You At Your Best

6 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST JANUARY - NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 BY SARAH HANEY NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Located at 945 S. College, the Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center is conveniently situated near historic downtown Fayetteville and offers an array of activities to engage the senior citizens of the community. "Here at the center, we have a wonderful exercise program," stated Center Director Cayla Wilson. "We have our drumming program, which is evidence based to help with coordination, dementia, and depression. It's a really wonderful exercise to make you feel really less stressed and very happy." The seniors can also help with the center's gardening in the spring and summer months. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that various physical activities — gardening among them — can cut your risk of Alzheimer's by as much as 50 percent. Other research finds that horticulture therapy is very engaging for dementia patients and has a positive impact on their overall wellbeing. In addition to this, gardening keeps a person active and reduces stress levels which helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. Gardening also provides an outlet for creativity for the seniors and nurtures a sense of pride and accomplishment when they harvest the produce. Social interaction also plays a large role in the mental health of senior citizens and the center offers many opportunities for the older community to engage with one another. "We have a lot of seniors who are widowed, or they don't have any family here in the area, so they come to the senior center and actually rebuild their family here," stated Wilson. "We have folks that come here daily for a meal and socialization." Meal on Wheels is a program the center offers that also promotes social interaction, primarily with those senior citizens who are homebound. Wilson explained, "Our Meals on Wheels program is wonderful for homebound seniors because there is a lot of depression and there are some mental issues that go along with being homebound. With the program, the client gets a daily check-in and a friendly hello, which really boosts the spirits. We depend on volunteers to run our meal routes – we are always looking for volunteers for this program." The 12 year-old center boasts a fitness center, billiards room, dining hall and kitchen, exercise/yoga room, art/game room, library, outdoor patio seating area, and garden. There are plenty of activities to keep any visitor engaged and having fun. "The goal of the senior center is to provide a very positive and caring atmosphere for seniors in our community," added Wilson. The Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Seniors enjoy social time at Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center

• Cover