PEOPLE
Walking on sunshine: Tucker volunteers form an all-ages movement to walk for wellness By Logan C. Ritchie At the height of the COVID pandemic, there were two fail-safe modes of socializing: virtual meetups or meeting outdoors. Lois Ricci, a Registered Nurse, expert on aging and professor of gerontology, heartily engaged in both. Her buoyancy and vitality are not surprising to those who know Ricci, an 80-yearold Tucker resident. She never stops asking questions and she loves listening to different perspectives. During the pandemic, Ricci helped bring America Walks to her community.
The national program focuses on improving access to public paths. Ricci believes getting people walking will help improve their health. Her goal is to build all-ages walking groups across Tucker and to conclude the year with a community celebration in November. “It’s not about age,” Ricci said. “It’s about aging well.” Her first step was to take a six-month leadership course called The Walking College. Participants were paired with mentors to learn the historical underpinnings of a car-centric society, basic design and policy of nonmotorized transportation and Lois Ricci and her husband John walk daily in their Tucker neighborhood (Photo by Logan C. Ritchie )
CONVENIENT DUNWOODY LOCATION
Got Aches & Pains?
Complete Orthopedic Care for Weekend Warriors of all ages.
“It is time to get back to old style medicine where a board certified orthopedist
Now welcoming Deanna Anselmo APRN to the practice. Deanna specializes in aesthetics including Botox and Dysport injections. Microneedling, Fillers, and Peels.
sees you, evaluates you, and cares for you.” - Dan Richin & Dr. Paul Richin, MD
Ortho Cortisone Injection Center 404-292-3538 www.theocic.com 8
APRIL 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
• Now providing multiple Regenerative Medicine techniques, including PRP • Timely appointments • Guaranteed to see the doctor at every visit • Convenient free parking in front All insurance accepted
1705-B Mt. Vernon Rd Dunwoody, GA 30338 (across from Dunwoody Village)
how to create safe, accessible communities. Next, participants created a blueprint for taking action in their communities. Ricci’s message is that anyone of any ability can be active. “Anybody can be out there walking,” Ricci said. “Whether you have a cane or a walker or a wheelchair, you should be out there socializing and interacting.” Ricci enlisted volunteers to promote walking through a committee she chairs, Tucker Lifelong Community. It’s an arm of the Tucker Civic Association that focuses on maintaining an age-friendly community designation through the World Health Organization. A walking program fits right in, using seven of eight domains to address barriers to seniors’ wellbeing and participation in their communities. The
facebook.com/AtlantaSeniorLife
