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Sunday, March 23, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 24Cook also highlights that physicalactivity fosters social interaction.%u201cEven if you're not naturally social,exercising still provides opportunitiesto engage with others%u2014whether it%u2019s a brief conversation with someonenearby or simply being around people,%u201d she explains. %u201cThis means that eventhose who aren%u2019t social butterflies canstill experience the social benefits of exercise.%u201dSometimes it can be difficult forseniors to find an exercise regimenthat works for them. Many seniorswho live at home don%u2019t have accessto transportation %u2014 or they maypicture exercise as only high-intensityworkouts. But Cook emphasizes that%u2019s not the case and exercise can be assimple as walking around the corner.%u201cYou can exercise in chairs; you cando chair yoga, which doesn%u2019t requirea lot of balance,%u201d she says. For thosewho are mobile, there are options liketai chi.Emerald Communities offers aholistic fitness approach catering toall levels of ability and preference. For example, the fitness center on sitehas equipment specifically designedfor seniors like low-impact machines and seated options for gentle strength training. Every incoming resident isencouraged to meet with a certifiedtrainer for a fitness assessment soworkouts can be tailored to theirphysical ability, health status andfitness goals.Many residents have taken theinitiative to create independentactivities in addition to the group activities that are already available. Activities range from hiking topickleball to boxing. %u201cWhen there%u2019s avery specific interest, that can attract people who are similar minded, like inthe hiking group,%u201d says Cook. %u201cThere%u2019speople who love to go outdoors who want to get the benefit of that, butthen they find that the connection withnature is so good for their soul.%u201d A lot of places, including EmeraldCommunities, use VR technologies tohelp with the fitness options. Cook says seniors are finding that the technologybrings them to another place bymaking it look like they%u2019re at the gymeven when they%u2019re not. Of course, notSPONSORED CONTENTPROVIDED BY EMERALD COMMUNITIES | EMERALD HEIGHTSFitness and physical activity are keycomponents to healthy aging andmaintaining independence, health and social engagement. However, maintaining a level of physical activitycan be easier said than done. Inaddition to health conditions suchas arthritis, osteoporosis and heartdisease, other barriers include thehesitancy to exercise due to fear ofinjury or simply not feeling comfortablein the gym.Finding ways to overcome thesebarriers is crucial, especially due to the positive impacts of physical activity onboth the body and the mind. SandraCook, vice president of marketing and PR at Emerald Communities, says thatexercise can help in many ways. Cooknotes that exercise helps with mentaland emotional health, cardiovascularhealth, muscle strength, fall prevention,bone density, immune system andsleep quality. %u201cThe people who exercise the mosttend to have a better quality of life %u2014and I%u2019m not talking about longevity,but quality of the years they have left,%u201d says Cook. She explains that in theworld of memory care, one of the mosteffective ways to delay memory loss or dementia is exercise (along with good sleep and healthy eating habits).Overcoming barriers to fitness as we ageEmerald Communities provide vibrant lifestyles and comprehensive care foraging adults. With a strong focus on financial stability, exceptional service, andcommunity engagement, Emerald Communities ensures that residents enjoy aWo secure and enriching living experience. Learn more at emeraldheights.com. rkouts can be tailored to physical ability, health status and fitness goals. (Emerald Heights)Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk in a local park. (Emerald Heights)every solution is for every person. If, forexample, you have cardiac problems orvision issues, it%u2019s best to do exercisesthat are holistic and gentle with yourbody such as Pilates or tai chi. %u201cThosewill still help you work on that corebalance and you don%u2019t have to get onthe machine and run three miles in 10minutes,%u201d says Cook.She emphasizes the importance oflistening to residents, particularly whenit comes to their capabilities. Some people will do high-intensity workoutswith personal trainers, while otherswho rely on a wheelchair or walker willfocus on continued mobility in specific areas of the body. When it comes to overcomingbarriers, Cook says the most importantthing is to be aware of the accessibilityof exercise, and then to just do it. %u201cThe moment you start creating that habit, it helps everyone preserve so manydifferent parts of the body and thebrain,%u201d says Cook.