CH Senior Center News

June is Brain Awareness month and the Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers many activities to benefit brain health, including a variety of exercise opportunities. Exercise is key to overall health, promoting increased blood flow to all areas of the body, including the brain.

Seniors can increase their step counts by using the indoor track, giving pickle ball or table tennis a try, or enrolling in a dance, tai chi or yoga class. However one chooses to exercise, the benefit is the same. Some classes are free, others charge a fee, but seniors can try any class one time for free and see what they like.

Learning a new activity and gaining skills also increases brain function. From Spanish to art, the senior center offers a variety of enrichment classes that will stimulate brain function while expanding one’s knowledge.

Finally, don’t downplay the positive effects that socialization has on brain health. There is a positive correlation between participation in social relationships and better overall health and happiness for seniors, and SAC is full of friendly, active, interesting people. Become a member and get to know some of them today.

Membership is $5 for Cleveland Heights residents 60 and older. To sign up, bring a recent piece of mail (such as a bill) and a photo ID. University Heights residents who would like to join the SAC must first register with Patrick Grogan-Myers, University Heights community development coordinator, at 216-932-7800, ext. 203, or pgrogan@universityheights.com. Membership is $10 for University Heights seniors.

The Cleveland Heights SAC, located in the CH Community Center at 1 Monticello Blvd., offers a wide variety of programming for those 60 and older, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A complete schedule of programs is published in the community center’s newsletter, which is available at Cleveland Heights City Hall, local libraries, the community center and online at www.clevelandheights.com.