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Active Aging

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By PATTY KIM

Published: October 18, 2007

Walking on a treadmill and exercising daily is routine for Harry Seckman, who has diabetes. Now the 84-year-old is working on his flexibility to help him better maintain his balance.

"I don't fall down, but I stagger a lot," said Seckman, a 10-year resident of Regency Oaks retirement community in Clearwater.

Regency Oaks hosted an Active Aging Expo on Sept. 20, and Seckman was among about 300 participants. The draw for him was the "Sleeping Well" workshop, because his wife isn't getting enough zzz's.

"A lot of people come. Old people tend to lead a sedentary life, especially here, because they take care of you. But this is getting a good response," Seckman said.

If you wanted to discover "The 11 Barriers to Losing Stubborn Belly Fat" or how to "Lighten Up with Laughter," this expo was on the money. There were yoga and Aquasize demonstrations. Ladies in attendance were treated to free paraffin wax treatments and hand massages. The café was stocked with fruit, granola bars, 100-calorie snack packs and other healthy goodies. Exhibitors included a dentist who performed free oral cancer screenings and massage therapists who offered reflexology and kneading.

Barbara White, 80, stopped by a chiropractic booth to inquire about her upper back and arm pain from a torn rotator cuff. The appealing alternative to surgery was a pleasant surprise for her at the expo.

"I think this is a great idea. You're bound to see something you haven't bothered to look at before," White said.

Judy Stump, community relations director for the Regency Oaks life care community, coordinated the event in its second year. She even had her mother attend.

"Life can get better as you age," Stump said. "It can be a joy to get older, and you can increase your longevity. Moving to a retirement community can increase your life span as you stay engaged in activities."

There were plenty of options to choose from at the expo.

Evelyn Davis, 79, couldn't wait to try a chi machine. The Valrico resident relaxed on her back on a mat and tucked her feet into the chi machine, resembling a padded foot spa. The machine gently rocked from left to right, causing Davis to sway in a figure-eight and sending oxygen throughout her body.

"Yeah, that felt good," Davis said after her five-minute session. "It sort of gives you a little more energy, and it's quite an experience. I kind of feel renewed."

Davis and her husband, Bob, 72, rounded up some friends to visit Regency Oaks' facilities and check out the health fair.

Regency Oaks' own Henry Kwoh, 87, gave a tai chi demonstration. He's been practicing tai chi for more than 30 years and leads a class for residents at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday.

"People at our age, we need to work our bodies out. The worst thing we can do is stay in our apartments all day long," Kwoh said. "Tai chi uses very slow motions adopted for seniors, which take more oxygen. We want better use of oxygen, and that is tied to tai chi movements and breathing in and breathing out. It relaxes your mind and body.

"This is a wonderful way for Regency Oaks to try to get our residents healthy."

Seckman jumped into a strength-training workshop with Ralph Farmer of the SilverSneakers Fitness Program. Farmer had the audience using resistance bands, balls and light weights to build muscle and firm up.

Stand on a band, grab the handles, and you're ready to do some bicep curls. Grab the band behind your back for some triceps extensions, which also can be done with a towel or plastic bag.

"You can see from the response that these are things that old people need to be aware of," Seckman said. "It's nice for people to come out and exercise."

Keyword: Bring It, to check out Patty Kim's fitness blog and find out what she's been up to.

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