The old adage of "use it or lose it" holds true when it comes to the aging body and brain. Many of the declines in fitness with age are due to lack of use, not just the normal aging process. Studies have shown that senior citizens can not only improve their aging bodies with exercise but that by adding memory exercises to their routine they can also preserve their memory.

Research has found that previously sedentary senior citizens who incorporated exercise into their lifestyles not only improved physical function, but experienced psychological benefits as well. There is growing evidence that exercise – particularly if it starts early and is maintained over time — is beneficial in preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

At Heritage Senior Living, we believe it is important to incorporate fitness into the everyday lives of our residents. Each of our communities provides at least one physical fitness activity each day — such as yoga, tai chi, weight training or chair aerobics. We also provide a fitness center with treadmills, stationery bikes and weights at each of our independent living communities.

Many of our communities also offer the PositScience™ Brain Training Fitness Program. The Posit Science program features computer-based exercises targeting the auditory system of the brain. Auditory processing is a fundamental root of brain fitness because much of the important information we take in each day—and that we want to respond to, remember, and use later—comes in through speech. The Brain Fitness Program improves the quality and quantity of the information the brain absorbs from your ears. These exercises are designed to be very easy to use, even for computer novices. The exercises adapt to individual level, and give constant feedback about progress.