“I wish I’d started sooner.”
That’s a common refrain among seniors at a free exercise class offered by Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne. Delores Milam, 88, below, said the class helped her bounce back after hip surgery and helps keep her active.
“I’ve been coming since the beginning,” Delores said. “I moved to Joshua awhile back, but I still come to class three times a week.”
The Be Strong, Live Long classes began six years ago, but participation has exploded in the past three years.
“We started the classes because we had all these seniors in the community who couldn’t move well,” said Ronda L. Dillard, B.S.N., R.N., COHN, program manager, Employee Health/Community Outreach, and Faith Community Nursing liaison. “Now we offer classes at three locations. It’s probably one of our best assets that’s making a positive impact for seniors in the community.”
Ronda first got involved with the program in 2016.
“All the seniors said that they loved the class and that it had helped them a lot,” Ronda said. “But the instructor moved out of the area, and I needed to find someone else. God sent Perla.”
Blowin’ and goin’
Instructor Perla Dennis, a senior exercise specialist at the YMCA with more than 20 years’ experience, had recently moved to Covington and was looking for a position closer to home. It was a match made in heaven, Ronda said.
“She’s such a treasure, and people love her,” Ronda said. “She’s taken this class of folks who weren’t really mobile – it was a step above chair yoga – and now they’re up blowin’ and goin’.”
The free classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the First Baptist Church of Cleburne, First United Methodist Church of Cleburne, and the Booker T. Washington Recreation Center.
“Booker T. is our biggest class, and our most diverse,” Ronda said. “We get about 40 people, and we just added a stretch class afterward. That one’s good for someone who is just starting out and is intimidated by the other classes, because the others have progressed so much.”
The seniors’ progress is assessed quarterly.
“They want to know how they’re doing,” Ronda said. “We measure how many times they can do arm curls, how long it takes to walk half a basketball court and back, how long they can stand on one leg. It’s amazing what exercise can help you do.”
The class reflects Texas Health’s pillar of Community Focus, said Mandy Forbus, community health improvement director for the southern region.
“Texas Health Cleburne’s class is a terrific example of how we live our Texas Health Mission,” Mandy said. “Thanks to exceptional team members who identify the needs of our neighbors, we are able to offer impactful opportunities to improve the health and well-being of our community.”
Sense of community
For many participants, the classes provide a lot more than exercise.
“Many seniors have trouble with depression, so getting out and interacting, and having a group of people who care about you can make a big difference,” Ronda said. “Sometimes the class is the only contact they have with others.”
Group members have grown close over the years, Perla said.
“We go out to lunch after class once a month to celebrate birthdays,” she said. “And last year, we had our first Christmas party. All three classes came to Booker T. for a potluck.”
The classes’ popularity might be their biggest challenge, Ronda said. Since Perla started, they have tripled in size.
“You don’t want the classes to get too big, and most people want to go in the morning,” Ronda said. “We’re hoping to add a more basic class. We used to have a beginner class, but Perla has worked them up to a better place. It’s a huge need.”
Clint Miller, 83, joined the class after becoming a widower.
“I found I was just sitting around watching TV, and I really wanted to get out and be more active,” he said. “It’s really helped. I went fishing with my neighbor, and it was a long walk up and down hills. I was tired when we got there, but I don’t think I’d have been able to do it all before.”
By Robin P. Loveman • Posted April 16, 2019
