Goodwood Community Health Center Fitness and Wellness Group have made it their mission to look after the health and well-being of their seniors in the community.
Naomi Mingo, health promoter practitioner at Goodwood Community Health Center, brought this initiative to stand in 2017. Since then seniors had the opportunity to join excursions such as surf walks and visits to Parliament. They often also have different institutions giving several talks to the seniors.
On Friday 6 May, the seniors got a visit from the Goodwood police talking to them about safety awareness.
Capt Wayne Theunis, who led the talk, said it is important to have these types of talks with the seniors because they are often victims of crime. He gave them general safety tips for in and around the house, making them aware of possible attacks. “Many seniors like to work in their garden on weekdays, when it is quiet, and not over the weekend when most people are at home.” This, says Capt Theunis, is one of the things seniors should take into consideration for their own safety. Be busy outside where your neighbours are also busy.
He also made them aware of devices such as loose cables that can make them fall.
Theunis also mentioned a new trend where seniors are the target to be robbed of their groceries as soon as they exit the shops. He made them conscious of not leaving their handbags or trolleys unattended, because criminals often just put their hands into bags that are hanging over the shoulder or that is behind their backs. “They must always be in control of their handbags,” captain Theunis said.
According to Mingo the fitness and wellness group gets together twice a week at the Goodwood Library Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00. There they do exercises for about 30 minutes, followed by basic dance sessions, they also get regular wellness education and twice a year they have group wellness sessions.
There are two main objectives for the group. The first one being different lifestyle changes and goal setting. This is where seniors get assisted with weight loss challenges (three months started April ending June). It is not just a diet, but a plan implementing healthier eating and in moderation.
They also have a water drinking challenge that challenges the seniors into drinking six to eight glasses of water per day.
The second objective is wellness awareness talks/ education. This is to educate the group about the need to take precautions about ways to live healthier. A healthy lifestyle means they can cook healthy recipes at home.
Exercise is one of the most important activities to maintain independence in older adults. Hobbies are essential to remain socially connected and engaged in life! Staying fit and healthy for as long as possible help improve happiness and quality of life.
Benefits of exercising when you’re a senior includes improving your mood and fighting off depression, loneliness and anxiety. It improves sleep and it’s fun! According to Mingo, it also increases lifespan and provides the social connection and motivation one needs to stick with. Exercise positively impacts and increases improvement in mental health, physical, social, psychological and emotional well-being.
“As we age, it’s normal to not have the stamina and agility we enjoyed in our younger years. But getting older doesn’t have to mean becoming a couch, chair or bed potato,” Mingo said.
Help care workers change lives by becoming a supporter of The Goodwood Community Day Care Fitness and Wellness Club.
