Sedgebrook Seniors Log Thousands of Hours in Fitness Challenge

Seymour Bartlett has an interesting way of stretching his quadriceps. "I take a seat on a rising and lowering machine, hook my feet, and lean back until my heels touch my butt. Can you picture that?" asked the resident of Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire. This drill, along with swimming, is part of a daily routine that has helped him get around without the walker and cane that used to accompany him everywhere. It is also part of a 60-day fitness challenge that Bartlett and residents of Sedgebrook and communities of its management company Life Care Services (LCS), were invited to accept.

If 100,000 hours of exercise were logged by residents, staff and corporate members of LCS between May 27 and July 25, the organization promised a $10,000 donation to the Alzheimer's Association. Sedgebrook achieved the LCS goal of at least 16,000 hours per community, and residents across all communities totaled 222,853. "That's double the initial 100,000-hour goal, achieved by seniors alone, and LCS made their generous donation!" said Sedgebrook fitness specialist Jackie Nitsche. Some of those who took the challenge will also participate in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's, held in over 600 communities nationwide.

Activities that qualified as exercise for residents varied widely. "They really had fun with it! While (fitness manager) Ruth Reyna and I tracked their daily activity in the fitness center and classes, residents tracked other activities they're involved in, such as gardening, golfing, bowling, walking the dog, and water volleyball," said Nitsche.

Resident John Kanya (whose outgoing phone message tells callers he's out winning the lottery) relishes the summer days by playing golf. Resident Sue Dalton attends bi-weekly water aerobics classes and participates in water and chair volleyball.

"Exercise is what I do first thing in the morning anyway, and it was fun to keep track of my hours for the challenge. I liked knowing I was making a difference in the search for a cure for Alzheimer's, and I made sure to remind other residents to log their time, too," said Dalton. Seymour Bartlett's wife, Idell, walks the treadmill five times per week, and the couple (whom Seymour describes as "inseparable") counted the time they spent walking to and from meals as fair game for the challenge. "Our apartment is the farthest from the dining hall-it's a long walk four times a day!" said Seymour.

"Exercise makes me feel so much better; I never used a fitness center before, but it's right here and so convenient. So is the pool, and I love the water classes," said Dalton. According to Bartlett, regular exercise has given him a new lease on life. "I can walk without a walker!" He also attributes longevity in general to living at Sedgebrook. "It's just wonderful here. There is every opportunity to live life to the fullest."

Sedgebrook is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 92-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is owned by Senior Care Development LLC and managed by Life Care Services LLC. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call (847) 901-3319.