Free and Low-cost Fitness Options for Older Adults

There are many reasons why regular exercise and physical activity are important to everyone, including older adults. Regular physical activity and exercise can produce long-term health benefits and that is one reason health experts recommend that older adults are active every day to maintain their health. Even moderate exercise can improve the health of people who are frail or have diseases that accompany aging.

This updated factsheet describes free and low-cost fitness classes, weight rooms and other options available for older adults in Montgomery County.  Visit the senior website for more information.

Active Aging Week is a national effort that promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by giving older adults the opportunity to experience diverse activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere. Join us for one or more of the events on our calendar:

Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. Join Lindsey Vajpeyi, Programs & Services Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Capital Area Chapter and Penny Gladhill, Director of the Volunteer Helping Hands program at Hospice Caring, for this workshop to learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Friday, October 27 at 4 pm – Sunday, October 29 at 2 pm

Rockwood Manor Retreat Center, Potomac, MD

See the attached flyer for more information. Space is limited! Registration is required. To register, contact Anne Baker, Director of Adult Bereavement Services at anneb@hospicecaring.org or 301-990-0854

• Elizabeth House, 1400 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Benjamin Gaither Senior Center, 80A Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
• Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton, MD 20901
• Long Branch Community Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901
• Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
• Waverly House, 4521 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814

Seniors Today

Be sure to tune in to Austin Heyman’s show, Seniors Today.  It shares news and information of interest to senior residents of Montgomery County.Program airs on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30 the following times: Sunday 6:00pm | Mon – (10:00am) | Tues – (1:00am, 12:30pm, 6:00pm) | Thurs – (2:30am, 6:00pm) | Fri (10:30am) | Sat – (2:00am).

The National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) provides this Research to Practice Brief  summarizes recent research findings related to the mistreatment of African American elders, particularly involving financial exploitation and psychological abuse. General cultural beliefs, views, and norms within the African American community offer both risk and protective factors that influence elder abuse in this population. Although all elderly adults are more vulnerable to crime to begin with, socioeconomic variables, such as poverty, institutionalized racism, and structural segregation place African American elders at an even higher risk.

According to the brief, these are 3 takeaways

• There is limited research on elder abuse and neglect for the African American population.
• Elder abuse in the African American community is influenced by risk factors and protective factors that span from the individual level to the community level.
• Compared to their non-African American counterparts, African Americans are disproportionately impacted by financial exploitation and psychological mistreatment.

Adult Protective Services investigates instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and provides professional aid to victims. Call 240-777-3000 for help or more information.