A balanced diet and exercise is important at any age, perhaps more so for elderly citizens. In fact, new studies have been released about the benefits of exercise delaying the onset of dementia.

With this in mind, Golden Pond has launched a new program to encourage our residents and staff to lead healthier lives. Clinical Director, Marilyn Tobin, RN invited residents and staff to meet in the dining room to discuss how the Healthy Living at Golden Pond program will work. She spoke about the importance of drinking a lot of water throughout the day, eating smaller portions and the need for routine exercise.

Exercise has always been an emphasis within our activity departments. A half hour of chair exercise is allotted everyday as well as a half hour walk around the pond after lunch when weather permits. We have also invited a physical therapist to come in for a half hour twice a week to lead the residents in more chair exercises. Now with the Healthy Living at Golden Pond program Marilyn Tobin is also leading the residents and staff in a half hour of aerobic exercise every afternoon. She turns up motivating music and starts with warm up stretches before they begin the aerobic steps to boost their heart rates.

The Kitchen staff has also made changes for the success of the new program. Although low sodium and sugar free options have always been available, the chefs are now offering a Healthy Living entrée for every meal. The new food choices are not only prepared with less calories and fat, the portions are smaller than the usual heaping plateful our culture has grown accustomed to. Residents who participate in the program may choose whatever and however much they want, but the staff reminds and encourages them to stick with the Healthy Living program.

Since the program began a few short weeks ago, more residents and staff opt for the healthy entrée at meals and the residents wait anxiously for the aerobics to begin every afternoon.