There are lots of aspects of healthy aging, and each person has a different idea of what the ideal aging journey looks like. However, there are concrete ways for seniors to better maintain their health in order to remain independent, age well, and enjoy life more. A few ways that can help to achieve that is remaining physically active, being social, and learning new skills.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), “physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging.” Maintaining physical health involves a lot more than just regular exercise though that is an extremely important part. It consists of a healthy diet, adequate sleep, regular doctors appointments, among other things.
Additionally, the NIH says, “managing social isolation, loneliness, stress, depression, and mood through medical and self-care is key to healthy aging.” Loneliness can contribute to many health problems in seniors like depression, memory loss, and various health difficulties. Engaging in social activity, learning new skills, and being involved in the community can help combat the negative symptoms of loneliness and isolation in aging.
It can be difficult to know where to start with these decisions, but luckily there are lots of resources to find things for seniors to do in Knoxville. Below, we have listed some of the many ways that seniors can be more physically active, socially involved, and participate in the community right here in Knoxville.
Activities for Seniors
The Community Action Committee (CAC) Office on Aging lists many resources for activities and recreation for seniors to do in Knoxville. You can find there website here: https://www.knoxseniors.org/activities/.
There are multiple senior centers in the Greater Knoxville Area which provide lots of things to do for seniors in Knoxville like hiking clubs, games, trips to fun places, health related checks, and more. Physical activities, social events, and learning new hobbies with other seniors and members of the community makes senior centers a perfect place to check all the boxes for pursuing a healthier lifestyle. To find a list of the senior centers and what areas they are in, you can visit the Knox County website at https://www.knoxcounty.org/seniors/centers.php.
Volunteering for local organizations can be another great way for seniors to be active in the community and socialize with others. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer at schools, libraries, local events, organizations, etc. In Knoxville specifically, there are plenty of places for seniors to volunteer. We have had some of our clients volunteer at Random Acts of Flowers, a company in Knoxville that delivers recycled flowers to people in healthcare facilities. You can find more of their info about volunteering on their website (https://rafknoxville.org/volunteer-individuals/).
A few examples of hobbies for seniors to learn or dive deeper into are:
Tai Chi, yoga, water aerobics, etc. for low impact exercising.
Knitting may help boost cognitive health.
Gardening, which can be beneficial for mental and physical health.
Walking or biking is another way to exercise with low impact to joints.
Cooking or baking classes.
Volunteering for local organizations.
These are just a few ideas of things for seniors to do in Knoxville that may help with their physical, mental, and overall well-being. It is important to keep in mind your own safety and limits to what you can do given your ability. Be mindful of how much you choose to pursue at once as taking on these activities is aimed at being enjoyable and fun. Consult with your medical professionals if you notice negative changes in your physical, mental, or overall well-being while pursuing these activities.