize within their community.
For those who care for aging loved ones at home, the Monmouth County’s Office of Aging provides programs and resources for county residents 60 years of age and older. The office has partnered with the Sheriff’s office for a new initiative called “Project Lifesaver” for families who are connected with elderly who have Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia disorders. Project Lifesaver uses a state-of-the-art bracelet with a radio-tracking device to find seniors who wander or get lost. Representatives from the sheriff’s office will even visit your home once a month or every 60 days to change the battery and replace the bracelet if needed.
The Monmouth County Office of Aging also provides activities for seniors to promote creativity and build an outlet for professional and nonprofessional artists. At the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, the Office of Aging along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Disabilities and Veterans Services are holding a Senior Art Contest and Exhibition from August 5-30. Categories include drawing, watercolor, craft, photography and more. It has been proven that art will not only increase the quality of life but provide a way to cope with psychological effects of aging and disabilities.
So whether it’s taking an aqua zumba class or playing weekly bingo once a week, proper nutrition and physical activity for the body and brain are essential components to aging gracefully and creating a proper quality of life.
