The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s true life care retirement community, recently provided a day full of opportunities for its members to get moving and get involved. The community joined an estimated 1,000 local groups to celebrate the 21st Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day® (NSHFD). Alice Carpenter, the wellness coordinator at The Legacy Willow Bend, was excited to have seniors from all levels of care participate in various activities throughout the day. From “fun walks” to Zumba to relay games, members of The Legacy Willow Bend will enjoy both indoor and outdoor festivities, which started with a warm-up and stretching routine at 9:45 a.m. and lasted until about 3 p.m.
“This was a terrific opportunity to engage our members in different kinds of exercises and activities as part of a national movement to promote healthy lifestyles for older adults,” described Carpenter. “It’s about encouraging them to make, renew and/or revitalize their commitment to maintaining overall healthier lives through improved fitness and increased knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating choices.”
Beginning at 10 a.m., a group of the seniors went on a “1-mile fun walk” around the campus. Carpenter lead a short aerobic warm-up and stretching routine before starting the walk outside the main front entrance. Everyone was encouraged to participate; across all levels of care - independent living, assisted living, memory care and those in the health care center. Following that, members made their way to The Legacy Willow Bend Villas to participate in various relay games, horseshoes and Corn Hole with the chance to win prizes.
The community also brought in guest speakers and guest instructors to impart their knowledge and expertise. Carlie Gonzalez, president of the Plano Pacers (a Plano running/walking club), spoke to the seniors, and then Jeanne Gay, consultant registered dietician for the Legacy Willow Bend, discussed “Nutrition for Seniors” starting at 1 p.m. Finally, 45-minute Zumba classes were offered at 2 p.m. with certified guest instructors leading the Zumba Gold class and Aqua Zumba.
The day’s events wrapped up in The Legacy Willow Bend’s bistro Stanley’s as the members enjoyed a smoothie bar, fruit, cheese and crackers. While this is the first time the community has participated in the NSHFD, everyone looks forward to continuing it in the years to come.
“It has been wonderful for me to witness the amazing results our members here at The Legacy Willow Bend are experiencing from all the physical activity they participate in every day,” said Carpenter. “The group exercise classes, walking group, swimming pool and fitness center help them feel stronger with increased energy, better balance and flexibility. Plus, exercise makes you feel good, and the more you do, the greater the health gains. I remind everyone that it’s never too late to start exercising!”
“We estimated around 200 of our members participated throughout the day’s events,” said Marilyn Israel, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend. “It’s encouraging to know our community members were among the estimated 100,000 seniors across the country joining in National Senior Health & Fitness Day to help promote active, healthy lifestyles through physical fitness, good nutrition and preventative care.”
ABOUT THE LEGACY WILLOW BEND
The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s first and only life care retirement community, is situated on a 28-acre site at Spring Creek Parkway between Preston Road and Ohio Drive. The Legacy Willow Bend offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site. The community features 103 independent living apartment homes, 12 custom independent living villas, 40 assisted living apartment homes, 18 memory support suites, and 60 private skilled healthcare suites.
The Legacy Willow Bend is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community owned by parent company, The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc. The Legacy Willow Bend, the only Jewish-sponsored life care retirement community in Texas, is open to people of all faiths. For information, call (972) 468-6208, or visit www.thelegacyWB.org.