By Johnny Duncan

Some experts on aging have recommended that doctors prescribe exercise for older adults. The belief is that, since seniors are used to getting prescriptions and typically follow the orders of the script, they will be more inclined to pursue a consistently active lifestyle. Unfortunately, there are many seniors in East Orlando who do not age actively. They probably would though if they knew of the resources available in their own backyard.

Joe Vladyka is 69 years young. He works out almost every day (bench presses over 350 pounds!), dances a few nights a week, and owns his own forklift business where he puts in over ten hours a day.

“I’ve found that if you exercise, you eliminate so many health problems that are commonly found in the older crowd,” states Joe. “I don’t have any aches or pains and I haven’t been to the doctor for any kind of illness in a very long time. I feel like I’m 30 years old.” Joe says that he programs his workouts into every day. That way he makes it a part of a routine that keeps him consistent.

According to the World Health Association, the proportion of people age 60 and over is growing faster than any other age group. Between 1970 and 2025, a growth in older persons of some 694 million is expected. In 2025, there will be a total of about 1.2 billion people over the age of 60. To enjoy these “extra” years, consistent activity is required.

Researchers have found that physical activity can improve the health of people who are 90 or older, who are frail, or who have diseases that seem to accompany aging. Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay some diseases and disabilities as people grow older. In some cases, it can improve health for older people who already have diseases and disabilities, if it’s done on a long-term, consistent basis. Exercise reduces the onset of chronic diseases in both healthy and chronically ill older people, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that it can also substantially reduce the severity of disabilities associated with heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

Staying active also improves mental capabilities. Some of the activities recommended by the aging experts include working crossword puzzles, card games, and reading books. The key in most of these activities is simply beginning them. “Most people want to get active, but they don’t take the initiative,” says Joe. “I believe the biggest failure in our society is not reaching out to others to get them involved. My father-in-law loves to do active things, but he won’t get started – he needs a push. If people would volunteer to go pick up our elderly and take them to simple things, like a dance for seniors, or a high school football game, just to get them out and moving.”

Some of the places for older folks to go to get active in a group environment include the YMCA (Avalon Park 407-381-2512), which offers group exercise classes and opportunities to volunteer to help kids; Dance Orlando (407-830-5523), offering dance lessons and special dance nights; Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex (407-245-0921); L. Claudia Allen Senior Center (407-295-5722); William Beardall Senior Center (407-246-2637); and Festival of Dance (407-737-6772), providing dance lessons and dance events for all kinds of dancing.

In addition to getting physically active, our older residents can enhance their lives and work their mental muscles by volunteering. So many opportunities exist from Meals on Wheels to driving other seniors to appointments to becoming politically active. All of these activities add value as well as quality years to a life.