SeniorFitAtlanta: the goal is in the name

By Joe Earle

Growing up in southeast Georgia, Bradford Bailey learned to respect his elders. His mother was a social worker, and he says she taught him to look up to senior citizens as she worked with them in their small, rural community.

When Bailey moved to metro Atlanta in 2006, freshly minted exercise physiology diploma in hand, he was surprised to find few exercise classes were offered that had been designed specifically for older participants. So he started his own program. Now his company, SeniorFitAtlanta, works in 25 to 30 senior facilities spread from Forsyth

County to Palmetto to Stone Mountain, he said.

One recent afternoon, the 41-year-old Bailey worked with

13 clients in a senior living community in Brookhaven. He led the group of seniors as they worked through a series of exercises designed to focus on different muscle groups and to make them stronger.

“That’s our main concept,” Bailey said before class began. “We work on strengthening exercises. Out of all the components of fitness, that’s the one seniors benefit most from.”

Strengthening exercises help improve his clients’ muscle mass and increase bone density, he said. That, in turn, helps improve their quality of life, and helps protect them against disease and injuries in falls. If seniors are physically strong, Bailey explained, they are able to live more independent and productive lives.

He also promotes exercise as a “magical pill” against illness. “Regular exercise and physical activity can help prevent and treat all of the common deadly diseases,” he wrote recently. “For example, a 30-minute session of exercise helps to lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar and strengthen your heart and lungs. ... No population benefits more from exercise than the senior population.”

Bailey’s classes last about 30 minutes apiece and he uses weights, rubber balls, resistance bands and other devices in his workouts. He tells his clients that the best exercise for their cardiovascular systems is simply to take regular walks.

MRM#: 60525210

Date: 10/04/16 going,” said Art Mongagne, who’s 95. “You’ve got to do that to keep going. If you don’t keep going, you stop. It keeps all your muscles and your body feeling active. Consequently, you feel good.” of video and on-line classes.

“My ultimate goal,” Bailey said, “is to make professional fitness training available to all seniors.”

Project Name: 60525210-A-MT_KPSASalesRepPacket_GA-MMC_GA_2017_PrtAdv

Designer: Anne Davies

“I just ask residents to walk as much as they can,” he said. “If they can’t, they can wheel in their wheelchairs.”

His clients seem to enjoy their regular workouts.

“Exercise gets the muscles

Bailey regularly works with clients aged 85 to older than 100, he said. “The lady I just left was 93,” he said. “Eighty percent of our clients are in the 90s.”

He also is working on a line

Kaiser

Medicare Health Plans

Permanente depends on contract renewal. You must reside in the

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in area in which you enroll. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine

3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.

H1170_015_15 accepted 60525210-A-MT 10/16

What

Cool Weather vegetables

The holidays are over and winter is finally here. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, did you fall behind on your gardening? If so, you’re in luck! There’s still time to plant some fall and winter vegetables. Here are some of the vegetables that can be planted in January and February.

● Beets

● Broccoli

● Cabbage

● Carrots

● Collards

● Kale

● Mustard

● English peas

● Radishes

● Spinach

● Turnips

As you can see, you can plant a whole garden full of vegetables. January is a good time to start a winter garden. Most people have more time to devote to it and it’s nice to have something to get you out of the house and get your body moving.

All the vegetables listed can be started by seed. Just follow the planting directions on the back of the seed packets. The location needs to get about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. Make sure you plant in well-drained soil. Many of the winter vegetables require a

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• lot of nitrogen, so be sure to add fertilizer to the soil and fertilize every four to six weeks after the initial planting.

If you’re interested in starting a winter garden but don’t have a yard or access to a garden, don’t worry. Many of these vegetables can be planted in containers; they’ll be easily accessible and right outside your door. The best vegetables for containers are: beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and spinach. When selecting a container, the bigger the better. Add some potting soil and fertilizer and you’ll be ready to go.

Some of these vegetables, depending on what you plant, will be ready to harvest in only about a month or two. While most people are getting their fresh produce from the grocery store, you can just step outside your door and have fresh veggies ready to prepare.

Happy gardening!

To be sure, we’re proud of our 28 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind.

So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience The Piedmont for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call 404.369.7523 to schedule.