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Seniors celebrate Senior Health and Fitness Day in Decatur

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Seniors celebrate Senior Health and Fitness Day in Decatur







Zita Bilbrey receives a blood pressure reading from respiratory therapist Leslie McCartey of Decatur Memorial Health during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.




DECATUR — Decatur resident Gail Butler has had several joint replacement surgeries. “And I have heart issues,” she said.

To take care of her health issues, the Butler has a basic membership to the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, which allows her to walk the facility’s track. However, Butler wanted to learn more about health services from the Decatur Park District and other agencies geared toward her age group. “I’m just checking things out,” she said.

Decatur Park District staff brought together various services for Butler and other seniors at the Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday at the DISC.

“Chair yoga sounds interesting,” Butler said. “I’ve never seen it done.”

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Emily Greene, guest experience and membership supervisor, offered senior guests a scorecard with a list of the vendors and activities. “It gives them an idea of what all is here and what we have to offer,” she said.

Along with activities such as chair yoga, Forever Fit exercise class, cornhole games and a giant cup pong game, vendors were on hand to provide health and wellness information, screenings and other services.

“We are such a sedentary society,” said Tracy Whitten, fitness supervisor. “So movement is crucial for anyone, but especially our aging population. They don’t have opportunities that younger generations do for community or a sense of belonging.”

The health fair provided opportunities to experience various ways to stay active and healthy as well as independent.

“Just an ability to connect and enjoy life, and having a community to be involved in,” Whitten said. “It is so important, on top of fighting off things like osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol.”







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Sandy Wethington Johnson exercises with the Forever Fit class during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.




Volunteers and staff from various Memorial Health departments were available to discuss the health benefits of their multiple services. Thyroid screenings were one of the services offered during Wednesday’s event.

“They can actually check your thyroid and see if you have any nodules,” said Dave Overlot, executive director of radiology.

With a few questions of their own, the staff also offered information on heart scans and lung cancer. “I’ve seen no smokers today,” Overlot said.

Since 2007, Marge Overlot has volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital in various departments. She insists the work has been good for her health. “When you volunteer, you know you’ve done something worthwhile for somebody,” she said. “It’s probably the most worthwhile thing I ever did.”


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Mark Davis, manager of volunteer services at Memorial Health, matches the volunteers with their abilities and interests. “Some people are interested in dealing with the public, patients and visitors,” he said. “Some of them want to be in an office.”







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Decatur Memorial Health sonographer Erin Beeson administers an ultrasound for thyroid nodules on Linda Schutte during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.




Along with mental health, volunteering is good for physical health, Davis said. “You do get some exercise if you’re walking around,” he said.

According to Marge Overlot, age is not important when volunteering. “It’s just such a worthwhile job,” she said. “It’s a learning environment.”

As the song “Lovely Day” played from speakers, Liz Bartimus, 65, finished exercising with the Forever Fit class led by Whitten.

“I’m so thankful for this program,” said Bartimus. “My whole life changed.”

As someone who started later in life, Bartimus wants to encourage anyone who thinks they can’t do it to go for it. She said she used to exercise, but Whitten taught her how to exercise better, and she has lost 40 pounds. The program improves flexibility, endurance, and strength with low-impact interval training, dance fitness, and rowing. Bartimus said thanks to the program she is excited to be able to go hiking in the mountains with her grandchildren soon.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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