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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 S E P T E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 6 F O C U S H OW TO K eeping your workforce healthy and on the job is a simple ten- ant of productivity. However, studies clearly indicate that work-loss days increase with the age of the worker. Adhering to that simple tenet is therefore not so simple for businesses in Maine, the oldest state in the nation. Nearly half the state's work- force is over the age of 45. It's no secret that the aging process makes us more susceptible to illness and injury. After the age of 50, adults lose 1% of their muscle mass and 0.5% of their bone density per year, on aver- age. Flexibility, agility, balance and aer- obic ability also decline, contributing to injury and a general loss in overall ability to complete everyday tasks. As the fi tness coordinator at OceanView at Falmouth Retirement Community, I use my knowledge and skills as a clinical exercise physiologist to help people over the age of 50 maintain their strength, fl exibility, agility and general well-being. e best practices we implement at OceanView can also become the best practices for employers and employees to keep an aging work- force productive and on the job. Any program at any age should incorporate elements of lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body fl exibility, agility, aerobic abil- ity and balance. Of course, individuals should determine what level of exercise is OK for them and have medical clear- ance from their doctor. ey should be encouraged to seek treatment for any pain, starting with a referral to a physical therapist, transitioning to an at- home program or even a program with a certifi ed personal trainer. Pain not only limits ability, it reduces our quality of life and the capacity to be healthier in other aspects of total well-being. Accordingly, the priority is to stay active and pain free. My motto is, "You need to keep moving to keep moving." Fun and enjoyment should also be a priority; if someone enjoys what they are doing they are more likely to stick with their exercise program. I often ask the people I work with, "What did you enjoy as a child?" My father never enjoyed running and long walks, but as a kid, he loved riding his bike. He has rediscovered that passion and rides his bike frequently. He has found that rekindling his passion for biking has improved his aerobic abil- ity, lower body mobility and his over- all enjoyment of exercise. A simple peddle around the block goes miles toward your well-being. If you do enjoy walking it is a great way to get started with exercise. Walking naturally counteracts our loss of bone density. e impact of walking compresses our bones, making them denser. Walking can also incorporate agility and is a form of balance practice. Dodging roots and rocks and uneven walkways are an environmental agility course. Individuals can also improve their balance using their offi ce chair. A few times a day, simply lift one foot up at a time while holding the back of your chair. Dancing is great for aerobic ability, agility and balance. Of course, fl exibility must also be accounted for. It is an important factor in its own right, but it also increases our capacity to engage in exercise. More than any other element of our well- being, fl exibility is found to have the most impact on our ability to accom- plish daily activities such as tying our shoes, getting dressed or performing physical work. Research has shown that being able to accomplish daily activities and remain productive members of the workforce directly correlates to our self-worth and happiness. Consequently, in addition to the obvious physical benefi ts of main- taining our health, we can't overlook the mental benefi ts. Exercise is a com- mon prescription from mental health practitioners. So encourage movement and exercise in the workplace. It's fun, productive and will create a happier and healthier environment for all. K F, who is certif ied as a personal trainer through t h e N a t i o n a l S t r e n g t h a n d Conditioning Association, is the fi tness coordinator at OceanView at Falmouth Retirement Community. She can be reached at @ . KEEPING PATIENTS MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL HEALTH? IS YOUR JOB. healthy That's ours. nhdlaw.com • Portland (207) 774-7000 • Lewiston (207) 777-5200 B Y K A T E F O L E Y Keep an aging workforce on the job The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay The priority is to stay active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. active and pain free. My motto is, 'You need to keep moving to keep moving.' H E A L T H C A R E & W E L L N E S S

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