The benefits
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such balanced physical activity can help reduce the signs and symptoms of various chronic conditions and diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, back pain, depression, and Parkinson’s.
More than medicine
Connie Toth, who has undergone two knee replacements, insists that the main reason she uses the Fitness Center is to keep fit. “Whether I had a joint replacement or not, I’ve always been active and played tennis all of my life. To continue at our age, you just need to keep fit,” she says.
Cataldi agrees. “Connie was with us before her joint surgery, and you’re always better off being as well conditioned as possible. That way recovery time is minimized.”
Of course, Toth does recognize the post-operative therapeutic value of her Fitness Center exercises. “You just can’t have appliances put in your body without keeping the muscle tone strong around those appliances,” she says. “And, it keeps me fit and trim.”
Working together
Immediately following her surgery, Toth went through an in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation program before resuming her activities at the Fitness Center. The two departments, wellness and rehabilitation, work in conjunction with each other and with Cedar Crest physicians as part of the complete Erickson HealthSM system.
“We have a very close relationship with our Medical Center and the Fitness Center,” says rehabilitation manager Brian Alexopoulos. “Generally, the Medical Center, or the person’s outside physician, refers the patient to us. After we complete our rehabilitation program, we will very often send that person to the Fitness Center for continued exercises. It can be a very positive thing to transition from rehab right into wellness and keep the person moving.
“That’s the goal,” he adds. “Keep them moving, keep them safe, keep them healthy.”
Fitness Center programs
Cedar Crest Fitness Center offers classes to its members that can be helpful in managing chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Both the land-based aerobics class and the water exercise class in the Aquatics Center incorporate elements of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and Aquatics Program. Studies show that appropriate exercise can reduce arthritis pain and disability.
Cedar Crest also offers the Surestep balance class, based on the highly regarded Fall Proof Balance and Mobility Training Program and developed by Dr. Debra Rose, Ph.D., co-director of the Center for Successful Aging at California State University, Fullerton. This program has been embraced and supported by Erickson communities and the Erickson Foundation.