THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 19, 1995 TAG: 9505180350
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 175 lines
GETTING OLDER DOESN'T mean staying at home or leading a sedentary life - not in Chesapeake.
Senior citizens are discovering that there is a wide variety of activities available to them to keep them physically and emotionally healthy.
Thousands of seniors are taking advantage of free activity programs provided by the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
``We serve seniors 55 and over,'' said Kelly Mack, recreational supervisor for the city's senior citizens centers. ``We offer a nice, wide variety of programs.''
Those programs include aerobic classes, craft-making classes, special events, sightseeing tours and trips, even a monthly driving course.
In addition to a full schedule of activities at two seniors centers, one at 100 Outlaw St. and the other at 114 Freeman Ave., there are special programs at the city's six community centers, said Mack.
One example is a series of aerobic exercise classes held at Western Branch Community Center on Mondays, at Great Bridge Community Center on Tuesdays, at River Crest Community Center on Wednesdays and at Deep Creek Community Center on Thursdays.
Aerobic instructor Karen Carey said about 200 senior citizens participate in the aerobics classes, including a loyal group that follows her from one community center to another for multiple classes.
Carey designs the aerobics movements to meet the special needs of older citizens. Throughout the one-hour sessions, Carey often reminds participants to breathe normally and to pace themselves.
``It's not a competition,'' Carey stresses in class. ``You can take a break when you need to.''
Carey begins her class with simple, slow exercises and gradually increases the speed of the movements. She pauses for a short rest before moving on to a slightly more intense level of exercise.
To make the class fun, Carey combines jazz isolation movements with country line dancing steps and uses music familiar to the senior generation. At the end of the class, she leads participants to stretch out different parts of the body in a relaxed sitting position.
``You have to be sensitive to their needs,'' Carey said. ``You have to know what you want to achieve versus what they are able to do.''
Carey said her aerobic movements are developed to increase participants' general motor skills, strengthen their cardiovascular ability and to increase their flexibility.
Her teaching methods and cheerful personality won praises from the seniors who came to her class one recent morning at Western Branch Community Center.
``She's really good,'' said Mary Keefer from Great Bridge. ``She's dynamite. I hope they keep this program going for a long time.''
``She knows how to pace the class,'' agreed Jean England from Deep Creek. ``She knows how to do it the way it's supposed to be done. She talks to us constantly. We feel so fortunate to have her.''
For some, discovering the aerobics class has brought a new outlook to their life. Adler Taylor of Western Branch said he was once a lonely couch potato.
``I sat home for three years and felt sorry for myself,'' Taylor said. ``Now, after I exercise, I feel pretty good. I get to meet a lot of people and I don't have to watch the stupid TV.''
Taylor's neighbor Virginia Credle introduced him to the program.
``I saw he was lonely,'' Credle said. ``I asked him if he would want to come to the class.''
Since then, the two became good friends and have been attending the classes and other events together regularly, with Credle as the chauffeur.
The Chesapeake Senior Citizens' Mini Olympics is another event that challenges senior citizens to continue to be active.
The 16th Mini Olympics, held on May 4 at Indian River High School's stadium, featured more than 20 track and field events. More than 200 athletes participated.
``We have reached a lot of new senior citizens over the years,'' said Martha Vann, who is in charge of the Olympics. ``The purpose of the Mini Olympics is to get the seniors staying busy.''
Naomi Burke, 63, from Indian River, entered the Olympics with an ambitious plan of competing in six events. For her, the balance beam event was quite a challenge.
``I don't have very good balance,'' Burke said after she successfully made a smooth walking round on the beam. ``I count to keep myself concentrated.''
Shanita Lowery, a student at Indian River High School, helped out at the Olympics along with her fellow members of the school's track and field team.
Lowery was impressed by the energy level demonstrated by the senior competitors.
``I admire their determination,'' Lowery said. ``For example, those who do the two-mile walk and finish it. Not many of us think about doing a two-mile walk. Some people just wouldn't walk!
``I also think this is what I want to do when I get to their age. They set an example, and I want to set an example, too.''
Quitman Robinson was one of those that Lowery admired most. Robinson, 64, from Bowers Hill, led the men's two-mile walk with vigorous strides from the beginning to end.
``I walk five miles four to five times a week,'' Robinson said at the end of his race. ``This helps to keep my cholesterol down.''
Robinson regards the Olympics as an effective way to motivate him to reach peak performances in a wide variety of events. Besides competing, Robinson keeps himself busy with bowling, traveling and gatherings with members of the XYZ (Xtra Years of Zest) Seniors Club of Bowers Hill.
Kelly Mack said there are 23 self-organized senior clubs in the city.
``They have their own money and activities,'' Mack said. ``People can call the senior citizens center on Outlaw Street, and we can hook them up with the clubs.''
The first seniors club in Chesapeake was founded in South Norfolk in 1968. It was appropriately named the First Senior Citizens Club.
Julia Sparkman, a member of the club, said the club has on average 65 people attending its weekly meeting on Wednesdays. There is often entertainment at the club meetings, such as watching a group of bus drivers doing line dancing or listening to a group of Navy wives singing.
There are two other sources of free programs and services aimed at the senior citizens. Chesapeake General Hospital co-sponsors the ``Heart & Soul Mall Walk'' program at Greenbrier Mall. Participants can sign up for the program on the first Wednesday of each month at the Food Court of the mall. By accumulating miles of walking in the mall's enclosed setting, the walkers receive incentive prizes, said Beth Reitz, director of community health services.
``It's a social thing for them,'' Reitz said. ``They run into many acquaintances and they stay after the walk to talk.''
Other free activities offered by the hospital under its Health Resources Department and Older Adult Mental Health Program include support groups for people who have depression, stroke, cardiac diseases, breast cancer, memory loss and diabetes; health education series in care giving; and health screening.
The Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program (SEVAMP) offers services to about 50,000 citizens over 60 in South Hampton Roads, said Kathleen Blanchard, assistant director for programs.
The services include providing transportation, referral, acquisition and case management; delivered meals; day care and home care; health screening and education; and recreation. The organization also provides employment, volunteer and legal services. Blanchard said seniors aren't charged for the services, but they are encouraged to give donations.
``The whole purpose of the program is to make sure that the seniors get the service, not that they pay for it,'' said Blanchard. ILLUSTRATION: Laura Krasucki of Deep Creek, for example, is taking an aerobics
class at Western Branch Community College.[color cover photo, no
photo credit]
Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Inez Moore won the 2-mile walk in the Senior Olympics in a time of
27 minutes, .03 seconds.
Annie Jones hammers the baseball for her team, the United Christian
Seniors in the Senior Olympics.
The men step out at the beginning of a two-mile walk in the Senior
Olympics held at Indian River High School's stadium. The meet
featured more than 20 track and field events.
Pat Thume from Great Bridge launches a football. More than 200
athletes participated in the event.
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Vernon Ryder plays a game of cards with friends at the Portlock
Senior Citizens Center.
A pool table always brings out the boys in men, no matter what their
age.
Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Karen Carey leads an aerobics class for senior citizens.
PROGRAMS
Chesapeake Parks and Recreations Department, 543-9211, Ext. 267.
Chesapeake General Hospital, Older Adult Mental Health Program,
482-6143; Health Resources Department, 482-6132.
Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program Inc. (SEVAMP), 461-
9481.
KEYWORDS: SENIOR CITIZEN ELDERY OLDER ADULTS EXERCISE PROGRAM by CNB