"Life Is a Cabaret" for Today's Seniors

Article submitted by Sherrie Grunfeld, Director of Adult Activities, at the Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd., Birmingham, AL.
For more information, she can be reached at 879-0411.

"What use is sitting alone in your room?" The famous song from Cabaret can be the theme for today's active senior. When quality of life is the toast of the decade, today's older adult has a smorgasbord of activities to choose from to make the most of the golden years.

When paying attention to their mental, physical and spiritual well-being, the aging population today includes variety to spice up their lives. Bombarded with the "don't use it or lose it" jargon, the active senior must put their physical health in the forefront including aerobic and anaerobic exercises in their daily lives.

Many seniors are using the swimming pool to fulfill these needs. Lap swimming, group water aerobics and aqua-cize help those on-the-go seniors meet their needs without putting the strain on over-taxed joints and muscles. Walking in the local mall or in the neighborhood are still staples of seniorcize. And, if you don't trust yourself to commit, join a local low impact exercise group at the gym or senior center near you, geared to your physical capabilities. Don't like walking, but love to watch TV? Find a treadmill to use and set the speed for your comfort while watching your favorite TV program in the process. Your thirty minutes of exercise will be over before you know it. Remember, it's not what you do, but that you get yourself going and your muscles working on a regular basis that can add quality to your life.

And after you've put activity in your life? Your choices are endless in ways to enjoy yourself in today's world. Local movies and community theaters are fêting the senior adult. Are you using the thought process to its max? Crossword puzzles, scrabble, bridge, canasta, mah jongg, gin, bingo and bunko are the rage today. All help keep those brain cells turning. Do you play along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on TV? Don't let anyone tell you that doesn't count. Do you discuss current events with friends and relatives? Your grandchildren can benefit from a "mature" point of view of local national and international events. Are you in a book club? Would you like to start one? How about a reader's theater? Always wanted to be an actor?? Call the Seasoned Performers. Are you still knitting, crocheting, glazing and painting? Creativity is the spice of life. Is your garden growing? Doesn't it feel good to have beautiful creations you helped to flourish? Your local community centers can help you find ways to involve you in your interests if you need help.

Do you have low vision, buzzing in the ear, need some group advice or are you hearing impaired? There are self-help groups in your neighborhood. Go to your local library and let them help you find them on the Internet if your not computer savvy. By the way, do you have a computer? Would you like to learn? There are computer classes in local senior centers and community colleges. Many are free or moderately priced. If you want to learn, dig in!

Did I hear you say you don't drive anymore? We have modes of transportation here in Birmingham just for seniors. Call your local county office for senior activities to find the telephone numbers for rides.

Are you participating in your local church or synagogue? They need your guidance and participation and would love to put you to work as a volunteer too! Don't forget to give some payback to the community with your retirement time. With so many two-income families today, the senior adult is fast becoming the number one important volunteer for their communities.

There's no better time to have the time of your life than in retirement. It's up to you to find your niche in life and make the most of it, remember, Life is a Cabaret old chum! And WE love a Cabaret!