Page 6 - Senior Times South Central Michigan January 2022 - 29-01

Page 6
Senior Times - January 2022
YOU CAN EXERCISE SAFELY WITH DISABILITIES
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
The benefits of exercise are not restricted to people who have full mobility.
In fact, if injury, disability, illness, or weight problems have limited your mobility, it’s even more important to experience the mood-boosting effects of exercise.
Exercise can ease depression, relieve stress and anxiety, enhance self-esteem, and improve your whole outlook on life. By adopting a cre- ative approach you can overcome your physical limitations and find enjoyable ways to exercise.
around my exercise routine?
exercised in the past or not, there are plenty of ways to overcome your mobility issues and reap the physical, mental, and emotional rewards of exercise.
issue. They can help you find a suitable exer- cise routine. Ask:
• How much exercise can I do each day and
What types of exercise are possible with limited mobility? It’s important to remember that any type of movement will offer health benefits. Mobility issues inevitably make some types of exercise easier than others, but no mat- ter your physical situation, you should aim to incorporate three different types of exercise into your routines:
each week?
• What type of exercise should I do?
• What exercises or activities should I avoid?
• Should I take medication at a certain time
Limited mobility doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. When you exercise, your body releas- es endorphins that energize your mood, relieve stress, boosts your self-esteem, and triggers an overall sense of well-being. If you’re a regular exerciser currently sidelined with an injury, you’ve probably noticed how inactivity has caused your mood and energy levels to sink. You may have even become a bit irritable. This is understandable – exercise has such a power- ful effect on mood it can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication. However, an injury doesn’t mean your mental and emotional health is doomed
to decline. While some injuries respond best to total rest, most simply require you to reevaluate your exercise routine with help from your doc- tor or physical therapist.
As well as the physical challenges you face, you may also experience mental or emotional barriers to exercising. It’s common for peo-
ple to feel self-conscious about their weight, disability, illness, or injury, and want to avoid working out in public places. Some older peo- ple find that they’re fearful about falling or oth- erwise injuring themselves.
If you have a disability, severe weight prob- lem, chronic breathing condition, diabetes, arthritis, or other ongoing illness you may think that your health problems make it impossible for you to exercise effectively, if at all. Or per- haps you’ve become frail with age and are wor- ried about falling or injuring yourself if you try to exercise. The truth is, regardless of your age, current physical condition, and whether you’ve
Flexibility exercises help enhance your range of motion, prevent injury, and reduce pain and stiffness. These may include stretching exercises and yoga. Even if you have limited mobility in your legs, for example, you may still benefit from stretches and flexibility exer- cises to prevent or delay further muscle atrophy.
The more physical challenges you face, the more creative you’ll need to be to find an exer- cise routine that works for you. If you use to enjoy jogging or cycling, for example, but inju- ry, disability, or illness means they’re no longer options, be prepared to try new exercises. With some experimenting, it’s very possible that you’ll find something you enjoy just as much.
Cardiovascular exercise can raise your heart rate and increase your endurance. These can include walking, running, cycling, dancing, tennis, swimming, water aerobics, or “aqua jog- ging.” Many people with mobility issues find exercising in water especially beneficial as it supports the body and reduces the risk of mus- cle or joint discomfort. Even if you’re confined to a chair or wheelchair, it’s still possible to perform cardiovascular exercise.
To exercise successfully with limited mobility, illness, or weight problems, start by getting medical clearance.
Strength training exercises involve using weights or other resistance to build muscle and bone mass, improve balance, and prevent falls. If you have limited mobility in your legs, your focus will be on upper body strength training. Similarly, if you have a shoulder injury, for example, your focus will be more on strength training your legs and abs.
Don’t focus on your mobility or health issue. Instead of worrying about the activities you can’t enjoy, concentrate on finding activities that you can.
Talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or other health care provider about activities suit- able for your medical condition or mobility
To get started you may want to consider classes provided by Senior Health Partners, or a fitness center near you.
Be proud when you make the effort to exer- cise, even if it’s not very successful at first. It will get easier the more you practice.
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES
ORGANIZATION
Alamo Transportation
Alpha Medical Transport
Battle Creek Tele-Transit
Battle Creek Transit - Fixed Route
Community Action Senior Transportation
JTC Transportation Service LLC
Mobility 1 Transportation
JNZ Transportation
AREA
Calhoun & Jackson Counties
Battle Creek Area
Battle Creek Area
Battle Creek Area
Calhoun County- Battle Creek
Calhoun County Area
Southern Michigan
Michigan
SERVICE CONDITIONS
Door-to-Door Service
Fixed Routes
Origination To Destination
Within 150 miles
Will Travel Out Of Michigan
PHONE
(517) 494-0029
(844) 895-4809
(269) 966-3474
(269) 966-3474
(269) 565-4144
(269) 339-6928
(269) 430-5055
(517) 879-0978
HOURS
M-F, 7am-5pm
By Appointment
M-F, 5:15am-mid- night, Sat, 9:15am-5pm
M-F, 5:15am-mid- night, Some Routes Sat, 9:15am-5pm
M-F, 8am-4:30pm
Daily 6am-8pm
By Appointment
7-days, 6am-6pm
COST
Bills Medicare/Medicad
Arranged through individual health insurance plans; direct pay not accepted
$2 one-way for senior/disabled, Personal attendants ride free, $7 adults ($5 after 6:45pm)
$0.60 seniors
$1 suggested cost share per ride, funded by Senior Millage
Wheelchair $45+$1.25/mile, Ambulatory $35+$1.25/mile after 20miles
Can bill some Medicad plans
Wheelchair $45+$2/mile, Ambulatory $30+$2/mile
NOTES
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
Reservation Needed, 10 punch pass for $20, 20 punches for $40
Must have exact change, 12 punch pass for $6, 48 punches for $24
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
10-15% Disc for ambulatory frequency
Albion Marshall Connector
Marshall, Ablion
Curb-To-Curb
(269) 781-3975 or (517) 654-3000
M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm
$1 one way for seniors, 60+; disabled & children 6-12,
$2 adults/children 13+
Must have exact change, can receive tokens for future trips if you overpay
Area Wide Transportation
Southern Michigan
(269) 679-6999
Available 24 hours/ day
Bills Medicare/Medicad
Rider responsible for any costs not covered
BC Go
Battle Creek Area
Ride Sharing
(269) 966-3474
M-F 6am-9pm,Sat 9am-5pm
Cost ranges from $3 to $15, depending on miles traveled
Additional passenger $3, call for additional restrictions
Branch Area Transit Authority
Branch County
Curb-To-Curb
(517) 278-5889
Daily
Half Fare for Handicapped & Senior Citizens Over 60
Weekly Subscriptions Available
Community Action Senior Transportation
Calhoun County- Albion
Origination To Destination
(269) 565-4144
M,T,W,F, 9am-2:30pm
$1 suggested cost share per ride, funded by Senior Millage
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
Marshall Dial-A-Ride
Marshall
(269) 781-3975
M-F, 7am-6pm
$1.50 one-way for seniors, 60+, disabled, children 5-12, $3.00 adults/children 13+
Free on Wed for seniors, age 60 and over
Ready Ride Transportation
Michigan
(616) 261-2400
By Appointment
Contact for Rates
10% Discount for Veterans
Senior Transportation, DC Services LLC
Michigan, Northern IN
(517) 677-9262
By Appointment
$0.50/mile
Starting from Tekonsha
Details subject to change.To have your senior transportation added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1479 ext. 302 or ssherban@scenepub.com.