VERMONT – The cold winter months can be marked by periods of isolation for older adults, as some community amenities are closed and normal pathways for social gatherings are on pause.
But Age Well offers many programs locally to tackle the winter blues and United Way’s Bone Builders program keeps older adults busy by engaging them in healthy activities.
United Way’s Bone Builders
United Way’s Bone Builders program is a strength training program held two to three times per week in public and private venues throughout Northwest Vermont. It is designed for older adults with osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle as people age, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures.
Not only does the program help support the physical health of participants by halting or even reversing the progress of the condition, but it has other benefits as well. One participant said they could lift a kayak onto their car again after doing the exercise program, according to a testimonial.
“They start building lifelong friendships with the folks in the class,” Bone Builders coordinator Danielle Schwer said. “They are happier, especially during the winter time, having that space where they can get out and still see people and build those relationships.”
The class can be done seated as well as standing to accommodate different levels of physical ability. Movements include arm and leg exercises for people to practice rotating.
Even though Schwer is not yet a senior, she has also noticed benefits when she participates in the program.
“When I first started, I was like, ‘Oh, I could easily do this.’ Because I was 25 at the time, and I’m teaching people who are in their eighties and not looking down on them, but just thinking like, ‘Oh, I’m stronger, I could do this.’ And they were doing it more consistently than me so they were stronger than me.”
Age is just a number and it is possible to reap the benefits of exercise even if you are older, Schwer said.
Bone Builders hosts classes at community venues like Richmond Congregational Church and Swanton Public Library, typically in the morning and early afternoon. Learn more about them at unitedwaynwvt.org/community-impact/our-programs/bone-builders.
Age Well programs
While people have different preferences for how they live and age, Age Well’s director of nutrition and wellness, Chris Moldovan said services like Age Well can help people get connected to resources that help them stay in touch with the world.
“I think some people thrive in an independent environment and other people want that connectedness and closeness,” she said. “Reaching out in the community, whether it’s delivering meals on wheels, or teaching a Tai Chi class, or visiting a neighbor can help someone feel more connected and less isolated.”
Age Well’s hotline phone number is 1-800-642-5119. The operator can connect callers with experts for free who can then refer them to resources and answer questions about community meals, classes, and other programs.
Keeping people’s accessibility and cultural needs in mind is also important for helping them reach out, Moldovan said.
“Maybe they live in an apartment building with other people who they could connect with or maybe they live in a single-family dwelling. All of those different circumstances play a part in how somebody plans their day-to-day and how they feel about things,” she said.
“Whether it’s dark and dreary, or sunny and warm, we have to be agile enough to react and maintain that healthy attitude,” she added.
Learn more about Age Well’s programs for supporting wellness in older adults, including community meals and nutrition counseling at agewellvt.org/services/health-wellness.
written by Jean Macbride for The Essex Reporter