Sun-Sentinel: Pompano Beach Community Hosts Fitness Event for Seniors

October 23, 2010 – By Julie Levin, Special Correspondent

Some came in wheelchairs, some on walkers, but all the seniors who turned out for a recent fitness walk in Pompano Beach shared the same goal.

"There's sunshine, fresh air and, most important, the exercise," said Clarence Mizeika, a Fort Lauderdale man determined to take part despite recent hip surgery.

The event, WALK! with Aegis Therapies, was staged at John Knox Village, a continuing care retirement community. A separate walk was staged the same day at Miami Jewish Health Systems. Both events were part of a five-day series of activities during Active Aging Week, designed to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles among older adults. Both events were led by fitness expert Chris Freytag.

"Our goal is to celebrate Active Aging Week and get as many people as we can moving and having fun," said Freytag, national spokeswoman for Aegis.

Nationwide, more than 600 facilities took part in the fitness walk. Freytag crisscrossed the country throughout the week, personally encouraging seniors at 10 locations in five states.

At John Knox Village, she began by leading the crowd of several dozen people with a "pep rally." She had them roll their shoulders, stretch their arms and move to the music, all to help get them moving. Those unable to walk, or with limited mobility and movement, were encouraged to do whatever they could, even if it was just tapping a toe.

"Any movement is good movement," she said.

After the warm-up, those who could walked around a half-mile course. It's a course Diane Dalsimer knows well — she and husband John try to walk at least three times a week.

"I want to keep myself fit, so I can play tennis a few times a week," she said.

Participants also were encouraged to walk 15 to 30 minutes on each of the five days of Active Aging Week. Each day, a different "dimension of wellness" was highlighted, including physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, occupational and social.

"Today is all about trying to increase awareness on getting healthy and walking," said Mark Rayner, John Knox's director of health facilities.

Freytag said many seniors have told her the walks are more fun than they have had for a long while. She had a message for seniors who couldn't attend.

"It's never too late. You are never too old to get moving in some way," she said.