Gordon in the News: last updated 05/28/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]
WENHAM, MA— Many senior citizens wonder if they can increase their physical strength the older they get. Marie Lucey, director of the Center for Balance, Mobility and Wellness at Gordon College, knows they can.
To help residents 55 and older better understand just how they can strengthen their muscles and improve their overall health, Lucey and a team of physical therapists will offer a free fitness screening Saturday, June 13th from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Center (near Brigham Athletic Complex at Gordon College). The screening will also be a part of the Center’s one-year anniversary and to celebrate, grandchildren, neighbors or friends who bring a senior to the Center for a free screening will also receive a $1.00 coupon off of Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream in Beverly, Manchester, and Salem.
“We want to help people become more aware of how beneficial exercise is for the aging population,” said Lucey. “A free fitness screening helps us achieve that goal, and by asking children to bring their grandparents or parents is a great way for us to celebrate our one year anniversary. Who doesn’t like ice cream?”
The screening will involve a number of short fun exercises that assess an individual’s agility, endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Each participant will have his/her performance compared to age-related normative measures and given results, feedback and guidelines for improving fitness safely and effectively.
“Whether a senior has balance problems or is feeling great, our Center provides individualized fitness and wellness oriented programs to help live healthy and active lives,” Lucey said. “And having a place like this to come helps seniors exercise alongside peers, which is encouraging and less intimidating. The benefits improve their overall mobility to do the things they like to do: gardening, golf, playing with grandchildren. The free screening is another way for us to build that community!”
Since June of 2008, the Center for Balance, Mobility and Wellness has offered state of the art facilities and support for fitness and wellness promotion for adults aged 55 and older. Its three-fold purpose is to provide quality balance retraining programs designed for the prevention of falls and improvements in balance, mobility and coordination; a variety of learning opportunities for students of kinesiology as well as those in other academic disciplines at Gordon College; and an educational and clinical program that serves as an ongoing resource for balance, mobility and wellness issues.
Whether you are 55 or 95 years old, ALL fitness screenings are free and available by calling 978.867.4095 to reserve an appointment. Anyone who brings a senior to the screening receives a $1.00 coupon for Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream.
The Gordon College Center for Balance, Mobility and Wellness is located near the Brigham Athletic Complex at 26R Hull Street, Wenham, MA, exit 17 from R128. To find out more about the free fitness screening, please call 978.867.4095. For more information on the Center, visit http://www.gordon.edu/balance .
For additional information, contact the Office of College Communications at 978.867.4752.
