Keeping Active in old age: Ideas and advice for seniors in the Bromley area
Published: 29/12/2019
As the weather begins to warm up and the buds of Spring appear, it’s the perfect time to get out of the house and get more active. Keeping active is important for both physical and mental wellbeing, and helps maintain a sense of independence.
There’s plenty of medical evidence showing the benefits of staying fit and healthy such as helping to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression or dementia, which are all conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Finding ideas to keep your loved ones moving and socialising can be a challenge. Activity can be simple low-level movements or getting out to take part in clubs and social events, daily walking, keeping up with household chores, gentle swimming, dancing or even seated exercises.
Luckily there’s plenty of classes and groups in and around Bromley. Here are a few suggestions and links to help keep you, or the elderly relatives you care for, active and engaged:
Befriending hubs
The community hubs and cafes take place regularly and provide a safe space where older people can socialise, meet friends and take part in activities such as quizzes, outings, board games, as well as have a cup of tea & a chat!
Age UK runs a number of cafes in Bromley, Orpington and Chislehurst. More information with days and times is available on the Age UK Bromley & Greenwich befriending hubs page.
Exercise Classes
Primetime offer a range of activities such as
- Falls Prevention to build balance, strength and confidence
- Aquafit for low impact exercise to give a safe and fun workout
- Line Dancing encourages gentle movement and easy line dance routines
- A Tea Dance offers a chance to dance an afternoon away to nostalgic tunes
They have venues in Bromley, Beckenham and West Wickham.
Chair based exercises
Careplus run weekly chair-based gentle exercise classes specifically for older people (65+) to help stay fitter for longer. The hour long classes are open to male and female participants and are free of charge. Further details are available on the events page of the CarePlus website
Singing for Fun
The Singing for Fun choir provides and opportunity to sing, have fun and socialise. It takes place every Wednesday afternoon at the Bromley URC Church and is for people with memory problems and their carers. No previous singing experience is required. For details see the Age UK Bromley and Greenwich website
Walking Groups
Walking is a good opportunity to make new friends and find out more about the wildlife and fauna of the parks and pathways whilst getting fitter. There are a number of walking groups in the Bromley area including the Bromley Ramblers who go out and explore the network of footpaths and bridleways in the area. Age UK Bromley also organise a monthly group walk who meet for a circular walk around Kelsey Park followed by refreshments back at the Community Cafe.
More activities and groups can be found on the Bromley My Life website and the Age UK Bromley events and events page.
It’s important to remember that everybody is different, they enjoy different activities, and they have different levels of fitness and experience of doing exercise & physical activity. That’s why it’s important that you find something that works for you or your loved ones.
If you or someone you care for would like some assistance or advice on staying active and healthy, please get in touch with the friendly team at Right At Home Bromley.
