Monarch Landing Takes 60-Day Exercise Challenge to Combat Alzheimer’s
(PRWEB) June 02, 2015 -- Residents of Monarch Landing in Naperville are going to run before they walk…or swim, take a fitness class, do yoga, play volleyball, or participate in whatever their exercise of choice. In preparation for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 20 in Naperville, residents and staff will take part in a challenge to exercise for 60 days, sponsored by Life Care Services (LCS), Monarch Landing’s management company.
While the walk will raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among the greater community and funds for the advancement of research toward its elimination, the local exercise challenge will heighten consciousness among seniors and, most importantly, bring to light each day the link between fitness and decreased likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
According to Antonio Galvan, Monarch Landing director of community engagement and LCS lifestyles and health services program coordinator, those who take the exercise challenge are not required to participate in the walk. “But it definitely provides an opportunity for a captive audience. If people have supported the exercise campaign for two months, they’re going to be more inclined to do the walk. The closer team members get to the walk, the more they will see what they’ve done, how they’ve progressed, and how important it is to join the fight against Alzheimer’s in a communal way.” Likewise, Galvan added, the event of the walk could also inspire people to engage in regular exercise leading up to it. “Either way, it’s a win-win situation.”
Across the LCS network, residents and staff members from each community will team up to see who can complete the most amount of exercise. Results will be reported to team captains each week, and participants will be kept informed of their progress among competing groups. Galvan said it is likely that local top ten residents and staff will be highlighted for their achievements, and the participating communities’ standings will be communicated at the national level. While registration is still in progress and the incentive is in its inaugural year, Galvan is expecting strong participation from the Monarch Landing community.
“Residents feel confident in their ability to do well in this challenge,” said Galvan. “With so many exercise options to choose from each day, it’ll be difficult not to rank highly. People can choose from using the fitness and aquatic centers to taking any one of the 18 group fitness classes offered each week. And with the weather getting nicer, they can also go out for a brisk walk on our walking trails.”
Galvan said the mix of residents and staff on a team is key because of the vital cross-generational connection. “Intergenerational wellness programs are unique in that they convey the overall message that all people care about health and well-being, no matter their age. Along with their younger teammates, seniors are taking a proactive approach to their own physical well-being and have personal motivation to combat this disease. They’re going through the challenge together for one common purpose.”
Monarch Landing is a continuing care retirement community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named “one of America’s best places to live and retire” by Modern Maturity, and “the best city for early retirement” by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant life style for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers assisted living memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services. For additional information visit http://www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or http://www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.
Bridget Machalinski, Ivy Marketing Group, http://www.ivymarketing.com, +1 630-263-6234, [email protected]
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