OFFERING PROGRAMMING

focuses on offering a full-activity program to ensure each resident has the opportunity to engage and socialize with their friends on both a physical and mental level. Vickie Aigner teaches classes at The Palazzo and is the founder and CEO of Alive, Fit & Free, where she teaches live virtual classes for any age or ability. What classes/programs are currently offered for seniors’ mental, physical or Senior tech classes assport travel

Are all of your classes offered through the Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) Center for Senior Enrichment or are there classes only offered to

Through our partnership with the JFCS, all activities on Tuesdays are offered and advertised to all seniors 60 and over. On other days of the week, most activities are geared for our residents, but since we are a community of acceptance and inclusion, we wouldn’t turn away a senior looking for socialization and fun activities to participate in and enjoy.

What benefits does a person receive from taking these classes?

Our classes and activities will improve emotional, intellectual and physical wellness. Being involved will help overcome isolation and loneliness and it aids our seniors in connecting with others and improving their mood. Socializing helps to sharpen memory skills and can improve cognitive functions as well.

What advice do you have for seniors who are looking into trying a class?

We post our activity calendar on our website at palazzohc.com. People can review our fitness activities, live entertainment, games and other socialization opportunities and let us know if they would like to come by to participate and have the opportunity to meet our residents and possibly make some new friends.

Vickie Aigner, what’s your favorite thing about what you do?

There is more than one! I get to be surrounded by the most incredible people — they are real, so full of wisdom and they inspire me to have an attitude of gratitude for each day.

I love that I can teach them how to feel their best, help them to stay active and mobile and maybe help to relieve some pain. I see the difference my classes and movement makes, not only physically but mentally, emotionally and energetically. I love that we are a community, build amazing relationships with each other and help combat isolation.

What do you wish everyone knew about your job?

What I do is not a job; it is my passion!

It is so much more than fitness or exercise: it is a community, a transformation — learning to value ourselves and life and share who we are to motivate and inspire others. It is quite simply having the freedom to be ourselves, do life together and live our healthiest and happiest.

Sometimes we come together and we are having a tough day. And guess what? We share that. We can laugh at ourselves, cry together, uplift each other and learn to accept ourselves.

I love helping others feel better. I love to encourage, inspire and motivate people to embrace life. I love giving people the freedom to be happy and laugh and be silly — to be real — and that’s what we do in my classes.

They get it, feel it and pay attention to the transformation happening with them. This is what I get to do and I love it!!

In what ways do you bring Judaism into your work?

We work hand in hand with JFCS with senior programming and we also offer spiritual support with programs like Taste of Shabbat, Chit Chat with Rabbi, Tea Time with Rabbi and trips to Smile on Seniors programs. JN