EVERYONE IN THE POOL!

On Monday and Thursday afternoons 80 to and 90-plus -year-old residents at Governor’s Village Assisted Living and Memory Care in Mayfield Village are donning their bathing suites and taking their walkers and wheelchairs down the street to Parkview Pool to go swimming. The “Swim Club” is demonstrating what older adults with physical or cognitive issues still “can” do instead of focusing on what they “cannot do.” Thanks to the partnerships of Mayfield Village Parks and Recreation, Parkview pool staff and Stephanie Parker, Life Enrichment Program director at Governor’s Village, seniors with health and cognitive issues can once again enjoy splashing, floating, exercising and even swimming laps in the pool. With the assistance of a specialized aquatic lift chair, several residents who previously would not have even thought about going back to the days of summer pool activities are now able to forget about their age and limitations for a few hours twice a week. “Nobody wants to get out of the water,” said Stephanie Parker of Governors Village. “Shirley, who uses a wheelchair, found that she was able to walk in the water without assistance. Ninety–four year-old Carolyn swims laps and Bill can’t stop smiling,” Even slight drizzle does not stop these swimmers. “We are already here, and wet anyway, let’s just stay,” said Bill. Those that choose not to take a dip can still enjoy sunbathing and watching their friends and neighborhood children having fun.

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