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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Schneider Art Museum installation re-imagines Rivera UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit 10 things to know for Friday Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Community Blog: What is Peace? Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... AGING HAPPENS Exercise, socialize and stay happier Comment By Ellen Waldman DailyTidings.com By Ellen Waldman Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 4:44 PM By Ellen Waldman Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 4:44 PM » RELATED CONTENT • AGING HAPPENS: Two considerations for in-home caregivers • Aging, romance and sex: It's never too late • Aging Happens: It wouldn't kill you to talk about death • Massage therapy benefits aging people » Social News In the book, “What Makes Olga Run: The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star and What She Can Teach Us about Living Longer, Happier Lives," Bruce Grierson explores what a 94-year-old can tell us about how our bodies and minds age. This is an amazing story of Olga and others like her, who in their much older years have been able to demonstrate successful physical endurance. I suggest you read this for an inspiring out-of-the-box look at later-in-life achievers. You won’t be surprised that the Ashland library has a copy. If you’re like the majority of people, you might not become a track star at any age, let alone once you’re over 90. But the benefits of regular use of the physical body, be it through a formal exercise program or an active daily life, has been well-documented. Raise your hand if you’ve never heard this before. We all have, but the question is, how does Ashland stack up for those who want to improve their lives at a health or fitness center? The Ashland Family YMCA (www.ashlandymca.org; 541-482-9422) is a familiar landmark in town. Its calendar of events and full program for older adults encompasses not only what most people expect from a fitness center, but a whole lot more. The Y is multi-generational and offers not just exercise, but also socialization. It cannot be said that one of these is more important than the other. I spoke to Laurie Evans, health enhancement/older adult director of the Y, about her view of why older adults come to this facility. Here’s what she tells us: Why do people join the Y? Adults over the age of 55 years join the Ashland Family Y for many reasons. Some of them join for health reasons, and many join because they know a healthy, fit body will allow them to live independently longer. Exercise strengthens muscles supporting joints, strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure and helps regulate blood sugar levels and more. What type of exercise is offered for this age group? The Y offers many classes designed for the changes in the body associated with aging. Classes like Joyful Joints in the pool, or Senior Circuit classes for strength and toning, not only help with the physical part of fitness but also become a social outlet for many. The Y offers tai chi, which helps with balance, and many other programs for the “55 and Better” crowd. What other types of activities can people participate in? We have social activities as well, such as monthly birthday celebrations, Sunday dances, guest speakers and more. Our 55 & Better members make up the largest demographic group at the Ashland Y. Their membership fees vary, but they also have a program where some insurance companies pay for your membership. From the Y's website: “Silver & Fit is a fitness and healthy aging program designed to help you achieve better health through regular exercise. Silver & Fit is offered through many insurance plans and covers membership fees in full for older adults of Medicare age and up." Although the YMCA has been here for many years, it’s certainly not the only option for older adult fitness in Ashland. I count eight other health and fitness centers in the local directory alone. Each has its appeal, and I encourage you to find the one that best fits your needs. I did want to mention Baxter Fitness Solutions ("For 50 and Beyond") on Oak St. (www.bfitsolutions.com; 541-488-9515). This is a totally different environment from the Y and offers a unique approach to each individual’s needs. Andy Baxter is a highly trained expert and a super athlete in his own right. His program is well-suited to those who have had knee or hip surgery but also for those just wanting to re-invigorate their health. It’s smaller, more intimate and has a dedicated and devoted group of long-standing members. From its website: “We offer orthopedically sound, medically based exercise specifically designed for people who are fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty — even ninety years old (!!!) who wish to become or remain fit, active and healthy. We address the arthritic, metabolic, neurologic and cardiovascular limitations associated with the aging process … and combat them!” With these two fitness centers as examples of local choices, there is something for everyone who wants to stay physically and socially active. Many years ago, I read a study involving older, frail individuals who were wheelchair-bound. They were enrolled in a controlled-exercise program over the course of many months. By the end of this study, everyone who was engaged in this program was walking again. Bodies were meant to move, people were meant to socialize, and if you can have this available in one safe place, all the better. Ellen Waldman is a certified geriatric care manager. Email questions about aging and Ashland-area aging resources and column suggestions to her at [email protected]. By Ellen Waldman DailyTidings.com By Ellen Waldman Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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