New All Men's Bone Builders Class!

We're so excited to have our very first all men's Bone Builders group in Hector! Bone Builders is *not* just for women. John Flowers will be leading the Wednesday morning classes. If you know of any men that could benefit from this wonderful program, please have them call us asap at 607-535-7105.

Volunteers Needed: Wii Instructor

Do like to play games and have FUN?? This opportunity is just for you! The Schuyler County OFA is looking for 1-2 volunteers to teach different Wii games to the seniors attending the Montour Falls congregate meal site. This will take place prior to the meal (possibly 10:00- 11:30am). Volunteers will oversee the sign-in process and provide 1:1 or small group instruction.

Knowledge of Wii apparatus and variety of games or desire to learn the different games; reliability; punctuality; ability to stand for periods of time; reaching; bending; quick movements with arms and legs; effectively communicating with clients with varying levels of function; ability to demonstrate movements.

Bone Builders Classes

Bone Builders classes resume this fall. These exercise classes are designed to help reduce the incidence of osteoporosis in men and women age 50 and older. Trained RSVP volunteers lead weekly classes, utilizing progressive weight-bearing exercises developed at Tufts University. These FREE classes will be offered at sites across Schuyler and Yates Counties.

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55 percent of people age 50 and older. While women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men can also suffer from osteoporosis. Those affected by osteoporosis cannot feel their bones getting weaker. They may not know they have it until they break a bone, often the result of a minor fall.

Bone Builder classes are recommended for men and women 55 and older to help reduce the chance of getting osteoporosis. Participants must have a signed release from their doctor to join. Call Schuyler-Yates RSVP at (607) 535-7105 for enrollment information. Space is limited.

RSVP…Experience in Action

Join today!

Shoe Strings Walking Program

Free and Fun!

 Shoe Strings Walking Program

Watkins Glen High School

Enter at the Field House

 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Daily

(when school is open and in session)

Intro to Aqua Aerobics for Seniors

Friday, October 30th, 5:00-6:00pm

Watkins Glen High School Community Pool 

There is no fee for this class.

Experience the benefits of aqua aerobics in this one-hour, fun, non-competitive program! Aqua aerobics tones and strengthens while the natural buoyancy of water reduces weight-bearing stress allowing greater ease of movement and less strain on bones, joints and muscles.

This class is designed as a one-session introduction to aqua aerobics and is suitable for both men and women.
A series will be scheduled if there is enough interest.

To register, please call the Schuyler County Office for the Aging at (607) 535-7108. Water shoes are encouraged.

Empire State Senior Games

Empire State Senior Games
Cortland, NY
June 2—7, 2009

The Empire State Senior Games is an organized sports & leisure program for New York State Residents aged 50 & older as of December 31 of the year in which the Games take place.

The Senior Games attracts nearly 2000 athletes, along with guests & friends from across NY state. Athletes participate in more than 20 competitive sports & recreational events. There are also instructional clinics, informational exhibits, & educational seminars. Each evening features an informal social event planned specifically for Senior Games’ participants.

SUNY Cortland is the site for the Empire State Senior Games.

TRANSPORTATION FOR PARTICIPANTS PROVIDED BY
SCHUYLER COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING
CALL 535-7108 FOR REGISTRATION

Benefits of Exercise are Real

DEAR JIM: I have read your columns for many years and always find them very educational and entertaining. However, I sometimes have difficulty believing that exercise can really help people that much. I see my friends and relatives growing older every day and suffering from declining health, and exercise is the last thing on their minds. I know that you really believe in the whole exercise thing, but surely it can’t be as good you as you say it is for you. DOUBTING DEBBIE FROM DUBUQUE

DEAR DOUBTING DEBBIE: Yes, I really do believe in the whole “exercise thing,” and yes, it CAN be as good as I say it is for you. If you have read my columns for as long as you say you have, you will know that I have frequently emphasized that exercise is not a cure-all for everything that besets us, but it can help to prevent certain conditions from developing and greatly improve our quality of life. But why take my word for it?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity can improve health and reduce the risk of premature death in the following ways:

- Reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and the risk of dying from CHD.
- Reduces the risk of stroke.
- Lowers both total blood cholesterol and triglycerides and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL or the “good” cholesterol).
- Lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have it.
- Lowers the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) diabetes mettitus.
- Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.
- Helps people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Reduces feelings of depression.
- Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
- Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling or becoming excessively fatigued.

Even as we grow older and, perhaps, even frail and incapacitated, the important thing is to “keep moving” – the expression so famously identified with fitness guru Jack LaLanne, now 94 and still going strong. Age and disabilities may limit the amount and scope of our physical activity, but there are very few of us who can’t do “something” physical to make our lives better.

For more information about the importance of exercise in our lives, refer to www.cdc.gov.

Jim Evans is a 41-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and internationally recognized fitness consultant. Send your questions about health and fitness to pacsd@aol.com.

Shoe Strings Walking Program

Did you know there is a fun and FREE indoor walking program available to you right in Watkins Glen? The "Shoe Strings" program is organized by RSVP. It begins on November 3 and takes place in the Watkins Glen High School from 3:00-4:30 every day that school is in session. Just enter at the Field House and sign in with Janet, an RSVP volunteer that helps organize the program. For more information, view our flier.

When walking for exercise remember to keep a normal stride. Extending our stride length jolts our joints and actually slows us down. You may also put stress on your joints and ligaments by trying to go very quickly or by lengthening your stride too much. Take it slow, enjoy the day. Stop and smell the roses.

Walt S.
RSVP Volunteer

Thanks Walt, for this great tip. I'm sure many will benefit from it! Is there a helpful tip or story you'd like to share with other RSVP members? Write us!