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COVID-19 has impacted not only the everyday activities of most, but the levels of physical inactivity of people across all age groups. According to Fitbit, as the pandemic hit there was a steady decline in step counts across the world and in the U.S. Other similar studies have prompted growing “concerns for health,” which are especially true for and among older adults.
A recent article by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society stated the “potential increase in sedentary behavior due to isolation can be detrimental to health,” especially among older adults, who may be “prone to frailty, sarcopenia, and chronic diseases.”
Ann Marie Murthy, a Longmont resident and senior exercise class participant for more than 10 years, understands the importance of staying active, even during a worldwide crisis.
“As we are aging, we want to keep our mobility and balance because we have had knowledge of friends or friends of friends who have fallen and eventually leads to their demise,” she said of herself and her husband, who attends classes with her. “We thought we’d be proactive and we have been attending … gentle strength and a stability balance class.”
Carla Mathers, Recreation Services fitness specialist, said Murthy is one of the many community members who have been taking part in the classes geared toward the 55-plus age group, not only through Zoom but also in-person since the Longmont Recreation Center reopened in June after being closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“(Fifty-five-plus is) a big group of our population that we do see. … I'm happily surprised that there are a lot (in) that age group that want to come, be in person,” Mathers said of the older adults who are attending classes at the Memorial Building, Longmont Recreation Center and outside when the weather allows. “We see people that want to come in and be with their instructors.”
Limited space in their homes is one of the reasons older adults are joining in-person classes, but Matthers said she thinks the opportunity to socialize keeps them coming back.
“I think sometimes people want to go somewhere, it gives them a purpose, it gets them out. It’s getting them more social. Maybe (they’re) not seeing as many people as they used to but it is a social aspect to it as well,” she said. “I think it’s beneficial for all of us but we have to know there’s a risk anytime you go into a public facility.”
For Cherie Aasmundstad, Longmont resident for the past five years and a member of the Rec Center, it is both.
“I know I wouldn't do them over Zoom and I don't have room for that in my apartment either, … I don't really know most of the people that are there, but at least you are with somebody, whether I know them or not, or take part in the conversation, I’m not by myself for that,” she said.
Aasmundstad said the level of cleanliness she has observed in the facilities and the steps taken to follow the health department guidelines, has made the decision to join the fun of outdoor and indoor activities a no-brainer.
“I see people constantly cleaning, everything from the railings to the machines, which I don’t use, and the chairs, the rooms are sanitized after every use, but they are very limited in the number of attendees,” she said. “The room used for both of my classes there is limited to seven people, and you are at least 6 feet apart, we all leave our masks on, and just the care that they take for cleanliness and respect for everybody’s space.”
While the Rec Center is not holding branded SilverSneakers classes right now because of space and equipment restrictions related to COVID-19, the classes geared to the 55-plus age group are taught by qualified instructors and may be offered at no cost, Mathers said.
“The instructors that are teaching these classes, such as chair yoga, gentle fitness and seniors strengths are certified SilverSneakers and group fitness instructors. SilverSneakers and Renew Active pass holders, those are the Medicare benefit programs that we accept here, get to go to any of the classes for no charge,” she said.
Other classes the Rec Center is offering include Tai Chi, NIA, Zumba Gold, and a variety of water classes recently moved from Sunset Pool to the Centennial and the Longmont Rec Center pools. Additional information on available classes can be found here.
In addition, Longmont Senior Services recently posted its program guide for fall, Fall GO, which outlines the many activities available to older adults through the Senior Center and the city.
“(It runs) through the end of November. Most of what is in there are online programs, especially (important) is that we have a lot of computer help,” said Megan Quitter, senior recreation program supervisor, adding that technology classes can help older adults learn how to access not only the programs offered by Senior Services, but the internet in general.
Through the end of October, Senior Services is offering only one fitness class in person, Feldenkrais in the Park, an “awareness through movement” that will be taught outdoors on the Senior Center north patio, weather permitting.
Quitter said both instructors and participants are interested in adding more in-person classes to the lineup, but COVID-19 makes that a tough decision.
“We are talking with instructors and have conversations planned, it’s the in-person part we are putting off to last … we work with a very special population and although want everyone to stay active, we don’t want (anyone) to stay at home feeling isolated, we want to feel safe about making those choices,” she said.
For additional information on classes geared toward the 55-plus age group at the Longmont Rec Center, click here or call 303-774-4800.
Visit the Fall GO catalog for more information on Longmont Senior Services offerings or call 303-651-8411.
Correction: Megan Quitter said both instructors and participants are interested in adding more in-person classes to the lineup, but COVID-19 makes that a tough decision. The statement was not attributed to her in the original posting of this story.
