Park and recreation agencies need to keep seniors active and
social as they age in order for them to be healthy, happy and feel valued. - Mary Stalling and Teresa Grodsky BENEFITS OF SENIOR RECREATION
If don’t use it, you lose it
Memory Care Cognitive benefits Social benefits Other health benefits
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Benefits of Senior Centers IF YOU DON’T USE IT, YOU LOSE IT
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MEMORY CARE
Exercising in later stages of dementia are ideal due to benefits of physical
independence Recreation and memory care allows the opportunity to valuable socialization and can help maintain a person’s independence while also improving self-esteem, mood and well-being (Exercise and physical activity, n.d.) Older adults with dementia or other cognitive impairments experience more positive effect during interactions with children than they did during non-intergenerational activities (Bosak, n.d.) Cognitive – COGNITIVE [kog-ni-tiv] BENEFITS 1. of or relating to cognition; concerned with the act or process of knowing, perceiving, etc. cognitive development; cognitive functioning. “Although our cognitive ability 2. of or relating to the mental processes of will inevitably decline with age, perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, we do have control over the as contrasted with emotional and volitional rate of our decline,” says processes. (Cognitive, n.d.) Jennifer Heisz of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence at McMaster University in Canada. “Specifically, through a program of regular physical exercise, older adults are able to maintain optimal cognitive health for longer.” (Munoz, 2014)
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COGNITIVE BENEFITS CONT’D High cholesterol was associated with temporal lobe cortical thickening and impaired temporal lobe function. Temporal Lobe Controls Understanding language Behavior Memory Hearing
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SOCIAL BENEFITS Providing opportunities for social interaction and reducing the feeling of isolation Improving confidence Increasing self-esteem Improving mood.
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“...LOCAL PARK AND RECREATION USERS REPORT FEWER VISITS TO A PHYSICIAN FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CHECKUPS THAN DID NON PARK USERS...” (HO ET AL., 2003)
The physically fit person is
less prone to illness. A Active individuals had If all adults achieved very Centers for Disease fewer hospital stays, fewer modest levels of physical Control & Prevention physician visits and used activity, the estimated study found that physically less medication. The nation-wide savings would active individuals have savings were consistent be $76.6 billion annually lower annual direct for men, women and even (ARC, 2000). medical costs than smokers. inactive people. INCREASES LIFE EXPECTANCY
On average, every hour People in a regular exercise
Every time sedentary program at age 75 have a lower people walk a mile, they you spend exercising increases your life death rate over the next few years add 21 minutes to their than do similar groups of sedentary life, saving society 34 cents expectancy by two hours. people (ARC, 2000). in medical and related costs. BENEFITS OF SENIOR CENTERS AND SENIOR PROGRAMS
Seniors learn to…
Learn to manage and delay the onset of chronic disease Experience measurable improvements in their physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental and economic well-being Manage their health and fitness Participate in social and recreation activities Participate in the arts and intergenerational programs
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THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM SENIOR RECREATION CENTER ACTIVITIES! Strengthens Community by bringing together diverse groups and networks. Maximizes Human Resources because of our youth and seniors volunteering. Encourages Cultural Change which helps to build a sense of personal and societal identity while encouraging tolerance.
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THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM SENIOR RECREATION CENTER ACTIVITIES:YOUTH BENEFITS Children had more improved reading scores compared to their peers at other schools. Interacting with older adults enables youth to develop social networks, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, positive attitudes towards aging, a sense of purpose and community service. Children and youth gain positive role models with whom they can interact on a regular basis. Older adults who regularly volunteer with children burn 20% more calories per week, They develop many positive experienced fewer falls, were less reliant relationships to civic attitudes and on canes, and performed better on a behaviors including volunteering memory test than their peers. habits, sense of efficacy and trust.
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SENIOR CENTER POPULATIONS Approximately 70% of senior center participants are women; half of them live alone. The majority are Caucasian, followed by African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians respectively. Compared with their peers, senior center participants have higher levels of health, social interaction, and life satisfaction and lower levels of income. The average age of participants is 75. 75% of participants visit their center 1 to 3 times per week. They spend an average of 3.3 hours per visit.
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OTHER MULTIPLE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR SENIORS PROGRAMS Improving the health of the heart and blood vessels, which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease Reducing the risk of some types of cancer (particularly breast and colon cancer), stroke and type 2 diabetes Improving physical fitness - maintaining strong muscles and flexible joints can help people maintain independence for longer Improving the ability to dress, clean, cook and perform other daily activities (as these may be performed more effectively if someone is fitter or more supple) helping to keep bones strong and reducing the risk This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND of osteoporosis (a disease that affects the bones, making them weak and more likely to break) REFERENCES • Aday, R. H. (2003, May). The Evolving Role of Senior Centers in the 21st Century. Retrieved from www.aging.senate.gov: https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/hr101ra.pdf • Atchison, K. (2017). Spring 2017 Golden Years. Retrieved from ECKAAA: https://nebula.wsimg.com/744cd49d9157c4430695a90ab157f3bf?AccessKeyId=D8E22912C781CC9A22E8&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 • Bosak. S.V., (n.d.). Benfits of Intergenerational Connections. Retrieved from Legacy Project: http://www.legacyproject.org/guides/intergenbenefits.html • Cognitive. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cognitive • Exercise and physical activity. (n.d.). Retrieved from Alzheimer's Society: United Against Dementia: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20029/daily_living/15/exercise_and_physical_activity/5 • Grodsky, M. S. (2016, December 30). Senior Games: Everybody Can Play. Retrieved from NRPA: http://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation- magazine/2017/january/senior-games-everybody-can-play/ • Munoz, L. M. (2014, October 14). Exercise Adapts the Aging Brain for Cognitive Health. Retrieved from Cognitive Neuroscience Society: https://www.cogneurosociety.org/exercise_aging_heisz/ • NCOA. (n.d.). Senior Center Facts. Retrieved from National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the- facts/senior-center-facts/ • Schmidler, C. (2017, August 22). Brain Injury: How the Brain Functions. Retrieved from HealthPages: https://www.healthpages.org/health-a- z/brain-injury-brain-functions/ • Senior Mobility: If You Don't Use It,You Lose It. (2016, September 1). Retrieved from At Home Healthcare: http://www.athomehealth.org/blog/2016/september/senior-mobility-if-you-dont-use-it-you-lose-it/ • State of California Resources Agency. (2005, March ). The Health and Social Benefits of Recreation . Retrieved from Parks.ca.gov: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/health_benefits_081505.pdf