Assisted Living

By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.

This week in the news, there were several stories about exercise, older adults and Alzheimer’s disease that caught my attention.

A story was posted on Nov. 25, 2010 by the New York Times about a 91-year-old Canadian woman who was undergoing testing at the Montreal Chest Institute at McGill University. She was on a treadmill hooked to electrodes that were measuring changes in her cardiac output. Blood was drawn to be tested while others were observing and taking notes.

The tests, however, were not being conducted to identify a medical problem. Rather researchers were taking a look the potential of exercise as a way to combat the effects of aging.

The person being tested, Olga Kotelko, is one of the few people in their 90s who compete in the world master track championships. Her scores in events such as the shot put, high jump and 100-meter dash top the 100% mark.

Click here to read the story on The Incredible Flying Nonagenarian that was written by Bruce Grierson and you can watch the video below about Olga.

Benefits of “Fit & Strong”

An article that was posted on Nov. 30 in The Courier News highlighted the benefits of the Fit & Strong program that was tested this fall at our Heritage Woods of South Elgin affordable assisted living community.

Heritage Woods of South Elgin was one of three communities in the Chicago area selected by the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition to test this award-winning program that was created through a partnership between the Arthritis Foundation and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center for Research on Health & Aging (UIC).

The program is designed for individuals suffering for osteoarthritis or arthritis in the lower extremities. The eight-week program involves education, exercise and evaluation and has been shown to improve stiffness, pain and strength in the lower extremities and increase aerobic capacity.

A grant secured by the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition (AALC), which is based in Springfield, Illinois, enabled Heritage Woods to test the program.

The story written by Janelle Walker for The Courier News highlights the impact that Fit and Strong had on an 83-year-old and 90-year-old. Click here to read the story.

Telethon to Shed Light on Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will be hosting its first “Together for Care” telethon on NBC-TV this Saturday, Dec. 4.

Our hope is that the show “raises the nation’s consciousness about Alzheimer’s disease to a whole new level,” says Al Roker of the “Today” show, who will serve as host.

The telethon will include a look at the current state of Alzheimer’s disease from the perspective of medical experts and family members who are caring for loved ones.

The telethon will air on NBC in 16 major markets and will be telecast on-line on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website.

In Chicago, the telethon is scheduled to air on WMAQ from 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and on Comcast Channel 194 from 7 to 8 p.m.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.