IN THE NEWS: Ageless Grace Day Engages Seniors

Seniors enjoy one of many activities featured during Ageless Grace Day at the Weisman Center

JFS sponsors Ageless Grace Day at Weisman Center. Ageless Grace is a cutting-edge brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that activates all five functions of the brain.

The lobby of the Delray Weisman Senior Center was packed with tables and games on a recent weekday so people could play, engage their brains and have fun during the center's Ageless Grace Day, sponsored by Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services.

The event highlighted the launch of the center's weekly Ageless Grace fitness class on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Ageless Grace is a cutting-edge brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that activates all five functions of the brain. In addition to the Ageless Grace fitness class, other activities include brain games, board games, guesstimation, a trivia wheel and a smoothie station offering three types of smoothies with ingredients good for brain health.

The Memory Training Centers of America also participated in the day's activities with interactive computer games, along with The Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology who was there to promote neurological and brain health. Pine Crest Rehabilitation and Delray Medical Center were also on hand to discuss ways to keep the mind active. The day's fun activates included raffle prizes where people earned tickets by playing brain games or participating in Ageless Grace.

"Ageless Grace was an important program for JFS to host at the Weisman Center," Danielle Hartman, JFS president and CEO said. "Improving analytical, strategic, memory, creativity and imagination brain functions make a tremendous impact on anyone, but especially seniors. The activities that took place will help increase participants learning, memory, problem solving skills, as well as improve vision, balance and depression."

Ageless Grace is a fitness and wellness program created by Denise Medved. The program consists of 21 simple exercise "tools" designed for all ages and abilities. The exercises, based on everyday movements that are natural and organic, focus on the healthy longevity of the body and mind. The 21 Tools have creative, imaginative names, so they are easy to remember. They are simple to do at home. The movements are designed to be performed seated in a chair, yet they can be done on a bed, standing near or behind a chair, down on the floor, or standing.

"Almost anyone can do them, regardless of most physical conditions," said Sue Hoffman, the Ageless Grace certified trainer who teaches the weekly class at the Weisman Center.

"The class is for all ages, but focuses on seniors because they are the ones who can really use it," she said. "It's done to music using songs that seniors would appreciate, like the big bands, and Bobby Darin songs."

"We do slow movements, and every week we do something different," the Delray Beach resident noted. "Basically, we're exercising the brain. It is a wonderful class. It really helps seniors remember what they used to do. We have a lot of fun."

Sandra Sheplow, a member of the Weisman Senior Center who has taken the class once, and plans on taking it again, said she felt the effects of the exercise, and can see an improvement in her concentration.

"I really enjoyed it. It was fun and the exercises were not strenuous," the Boynton Beach resident said. "When I got home, I could feel it in my limbs and I said — this is for me.

"The following day, I played Mahjong, and it really helped my concentration," she said. "I played extremely well, and people remarked how well I played. I plan on taking the class every week."

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