Los Angeles adults over 60 now have a place to exercise and stay in shape at St Barnabas Senior Services, a few blocks from MacArthur Park.
Venus Smith, 80, Delmira Duarte, 63, and Emiliano Macedonio, 83, were among the first grandparents to open a modern gym.
Delmira, mother of three children, grandmother of four grandchildren and great-grandmother of a girl, was more than pleased with the gym.
“This gym means we are taken care of, but the attention they give us is already very good,” says grandmother Delmira, who is of Salvadoran descent.
Venus Smith, 80, from Guatemala, admits she has always wanted to exercise and the new gym gives her the opportunity.
“This is incredible! This will help us a lot, especially my muscles will appreciate it.”
But he also says he had a stroke five years ago and doctors recommended he exercise.
Venus is the mother of two daughters, who gave her three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Emiliano Macedonio, 83, born in Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico, says he will use the gym to exercise from Monday to Friday.
“This will help me stay in shape,” Macedonio says happily.
Where did the idea of creating a gym for seniors come from?
“Our seniors have been asking for sports equipment for a long time. Although we have exercise classes, not everyone enjoys them and they have been asking for a gym for years,” said Darlene Kiyan, director of St. Barnabas Senior Services.
So he says a year ago, he and Lorenzo Hernandez, director of senior programs at St. Barnabas, began evaluating what exercise training equipment might be most appropriate for the older population.
“This whole team is geared towards older people. So it’s safe, easy to use and really helps them stay fit and active.”.
Where did you get the money to build the gym?
“We were very fortunate that the Department of Aging gave us the opportunity to apply for a grant to purchase four cardio machines, bands and dumbbells.”
That’s how they opened a gym in the back of the San Barnabas Senior Services Center.
“It’s free and available to everyone over 60 years of age. They can come three times a week and use it for 30 or 45 minutes. All adults are welcome”
Please note that upon arrival you will need to register at reception and there will be trained staff in the gym to demonstrate how to use the equipment and provide you with an exercise programme.
“Staff will be available for security reasons and to keep people safe.”
He notes that the gym will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How will this gym impact the lives of our grandparents?
“It’s very important for everyone’s health, but especially for older people, it will allow them to socialize and be physically active.”
He adds that the more they walk, exercise and live with other older people, the more likely they are to live long and actually improve their quality of existence.
“Not only does this help ensure they are not lonely or isolated, but it also reduces chronic disease.”
This shows that if older people actually start going to the gym regularly, they will prolong their lives and you will give them quality.
“They will help your whole body, and you will be less likely to fall and live a long, healthy, happy life.”
The San Barnabas Senior Services Center has three centers that offer services to the senior population of the city of Los Angeles. All of their centers offer exercise classes, a stationary bike and a stepper, but only the center located at 675 S. Carondelet Street in Los Angeles has a new, spacious gym.
Lorenzo Hernandez, director of senior programs in San Barnabas, says the three centers, whether in Carondelet near MacArthur Park, Hollywood or Echo Park, offer transportation so they can get there without hassle.
“All they have to do is book a trip and anyone can come to training.”
He adds that they don’t have to have health insurance or pay membership fees to use the San Barnabas Center’s gym and other services.
“It is open to everyone,” he emphasizes.
Part of the services offered to seniors at the San Barnabas Center is a nutritional nutrition program.
St. Barnabas Adult Services Center is located at 675 S. Carondelet Street in Los Angeles, California 90057.
Source: La Opinion
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