Catholic Charities offers free exercise programs for seniors in St. Charles

JILL VEERKAMP, St. Charles Press Editor

Exercise does not have an age limit. For older adults, regular exercise is proven to have benefits for everything from balance to heart health to bone and muscle strength to mental agility. Recognizing the benefits that regular exercise has for keeping senior citizens healthy and independent, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota has recently premiered the program Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL).

Two times a week, SAIL classes are offered in St. Charles, free of charge to anyone interested. Led by volunteers, the exercise classes are held in the St. Charles Senior Center on Tuesdays, 4-5p.m. and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. SAIL essentially replaces the Bone Builders program that has been hosted at the Senior Center for the last six years. While Bone Builders focused mainly on preventing osteoporosis, SAIL is a much more comprehensive program that combines multiple activities geared towards healthy aging. In addition to the weightlifting element of Bone Builders, SAIL classes also include aerobic exercises and activities that focus on improving and maintaining balance. SAIL is an evidenced-based program developed by the Washing- ton State Department of Health.

“We like this because it combines the best of all the other programs,” said Eleanor Evenson, volunteer instructor for the SAIL program. A retired nurse, Evenson has volunteered with Catholic Charities for the past 6 years in leading exercise classes at the St. Charles Senior Center, first as Bone Builders and now SAIL. Evenson said, “We welcome anybody at any age.” Some participants only attend one day a week, while others attend two. Others only attend one class once a month. Anyone is welcome, regardless of participation level. People drop in and out all of the time. The purpose of the exercise class, Evenson explained, is to provide a low commitment avenue for seniors to get active. She said, “Any time you spend any minute moving around, it helps.” The SAIL program simply offers a way for seniors to make exercise a part of their weekly routine. “Exercise becomes a habit,” said Evenson. “And it’s free.” The SAIL classes are able to accommodate people with a mild level of mobility difficultly to those that are regularly active. Besides the physical benefits of the program, the regular classes also provide an opportunity for socialization. Evenson said, “I like the sense of community. I really do. And meeting new people.”

“We’re grateful to the Senior Center and City Hall for allowing us the use of the facilities,” said Evenson. For the classes, the tables in the Senior Center are pushed to the side of the room, and chairs are placed in a circle. As the class includes a short walk as an aerobic activity, the large want to walk outside. Typically, 10-14 people turn up for the class, with a bit less in the winter with many heading south. Last Thursday, practically every chair was filled with 16 seniors showing up to exercise. As they arrived, upbeat polka music played in the background. The seniors grabbed the provided dumbbells and leg weights and claimed a seat. Evenson led the group through a series of warm-ups and stretches. Then the group headed outside (or to the nearby open room) for a brisk 12-minute walk. Once everyone returned to the Senior Center, they spent the reminder of the exercise class completing a series of weighted leg lifts and arm lifts, twisting movements, and balance challenges.

Mariah Marino, Wellness Program Coordinator for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, also attended last Thursday’s class to conduct assessments on the participants. Due to the switch from Bone Builders to SAIL, Marino collected baseline data on the seniors, testing for speed, agility, upper body strength, and lower body strength. She will return to St. Charles in 6 months to retest everyone, and then once again in a year. Marino pointed out that active aging programs are essential, especially as the Baby Boomers continue to get older. She said, “This is huge on how can we get this age group to live longer and healthier.” Programs such as SAIL aim to keep seniors out of care homes as long as possible. Marino added, “These classes are definitely impacting their health for the better.” Marino was slightly surprised at the large crowd of seniors that attended last Thursday’s program. She noted that the high attendance appeared to be due to word of mouth, with friends encouraging friends to try it out. “It seems like this group here is a little family,” she observed. Bernadine Stevens began attending the exercise classes 2 or 3 years ago, at the encouragement of a friend. Stevens observed, “It makes a difference, just doing simple things. I miss it when I don’t come.” “A good piece of it is the socialization,” she added. It’s a great time to chat with friends while exercising. Barb Traxler estimated that she has been attending exercise classes at the Senior Center for the past 4 or so years. “I try to come every time,” she said. Traxler has definitely noticed the benefits of regular attendance. She observed, “I’m more agile…I think it makes me feel more alive in general, just the feeling that I’m doing something.” Paulette McCready has attended classes since Bone Builders started 6 years ago. “I love it,” she said. “I only miss if there’s a ball game.”

What: Stay Active and Independent for Life

Where: St. Charles Senior Center

When: Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.

Why: Improve flexibility, bone and muscle strength, balance and overall fitness, while socializing with friends.