Grandma Goes On Email Rampage
“ONLY IN AMERICA, WHEN YOU’VE REACHED 50 YOU’RE CONSIDER A NON-ENTITY!” Watson wrote in scream caps. “I DON’T GET IT...60 MILLION BOOMERS....80 MILLION OVER AGE 65 ...WITH DISPOSABLE AND DISCRETIONARY INCOMES...WITH VIBRANT TALENT AND ENERGY AND YET WE’RE TOTALLY IGNORED!
WHY DOES AMERICA DEVALUE AGE MORE THAN ANY OTHER NATION IN THE WORLD?”
Now, Watson, a self-described "exercise evangalist," wants to mobilize her peers to unite.
Her message is a good one: get moving, because exercise is empowering and can lead to greater independence and quality of life.
“What gets worse with age, gets better with exercise,” said Watson, a grandmother, stair climber and runner who participates in fitness and beauty pageants and was named Ms. Illinois America in 2000. "I'm 73, simply sensational, sexy and sizzling!"
And though she's frustrated by age discrimination, she's not alone in her mission to help seniors improve their life through fitness.
At Smith Crossing, a continuing care retirement community in Orland Park, residents work with exercise physiologist Jennifer Bahr to develop their own exercise program on equipment specially designed for seniors.
Over 80 percent of the independent living residents have signed up for the SeniorFITness program which is run in conjunction with Alliance Rehab Inc. One man was so excited about how much his balance improved that he wrote a poem about it.
Another program for seniors, called The SilverSneakers Fitness Program, is designed to help older adults take control of their health. It’s a free service for those who belong to participating Medicare health plans or Medicare Supplement carriers.
Some of the perks include:
- A free basic membership at a local participating fitness center with access to conditioning classes, exercise equipment, pool, sauna and other amenities that accompany the basic membership.
- Access to any participating fitness center throughout the U.S. while traveling.
- Customized SilverSneakers classes designed exclusively for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.
- Health education seminars and other events that promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
- A specially trained Senior Advisor at the fitness center to introduce you to SilverSneakers and acquaint you with their site.
