Whether seniors are exercising their bodies or their brains, there are outlets throughout Lawrence get people thinking, moving and maintaining better health as they age.

Whether seniors are exercising their bodies or their brains, there are outlets throughout Lawrence to get people thinking, moving and maintaining better health as they age.

Studies have shown activity and learning may play a role in preventing memory loss. At the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Washington, research suggested that simple steps anyone can take may help curb memory loss and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, including continuing with education and activity.

Lawrence has abundant offerings for seniors who want to spend time with their passion. From history to music to computer technology, there are several agencies that offer recreation classes, educational groups and research outlets to seniors.

Parks and Recreation

Lifelong Recreation is a division of Parks and Rec that focuses on continuing education that’s particularly appealing to seniors, who typically have more discretionary time.

Programs are designed for those older than 50, but are open to any age if space is available. Those over 60 receive a 10 percent discount on most programs and activities.

Gayle Sigurdson, Lifelong Recreation programmer, said education has a direct relationship to health, both mental and physical. But it’s also a way to connect and develop a new circle of friends.

“When you’re an older adult or lucky enough to be retired, you have more discretionary time,” she said. “And so the way you find your peer group — you no longer have the co-workers, and you’re not hanging out with other parents at the school — is through shared interests. And especially when seniors relocate as part of their retirement. That’s how you go and find your new friends, your new social group, with that shared interest.”

Some of the classes that have strong enrollment session after session include meditation and technology classes.

“Our tech classes tend to be a lot smaller — the iPad class is a maximum of 6 — because people come with such different levels of experience,” Sigurdson said.

One of the most popular recent classes covered how to buy, sell and trade on the Internet.

“How do I negotiate the whole world of ebay and craigslist, how do I photograph something, how do I make sure I don’t get ripped off,” Sigurdson said of the topics covered in the class. “Combine technology with that life stage of downsizing, it’s perfect for this group.”

Iris Wilkinson teaches a journaling class geared toward older adults through Parks and Rec called Writing Your Family Stories. Her teaching method involves using poetry and storytelling as a launching pad for writing.

One attendee who was 84 brought a guitar into class and talked about the instrument’s importance to his family. Another brought a bowl and talked about how important mealtimes were for her family and about recipes that had been passed on.

“I think what was really remarkable about the experience was that people were willing to share their stories with each other, and the group really bonded,” Wilkinson said. “It’s also wonderful for them to put some of these stories in writing to pass on to their families.”

Watkins Museum of History

For the curious who want to dig deeper into their family stories, Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., offers research assistance and resources.

Abby Magariel, education and programs coordinator at the museum, said the resources there can help people accomplish everything from school assignments to sleuthing.

“We’ve got some resources like city directories and cemetery records that are pretty easy to search through. And going deeper than that, you can work with one of our research volunteers to look at our individual files, our subject files, our location files about more detailed topics in local history,” Magariel said. “So, for example, if they know that somebody in their family was on the faculty at KU, and they were involved in a research project, it’s likely we have an article on them in our files, or if they know their family has been here for a long time, it’s possible we have a file on that family.”

Magariel asks anyone who wants to do research to make an appointment so a research assistant is available. “In many cases we can get the research started before they even come in,” she said.

Lawrence Public Library

The Lawrence Public Library at Seventh and Vermont streets has regularly scheduled classes and groups that hold special interest for seniors, including history tours and genealogy groups.

The library has access to about half-dozen research databases that encompass everything from historical maps to local and family histories. The library also has microfilm of the newspaper, marriage records and county records as well as indexed “vertical files” of newspaper clippings about Lawrence and Douglas County.

Physical wellness also plays into the library’s senior offerings. Yoga @ Your Library is a regularly scheduled event, and the library also hosts orientation for CHAMPSS, a senior nutrition program run by Hy-Vee and the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging.

FIND OUT MORE

Lifelong Recreation

Sign up for the LPRD Lifelong Recreation newsletter at lawrenceks.org/lprd/lifelongrecreation.

If you are younger than 50, but interested in a Lifelong Recreation program, contact Gayle Sigurdson, lifelong recreation programmer, at 832-7920 or email gsigurdson@lawrenceks.org.

Lawrence Public Library

Genealogy and history

Reference desk: 843-1178

lawrence.lib.ks.us/research-resources/genealogy-and-local-history/

CHAMPSS nutrition program for seniors

Beth Kinnan with Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, 235-1367

Watkins Museum of History

To make research appointments, contact curator Brittany Keegan at 841-4109.