Lifestyles of Acacia Creek
May 2017
Purposeful Movement
Inside this Issue:
Special Events
2
Blue Zones
3
Lifestyles Calendar
4&5
Maintaining Balance
6
Outings and Trips
7
Continued Articles
8
Move for Wellness (M4W) kicks off
on May 1st with the annual Starting Line
Party! It is wonderful to see all the
Acacia Creek and Masonic Homes
participants gather in their team T-shirts
each year. I find it inspiring to look out at
the sea of color representing all of us
who will be dedicating the month to
purposeful movement.
But just what is purposeful
movement? It is the practice of setting
aside time each day for additional
physical activity – purposefully making a
conscious effort to move more than you
normally would. Purposeful movement
varies for everyone. It can mean walking
more throughout the day at a faster pace,
adding a class like Sit and Be Fit or r
esistance training to a weekly workout,
walking an extra lap around the grocery
store, adding water walking to your
routine, or even increasing the speed or
incline level on the treadmill. Intentional
movement can be done standing or sitting – people at any fitness level can
participate.
Continued on page 8
LIFESTYLES OF ACACIA CREEK
Page 2
SPECIAL EVENTS
Wednesday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m.—Shaolin Wellness (Qigong) Class
Shaolin Temple USA Executive Director Master Yanran returns to teach Shaolin wellness. / MHA
Friday, May 5 at 4:00 p.m.—Cinco de Mayo Social Hour
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the Turkey Roost with a margarita. / TR
Saturday, May 6 and 13 at 10:00 a.m. - M4W walk with Girl Scout Troop #33923
We have partnered with Troop #33923 for M4W and some of them are on your M4W
teams. Join us as we enjoy a walk together on campus. / L
Sunday, May 7 at 1:45 p.m. - Krazy Card Party with Joanne
Enjoy an afternoon of cards and fellowship / SURB / MHA
Sunday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m.—Shaolin Kung Fu (A Documentary)
Filmed at the Shaolin Temple in China, featuring the Shaolin Monks and the history of
the temple. Second showing in Mandarin at 8:15 p.m. / TR
Tuesday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m.—Fitness Talk
Health Fitness Specialist Yanasa Williams will be discussing improving and maintaining
balance. / GR
Tuesday, May 9 at 4:15 p.m.—Meet with Martin
Martin will share recent community news and updates. / TR
Wednesday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.—Monthly Forum
Guest speaker David Jones of Jones Accountancy discusses trust and estate planning./DR
Saturday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. - Unity Rainbow Teddy Bear Tea
Join the Unity Rainbow Girls in an afternoon tea. / MHA
Wednesday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m.—Plant Sale
Plants for sale with proceeds going to the Staff Appreciation Fund. / Outside near AC
Lobby
Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00 PM - CSUEB Ensemble Performance
Students from Cal State East Bay will be here to share their musical talents / L
Saturday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. - Friendship Lodge BBQ and Bingo
Join the Friendship lodge for lunch and an afternoon of bingo / MHA
Wednesday, May 24th at 2:15 p.m. - Relay for Life: Need to know News with guest
speaker Michael Richie. / BR
Friday, May 26 at 10:00 am - Guest Speaker: Joe Escalante from SVILC (Silicon
Valley Independent Living Center) Joe will share with us speech apps that are available
to assist with communicating. / BR
Friday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. Summer Concert Series
Join us for an evening of music by Maria Northington and cocktails. / MHA
**Look for special programming hosted by managers on duty,
Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month.
LIFESTYLES OF ACACIA CREEK
Page 7
OUTINGS / TRIPS
Monday, May 1 at 8:30 a.m.—Washington Jewelry Sale / SURB / L
Tuesday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m.—Walmart—Union Landing / SURB / L
Thursday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m. —Lunch Bunch: Massimo’s
Italian fine-dining establishment serving in a white-tablecloth setting since
1976. / SURB / L
Wednesday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.—Bank Run
Transportation is provided to any bank within a five-mile radius. / SURB / L
Thursday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.—Filoli
A country house set in 16 acres of formal gardens surrounded by a 654-acre
estate, located in Woodside, California. A one-hour house tour is included. /
Cost: $ 20 / SURB / L
Tuesday, May 16 at 8:45 a.m. - Graton Casino
Table games, slots, and restaurants are offered at this establishment. / SURB / L
Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m.—Costco—Hesperian / SURB / L
Thursday, May 18 at 10:15 a.m.—Disney Family Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum is an American museum that features the
life and legacy of Walt Disney. / Cost:$ 15 / SURB / L
Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 p.m.—CalPops: Best of Pop
There’ll be music from big band, movies, Broadway, TV comedy, cartoons,
and much more. CalPops is always surprising, endearing, exciting, inspiring,
but always your favorites! / Cost: $ 40 / SURB / L
Tuesday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m.—Olivina Tour and Day on Your Own in
Downtown Livermore
Olivina makes true California extra virgin olive oil from olives grown, harvested, milled and bottled on the historic estate. / SURB / L
Wednesday, May 24 at 2:00 p.m.—Bank Run
Transportation is provided to any bank within a five-mile radius. / SURB / L
Thursday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m.—Sprouts Grocery Shopping / SURB / L
Tuesday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m.—Stoneridge / SURB / L
Wednesday, May 31 at 12:15 p.m.—Roman Holiday: The Musical
A runaway princess. A dashing reporter. A Roman holiday neither one will
ever forget. / Cost: $ 45 / SURB / L
LIFESTYLES OF ACACIA CREEK
Page 8
Purposeful Movement (cont’d from page 1)
Throughout May, you will track the time you engage in purposeful
movement. Each day, record your movement time on your participation sheet,
and at the end of the week, submit your completed sheet to concierge. (You
will be able to get a new activity sheet there.) The goal for M4W this year is
100 percent participation from everyone each week.
Start your purposeful movement slowly. Each week, make it a goal to move
more than you did the week before. In last month’s message, I wrote about
functional fitness, the physical ability to perform everyday tasks. Functional
fitness can be improved through purposeful movement because it encourages
you to be conscious of the movements you are performing. As you move
throughout the day, consider how each movement is helping you to maintain
or improve your lifestyle. This will give you inspiration and help you to find a
purpose to move.
Carolee Rodrigo, CTRS, RTC - Lifestyles Manager
Blue Zones (cont’d from page 3)
Yet another Blue Zone characteristic is eating a plant-based diet. We know
that 70 percent of how we physically age is based on lifestyle choices, and that
diet is a key factor. Beyond weight control, focusing on nutrition and providing fuel to perform at our best can boost our immune system, helping us to become more resilient.
Together, we grow the successful aging culture at Acacia Creek. Perhaps
one day we can become a Blue Zone – right here in Union City!
Penny Vittoria - Successful Aging Coach
Tuesday Move for Wellness Walking Trips
We will walk on four Tuesdays in May at different locations.
Please sign up in the Lifestyles binder located in the mail room, and
meet in the AC lobby.
LIFESTYLES OF ACACIA CREEK
Page 3
Blue Zones
Blue Zones are areas of the world where extreme longevity is much more
common than in other societies. They are found in Okinawa, Sardinia, Costa
Rica, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. These areas also experience
significantly less disease than the rest of the world.
Dan Buettner, author of “The Blue Zones,” found that these cultures’
secret to greater health and longevity lay in their fundamental values. In these
Blue Zones, there is an emphasis on the importance of family and social
engagement, and that everyone has a valuable role in these societies,
regardless of their age. Because they live with purpose, people are engaged in
meaningful pursuits that keep them active throughout their lives.
Acacia Creek offers a variety of opportunities to assist residents in
maintaining or discovering their own path to meaningful engagement and
purpose. Residents have an opportunity to grow by contributing to our
community in many diverse ways. Some host classes, painting classes, and
various games; offer travel programs; aid in program planning on committees,
and serve as liaisons between residents and management; or contribute
through participation, immersing themselves in the talent of other residents.
Other Blue Zone characteristics include constant moderate activity and
low chronic stress. Each May, Move for Wellness (M4W) supports residents
and team members in focusing and assessing their efforts to maintain physical
health. M4W also challenges them to continue their efforts or to expand what
they are presently doing. Even if you are not signed up for M4W, you are
welcome to participate.
Continue on page 8.
RCFE# 015601302 COA #246
LIFESTYLES OF ACACIA CREEK
Page 6
Maintaining Balance
Every second, an older adult in the United States suffers from a fall. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that falls are the number one
cause of injury, and deaths from injury, among older adults. Americans
experience 29 million falls each year, causing millions of injuries, and costing
billions of dollars in Medicare expenses. Every year, one out of three seniors
age 65 or older have some type of falling incident. Both major or minor falls
can cause injuries, death, and limited mobility. These statistics seem to
foreshadow inevitable doom and gloom, but luckily, that is not the case.
Regardless of your age or fitness level, you can help prevent a possible fall by
moving with purpose to improve your functional fitness. A good start is to
focus on improving your balance. Acacia Creek’s balance classes incorporate
exercises to improve strength, coordination, flexibility, gait, and balance. With
patience and consistency, residents often see a significant improvement in
balance after eight weeks of class.
One resident said that after months of taking balance classes consistently
she has become stronger, walks straighter, and is more confident walking
through crowded streets, making her out-of-town travels easier and more
enjoyable. Another resident started out walking unstable and crooked, but with
practice she has relearned to walk in a straight line. Thanks to balance classes
and determination, another resident who comes to balance class consistently
can now stand on one foot for almost two minutes; when he started, he could
barely stand on one foot for 10 seconds! At Acacia Creek, there are always
residents who love to create challenges for themselves – and that’s a great way
to improve. Everyone is different, so your goal will depend on what’s most
important to you. It’s important to not forsake exercises due to a fear of falling.
The best prevention is to keep moving, challenging your body and keeping it
strong.
If you are interested in maintaining or improving your balance, please
stop by the gym annex on Monday and Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. for my
Beginning Balance class where we incorporate strength, flexibility, agility,
coordination, and balance. If you would like individual help you can come to
the gym annex Tuesday and Thursday at 12:00pm for Open Gym Time.
Yanasa Williams, Exercise Physiologist
Gym ext. 3731