Zelma Lacey House, an assisted living community located in Charlestown, Mass., and managed by full-service real estate and property management firm Peabody Properties, recently announced a new fitness partnership with J. Fish Senior Fitness, a company specializing in physical fitness for seniors.

As a result of this partnership, residents of Zelma Lacey House are now being offered specifically designed exercises for seniors living in independent and assisted living communities. One of the first group exercises offered is the SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) program, which focuses on fall prevention and balance. Group exercise classes consist of five essential segments: dynamic warmup, strength training, range of motion, evidence-based fall prevention and balance training, and seated yoga stretching.

In addition, personal trainers from J. Fish Senior Fitness also assist residents in using workout equipment and offer assistance to residents who wish to work out independently.

Benefits to residents as a result of these fitness programs include increased upper and lower body strength and power, improved range of motion, increased resident participation and socialization, happier residents and improved moods, improved ability to perform activities of daily living, and a greater feeling of independence and dignity.

“This new fitness partnership fits in very nicely with the other services we offer at Zelma Lacey House,” said David Kingsley, executive director of Zelma Lacey House. “Already, the community has witnessed great strides in the physical fitness of the residents, and the overall mood of the community seems enhanced as well.”