Healthy Mind, Body and Outlook on Life

LIFE’s Senior Centers provide a variety of enriching programs for adults 50+.

Players at LIFE’s Senior Center at Southminster Presbyterian Church enjoy a spirited game of pickleball for exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction.

Older adults in the Tulsa area now have even more reasons to become part of LIFE’s Senior Centers. Thanks to a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, additional fitness equipment and new programming are being offered at LIFE’s two Senior Centers located at Southminster Presbyterian Church and East Side Christian Church.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma’s “Healthy Kids, Healthy Families” initiative supports programs that address nutrition education, physical activity, disease prevention and management, and that provide safe environments for children and families, including seniors. These same cornerstones are vital in helping older adults stay active, healthy and independent.
“LIFE’s Senior Centers are designed for independent adults age 50 and older, offering a wide array of social, creative, educational, fitness and health activities to help members stay physically active and enjoy new friendships,” says Jan Dunkelberg, Senior Center and active aging coordinator. “Even more importantly, we’ve seen (and studies agree) that seniors who stay physically active, mentally stimulated and socially engaged tend to lead healthier, happier lives – and are able to maintain their independence longer.”
Some of the activities offered each month include women’s basketball, line dancing, Wii bowling, pickle ball, ping pong, Zumba Gold, social dancing, East Side Band, Vintage Voices choral group, art and writing classes, gardening, bridge, canasta, day trips, luncheons, theme parties and lots more.
In addition to these ongoing activities, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield grant is supporting several new programs including: Exercise Equipment Training, learning the safe and proper use of the exercise equipment in the Fitness Room at Southminster; Functional Movement Training, using bands, tubing and sandbells to improve strength and flexibility; Tai Chi, improving large muscle strength and balance; Traveling Through Tulsa’s History, hearing local historian David Breed make Tulsa’s history come alive; Explore Your Creativity, exploring a new art medium in each session; Doodle Art, turning doodles into a relaxing art form; Nutrition for LIFE, seven one-hour seminars that will address fads and diets, nutritional management and diabetes control; and Brain Fitness, exploring various components of brain health. These new programs will run through July with varying dates, times and locations.
LIFE’s Senior Centers are inviting people to visit and try out some of the activities and are even offering free membership privileges in May and June at both the East Side and Southminster centers. With so many activities available, LIFE’s Senior Centers certainly have something for anyone who wants to get out of the house, meet new friends and achieve a healthy mind, healthy body and healthy outlook on life.
LIFE’s Senior Centers are open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Annual memberships are only $25. Complete activity schedules are available online at www.LIFEseniorservices.org.
LIFE’s Senior Centers are a program of LIFE Senior Services, a non-profit United Way organization that promotes healthy aging, quality of life and independence for seniors through a full-range of interconnected services including SeniorLine information and assistance, adult day services, case management, caregiver support, senior seminars and Medicare assistance.

For more information, contact

LIFE’s Senior Center at Southminster

www.LIFEseniorservices.org

About Author Deanna Rebro

Deanna Rebro has worked in the publishing industry 30+ years, including eight years writing for Value News. She has also worked in real estate for the past six years. Deanna graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio with a B.A. in Journalism. Outside of work, she serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Pet Adoption League. “Every story I write is a learning experience,” she said.