Playgrounds for Seniors
By Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
Another terrific idea for helping our elders exercise has crossed my desk, or computer screen. (Last month it was the Wii video game.)
Senior playgrounds -- honest-to-goodness, equipment-filled, outdoor play areas -- are popular in many countries, except for the
I can see why. They’re marvelously designed for safe, healthy geriatric activity. Check for yourself by clicking the Good Morning America link on changingaging, the blog of geriatric physician, Bill Thomas. Then click the video "Playgrounds for the Elderly." It's worth it. (This blog post, by the way, stresses how middle agers could benefit from a romp in senior playgrounds, along with their parents.)
There are senior playgrounds in
Meanwhile, there are other good ways for our parents to get healthy outdoor exercise:
- Walking, one of the best forms of exercise on earth. Tips from The American Podiatric Medical Association.
- Bike riding. Tips from The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.
- And how about a round of catch with the grandkids.
I'd welcome senior playgrounds to the list above. How about starting a movement to get some closer to home?
Image by Flickr user Ashengrove used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivus License.
Well Diane, you were ahead of your time! Or maybe the rest of the USA is simply way behind. Since my post I've learned that the city of Novato, California is actually looking into building a senior playground -- encouraged by some residents. Can they really be the only one in the US? Meanwhile, keep on playing. No one says you have to stop as your kids get older (so I tell myself.)
I've always thought there should be adult playgrounds. When the kids were younger, we always climbed, crawled and slid with them and thought, then, adult playgrounds should be made.
Cool, looks like a place for the elderly to hang out and meet, although younger adults may also want a go on the equipment. I am not quite at the elderly stage yet, but the kid slides seem a bit small for me these days. Wonder which town in the US will be the first to try this idea out.
I like your continuing comments on fun and play activities for all ages, junkmaster Bernie. Yes, to intergenerational options. What a great idea for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Or maybe for preschools -- safe, fun and healthy play areas for grandkids and grandparents. To me, this is forward thinking.
Wonderful, inspiring story. Inspiring enough to make me write my own - http://www.deepfun.com/2008/04/senior-playgrounds-contd.html - Thanks for this, for your work, your caring, your sense of fun.