Did you lose strength and stamina over the past couple years?

When 94-year-old Barbara Wells of Chatham emerged from the COVID-19 quarantine and the isolation of going through a pandemic, she found she was not as strong as she had been before the pandemic.

“I was feeling I was sadly lacking in fitness because I was a regular attendee at the Chatham Health Club and once COVID came, the health club closed,” said Wells. “I felt like I was going downhill. I just turned 94, so it’s hard to get it back.”

Wells’ sentiment echoed what the Cape Cod Councils on Aging saw in many senior residents after COVID-19.

“Seniors deteriorated greatly during COVID-19,” said Nikki Courtney, an exercise physiologist with the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Public Health and Wellness Division, who works closely with the Cape Cod Councils on Aging. “When they returned to the senior centers and community centers, they were really deconditioned.”

Courtney, who joined the VNA a few months ago, said one of the first thing she did was contact the COA and senior centers to find out what was needed in the way of programs.

“They asked me if there was a way I could help people get back on their feet, and that is how ‘Stepping Stones’ came about,” said Courtney.

Stepping Stones is a progressive exercise program sponsored by the VNA that teaches participants basic home exercises to improve strength, endurance, mobility, and balance, which helps to keep seniors independent while building confidence. Classes are about one hour long and include about 20 minutes of education and 40 minutes of exercise. Participants must be able to ambulate, though low tolerance to walking/standing is acceptable.

“It is a progressive program and is really meant to start them at the basics,” said Courtney. “There is a standing version, and a seated version. One is working with equipment, and one is without equipment.

“The first day we meet, they all get a folder with all the programs. We will do exercises, modifications, the intensity they should be feeling, the amount they should be doing and by the end of six weeks, they understand how they would progress at home.”

While Wells found the informational material for the Stepping Stones program very well organized and well-divided between sitting and standing, she felt it was a bit too much for her at her age. “I was the oldest person in the class and if I had been 74 instead of 94, it would have been perfect for me.

She did not give up, though, and found her abilities perfectly matched for the VNA’s “Neuro-GO!” program.

Neuro-GO! is specifically for those diagnosed with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and more. Each hour-long class involves exercises aimed to help decrease neurological symptoms, improve overall fitness, and challenge the brain. Participants must be able to ambulate independently and tolerate 60 minutes of seated and standing exercises.

“It was perfect for me because it was moving at a much slower pace,” said Wells. “I enjoyed the class very much.”

Jay Zavala, 78, of Falmouth participated in the eight-week Neuro-GO! program at the Falmouth Senior that ended in June because he believes exercise is the key to keeping his Parkinson’s disease at bay.

Zavala, who was named Falmouth’s Citizen of the Year this year for his community service and is also the vice-president of the Massachusetts Chapter of Parkinson’s disease said he is fighting the disease and chooses not to be afflicted by it.

“Part of it is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise,” said Zavala. “The Falmouth Senior Center was generous to offer it through the VNA and offered it free to the adult population. I took full advantage of it, and it absolutely helped me.”

Courtney said she works very closely with the towns, especially with Councils on Aging, because they know a lot about their population. Together, they provide exercise programs for seniors and those with chronic diseases such chronic diseases, arthritis, and Parkinson’s Disease.

“It is a really safe environment, and anyone can join, but they have to have medical clearance from their physician,” said Courtney. “Masks are optional, the groups are small and spread out. We maintain social distancing and clean all the equipment.”

For those who may be unsure about joining the Neuro-GO! program, Zavala said he would tell them; “they are in for an eight-week journey that is going to be very enjoyable. Not only is Nikki an excellent facilitator, along with Lauren (Forziati), but they are both excellent therapists.”

Further information and registration are available by calling Amy Chipman at the VNA at 508-957-7423.