Almost a year to the day after the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Senior Day Health Center opened at Escuela Avenue and Villa Street, another airy new facility for seniors opened right next door.
Now the Mountain View Senior Center and the Senior Day Health Center share a parking lot and a common purpose: senior health and well being.
Next month, for the first time, this common purpose will be on display as Avenidas holds the premier of its Winter Fitness Conference, designed to promote senior fitness, at its new neighbor’s world-class facilities. At 25,000 square feet, the Senior Center is much larger than any of the Avenidas facilities and can house more seniors for the conference.
The group is taking sign-ups now, and encourages more Mountain View seniors (age 50 and up) to attend. As of last week, organizers said, only one of the 65 seniors signed up for the conference was a Mountain View resident.
“The event is convenient for Mountain View residents,” said Kari Martell, director of marketing and communications for Avenidas. “It will be a really great experience for them if they sign up.”
The Winter Fitness Conference is a one-day camp modeled after the week-long Summer Fitness Camp held at Avenidas’ main senior facility in Palo Alto. The conference will cover all avenues of health, from mental to emotional to physical, and includes lectures and physical activities. All events are scheduled to be indoors in case of inclement weather.
Throughout the Jan. 27 conference, there will be three sets of three classes that the seniors can choose from. The morning will open with a choice from of T’ai Chi, Hatha Yoga or Shaman Drumming, followed by a healthy lunch that includes a vegetarian option.
The second part of the day offers an option of interactive lectures and sessions from “Be Sweet to Your Feet,” “Good Fats/Bad Fats” and “Engaged Healing.” Then more fitness sessions are offered, including “Strong for Life,” “Line Dancing for Health and Fun” and “Dayan Qigong.”
Each activity can be modified for seniors with physical restrictions so that no one is left on the sidelines. Many participate while seated or will remain in their wheelchairs and clap their hands, said Mary Lewis, a Palo Alto resident and participant of the Summer Fitness Camp for the last five years. Lewis was also one of the first to sign up for the Winter Fitness Conference.
“The program brings a sense of camaraderie because we are all in the activities together,” said Lewis. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“We are excited for the opportunity to host this event,” said Lauren Merriman, the senior recreation coordinator at the Senior Center. “The organization has been exhausting because of the different sessions, classes and rooms that are needed to pull off the event, but it is well worth it.”
Merriman noted there are key differences between the two centers. The Senior Center is for independent seniors, while the Day Health Center is meant for seniors who are less dependent due to mental or physical impairments.
Directors of both centers say they’re hoping to continue this collaboration, and plan to hold a weekend conference in Mountain View during the summer months.
INFORMATION:
What: Winter Fitness Conference, held by the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Senior Day Health Center and hosted next door at the Mountain View Senior Center. Open to adults ages 50 and older of all levels of fitness.
When: Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View
Cost: $45 for Avenidas members, $65 for non-members
Info: Call Judith Webb for more information or to register at (650) 289-5436, or visit www.avenidas.org; register by Jan. 19.
E-mail Amber Cleave at acleave@mv-voice.com
