If you've done an activity when you were younger, chances are you can find a place to do it older. Seniors in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia are living long, active, fulfilling lives, and participating in such varied activities as ballroom dancing, writing, happy hour and even Wii gaming. These activities may be offered by senior living communities, local senior community or wellness centers, or nonprofit senior organizations.
Significance
Articles in SeniorJournal.com note that while you are living longer than ever, sedentary activities such as sitting in front of the television may be shortening your lifespan. If you want to live a long, healthy life, it's important that you stay engaged and active well into your senior years, after age 65. The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, collectively the DC metropolitan area, offer a wide range of activities that you or a loved one can do to stay fit.
Senior Residences
One of the benefits of living in a senior residence is the availability of pre-programmed activities on or off-site. A Washingtonian magazine article found monthly happy hours, weekly bowling leagues and dance classes all being offered to residents. All seniors need to do to participate is come downstairs and have a social life. Some communities take their residents elsewhere, such as the local YMCA for other classes and activities; everything is included in the cost of living.
Community Based
Most counties and/or states offer programming and activity centers for seniors at no charge. The District of Columbia maintains programming at 10 Senior Services Program Centers. The Maryland Department of Aging plans programs in each county--for example, a seminar on preventing adult financial exploitation. In Virginia, senior activities range from understanding how to drive safely to volunteer opportunities at local food banks or homeless shelters.
Religious
Seniors looking for social activities and groups in the DC metropolitan area should check out their local house of worship or religious community center. Most religious communities plan social activities specifically for this age group. The DC Jewish Community Center runs the Behrend Adas Seniors, which plans classes, speakers, cultural trips and religious worship. The First Baptist Church in Washington, DC, runs its own senior center, providing secular and religious activities to members over 60.
Independent
Independently run senior activities exist throughout the region. The Georgetown Senior Center is run by the Georgetown Business Improvement District, BID. There's a senior writing group in Bowie, Maryland. Finally, you can always get more information through the American Association for Retired People, or AARP, Senior Corps, Voice of the Elderly or United Seniors Association--all nonprofit organizations geared specifically to advocating on behalf of senior citizens.
