Engaging at every age applies to all aspects of a senior’s life whether it is mentally, physically, or socially. There is no age at which you should not be able to participate in any type of activity that you choose. People tend to believe the older a person is the less active they are able to be. While it is true you may not be able to perform activities at the level you once did, there is always a way to continue to participate in activities that interest you.
You can turn everyday activities you enjoy doing such as gardening or games with the grandkids into exercise or venture out to try a new activity like yoga, Zumba, or Tai Chi. You may not think of your typical activities as exercise but tending a garden day by day or playing games outdoors with your grandchildren gets you out and about without you realizing all of the physical activity you are participating in. There are always new activities to try to get you up and moving as well. Group exercise like yoga, Zumba, and Tai Chi may sound too difficult or only for younger people but there are also versions specifically designed for seniors, working on areas such as maintaining strength and balance, something that many struggle with later in life.
Seniors often believe exercising now is too late to make an improvement but the truth is, exercise at any level later in life can help control or lower the risk of certain diseases, help with balance, and help to maintain independence. Find an activity that may spark your interest and sign up for a class today or plan some outdoor activities in the great spring weather.
Shelby Senior Services offers a variety of opportunities to support active lifestyles for building strength.
Parkinson’s Exercise and Support Group: This is a FREE event that meets at SportWorks at the Renovo Clinic on Wednesday May 2nd and Wednesday May 16th from 11:00-11:30 a.m. led by Lakin Covey.
Where: Sports Works at ReNovo
275 West Bassett Road, Shelbyville 46176
Transportation services available through ShelbyGo. Must schedule your ride by calling 317-398-7614
Can You Help Us?
The agency offers blood pressure and blood sugar checks to seniors every Friday morning 8:30-9:30 a.m. Can you help administer those for us? Call 317-398-0127.
Active Lifestyle Enhance Safety, Socialization
Senior Services offers a variety of opportunities to support active lifestyles for building strength. Fitness programs include:
Geri-Fit has changed it’s time!
Classes will now take place Tuesday afternoons at 1:00pm. Join us for healthy snacks and exercises May 1st. If you attend four classes within May 1st to June 26th, your name will be put into a raffle for a prize! Join us for some strength training, fall prevention, and muscle building. There’s no cost for this program, only healthy benefits and rewards! This is a chair exercise, strength training, and muscle building and maintaining class for seniors. This class prevents falls and reduces arthritic conditions. Please bring your water bottle and two 2 lb. weights. Please contact Liz Oeffinger if you are interested in the class or have questions.
Yoga:
Chair yoga Mondays at 12:30-1:00 p.m. Cost is $5; regular yoga Mondays at 1:00p.m. Cost is $5. Class is led by certified instructor Jerrillee Lucas. Classes are helpful for balance, flexibility, and strength. Anyone is welcome to attend!
T’ai Chi Alumni:
Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Bowling:
Every Friday, 12:30 p.m. for anyone 60 years of age and older at Blue River Bowl, 1601 S. Miller St. Either $2 per game or colored pin bowling at three games for $7.50.
Walk with Ease:
Wednesday at 1:00 pm and Friday 11:00 am. We meet at Sunset Park, if it rains we will go to Shelbyville Parks Department to walk inside.
Line Dancing:
Line dancing two times per month, the 2nd and 4th Thursday.
Rock Steady Boxing:
Attention: Punch back against Parkinson’s! Rock Steady Boxing Shelby County is a non-contact exercise program designed for those with Parkinson’s. Each class helps to improve physical and mental health through boxing, exercises, and friendship. Stop by a class to see what it is all about! If you have Parkinson’s and are interested in becoming a boxer with ROCK STEADY BOXING, please contact Liz Oeffinger at 317-398-0127 for more information. Classes meet every Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; as well as Saturday 9:30 a.m. (call for Saturday availability) at the Briley Family Center located at 762 Fair Avenue, Shelbyville.