Still Climbing Mountains-This is How We Started Our Summer at Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities
There’s no slow time for residents at Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities regardless of the time of year. Residents there give new meaning to “active adult living.” From Men and Women Social Clubs, Supper Clubs, Art and History Classes, Shows and Cultural Outings, Community Volunteer Activities, and the many daily fitness classes in the vibrant Sterling Way Wellness Centers, there’s never a lull in the life of a Sterling resident. But late spring and summer are especially busy times as residents participate in outside activities and events such as planting and nurturing their communal resident gardens to weekly Bocce Ball and Shuffle Ball tournaments at their communities.
However, the residents at both communities decided to take it up a notch in May by participating in the Fulton County Golden Games, put on by Fulton County Parks and Recreation. Over 50 Sterling Estates residents competed in 23 Events – shuffleboard, golf putt, horseshoes, ½ mile walk, softball skills challenge, basketball free throw, basketball hot shot, ladder golf, washer toss, Texas hold ‘em poker, canasta tournament, team trivia, art competition, coffee and canvas competition, biathlon, wii bowling, frisbee toss, clock golf, corn hole, ladder ball, swimming, virtual bicycle 5k, and table tennis.
Their Medal Count: 32 Medals total: Gold (14) Silver (10) Bronze (8)
Hear what some of the residents had to say:
Pat Keane, 83 years old participated in the rock-climbing event. She stated “I believe you should never look at age as an obstacle to a way of living. Try everything!” Pat’s family and friends were astonished to see her rock-climbing on a Facebook video post. Pat is from Ireland and still has family and friends there who are proud to share Pat’s success in Golden Games! In fact, her rock-climbing photo has become so popular it is hanging up in “Blue Haven Hotel,” a pub in Ireland!
Leon Isaacs, 76 years old, received a silver medal in the Men’s Virtual Bicycle 5k for his performance. Leon stated, “[The silver medal] was a good accomplishment. I haven’t felt this good in 5 years. This really got me in good shape. From this experience, I have a positive self-esteem and feel happier. Just because I’m 76, I can still do it…swim and compete…” (Leon competed in Team Trivia, Virtual Bicycle 5k, Swimming- Men’s 25m Freestyle and 50m Freestyle)
Jim Gillen, 90 years old – Jim stated “It is nice to be able to do a variety of events and see how well you can compete with people in your age group. I especially enjoyed the Biathlon (1-mile treadmill-walk, 1 mile on recumbent bike). I do that amount of exercise most days, so it was good to see my hard work pay off. Competition never gets old and neither do we. That’s our attitude.”, exclaimed Jim Gillen.
Jack Broman, 86 years old – Wellness Director at Sterling Estates of East Cobb, Laura Kelly said, “Jack lives in our independent living cottages in the community. If you could have seen the face Jack gave me when I approached him about signing up for the basketball free throw competition! He had never played basketball before. I scheduled Jack practice sessions weekly at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and we also bought a hoop for our wellness center.” Jack won the gold medal for the Men’s 85+ Free Throw Competition making 5/6 free throws! Jack won 6 medals in ½ mile walk, shuffleboard, basketball free throw, one-mile biathlon, clock golf and horseshoe toss.
Marlene Raack, 87 years old – Wellness Director, Laura Kelly said, “When Marlene first started training with wellness, she was averaging about one mile on the recumbent bike. With pure determination and resilience, Marlene trained daily utilizing our RT and wellness program – aquatic therapy, biking, and sittercise classes. Her goal was to compete in the Virtual Bicycle 5k at the Golden Games. She competed and achieved a personal record biking the 5k in 18 minutes.” Marlene medaled in the canasta tournament and Wii bowling.
Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities have a unique Wellness Model at their communities combining Fitness & Exercise Science with Recreational Therapy (RT) to promote a holistic approach to active aging. Their large Wellness Centers with indoor salt water therapeutic pools and ample space from group classes as well as plenty of age appropriate exercise equipment enable residents to make the most of their exercise time.
Wellness Director from Sterling Estates of East Cobb, Laura Kelly stated “Through recreational therapy that we practice daily at our communities and now as participants in the “Golden Games”, you are more than a resident. More than your age. More than your aging barriers. You are a part of a team…you are an athlete!” Staying active in our Wellness Programs infuses your mind with the attitude expressed by one of our residents above, “Competition never gets old and neither do we” and that’s the way they are, we teach “never give up, never give in.”
