Top 5 Ways You Can Move to Improve
While today may be National Senior Health and Fitness Day, at MBK communities, wellness is a way of life. Here, we promote the importance of regular physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle. It's more than just fitness classes and well-stocked fitness rooms – although we have that too. We emphasize wellness and extend it throughout our communities to create an environment where our residents can thrive.
Here are the top five ways we support the Senior Health and Fitness Day theme "With Movement Comes Improvement" – today and always!
One - Move-in
With 38 communities to choose from throughout the Western United States, there's sure to be an MBK Senior Living close to you – or your loved ones. You'll feel the energy the moment you walk in – our communities are buzzing with activity that supports person-centered, relationship-based, whole-person care. When you move into an MBK Senior Living community, you'll have access to our Mind+Body Wellness programming that starts with learning about you and continues with a personalized plan that fits your social, educational, spiritual, emotional, fitness, and dietary preferences.
"Happy, healthy people have physical activity, spiritual and emotional support, a robust social life, healthy eating practices, meaningful involvement at the heart of the family, and ongoing opportunities to give back," Diana Engle, Vice President of Health and Wellness, MBK Senior Living. "At MBK Senior Living communities, our lifestyle survey taps into each component to uncover just what connects with you."
Two - Log-in
Let's focus on the Mind portion of Mind+Body Wellness. At MBK Senior Living communities, we design programming that engages and stimulates the mind. How? We don't rely on old ways of thinking – that technology is something older adults are intimidated by. We know better. The fact is, today's seniors are logging in and staying connected through technology more and more. From scanning the activities and dining menus on our Connected Living portal to contacting friends and family on video chats to utilizing computer apps, headsets, and resident-led computer classes, our residents are embracing technology.
"With our Rendever virtual reality headsets, residents can explore the world without leaving the community," said Engle. "It's just one of the many ways our residents stimulate their minds with technology and reduce social isolation through unique, shared experiences. Whether that's revisiting their childhood home, touring destinations around the world, or playing with a room full of puppies."
Three - Make Room on Your Plate
Another example of how we support residents' healthy lifestyles – food! Our freshly prepared, diverse menus offer a wide selection of options to delight your taste buds, including plant-based alternatives and MBK Fit Flavors that spice up every meal.
"Eating healthy doesn't mean skipping out on flavor!" said Engle. "With MBK Fit Flavors seasonings, you'll enjoy natural, full flavors that elevate our chef-prepared and beautifully presented meals. Each blend was created as part of our commitment to whole-person wellness and healthy living."
Four - Buddy System
It's scientifically proven that exercise benefits the mind and body. Not only does it help dramatically with mental health, self-esteem, and happiness, it increases the production of the protein that supports the function, growth, and survival of brain cells. It doesn't take much, but sometimes, having support to keep you accountable or knowing an expert who can answer your questions and guide you through a workout is a BIG help. At MBK communities, our MBK Fit Instructors offer just that!
"Exercise doesn't have to be daunting or even look like traditional workouts," said Engle. "The important thing is to keep moving. Our instructors help residents adapt exercises to help them to maintain mobility and independence. Plus, they're great motivators in helping you reach your health and fitness goals."
For example, at one community, our MBK Fit Instructor joins a resident daily in walking her dog. Along the way, they chat about the day, exchange jokes, and occasionally incorporate sit-to-stand motions at benches along the route. She enjoys the fresh air with her favorite furry friend, engages her mind, works on her balance, improves cardio function, and strengthens her heart, bones, and muscles just by moving a little every day.
Even if you're returning from an injury or hospitalization, our partner, EmpowerMe, can help you recover and keep moving with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services delivered by certified therapists on-site in our communities. Plus, EmpowerMe works directly with MBK Team Members in offering group exercises and partners with our caregivers to provide resident care or additional in-service training to elevate care delivery.
Five - Group Effort
Fitness can be as socially beneficial as physically beneficial. Join your friends and neighbors for one of our many group fitness classes, such as cardio drum circle, chair yoga, Zumba, and more. If you want to stretch your mind, join an Alle continued learning course. If gardening is more your style, bend, stretch, and plant in our community gardens. Are you feeling adventurous? Join our MBK Adventurer's Club in a rock climbing, sky diving, or river rafting outing. Rather stay close to home? Stroll through our beautifully landscaped courtyards, walking paths, and grounds with a friend. Just keep moving, and you'll improve your health, wellness, and overall outlook.
"Even residents who have shied away from group activities because they can't hear instructions in large groups find solutions here," said Engle. "With our Eversound wireless listening system, residents with hearing impairment feel connected, and enjoy participating in social, educational, and physical endeavors."
By moving your mind and body, you'll reap loads of health benefits, meet new friends, increase your lifespan by as many as 14 years, and cut your risk of developing Alzheimer's in half!
So, what do you say – want to get moving with MBK? Call today to learn more – or to try one of our fun-filled wellness or fitness classes.
