Extension Matters
Volume 12 Number 2
Moving On Up
Members of the Let’s Get Moving! Chair Exercise group range in age from 74 to 98 and meet three times a week at the Mississippi State University Extension Service office in Wilkinson County. Left to right: Sheena Hendry, Doris Arbuthnot, Jessie Martin, Jannie Williams, Nancy Johnon, Audrey Dangerfield, Dorothy McQuarter, Shirley Swain, Nell Ward, Ann Morris, Valeria Harris, and Ann Davis
Let’s Get Moving! Chair Exercise group creating connection, improving mobility
Story by Leah Bowers | Photos by Kevin Hudson
Forget about age. Staying active, no matter how young or old you are, improves your quality of life.
Just ask the group of ladies who participate in the Let’s Get Moving! program in Wilkinson County.
With about 20 dedicated members who meet three times a week, every week, at the Mississippi State University Extension Service office, Let’s Get Moving! is improving their mobility, strength, flexibility, balance, and focus. Another bonus, they agree, is socializing.
“It’s helping us mentally, socially, and physically,” says Audrey Dangerfield. “This program gets us moving. We’re learning from each other, and just socializing together makes it more fun.”
So many members battle arthritis, but the exercises in the Let’s Get Moving! program are helping participants improve symptoms and move more freely, Dangerfield observes. Participants agree, their joints move better because of the exercises they are doing in the program.
The group, which has been meeting three days a week since 2022, does chair exercises for 30 minutes to an hour; they participate as long as they feel comfortable, and the local Extension agent, Ann Davis, does the exercises with them.
“So many of our participants have real physical problems, but they love coming,” Davis says. “The exercises aren’t easy, but the participants do what they are physically able to and keep on moving.”
She cites improvements in cholesterol, blood pressure, flexibility, and balance among the many benefits. The participants, who range in age from 74 to 98, have formed friendships and regularly check in on each other.
“Socializing and the bonds made here are also making a difference in the participants’ lives,” she emphasizes.
“Ann and Office Associate Sheena Hendry are always looking to find us good exercises, and getting in as much movement as possible—together—is good for us all,” Dangerfield observes.
Other members agree.
Even at 92 years old, Dorothy McQuarter, who has been with the group since the beginning, aims to attend regularly.
“I have arthritis also, but I’m here to get my joints to move better, and it has helped me—keeps helping me—since I’ve been coming,” McQuarter says.
Likewise, Nell Ward appreciates the Let’s Get Moving! program.
“I found out about the class through word of mouth,” Ward explains. “I’m more flexible, and it helps me do chores without accidents. Movement is improvement!”
Doing the exercises helps participants remain more independent, they agree. Also, by exercising together, they are less anxious about having accidents.
“I can’t do this alone, but I can do more with others around,” Dangerfield says. “We’re a group of senior citizens constantly exercising, and we might even entice younger ones into exercising.”
Ann Morris touts even more benefits.
“This program keeps me active,” she says. “When your muscles shut down, you shut down. Exercising keeps me active, and I can basically keep going.”
About half the group also walks regularly and do additional physical activities.