At Westlake Community Services, aging participants have found a cheeky way to stay active. On Mondays, the center’s “Chair Volleyball” program offers a lighthearted, seated activity using a beach ball and includes a “one-cheek-on-the-chair-at-all-times” rule—making it both safe and full of laughs. It’s a great way to improve coordination, get moving, and build friendships.

Local community centers, such as Westlake Community Services, play a vital role in keeping their older adult participants engaged throughout the year. “At our center, we offer a wide range of free or low-cost opportunities every day that support healthy aging,” says Lydia Gadd, director of the center in Westlake.

To view senior centers in our five-county region, please click here.

As we enter the final days of 2025, it's an opportune time to approach the new year with vigor. Active Aging Week, from October 6-12, is here to inspire older adults to approach aging positively by promoting active, healthy lifestyles through wellness and community activities.

Encouraging older adults to stay active doesn't need to be complicated. Simple pleasures such as nature walks, group strolls, Zumba or yoga classes, meditation, and healthy eating workshops serve as excellent options.

For aging adult who may be leery about staying active, Fatima Perkins, director of Community Outreach & Advocacy for Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA), recommends starting slowly and doing the activities with a group.

“Sometimes you feel better doing activities with others,” she says. Perkins urges older adults to seek out “evidence-based” programs, those that can be modified to fit the needs of the participants.

“Modified programs help relieve the stress or feelings of being overwhelmed by physical activities,” she says.

Health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recommend that older adults engage in daily physical activity, including light exercise, and emphasize activities that enhance strength, balance, and flexibility at least twice a week. Additionally, they recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly.

In preparation for Active Aging Week, Gadd lists five enriching ways her center supports seniors in maintaining their health:

• Guided Meditation (2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 11:00 AM): These 30-minute sessions held in the center’s tranquil theater cultivate mental calm and bodily relaxation, promoting stress relief, improved concentration, and enhanced well-being.
• Chair Volleyball (Mondays at 1:00 PM): This previously mentioned program aids in improving coordination, fostering movement, and nurturing friendships.
• Lunch at the Connections Café: A nutritious meal combined with social interaction is vital for aging well. The center’s Connections Café serves affordable, freshly made meals by an in-house chef in a friendly, communal atmosphere.
• Group Exercise Classes (Daily Options): Offering classes for all interests and abilities, including yoga, cardio drumming, Essential Core, balance training, Tai Chi, and line dancing, these sessions promote strength, mobility, flexibility, and fun.
• Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteering keeps one active, connected and purposeful. Ranging from meal service, pantry work, and event support, each role adds value.

Initiated by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Active Aging Week features free fitness classes, cultural events, community outreach initiatives, and health fairs. It delivers a constructive message about aging and highlights age-friendly wellness programs.

While Active Aging Week is a great time to promote activity in older adults, engagement at centers like Westlake shouldn't be limited to a single week. As Gadd says, “We’re proud to offer a vibrant, inclusive environment where older adults can thrive every day of the year.”

For more information on Active Aging Week, visit the program’s website at www.activeagingweek.com.

WRAAA is a private, nonprofit corporation organized and designed by the State of Ohio to serve as the planning, coordinating, and administrative agency for federal and state aging programs in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties.

For those in the five-county area seeking additional resources or opportunities, please contact WRAAA at areaagingsolutions.org or call (800) 626-7277.

By weaving enjoyment, engagement, and movement into daily activities, community centers enhance the lives of older adults while cultivating a supportive network.