Tulsa Nonprofit Offers Ways For Senior To Be Proactive About Brain Health

The Tulsa nonprofit organization LIFE Senior Services reminds seniors to be proactive about their brain health.

May marks Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate aging and the valuable contribution older adults make in their communities.

Eileen Bradshaw, President & CEO at LIFE Senior Services, said its mission is to promote healthy aging for seniors while maintaining their independence. "My number one tip for folks who are advancing in age is just act like you are not advancing in age," she said. "Stay connected and get out there and do things."

LIFE has two senior centers in Green Country that offer a range of activities. "There are arts, there is line dancing, there is pickleball, there is improv, there is guitar lessons. They have jam sessions on Tuesday's and Thursday's where people play guitar and sing. It is just a way to go and learn some new things which stretches our brain, and then spend time with people," said Bradshaw.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) offers four steps during Older Americans Month to help older adults be proactive about their brain health: get a memory screening, try something new, socialize and connect, and be physically active.

In LIFE's line dancing class, Bradshaw said participants get 5,000 steps in just one hour, and it is great for their brains because they have to memorize each dance. She also said LIFE's classes are judgement free zones, and that everyone is very welcoming.

"I visited with one gentleman at the senior center who was taking the class and I said, 'well how do you like it?', he goes 'I am terrible at the activity, but I love the people, and we go out to lunch afterwards.' So, I think that is such a great spirit, you know, just realize that nobody is an expert at everything and that you are extending your life and brain health by trying new things," Bradshaw added.

She said it is especially important to protect brain health after retirement. "There is some recent data that a lot of folks experience cognitive decline after retiring," Bradshaw continued saying, "That is totally not inevitable. If you retire, good for you, just make sure that you are not retreating. Use those retirement years to make new connections, renew old ones, find a place to volunteer, read, do brain games, and go out to eat with friends."

Most services through LIFE are free for those 55 and older. To get connected, call its senior line at 918-664-9000.