Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Christian City hosts National Senior Health & Fitness Day

Metro Atlanta seniors will gather for the eighth annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day (NSHFD) today, May 30, at Christian City, the official host site for Atlantans joining an estimated 150,000 seniors at 1,500 sites across the nation to walk, dance, play and learn their way to better fitness and health.

Atlanta's seniors are invited to participate in walking events, seated volleyball, putt-putt golf, Tai Chi, bowling, rhythm band dance contest and a ballroom dancing contest.

Information booths and screenings will include a nutrition booth, diabetes education, blood pressure check, physical therapy balance screening, and occupation therapy. Christian City also will host an open house for its Strength Center and swimming pool.

"Exercise can be fun, and we hope that through our walking and dancing events that our seniors will have a chance to experience appropriate and enjoyable forms of exercise," said Bob Crutchfield, president and CEO of Christian City. "It's also a great opportunity for seniors to find out about health-related resources in our community."

For more information regarding National Senior Health & Fitness Day, please call Patricia Mitchell, Wellness coordinator for Christian City at 770-703-2627.

National Senior Health and Fitness Day is the nation's largest annual fitness event for older adults and is held on the last Wednesday in May as a part of Older Americans Month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month celebrations.

The theme for National Senior Health and Fitness Day 2001, "Strengthen Your Future With Exercise!" was chosen from more than 1,000 entries in a slogan contest for older adults. Betty Jackson of Chicago submitted the winning slogan.

Christian City is a nonprofit, non-denominational organization providing for the needs of children and senior citizens. The 400+ acre complex located in Union City helps to meet the needs of more than 1,100 people in the Home for Children, Convalescent Center, Alzheimer's Care, Sparks Inn Assisted Living/Personal Care Facility and Independent Retirement Homes and Apartments.

For more information, go to the Christian City Website at www.christiancity.org.