Seniors For Living

Sandy and Bette Baldwin live in a continuing care retirement community in Boca Raton, Florida, and they hope their commitment to a healthy lifestyle will keep them there, where they can enjoy their independence without needing skilled care services in a nursing home.

Featured in a recent USA Today “Your Life” article, this energetic couple shared their daily routine with reporter Janice Lloyd: “The Baldwins set an alarm, get out of bed by 6:30 and lace up running shoes — except on the two days of the week when they work on resistance training and balance.”

This focus on personal health and wellness is extremely important for boomers and seniors who want to maintain independence, age-in-place, and avoid age-related illnesses. Says Marie Bernard, deputy director at the National Institute on Aging, “Exercise is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth.” Gregg Warshaw, chair of the University of Cincinnati’s geriatric division, affirms the benefits of exercise for older adults, who are naturally more prone to illness: “If you’re in good shape and you get bad illnesses, you’re likely to recover faster.”

And don’t worry about a gym membership either. Most senior living communities – albeit continuing care, independent living, assisted living, or retirement living – offer top-notch wellness facilities, equipment, and programming to encourage and promote the vigorous lifestyle like the ones the Baldwins are after.

- Michelle Seitzer