Serving Our Seniors Magazine April - June 2025

Have you ever wondered if exercising really makes a difference at your age? We have and we conducted a pilot project/study to see for ourselves. 9 female participants aged 65 and older participated in a pilot study on the benefits of exercise for those who live a sedentary lifestyle. A licensed physical therapist evaluated each participant before, during and after the exercise course. The older adults participated in two- 45 minute sessions of exercise per week. The exercises were designed to improve balance, endurance, upper and lower body strength, speed and flexibility. The classes ran from Sept 10 - December 5, 2024. All classes were led by licensed physical therapist assistants. Integrated Therapeutic Healing in Norwalk provided the staff for this study. By averaging all participants assessment data the pilot project showed the following improvements: • Chair stand test (leg strength): 32.7% overall strength improvement. • Arm curl test (arm/ bicep strength): 35.7% overall strength improvement. • 6-minute walk test (distance walked in 6 minutes for endurance): 229.5 feet longer than originally tested. • Chair sit and reach test (lower back and leg flexibility): 2.6 inches more flexible reaching towards toes. • 8 foot up and go test (speed of getting out of chair and walking 8 feet then sitting back down): 1.8 seconds quicker. • Single leg stance (balance on one leg): 6.76 seconds longer. This data shows improvements do occur, in later life, when exercising two days per week. The participants reported that they looked forward to exercise classes because of the new friendships they developed. They reported feeling better and it was easier to navigate their day-to-day lives. In an on-going effort to hold Ohio lawmakers, accountable, in the Ohio Statehouse, Serving Our Seniors and the Sandusky Register will be hosting Real Estate Tax & Later Life (Part II): What Are Our Lawmakers Doing to Create a Fix. The purpose of this forum is to update Erie County older adults on the legislative actions, currently proposed. Do these bills prevent older adults from being taxed out of their home, now and in the future? If you are a reader, who is feeling defeated and believe “you cannot fight city hall”…. Think again! Both, Ohio Representative, DJ Swearingen and Ohio Senator, Theresa Gavarone have accepted the invitation along with Erie County Treasurer, Caleb Stidham and Erie County Auditor, Rick Jeffrey. Ultimately, it is up to retirees to exercise their influence by attending. 300 or more retirees are needed to send a clear message – Retired people expect to afford the taxes on the home they live in. (Note: The actual number of chairs available are limited to 200. Attendees are encouraged to bring a folding chair.) As I am writing this article, a request has been submitted to hold this forum at the UAW Hall, 3114 Hayes Ave. in Perkins Twp, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2025. Pre-registration is required 7 business days in advance. Contact Serving Our Seniors reservation line 419-504-0585 or e-mail Mail@ServingOurSeniors.org. Leave your name, phone number and date of the forum. If the forum has a change in venue or is canceled, you will be notified by telephone. Rick Jeffrey Real Estate Tax & Later Life (Part II): What Are Our Law Makers Doing to Create A Fix? By Sue Daugherty Proof it is Never too Late to Start Exercising Jerilyn Inmon, PT, Integrated Therapeutic Healing DJ Swearingen Theresa Gavarone Caleb Stidham 9