Liz Oeffinger
Health and Wellness Coordinator
loeffinger@shelbyseniorservices.orgLiz has attended Indiana University studying Human Development and Family Studies. Liz has worked in the senior community for 3 years.
Have a Very Social New Year
Now that the holidays have come and gone, it is time to look ahead into the new year. When most make New Year’s resolutions it typically involves healthy eating, losing weight, or exercising more. While focusing on physical health is extremely important, so are the other aspects of health such as mental, emotional, and social. The holidays can become tiring and it’s nice to take a little break and recoup after all of the festivities are over, but staying social and active is a major part of maintaining wellness.
Staying socially active offers a variety of benefits. Seniors are often at risk for loneliness and depression as a result of living alone or increased isolation. Participating in activities stimulates your mind and keeps you engaged with others. Even joining a friend or family member for lunch can keep you connected. Social activities help to maintain and increase cognitive function which can also decrease the risk of dementia and other mental diseases. Focusing on your social wellness also affects your physical health. Going to activities keeps you up and moving. Attending exercise classes is also a great way to stay social as well as working on your physical abilities.
Make sure the cold January weather and relief of ending the holidays doesn’t keep you at home for too long! Reach out to those who may need that extra push to join you at the Horizon Center for a card game or an exercise class. Ask a friend out to lunch who doesn’t typically leave their home, or make a house visit to someone you haven’t seen lately whether it’s a friend, family member, or neighbor. Socialization for seniors is equally important to maintaining overall wellness. We hope to see plenty of new faces at the Horizon Center this year!
Shelby Senior Services offers a variety of opportunities to support active lifestyles for building strength.
Yumba Gold is here!! Join us on the 1st & 3rd Monday each month. The class focuses on balance, strength, range of motion and coordination. Cost is $5.00 per class. What a fun way to get healthy!!
Parkinson’s Exercise and Support Group: This is a FREE event that meets at SportWorks at the Renovo Clinic on Wednesday Jan. 9th and Jan. 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Instructed by Lisa Coppetelli.
Where: Sports Works at ReNovo
275 West Bassett Road, Shelbyville 46176
Transportation services available through ShelbyGo. Must schedule your ride by calling 317-398-7614
Can You Help Us?
The agency offers blood pressure and blood sugar checks to seniors every Friday morning 8:30-9:30 a.m. Can you help administer those for us? Call 317-398-0127.
Active Lifestyle Enhance Safety, Socialization
Senior Services offers a variety of opportunities to support active lifestyles for building strength. Fitness programs include:
Geri-Fit has changed it’s time!
Classes will now take place Tuesday afternoons at 1:00pm. Join us for healthy snacks and exercises May 1st. If you attend four classes within May 1st to June 26th, your name will be put into a raffle for a prize! Join us for some strength training, fall prevention, and muscle building. There’s no cost for this program, only healthy benefits and rewards! This is a chair exercise, strength training, and muscle building and maintaining class for seniors. This class prevents falls and reduces arthritic conditions. Please bring your water bottle and two 2 lb. weights. Please contact Liz Oeffinger if you are interested in the class or have questions.
Yoga:
Chair yoga Mondays at 12:30-1:00 p.m. Cost is $5; regular yoga Mondays at 1:00p.m. Cost is $5. Class is led by certified instructor Jerrillee Lucas. Classes are helpful for balance, flexibility, and strength. Anyone is welcome to attend!
T’ai Chi Alumni:
Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Bowling:
Every Friday, 12:30 p.m. for anyone 60 years of age and older at Blue River Bowl, 1601 S. Miller St. Either $2 per game or colored pin bowling at three games for $7.50.
Walk with Ease: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1:00 p.m. We will meet at the Parks Department Paul Cross Gym. When weather permits, we will be meeting at Blue River Memorial Park. Contact Liz at Shelby Senior Services to check location or with questions (317)398-0127. Bring a water bottle and your walking shoes!
Line Dancing: Line Dancing is back! Join us on Thursday Jan. 10th and Jan. 24th from 12:30 p.m. here at Shelby Senior Services. No cost.
Rock Steady Boxing:
Attention: Punch back against Parkinson’s! Rock Steady Boxing Shelby County is a non-contact exercise program designed for those with Parkinson’s. Each class helps to improve physical and mental health through boxing, exercises, and friendship. Stop by a class to see what it is all about! If you have Parkinson’s and are interested in becoming a boxer with ROCK STEADY BOXING, please contact Liz Oeffinger at 317-398-0127 for more information. Classes meet every Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; as well as Saturday 9:30 a.m. (call for Saturday availability) at the Briley Family Center located at 762 Fair Avenue, Shelbyville.