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New campuses coming soon in St. John and Elmhurst! |
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Sign up to receive a FREE email copy of our most recent newsletter! In each full-color issue you can read about seniors enjoying life and making a difference -- plus, you'll learn about upcoming events and opportunities. |
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Seniors Make fitness a priority with wellness workouts at Village Woods Community“Not only are we participating in the ‘Walk Across Illinois’ program, says General Manager Laura Veldhuizen, “we’ve also invested in specialized fitness equipment and an on-site personal trainer, beginning in March.”
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Crete, IL (Friday, February 22, 2008) – You don’t have to literally walk across Illinois to participate in Governor Quinn’s ‘Walk Across Illinois’ program. As the website says, “Walk Across Illinois encourages all Illinois residents to walk at least 167 miles—the equivalent of walking from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan—over the course of a year.” The seniors at Village Woods Christian Retirement Community in Crete, Illinois, decided this was a challenge they were up to.
To help the group, local contractor Ron Bol came to the campus and measured the indoor walking paths, so residents could begin tracking their miles. And State Farm Insurance Agent Alan Bartels made a donation of 20 pedometers, so residents could log miles wherever they walk. “We really appreciate that kind of community support,” says Laura Veldhuizen, General Manager. “It’s nice to know that people want us to succeed.” Participating residents have registered online and will receive a certificate when they meet their goal. In fact, Walk Across Illinois is just one way Veldhuizen is promoting wellness at Village Woods. She has also contracted with Alliance Rehab to offer a program called SeniorFITness™. SeniorFITness™ is a family of programs that use Nautilus equipment specially designed for seniors. The weights are shielded and set in smaller increments. The seats are wider and easier to adjust. In addition, cardiovascular machines, free weights, a physioball, therabands, and sportscords give a full-body workout appropriate for seniors. All the exercises and activities are designed to enhance quality of life for seniors by increasing their independence and their ability to perform daily activities—in fact, the “FIT” in SeniorFITness™ stands for Functionally Integrated Training. The program includes wellness classes and workout sessions supervised by on-staff personal trainers. For those under medical care, the trainer generates a report for the participant to share with his or her doctor. The first pieces of exercise equipment arrived at Village Woods last week. Four more pieces—a Nautilus Tricep Press, Lower Back Machine, Leg Press, Compound Row, and Vertical Press—are due by the end of February. Village Woods plans to demonstrate the equipment at a special Open House on March 10 that will include a presentation by Dr. Thomas Sattler, an expert on health and fitness for seniors, who helped develop the SeniorFITness™ program and now serves as a wellness consultant and motivational speaker. People who participate in SeniorFITness™ work with a trainer to set their own goals and determine their own definitions of “fitness.” For some it means walking without a walker. Others work on improving their balance. And many just want to maintain an energy level that will help them keep up with their grandkids. The trainers show them strengthening, balancing, cardiovascular, and flexibility exercises, and teach them how to use the different exercise machines for a safe and effective workout. “Each machine is good,” says Fred Bolhouse, an Illinois senior who participates in SeniorFITness™ at Holland Home, Village Woods’ sister community in South Holland. Fred works out with personal trainer Rich Dobrzynski at least twice a week. “And Rich gives you a good workout. He keeps track of what you accomplished at your last session and encourages you to do more each time. He’s good. I spend about a half hour with him twice a week, followed by a nice cold glass of water. Ahhh!” Village Woods is located at 2681 South Route 394 in Crete, IL, adjoining the Balmoral Golf Course. Call 708-672-6111 for more information. 
With some help from a walker and Activity Aide Susan Carlsen, Lillian Koelling (in red) plans to “Walk Across Illinois” this year, participating in Governor Quinn’s program encouraging people to walk 167 miles. Lillian and other residents of Village Woods Christian Retirement Community are keeping track of their mileage as well as participating in SeniorFITness, a wellness program specifically for seniors.
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About Village Woods Village Woods is an independent and assisted living community committed to providing Christ-like care and service to seniors. For more information about Village Woods, please visit www.resthaven.com. |
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Copyright © Rest Haven Christian Services
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