health & fitness

Fall Prevention

Community Forums

More than one-third of people aged 65 and older fall each year, and those who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again. However, we know that falls are not an inevitable result of aging.

The GMVCC Senior Program is pleased to host a series of four important community forums presented in partnership with Pinnacle Physical Therapy, Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety, and Bartell Drugs in an effort to prevent falls.  We invite you to join us for our first forum on Thursday, February 25th from 5 pm to 6 pm when therapists from Pinnacle Physical Therapy will be here to offer fall risk assessment, a presentation on strengthening to avoid falls, and free take-home packets.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

FallStop...Move Strong™

Fall Prevention & Strengthening Program

Don’t be a statistic.  As of 2005, the number of Seniors who fell was 11 million.  The number of Seniors who died from falls was 15,800.  The percent of falls that resulted in life-altering injuries was between 20-30%.  The FallStop…Move Strong™ exercise program was designed specifically to reduce falls by improving balance, strength and flexibility. Join us for a series of 4 different 12-minute sessions each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:30 am. Linda will be learning right along with you! This program is free and no sign-up is necessary.

The FallStop…Move Strong™ program includes:

• A graduated exercise program which targets strengthening, coordination, flexibility and balance
• Weight-bearing activities to improve bone strength
• Education about personal and environmental risk for falls including age-related changes in our bodies & strategies, home and community mobility and safety, footwear, and recommendations for medical follow-up to review vision, medications, etc.
• Safety strategies for everyday situations such as getting up in the middle of the night, reaching for items on high shelves, standing up from a chair or the floor

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Foot Care

Taking care of those tootsies

Routine foot care for seniors is provided by Karen’s Foot Care on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Call 425-432-1272 to schedule your appointment. Please tell us if you are diabetic or taking any blood thinners. Reminder: Bring a bath-size towel to your appointment.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Spirit & Strength Yoga

Yoga you can do

GMVCC is pleased to offer Spirit and Strength Yoga designed to improve flexibility and strength, increase blood flow and joint movements, and release stress and revitalize the body-mind connection.  Yoga poses will be done mostly in sitting position and are adaptable based on individual limitations and abilities. We invite you to browse our Photo Gallery.

Instructor Kim Fun has been practicing yoga for the past ten years.  She is a certified yoga instructor and has worked with children, women, and people with chronic illness for the last three years.

Age Requirement: 50+ Class Level Beginner - No experience necessary - All mobilities  welcome. For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

SCHEDULE NOTICE: Kim will not be here on 9/23 or 9/30.

Sonus Hearing Clinic

A hearing solution just for you

The GMVCC 50+ Senior Program is pleased to offer a monthly free hearing clinic provided by Sonus Hearing professionals, every 2nd Wednesday from 11:30 am -12:30 pm beginning May 13, 2009. No appointment necessary.

Services include the following:

• Free hearing aid cleaning
• Free minor adjustments
• Free consultations/testing
• Free otoscopic exams
• Free mold adjustments
• Factory repairs - out of warranty will be charged*
• Help selecting an appropriate assistive device if needed

Download the Sonus Healthy Hearing Guide (PDF 1.27 MB) for useful information to help you understand your hearing, hearing loss, and how it can be treated.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Blood Pressure Checks

You can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s broken

We have very kind volunteers to help you keep an eye on this important vital sign. Firefighters from Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety perform this check on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 11 am - noon.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

AARP Safe Driving

Tune up your driving skills

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older that has helped millions of drivers remain safe on today's roads. This 2-day course is designed to help you:

• Tune up your driving skills and update your knowledge of the rules of the road.
• Learn about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust your driving to allow for these changes.
• Reduce your traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries.
• Drive more safely.
• Qualify for an auto insurance premium reduction or discount. Specific state insurance laws vary – please consult your insurance agent for specifics in your state.

AARP membership is not required to take the course. There is no final test to pass.

Visit AARP Driver Safety for more information. See calendar for upcoming dates and times. Call 425-432-1272 to register.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

AAA Roadwise Review

Check your driving abilities conveniently, confidentially

The AAA Roadwise Review is a scientifically validated screening tool developed by AAA and noted transportation safety researchers to help seniors drive safely longer. This tool allows seniors to measure the eight functional abilities shown to be the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers. The abilities assessed in Roadwise Review include:

• Leg Strength and General Mobility
• Head/Neck Flexibility
• High- and Low-Contrast Visual Acuity
• Working Memory
• Visualization of Missing Information
• Visual Search
• Useful Field of View

What Users Tell Us About Roadwise Review.

• "If you take the test and you do well, it gives you confidence. If you have concerns, you'll learn about what you can do to keep driving safely."
• "...very well set up, easy to follow and move through."

Please contact Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272 to schedule an appointment for your confidential screening.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Wii Games

Virtual gaming on our big screen

Bowl, play tennis, golf or try your hand at boxing. Wii virtual games are a fun substitute, especially if you can't do the real thing. As players move a small hand-held motion sensitive wand, the television registers the motion, making the video game seem like the real thing. Health benefits may include improved hand-eye coordination, balance, muscular strength and endurance.

Our own GMVCC Wii Bowling League will compete with other South Sound senior centers beginning in October 2009.  Practices will be held Friday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 with matches scheduled ad lib.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Game Room

Classic Favorites

Not just for kids, the Game Room at The Den is now open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for "experienced" players of pool, ping-pong, shuffleboard, foosball and more.

Let's show them how it's done.

Age Requirement: 50+

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Medical Lending Closet

Check with us before you buy

GMVCC maintains a lending closet for use by anyone who needs bathroom or walking aids. All equipments is available free of charge. Donated items include

• canes
• crutches
• walkers
• shower chairs
• bedside commodes
• wheelchairs

Call 425-432-1272 for available inventory.

Age Requirement: N/A

For more information or to donate items email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.

Flu Shots

Don't let the flu bug bite!

Visting Nurses administer flu & pneumonia shots for persons 6 years or older. The legal guardian of anyone under 18 must be present. Visit the Visiting Nurses website for a complete listing of their immunization schedule at local community sites.

Note: The H1N1 shot will not be available.

For more information email Allison or Linda or call 425-432-1272.