Best Age News

The Best Age program is now in its 2nd full year; being run by the Best Age Coordinator, Stephanie Harren. The residents are still participating in classes held 6 days a week, with 4 classes throughout the day.

Residents are getting in shape and improving their quality of life by doing upper body lifting with hand held weights and lower body lifting with cuff weights 3 days a week. They do stretching and flexibility the other 3 days. Residents are also using the Nustep, which focuses on their cardio-respiratory system while also providing a workout for all the major muscle groups.

In the 2 years the program has been up and running the residents at Talahi have experienced weight loss, greater transfer and walking ability, and more arm strength.

Also able to participate in the Best Age Community Outreach program are adult day services and assisted living. Community members, volunteers and family members can also attend and are welcome to participate.

Talahi Senior Campus, along with 13 other facilities in central Minnesota has received a grant from the Department of Human Services. This grant will be in conjunction with the Best Age program with a community outreach emphasis. The addition will provide support for a new Falls Prevention program implemented on and off the campus. "We are very eager to put the falls prevention program into action," says Stephanie. "Anything we can do to decrease falls and keep our residents as independent as possible is our goal."

Best Age Success Stories

Chuck S. is a resident at Talahi who started the program when it was first implemented. Since that time Chuck has lost weight, transfers with little assistance, walks to and from meals, and is now starting to self propel himself in his wheelchair. He uses the Nustep and comes to class everyday.

Lucille V. is a resident who attends Best Age class daily. She has become more social and is now motivating her friends and other residents to participate to the best of their ability. Way to go Lucille!

If you would like more information on the program please feel free to contact Stephanie Harren at sharren@talahicc.com.