Explore the growing opportunities that Durham offers older adults, including support programs, enriching learning experiences and more!
during one of the center’s dance classes.
By Celia Funderburk and Lena Miano | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Community centers and organizations across Durham offer a diverse array of programs and services tailored to older adults that promote active aging and inclusivity within the community.
Downtown’s Durham Center for Senior Life, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has an extensive team of medical staff, program coordinators and nutrition specialists, as well as volunteers, who collaborate to provide free services, resources, fitness programs, caregiver support, health care, support groups and events.
The center offers more than 60 regular classes accessible to older adults of all backgrounds and abilities. Members can also take part in celebratory gatherings, cultural events, workshops and presentations on topics such as physical therapy and fraud prevention, among others. DCSL also offers a support program for caregivers with services like respite care along with an adult day health program and educational and counseling programs.
“Overall, the 75th anniversary serves as a pivotal moment to celebrate past achievements while inspiring renewed commitment and vision for the future of the Durham Center for Senior Life,” says Mika Bukowski, the center’s marketing and communications specialist, adding that center staff hope to expand its program and service offerings, and enhance its engagement and outreach moving forward.
Meals on Wheels Durham similarly seeks to build community in the way it supports our county’s older adult population. Volunteers from across the city witness firsthand the profound impact of delivering a nutritious meal and providing a friendly check-in. Its “More Than a Meal” initiative offers supplemental items and services to combat social isolation and improve the overall well-being of clients, including its holiday gift program that brings joy to older adults through thoughtful presents donated by individuals, businesses and faith-based or civic organizations. A partnership with DEGA Mobile Veterinary Care ensures free basic veterinary services for clients’ beloved pets.
“We’re actively seeking volunteer drivers to deliver meals in the mornings, as well as volunteers to help us pack and load meals into vehicles and individuals to make remote check-in calls on Wednesdays and Fridays,” says Nia Richardson, Meals on Wheels Durham’s communications and special events coordinator, adding the organization’s volunteer cohort, many of whom are older than 50, benefit from the health advantages of volunteering, including stress reduction, enhanced mental health and physical exercise, while feeling connected to the community. “Whether you can spare a few hours or more, we have a role for you.”
Older adults looking to connect with others while also exploring new concepts of interest should seek out the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers 12 areas of study – from literature and languages to science and technology – with both in-person and virtual formats.
These engaging weekly courses are led by experienced experts in their fields, such as wine industry veteran Thomas Thorne and retired professor Richard Melanson, who presents seminars on global issues.
The program brings connection and meaning to its participants. “One physician, who retired and later began teaching courses for OLLI, told us that OLLI saved [their] life,” says OLLI Director Chris McLeod. Others who are actively caregiving find its online courses to be a welcome outlet. “[Another] member shared that her weekly poetry writing class with Jane Seitel was a lifeline when she was caring for her husband; … she organized her whole week around making sure she could attend.” OLLI also records some of its lecture-based courses, so it is easy to keep up if you miss a class due to an appointment or family conflict.
Durham Parks & Recreation is also adding opportunities for older adults this year, like its Doggone Good Time Potluck that promises tasty fare and quality time for fellowship at Forest Hills Park this summer. (Check DPR’s site later this spring for the date and to register.) DPR is also partnering with Grouper to offer a free 10-punch monthly activity pass, which covers activities that typically incur extra costs but that are eligible for Medicare coverage, specifically for individuals aged 65 and older.
EAT WELL, LIVE WELL
Ensuring your nutritional needs are met is paramount to a happy and healthy life. DCSL Support Services Manager Niya Carrington says members often discuss health concerns such as maintaining strength and balance, and having sufficient energy throughout the day. Niya recommends a diet rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants to combat these concerns: Greek yogurt and salmon are both high in protein and antioxidants, whereas beans and quinoa offer plentiful protein and fiber. Protein shakes, lentils and lean beef can add protein while chickpeas, oatmeal, almonds and broccoli are a few common high-fiber options. Add in dark green leafy vegetables, blueberries, carrots or Brussels sprouts to any meal for more antioxidants.
“The key takeaway is that many nutritious foods provide overlapping benefits,” Niya says, adding that this age group is particularly vulnerable to health complications as well as facing difficulties accessing or making meals themselves. “The task is to choose food that promotes healthful living, while minimizing the consumption of processed and fast foods.”
Virginia Davis designs a thank-you card during one of several weekly DCSL Open Art Studios, which supplies members with craft materials from glittery decorations and markers to paper and paint.
The center partners with local organizations – including the Durham Farmers Market, Black Farmers Market, Durham’s Innovative Nutrition Education program, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Durham County Cooperative Extension, More in My Basket and Meals on Wheels Durham – to provide resources and support for older adults who are experiencing these challenges.
Meals on Wheels Durham, for instance, plays a crucial role in promoting active aging and healthy lifestyles for older adults through its daily meal delivery and regular volunteer contact. Working to enhance the lives of homebound adults, the organization delivers meals that provide one-third of the recommended daily allowances of essential nutrients for older adults, all while being low in sugar and sodium.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Duke Integrative Medicine Center Nurse Coordinator Alexandra Norris says daily activity like walking, hiking, Pilates and strength training can prevent older adults from developing chronic illnesses like osteoporosis, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and arthritis. Age increases the risk for these diseases, as well as other heart conditions and stroke, so it’s important for older adults to practice health and healing techniques every day. Older adults can better understand and listen to their bodies when incorporating movement into daily routines, she says, with the added benefit of building muscle mass and strengthening bone health.
Alexandra also recommends that older adults focus on balance training, in part to help prevent falls, by using the sit-to-stand technique. Begin by sitting in a chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground, and try to stand up without using your hands, repeating the exercise as much as you are comfortable with. She also advises those seeking a more challenging workout to incorporate single-leg deadlifts – try them on a balance board to increase difficulty – using light to medium weights, but, as with any new exercise regimen, make sure to consult with your primary doctor first.
Duke Integrative Medicine Yoga Therapist Carol Krucoff says older adults should also be aware of the threats of lung disease, cancer and chronic pain. Regular physical activity can relieve and even prevent these and other conditions. Carol says the recommended guideline is to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, which can be easily fulfilled with regular yoga practice. A few movements highly beneficial to older adults include: tree pose, a position essential to the practice of yoga that involves balancing on one leg; and chair stand, another yoga-specific posture that builds leg strength and enhances function. Older adults can practice these and other balancing exercises while standing next to a chair or by keeping the ball of their foot on the floor.
“Combining aerobic exercise, strength training, balance and flexibility is critical to aging well and preventing falls,” says Duke Health & Fitness Center Exercise Physiologist Cheyanne Oakley, adding that exercise is considered a positive stressor that develops strength, endurance and agility, all of which help manage chronic conditions. She, too, suggests older adults engage in squats and sit- to-stands to address the increased risk of falls by developing lower body and core strength. Tandem walking, single-leg stands and heel raises also improve balance. The Duke Health & Fitness Center offers flow and gentle yoga, meditation and Pilates as well as a variety of group exercise classes. It also hosts a “Balance & Function” program during which participants can learn more about falling safely and getting up from a fall.
OLLI’s Chris McLeod also advocates that strength training and flexibility are important to ensuring its members build balance and mobility to help maintain their independence. The organization offers two online courses – Vivo and tai chi – as well as an in-person yoga course. “Vivo is a very good exercise solution for those who dislike the gym experience,” says OLLI member Marion Jervay. “Because it’s online, you can participate in the program from wherever you might be at the appointed time. If you live alone, the program is structured to make certain that you are safe as you participate and that you will be able to get emergency assistance, if ever needed.” OLLI staff are also working to create more experiential learning opportunities, like improv. This spring’s course, “Exploring the Piedmont Arts,” includes short trips and visits to cultural institutions across the state. And in fall 2024, OLLI will begin a travel program to take members to destinations across the U.S. and abroad.
Those looking to put their activity levels to the test can also join in Durham Parks & Recreation’s annual Durham Senior Games. This Olympic-style event for participants aged 50 and older holds competitions in croquet, table tennis, basketball shooting, swimming, shuffleboard, pickleball and more. Speaking of pickleball, DPR’s new pickleball facility at Piney Wood Park features 12 brand-new courts where fans of the popular sport can participate in a tournament or brush up on their skills in one of DPR’s many indoor pickleball classes.
KEEPING DOORS OPEN FOR ALL
OLLI invests in advertising in specific publications to attract diverse audiences online and in print, and has also developed a programming partnership with an African American congregation in Durham. OLLI teaches courses on implicit bias and structural racism, which led to the formation of a special interest group to continue the learning outside of class and build friendships across differences.
OLLI also ensures it is accessible to members – it provides American Sign Language interpreters upon request and wireless microphones to in-person instructors while hosting courses in first-floor classrooms that are easily accessible and nearby to ample parking, including handicap parking. Its online classes offer closed captions and AI- generated transcripts for those that are recorded, about half of its online programming. DPR, for its part, encourages participants to share their opinions and accommodations with staff to ensure activities are inclusive to all, no matter the activity. The organization makes certain it is safe to travel to its events and programs, and that they are accessible and clear of any trips or fall hazards, so everyone can enjoy.
Durham Center for Senior Life similarly prides itself on inclusivity. Daniel Lightheart, DCSL’s volunteer and program coordinator, says the fitness classes – including line dancing, tai chi, yoga, aerobics, Zumba, African and belly dancing – are designed to accommodate all levels of strength and endurance and often include education on modifications for exercises, as well as how to safely incorporate weightlifting into fitness routines. The center also offers personal trainers who specialize in one-on-one and small-group fitness plans. “One of our main goals with fitness and wellness programs is to keep people moving by making all our classes a positive, supportive experience,” Daniel says.
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