There’s more to senior living than bingo

For too many years, it was a common belief that seniors enjoyed only one or two leisure activities – either bingo,  or shuffleboard, or both.  (Remember when all the brochures for leisure communities in Florida highlighted photos of their residents gleefully playing shuffleboard?)

We have to admit that we don’t personally know of anyone  who still plays shuffleboard, but we do know that bingo remains a popular pastime.   For example,  at  Shalom Apartments, in Warwick, the bingo tables are full twice each week, Thursday and Sunday nights.

But our seniors enjoy much more than just bingo. Many, for instance, are avid fans of  the Patriots,  Celtics or Red Sox  – or, dare we say, the New York Yankees or Giants – which they proudly announce by wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with team logos.

Like everyone else in the 21st century, seniors are also focused on wellness.  At The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, in Warwick, they partake in a wide variety of exercise programs, such as seated yoga, tai chi, Tapp-ercise and balance work.  Classes are held every morning and are well attended.

In the arts, there are several musicians and artists in residence.  Concerts by these talented individuals, as well as by visiting performers, are mainstays of the program calendar. One of our residents teaches glass-blowing to an attentive group, while another teaches jewelry-making. Writing poetry, public speaking and play-reading are also popular, and a resident historian studies famous women with an engaged group of neighbors.

The Garden Club at Tamarisk keeps the flower beds flush with seasonal color, and the Walking Club counts every step to fitness.

There is no doubt that today’s seniors have a wide variety of talents and interests, and remain engaged in their passions.

BONNIE SEKERES is executive director of Shalom Apartments.

ROBERTA RAGGE is executive director of The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence.