Resident Highlight: The Blue Rock Walkers

The Power of a Daily Walk

According to the Mayo clinic, there is a lengthy list of benefits when it comes to taking a walk each day.

“Regular brisk walking can help you strengthen your bones and muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, increase energy levels, improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress and tension.”

Quite a few benefits for such a simple daily task, right? The physical benefits seem obvious, but you may not realize the impact it can have on your stress levels and mental health.

Well, three of our wonderful Village residents, Jane Raye, Nancy Serotkin, and Naomi Scott have a deep understanding of these benefits because they walk together every day (weather permitting).

Meet The Blue Rock Walkers!

Known around Thirwood Place as the Blue Rock Walkers, these three bonded over their desire to stay active while building new friendships and socializing.

One of the benefits of living at Thirwood Place is how close it is to Blue Rock Golf Course. Our residents have complimentary access to Blue Rock. Blue Rock has been voted the Best Golf Course on Cape Cod by the readers of the Cape Cod Times, Best Mid-Cape Golf Course by the readers of Cape Cod Life and called a “Mid-Cape Treasure” by Golfing Magazine.

When asked about the inspiration behind their walking club Jane quickly chimed in with how it all started. “I walked from day one, then I met Nancy, told her I was doing it, she said ‘can I join you?’ I said absolutely.”

Apparently, up until that point Nancy had been walking on her own. “We introduced ourselves to Naomi and she expressed interest in walking with us and that’s how it started,” said Nancy.

“Well, the answer is Jane, because you invited us to dinner.” Naomi kindly added pointing to Jane.

As Jane quickly interjected “It just clicked!”

Clearly these three ladies found their clique and began their routine of walking the two miles roundtrip from Thirwood Place to Blue Rock Golf course and back.

When asked what their favorite part of their daily walk together is, the answer seemed to be unanimous. The comradery. “…the exercise is great, but we wouldn’t do it every day if it weren’t for the comradery.

“You don’t want to disappoint your companion,” said Jane.

Nancy said the walks have a real positive impact on her life. “Walking by yourself helps, getting out in nature helps, but when you have good friends to go with, it really lifts the spirit.”

According to Jane “it’s a nice start to the day.”

Community Matters

At Thirwood Place we strive to cultivate a sense of community that allows our residents to feel like they are living in their own space while being in close proximity to daily activities and opportunities to socialize. Just as you’d wave at your neighbor when you go outside to pick up your daily newspaper, we want to provide a space where our residents can have the same type of interactions.

When asked what kind of advice they would give to someone who’s trying to start a new workout routine all three ladies had suggestions to provide. According to Jane, one way to start is to “…set a goal and take baby steps.”

“Find somebody who has similar interests and start together to see if it works and others can join if it works. But it does make a difference to meet up with someone who is similarly inclined,” said Nancy.

Naomi’s advice is to “do what you enjoy and invite someone to come along and then it becomes a habit.”

Sometimes friendship is another version of an accountability partner, especially when it comes to things like exercise. Not only does it allow for time to socialize with those you enjoy but it keeps you on target to meet or maintain physical goals.

The goals don’t just have to be physical either! At Thirwood Place we offer so many activities that it’s easy for residents to find their niche. Whether it’s music, puzzles, poker, aquarobics or Mahjong there is a group here for you. It’s also our job as Thirwood Place team members to have an awareness of the interests of incoming residents. That way, we can connect them with like-minded people.

 

The Thirwood Difference

Finally, we asked our Blue Rock walkers on more question. What they love most about living at Thirwood Place? We were very happy to hear their answers.

Jane’s favorite aspect is “…the positivity of the help, the employees and the many varied activities.”

Nancy appreciates “the beauty of the place, it’s very nicely laid out, as well as what Jane said.”

According to Naomi, living here is “…like living in a park it’s so gorgeous. Sometimes me and my husband just walk around the property, and everyone has been so welcoming.”

We love to see our residents grow within our community and make new friends. Jane, Nancy, and Naomi are wonderful examples of what can happen when you get outside of your comfort zone. They didn’t know each other before moving to Thirwood Place and now they each have two new friends and a fantastic walking routine.