Aging services provider Ecumen, one of the country's largest non-profit senior housing, services and senior housing development companies, is empowering seniors to take greater personal control of their wellness with the opening of the Vitalize! Wellness Centre.

Successful aging entails a moving away from a traditional reactive approach to aging and helping people take more personal control over how one lives to the very end of life. It centers on physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and vocational wellness and engagement.

The Vitalize! Wellness Centre at the Ecumen continuing care retirement community (CCRC) of Parmly LifePointes, in Chisago City, MN, is part of an approach to senior housing development by Ecumen that builds vital connections to the larger community, empowers people and promotes physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and vocational growth.

Many of the Vitalize! members come from the larger community, especially people who do not want to go to fitness centers that are more focused on spandex and techno-thumping music than successful aging. Most Vitalize! members range from their 50s to their 90s, and it's used by Ecumen employees.

The Vitalize! aquatic center includes a water exercise and lap pool, plus a professional sports grade therapy pool. On the second floor is a customized exercise center with Technogym equipment that a person can personalize to the program they develop with their personal trainer. Vitalize! hosts classes and workshops on a variety of subjects, including cooking, yoga, tai chi, politics and centering prayer. Class subjects change approximately every 8 weeks.

Vitalize! also includes community gathering places, such as the outdoor Serenity Garden and Ruben's Café, which was named after Ecumen Senior Olympian swimmer Ruben Berg. And, of course, no visit is complete without a trip to the Vitalize! massage spa.

For more information, visit ecumen.org

At the age of 92, author Mardo Williams began his inspiring novel "One Last Dance: It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love," an atypical, but honest love story about finding love when you least expect it; his daughters and co-authors Kay Williams and Jerri Williams Lawrence finished the award-winning book after their father's death at age 95.

Author Mardo Williams began writing "One Last Dance: It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love" (ISBN 9780964924147, Calliope Press, 2005) at the age of 92, after discovering first-hand the difficulties of beginning a new life with someone else as an older adult. He asked his daughters Kay Williams and Jerri Williams Lawrence to finish the book if he could not, and they honored his wishes after his death at age 95.

"One Last Dance" is an inspirational and uplifting read that candidly deals with the issues of aging, and advocates Mardo Williams' dynamic philosophy: "Life is for living, no matter what our age or condition." Leading lovers Morgan and Dixie are both fiercely independent and set in their ways, but are also in need of both emotional and physical care. When they decide to move in together, humor and tension arise from the various problems associated with two people used to living alone suddenly cohabitating.

"One Last Dance" portrays the joys and discomforts of older life and mature love with refreshing honesty, understanding and laugh-out-loud humor. This inspirational novel reaches out to all generations, encouraging both young and old to continually seek out all the new and exciting experiences life has to offer.

For more information, visit readerviews.com

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, individuals may still be able to perform the daily tasks necessary to live and function independently. As the disease progresses, these responsibilities increasingly fall to the caregiver.

A new section on MayoClinic.com for Alzheimer's caregivers provides helpful information on daily routines, communicating with the patient, dealing with family issues, long-term care options and self-care.

The feature offers a number of practical tips that can make providing care easier.

– Schedule wisely. Determine the time of day when the person is most calm and agreeable.

– Let him or her help. Involve the person in tasks as much as possible.

– Limit choices. Having fewer options makes deciding easier. For example, provide two outfits to choose between — not a closet full of clothes.

– Take more time. Expect tasks and activities to take longer than they used to. Schedule more time to complete even simple things.

For more information, visit mayoclinic.com

What better gift to show love for a parent than the gift of life? That is exactly what many adult children are giving their parents, by buying the Life Alert medical alarm system for them. Life Alert provides home emergency protection. Whether it's a medical problem, fire or intrusion, one press of a small waterproof pendant puts Life Alert members in touch with dispatchers, 24/7, even if they can't reach a phone. Dispatchers can then send help immediately (paramedics, the fire department or the police), and notify neighbors, friends and relatives of the situation.

Life Alert Emergency Response has primarily been servicing seniors and the elderly for the past 20 years. However, Life Alert is becoming increasingly popular among Boomers and younger adults, whose parents may have the service as well. Adults of any age can benefit from Life Alert protection, especially when living alone.

For more information, visit lifealert.com