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Niles senior center classes benefit the mind and body
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Brian Jones, a certified fitness instructor, leads senior citizens in a movement in the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program offered at Niles SCOPE Senior Center.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
linonis@vindy.com
NILES
Judy Fabian and Ray Novotny, co-managers at Niles SCOPE Senior Center, frequently hear two comments on how the site benefits people.
“This place saved my life,” Fabian said participants have told her.
Novotny said he’s often told by those who come to the center — “what would I do without this place?”
The managers said senior citizens have shared that they’ve become re-acquainted with former classmates and old neighbors and made new friends. The fellowship is the bonus to being involved in activities that include exercise classes and dancing for the body and card playing and computer classes to engage the mind.
“From the top of the head to the bottom of the feet” is how Fabian described the range.
The co-managers said exercise classes are popular because they help participants “stay flexible” and “improve balance.”
Brian Jones, a certified fitness instructor, leads an Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at 11 a.m. Mondays and Fridays.
“These exercises are for the whole body,” Jones said. For some exercises, participants sit on a chair, which also is used for balance.
“Posture is a big thing as you age. Some people have osteoporosis,” Jones said. Posture can affect balance and possibly lead to a fall and posture also affects breathing.
He said as people age sometimes their shoulders start to round, they become hunched over and breathing is compromised. “We do an exercise to squeeze the shoulder blades together,” Jones said, which counteracts the hunching.
The fitness instructor also noted that as people age, getting up out of a chair may become difficult. “People get stiff as they sit,” he said, “these exercises help keep them as lose as possible.”
He continued that “stretching the calves” is important for older people because keeping that area limber helps balance. Jones also noted that some older people experience cramping and exercise counters that.
Jones said he’s instructed the senior citizens for two years. “They’re the easiest group to work with,” he said of age groups. “They’re the most dedicated and always show up.”
Jones continued that even if “someone is having a bad day,” he or she carries on. “They have a ‘work’ ethic from their lives that they apply in class,” Jones said. “They’re self-sufficient and do the best they can.”
Tom “T.K.” Kress, a Niles resident, said he’s frequented the senior center for about three months. He attends the arthritis exercise sessions and Tai Chi. “It benefits me physically and makes me feel better,” the 76-year-old said.
Kress said his daughter suggested he attend and he acted on it. “I look forward to it,” he said, adding he also has lunch there. “It’s a friendly place and gets me out.”
Mabel Pascarzi, also of Niles, has come to the senior center since it opened. The 90-year-old said, “It’s worth coming because it helps me stay flexible.”
She added that she likes to attend the lunch and learn programs offered.
Barb Irwin of Niles has come to the center about seven years for exercise and yoga classes. “It’s helped me physically and to stay flexible,” the 85-year-old said.
“I’ve met new friends and seen old ones,” she said.
“If I didn’t come here, I’d be in the Lazy Boy all day long,” said Patty DeMas of Girard. “Coming to exercise class helps keep me nimble and my fingers flexible.”
Fabian and Novotny said the center is open to anyone 50 and older; there are about 30 participants who are 90 and older.
An annual membership is $15 for single and $25 for a couple or people can pay by the class.
The center is open weekdays; lunches are $3. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays see the highest attendance between 100 and 150 people coming through the door while Tuesdays and Thursdays have about 80 people, often more if there is a 500 card tournament under way.
The city of Niles provides the building and pays utilities.