Program offerings encourage movement for preventative social, mental, and physical health

SOMERVILLE — A January dance party was in full swing at the Holland Street Senior Center when the Somerville Council on Aging announced it is officially joining the Massachusetts Councils on Aging’s (MCOA) Active Agers Program. The new initiative aims to promote physical activity to enhance mental and physical health as well as quality of life for seniors across Massachusetts. Possible participation prizes and rewards for participating COAs and individuals are also included.

As part of the initiative, the Somerville Council on Aging is celebrating and ramping-up free health and wellness programming for seniors. Activities include weekly general exercise, strength and balance, and yoga classes along with rotating sessions of Zumba, La Blast Dance, Balletone, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, and more.

An overwhelming wealth of research supports that physical activity can lead to healthier aging. Even moderate activity has been shown to offer health benefits ranging from anxiety relief and better sleep to reduced risk of some diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and some cancers (Health Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity | National Institute on Aging).

“It’s never too late to start,” said Ashley Speliotis, Director of the Somerville Council on Aging. “The goal of the Active Agers program is to encourage movement, try something new, and to have fun. Our programs vary in movement styles and intensity, so there really is something for everyone.”

To find upcoming Council on Aging programming, visit somervillema.gov/calendar or sign up for the Council on Aging’s newsletter at bit.ly/coanewsletter.

To learn more about the statewide Active Agers initiative, visit mcoaonline.org/activeagers. For more information, or to get involved with Active Agers, contact Michelle Deutsch, Health and Wellness Coordinator at Somerville Council on Aging, 617-625-6600 ext. 2300.