Walk with a doc enhances health ties
Carol Rubin, a 102-year-old Glen Cove resident, credits her impressive longevity to staying active and being deeply involved in her community. Most days, she can be found swimming at the YMCA or participating in the “Walk with a Doc” program through Glen Cove’s Age-Friendly initiative.
The program is part of the broader Age-Friendly Glen Cove initiative, which began three years ago and is powered by the City of Glen Cove in collaboration with the Nassau County Age-Friendly Center of Excellence. The program aims to improve seniors’ quality of life by facilitating access to information, services, community events, transportation, and affordable housing opportunities.
On a recent walk held at the Boys and Girls Club of Glen Cove on June 20, Dr. Barbara Keber, chair of Family Medicine at Glen Cove Hospital, led a group of seniors, offering participants the chance to ask medical questions and learn health-improvement tips while exercising safely. Some of Dr. Keber’s advice included being aware of traffic to see oncoming vehicles, wearing closed-toed shoes to prevent tripping, using sunscreen and hats for sun protection, and paying attention to surroundings to avoid falls. In the case of this month’s walk, the program was moved indoors to protect participants from the high temperature that day.
Participants were given the opportunity to ask medical questions and learn how to improve their health, all while safely exercising. Before each monthly session, participants submit surveys on topics that interest them for Dr. Keber to cover the next time the group meets.
“Walking, or even running, people think that those things aggravate, worsen or cause arthritis,” Dr. Keber said. “Regular walking can actually prevent arthritis by keeping joints lubricated.”
Carol Waldman, Age-Friendly Liaison to Nassau County added a future goal of the program to create a safe, visible, and accessible walking path within the city.
“The goal is to create a path that’s welcoming to everyone, not just seniors,” Waldman said. “We want people to feel incentivized to walk, knowing they have a safe and measured path.”
The proposed Downtown Walk Path will start from the senior center, extend down Glen Street, turn onto School Street, and lead into downtown Glen Cove. This path, which Waldman anticipates will be available in the coming months, aims to promote health and draw more visibility and customers to local businesses. Waldman added that the program at one point will also serve to address infrastructure issues in the community by identifying problems like cracked sidewalks, excessive shrubbery, and insufficient lighting or benches.
“Walking together helps people connect, reducing feelings of loneliness,” Waldman said. “This program is not just about physical health but also about building relationships and engaging with the community.”
Rubin, who finds joy and satisfaction in each walk, added that she walks whenever she can.
“Walking is excellent exercise,” she said. “I think this program is fantastic, and I really enjoy every time I come.”
