Healthy Aging-
The Baby Boomer generation may have the ability to be the healthiest generation of senior citizens ever— both cognitively and physically.
People who are aging have many more options today than ever before to take classes that are designed just for them to improve or maintain their health as they get older.
The La Crosse area YMCA offers a wide variety of programs aimed at the needs of seniors, from yoga classes, to tap dancing and classes that work to maintain balance and even target problems like arthritis.
YMCA Fitness Director Barb Schaefer, herself a marathon runner in her 60s, said 20 years ago, senior citizens didn’t have the options that seniors have today to stay active.
“We’re the first senior generation that we’re seeing a switch in the perception of seniors in what they can and can’t do physically and mentally,” said Schaefer. “There are a lot of more options available. They’re a much more aware generation of what’s out there. They aren’t afraid to try new things.”
Physical exercise isn’t the only improvement for this generation of seniors, who are also benefitting from classes designed to keep them sharp mentally as well.
The La Crosse County Health Department started the Smart Seniors program within the last two years based on the curriculum of the Super Noggin program, which works on things like memory and name recognition and is designed to maintain healthy brain health.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has offered the Learning In Retirement program as part of its continuing education program since 1994, inviting seniors to take classes on many topics ranging from the arts to the sciences, with annual field trips to places like museums, another way to encourage seniors to keep their minds active.
Learning In Retirement President Jan Olson said about 200 seniors participate in the program each year.
“You can exercise, and that’s great, but you have to keep the mind active, you have to exercise the mind.” Olson said.
Those who run both physical and cognitive exercise programs said there’s another vital element to the programs, and that’s meeting the needs of seniors to socialize with each other and not remain isolated in their homes.
by John Davis
Episode Credits
- Hope Kirwan Host
- John Davis Producer
- Barb Schaefer Guest
- Jan Olson Guest
- Maichor Lee Guest
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