From Our CEO: Celebrating seniors’ health and wellness

Senior services are an important part of the work we do every day at the JCC, but we’re especially excited to put the spotlight on our seniors this month. This June marks a month dedicated to senior health and wellness as our agency hosts the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics and the Conference on Aging.

The Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics, which began on June 1, has taken on a virtual format this year due to restrictions on in-person events put in place by the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA). The pandemic has reminded us how important self-care is, so the events we’ve chosen are all about taking care of our minds, bodies, and souls by having fun doing the activities we enjoy.

In addition to traditional athletic events like cycling and swimming, participants can also select activities that improve mental and spiritual well-being, such as word games, reading, meditating, and volunteering. We are co-sponsoring the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics with DFTA, the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, the YMCA, and the Staten Island Advance.

The free event will wrap up this Sunday and will be followed by a Virtual Closing Ceremony on Friday, June 18th from 3-4pm. You can join us on Zoom here.

Beginning Monday, we invite all to join our Conference on Aging, sponsored by Vitacare LTC: an Enexia Company. Like the Senior Olympics, this five-day virtual educational forum focuses on holistic well-being and offers something for everyone over 50.

Each day, participants can choose from a variety of free workshops and seminars on topics important to seniors. Highlights include exercise and meditation classes, an interactive healthy cooking demonstration with Chef Kim Leo, and a seminar on relationships with acclaimed author and television personality Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Several programs also focus specifically on the effects of the pandemic on seniors, including advice for handling stress and social isolation. You can see all of the events and register here.

Together, the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics and Conference on Aging reflect the JCC’s commitment to improving Staten Island seniors’ independence and quality of life. These wonderful events are all about empowering older adults to feel their best in every area of their lives.
​
As we begin to see our city fully reopen, we look forward to welcoming seniors back into the building in the very near future. Stay tuned for a big announcement later this month!

-Orit Lender, CEO

---