Aging is a fact of life, but how a person ages is something that each individual has more control over than many people realize. The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s only true life care community, focused on that theme during its “Live Your Adventure” Active Aging Week celebration. For the second year in a row, residents participated in coordinated festivities, including a one-mile color walk, chair massages, a painting with a twist class, healthy cooking demonstrations and exercise classes. The variety of classes and interactive events gave residents a chance to try something new and celebrate wellness as well as an active lifestyle.
Vy Hansen, a remarkable resident of The Legacy Willow Bend, participated in many of the activities. After all, she enjoys crocheting, line dancing and exercising on a regular basis. Hansen is an incredible resident with a calendar that is always full. She is dedicated to crocheting scarves and hats for homeless girls and boys, and she is a regular performer with other line dancers at happy hours in the community. Hansen plays tennis twice a week, and she enjoyed participating in the special Active Aging Week programs.
“I can’t be more appreciative of what the staff does for us here. I attend so many classes, and there is always something interesting and exciting to do,” said Hansen. “I look forward to Active Aging Week, and it’s a lot of fun to take part in the classes and fun-filled events.”
Active Aging Week is a national initiative led by the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA), and it demonstrates how adults over 50 are living as fully as possible in all areas of life—physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational and environmental. The objective of the annual health-focused event is to give older adults across the country the means to experience wellness activities and exercise in a safe, supportive environment. It also promotes the benefits of a healthy and dynamic lifestyle, which many residents at The Legacy Willow Bend know firsthand.
“It is our pleasure to host such a spectacular lineup of classes and events that highlight an engaging and healthy way of life,” said Marilyn Israel, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend. “I participated in the color walk and had a blast walking alongside our residents. This is one of many opportunities throughout the year in which we focus on whole-body wellness, and we hope that our residents inspire other adults to find ways to keep moving regardless of their age.”