There’s no guarantee that exercise will improve your mobility and skills, but one thing IS guaranteed — if you don’t exercise as you age, you’ll loose skills, mobility and the ability to perform the activities of daily living.
“Exercise is the way we keep these skills, like walking up the stairs, getting in and out of the car or grabbing items off a high shelf,” says Jenny Murray, Director of Resident Enrichment at Island House MBK Senior Living. “At Island House we offer programming that inspires and motivates residents to engage in lifelong health and wellness habits. It’s fun, dynamic, diverse, and accessible to all ability levels.”
How movement can improve your life:
- Improve stamina, muscle strength, balance and maintain healthy bones and joints
- Foster improvements in overall mood and feelings of well-being
- Help control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis
- Reduce risk of dementia
- Help maintain the ability to live independently
“When we lose strength and mobility, we increase medical costs and our need for assistive devices. But the real cost of decreased mobility is a loss of independence,” Jenny says.
A busy December at Island House!
- Bell Choir concerts: Rebecca Wu brings handbells to Island House and organizes a 30 minute resident rehearsal, and then the group performs for the rest of the community.
- Barbara’s weight and balance classes, and Will’s men’s 15 minute workouts: “Between Barbara, Will and me, we offer 15 fitness classes a week. I always put on a lot of disco music because it really gets us moving!” Jenny says. Everyone who participates gets another star on their “Exercise All Star” card, and the personal satisfaction of filling it up through the year.
- Balloon volleyball: When Jenny strings up a low volleyball net at Island House, residents often play for at least an hour!
- Hanukkah celebrations: “We’ve had different volunteers visit every day this week to lead a discussion, activities and prayers,” Jenny says. “Last year we weren’t able to do anything, and this year I’m making up for it!”
- Weekly painting club: “Some of our residents were professional artists earlier in their lives, so we create some really impressive work!” Jenny says.
Serving the Island’s seniors since 1989
Island House senior living has 79 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of town center. About half of the seniors live independently, and half take advantage of assisted living services like medication monitoring, mobility assistance and nursing needs. You can move in as a young senior and age in place.
To book a tour call 206-209-0768, or visit mbkseniorliving.com/senior-living/wa/mercer-island/island-house-assisted-living to learn more. Find Island House at 7810 SE 30th St., Mercer Island.
Island House is a tight-knit community of 79 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Mercer Island town center. About half of the seniors live independently, and half take advantage of assisted living services.
