Seniors stem stress by staying active
ZELIENOPLE — Getting older is a natural part of life, but no one ever said it was easy.
Stress is a growing problem for people of all age groups, but it’s always been an issue for seniors and their caregivers because they often face difficult circumstances that are unique when compared with those in other age groups or situations.
“Seniors don’t always fully recognize what stress is,” said Stephanie Tourney, a fitness and wellness manager at Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople.
“Their stresses are different from what they were 30 years ago,” she said. “They’re more apt to be depressed and lonely when they’ve downsized.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can affect everything from behavior to energy levels and even overall health. For older people, common triggers for stress can be living apart from loved ones or losing friends.
Passavant staff try to watch for stress in residents and provide ways to help those in need. Social activities, diet and exercises are three ways the retirement community tackles senior stress problems. Exercise class offerings include chair yoga, tai chi and Qigong.
Becky Lewis, an exercise specialist who teaches the tai chi and Qigong classes at the fitness and wellness center, said participants try the classes with an open mind and come back frequently.
“Each exercise has an intention,” Lewis said. “We always do a part where we just sit down and we relax.”
Tai chi goes through various stretches and exercises through a sequence, while Qigong is a more isolated and personalized exercise. Qigong participants may do the same stretch over and over again.
Passavant resident Jean Horensky has been taking Qigong classes since they started in the spring. She also participates in yoga and cardio classes on campus.
“It has kept me much more limber, and I don’t find my body and my muscles tightening,” said Horensky, 70, who’s been a resident since December. “It’s also fun. It really is. I would say to you, anyone of any age could do it, even with limitations.
“When I go, it so relaxes me that if I choose to, I could take a nap afterward, but I don’t,” she added, with a giggle.
The fitness and wellness center at Passavant focuses on seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental and vocational.
Horensky said the exercises help her with keeping in shape and with stress, but she has another coping mechanism to deal with stress.
“The most important one for me when I’m stressed is prayer,” she said.
Passavant has about 550 residents. But seniors don’t have to live on campus grounds to take advantage of its services, such as those offered at the wellness center.
Senior citizens who live in the Zelienople area can attend some programs at a fee of $5 per class. For more information about programming at the fitness and wellness center, call 724-452-3456.
The Zelienople community, as well as the St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars, LIFE Butler County and Crown Pointe at Clearview in Butler, along with other facilities in the region, are all affiliated with Lutheran Senior Life.
