Tag: senior exercise

  • Recreation, Leisure & Assistive Technology

    Recreational activities provide a wide range of benefits for seniors, significantly contributing to their physical health, mental sharpness and emotional well-being.

    Engaging in leisure activities helps maintain physical fitness, stimulates cognitive function and fosters emotional resilience. Additionally, recreation offers seniors valuable opportunities to form and strengthen social connections, promoting a strong sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.

    In recent years, assistive technology (AT) has emerged as a powerful ally in helping older adults stay engaged in recreational and leisure pursuits. AT enables seniors to maintain independence, explore new interests, and participate in social and physical activities despite age-related challenges. With the help of technology, seniors can remain active, socially connected and mentally engaged, enhancing their overall quality of life.

    What is Assistive Technology?

    Assistive technology is a broad term that includes tools, devices and systems designed to help individuals maintain or improve their functional abilities. These technologies assist with mobility, communication, cognition, vision, hearing and self-care. As people age, they often face physical or cognitive limitations. AT can help bridge those gaps to support health, participation and inclusion.

    AT for Staying Physically Active

    A wide range of assistive technology is available to help seniors engage in physical and recreational activities. Adaptive equipment makes hobbies like fishing, golf, billiards, bowling, photography, cycling and gardening more accessible. Specialized tools for card and board games and arts and crafts allow seniors to continue enjoying their favorite pastimes.

    Mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and canes are vital for enabling recreation participation. Some wheelchairs are specially designed for sports such as tennis or basketball.

    Fitness trackers serve as adaptive technologies by helping seniors monitor their physical activity and health data in real-time.

    Sensory assistive devices like vibrating timers, tactile maps and audio beacons, enable individuals with hearing or vision impairments to enjoy outdoor and sports activities safely and independently.

    AT for Staying Social

    Technology also plays a significant role in helping seniors to maintain social connections. Tools such as video chat apps, adaptive phones and digital group platforms help older adults to stay in touch with family, friends and community groups, promoting their social engagement and reducing their isolation.

    AT for Mental Health and Enrichment

    Devices like speech readers, screen readers, FM systems, virtual reality, smart home assistants and communication aids provide mental stimulation and entertainment. Voice recognition software, braille displays and alternative input devices allow those with physical or cognitive impairments to access digital content and interact with the world around them.

    By integrating assistive technology into their lives, Hawai‘i’s seniors can enjoy a more active, social and enriched lifestyle. ATRC is committed to helping older adults explore how AT can support their well-being and fully empower them to participate in the activities they love.

    ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTERS OF HAWAI I (nonprofit)
    200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Ste. 430, Honolulu, HI 96817
    808-532-7110 | info@atrc.org | atrc.org
    ATRC does not sell products, but recommends vendors. Device demonstration and lending programs give individuals and groups the opportunity to make an informed choice about an AT device prior to acquiring one.

    Recreational activities provide a wide range of benefits for seniors, significantly contributing to their physical health, mental sharpness and emotional well-being. Engaging in leisure activities helps maintain physical fitness, stimulates cognitive function and fosters emotional resilience. Additionally, recreation offers seniors valuable opportunities to form and strengthen social connections, promoting a strong sense of community and…

  • Actively Aging: Safe Activities for Seniors

    Staying physically active as you age is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Regular activity can help improve mobility, sleep and mental health, while reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

    Here are some beneficial activities:

    Walking together: Simple and effective, walking around safely with a friend inside or out can boost cardiovascular health.

    Stretching first: Gentle stretching exercises before you start moving can improve flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness throughout the day.

    Taking breaks: Where you rest is just as important as when you rest. Plan on taking short breaks where you can get in and out of a seated position easily.

    Keep moving: Enjoy music by singing, clapping or even shuffling your feet while seated to get your heart pumping.

    While these activities are beneficial, a fully licensed senior care community offers a safe and supportive environment in which kūpuna can stay safe and active. Senior care communities may offer structured programs, professional supervision and social opportunities, ensuring that seniors can enjoy a level of physical activity that can help them maintain their independence.

    ROSELANI PLACE
    88 S Papa Ave., Kahului, HI 96732
    808-871-7720 | marketing@roselaniplace.com
    roselaniplace.com

    Staying physically active as you age is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Regular activity can help improve mobility, sleep and mental health, while reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Here are some beneficial activities: Walking together: Simple and effective, walking around safely with a friend inside or out can boost cardiovascular health.…

  • Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center

    The Mō‘ili‘ili Senior Center is dedicated to enriching seniors’ lives through activities that enhance fine motor skills, cognition, balance and strength. Our offerings include exercise, dance, music, crafts, painting, Japanese and multicultural games. We strive to keep seniors safe, informed and connected.

    The Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center (MCC) Senior Program serves seniors 60 years and older living from Ward Avenue to Hawai‘i Kai. It receives partial funding from the Elderly Affairs Division, Department of Community Services, City and County of Honolulu, and the Hawai‘i Executive Office of Aging, an Aloha United Way Agency.

    Mō‘ili‘ili: A Community with Rich Heritage

    Mō‘ili‘ili has a rich history and cultural diversity. MCC began as a Japanese language school and continues to offer after-school Japanese language classes along with an after-school program that includes homework assistance, fun exercise and play. Keiki and kūpuna engage in shared activities, bridging generations and emphasizing sonkei — respect and care for elders.

    MCC: A Hub of Support

    Since 1945, MCC has been a cornerstone of Mō‘ili‘ili, offering programs such as:

    • Mō‘ili‘ili Senior Center (MSC): Fitness, arts, crafts, health talks and educational workshops
    • Kupuna Support Program (KSP): Respite care with social activities, hot meals, daily exercise, and cognitive activities
    • Children and Family Program (CFP): Afterschool programs, summer camps and cultural activities are offered

    Community Impact

    At Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center, we create a supportive environment where seniors can thrive. We welcome you to visit us, participate in our programs, and stay active and connected at the Mō‘ili‘ili Senior Center.

    Join us in celebration of Mō‘ili‘ili’s rich cultural diversity and become a valued member of our vibrant community today.

    MŌ‘ILI‘ILI COMMUNITY CENTER (private nonprofit)
    2535 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96826
    808-955-1555 | office@moiliilicc.org
    moiliilicc.org

    The Mō‘ili‘ili Senior Center is dedicated to enriching seniors’ lives through activities that enhance fine motor skills, cognition, balance and strength. Our offerings include exercise, dance, music, crafts, painting, Japanese and multicultural games. We strive to keep seniors safe, informed and connected. The Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center (MCC) Senior Program serves seniors 60 years and older…

  • Start a Healthy New Year at the Y

    (L–R) Cecilia, Gail and
    Donna enjoy exercising
    together at the Y. PC: YMCA

    For new exercisers, the gym can be a daunting place. They may not be sure what to do or how to get started. That holds true even more so for kūpuna, who perhaps have not been to a gym in a long time — maybe not ever.

    • The YMCA is an excellent place for new exercisers! In fact, 73% of YMCA of Honolulu members identified as health seekers, meaning they want to get healthy but struggled with how to do so and chose the Y for help.

    Feeling good isn’t just about your physical well-being but also includes your spirit and mind. The Y helps kūpuna achieve this perfect balance by offering a large and varied selection of classes, activities and programs to promote overall wellbeing, so staying healthy is fun and never boring!

    • The Y is here to guide and support. All new Y members get a free guided workout in order to make them feel more comfortable and confident using the equipment. Support continues with our fitness floor staff, who are always available to help members and answer any questions.

    • Studies show that people who enjoy physical activity participate more frequently and consistently. There are hundreds of classes and activities to choose from at the Y. Y staff can recommend classes or activities that fit your interests and schedule so that you’re doing something you enjoy at a convenient time.

    • Find a buddy! When you work with a partner, you’re more likely to feel motivated, try new things and stay consistent.

    You can make friends at the Y through fitness classes, clubs, activities, or social sports such as pickleball or basketball. These are great ways to meet people with similar interests and goals who can support you on your journey to well-being.

    Got a green thumb? The Y’s Garden Club at Mililani is great for sharing your gardening talents.

    Love to craft? Play games? Participate in the Y’s Kupuna Food & Fun program, a recreational dining program that includes potlucks, lei making, painting and more!

    • The Y is affordable. Many kupuna members get a free or reduced membership through their health plans. And thanks to generous donors, the Y also offers financial aid.

    • Be my guest! Stop by any YMCA for a free week pass. You can also register for your free week online at bit.ly/FreeOneWeek, or call or email our Service Center at 808-678-4296 or info@ymcahonolulu.org.

    YMCA OF HONOLULU (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    1441 Pali Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-678-4296 | info@ymcahonolulu.org
    ymcahonolulu.org

    For new exercisers, the gym can be a daunting place. They may not be sure what to do or how to get started. That holds true even more so for kūpuna, who perhaps have not been to a gym in a long time — maybe not ever. • The YMCA is an excellent place for…

  • A 91-Year-Old Advocate of Healthy Living

    Toyoko and her daughter, Jo Ann, go swimming together nearly every day.
    Toyoko and her daughter, Jo Ann, go swimming together nearly every day.

    Hawai‘i is fortunate to have many people living well into their 90s and even 100s. Toyoko Nishiki, a 91-year-old woman, is one of the most active we have met.

    Her parents were plantation workers in Lahaina. She was the sixth of 10 children — three boys and seven girls. After high school, Toyoko worked as a live-in nanny in Nu‘uanu while putting herself through the Honolulu Community College’s cafeteria management program. She secured a job at the Richards Street YWCA in Laniākea.

    As a recreational break from the daily monotony of her food service employment, Toyoko would often walk from Old Waialae Road, down Kapahulu Avenue, for a brief swim at Kaimana Beach before catching the bus to work. This early affect for swimming would eventually become a lifelong practice.
    When she began to suffer debilitating backaches, she borrowed a page from JFK and found that regular swimming eased and eventually completely alleviated her back pain.

    Life-changing events occur in everyone’s world. For Toyoko, it was when her husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack at age 49. That was when Toyoko decided to become an advocate of healthy living. She became conscious of not only physical exercise but aware of proper nutrition. Toyoko believes in maintaining the fitness of mind (reading, word searches and puzzles), body (exercise, the physicality of gardening, proper nutrition) and spirit (gardening, the aesthetics of nature, communing with friends and relatives — since COVID-19, via phone and Zoom — and attending online church services).

    Toyoko’s garden is another favorite spot for exercise and the appreciation of nature.
    Toyoko’s garden is another favorite spot for exercise and the appreciation of nature.

    Her daughter, Jo Ann Nishiki, remembers that her mother has always enjoyed working out, going back to when Toyoko went to the Punahou Fitness and Spa, where she met good friends until it closed. Before the pandemic spread to O‘ahu, she was going to 24-Hour Fitness in Pearl City. Using their machines and the jacuzzi, attending classes and swimming laps were all part of her routine.

    If a friend couldn’t take her to the gym, Toyoko would catch the bus to and from Palolo/Pearl City. This is what you call “dedication.”

    Daughter Jo Ann has joined her mother, driving them both to swimming. In the beginning, it took some coaxing to get Jo Ann in the water, but now they are inseparable. When COVID restrictions closed city pools, mother and daughter switched to Ala Moana Beach for their daily swim. As Hawai‘i once again began welcoming visitors, they returned to reopened city pools. The pool uses CDC protocols, so swimming is just an hour long — just enough to work up an appetite for dinner!

    With a routine that would challenge much younger folks, this 91-year-old keeps on going.

    Hawai‘i is fortunate to have many people living well into their 90s and even 100s. Toyoko Nishiki, a 91-year-old woman, is one of the most active we have met.