Engage your Mind and Body, and Connect with Others

Arts and Books: entertainment, fine arts and education are available here

• Open Culture has links to free movies, free certificates, free language lessons, and free audio books
• Games Page by USA Today
• Simply E app to borrow e-books from the New York Public Library
• Writing, art & wellness classes by the Ida and Joseph Friend Family Support Center Proko has hundreds of drawing lessons and tutorials
• Nature Relaxation Films on YouTube (12-hour, non-looping scenery)
• 2500 museums & galleries across the world virtual tours
• The Hidden Worlds of National Parks in Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah, and Florida virtual tours 
• The Metropolitan Opera is streaming an opera every 24 hours for free
• UC Berkeley is offering an assortment of free online classes
• Crossword Solver- Top 10 Benefits of Puzzle Solving for adults

General

• Eating Disorder Treatment Programs for Elderly by Within. Eating disorders among the elderly population is a serious issue that is often overlooked. Within provides accurate and reliable information on this topic.

Fitness Programs

Always Active
21 SF Locations- all FREE
Phone: 415-550-2265, or 415-550-2291
No clinical assessments need, classes are not lead by a clinical professional
Enrollment requires a PCP release form, http://alwaysactive.org/enroll/
Client needs to arrange transportation to/from facility

Aquatic Park Center
890 Beach St. SF (located in the Maritime Museum)
415-775-1866
https://www.sfsenior.org/

SF Downtown Senior Center (Downtown Center)
481 O’Farrell St. San Francisco, CA 94102
415-771-7950
https://sequoialiving.org/senior-center/

 

Exercise

Either sit, stand or jump when you do it, but challenge yourself in four key ways: with aerobics, resistance (weights), balance and flexibility. The following sections provide more information about how to exercise safely, followed by links to workouts and video classes. While many exercises can be performed at any activity level with modifications, we've labeled the ones that are oriented toward a specific level.

Light 

 

 Moderate

 

Vigorous

Modified

 

• 6 myths of exercise in old age. No matter your age or physical condition, it's never too late to start exercising and get fit. 
• Staying Healthy During Lockdown step-by-step guide.
• Tips for older people on how to keep moving, despite being stuck at home.
• Fitness expert's advice for being stuck at home during lockdown.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Older Adult Physical Activity Guidelines
• Exercise and Physical Activity by the National Institute on Aging.
• Virtual Community Connector Network has a full calendar of phone and online activities for this month from SF Community Living Campaign.
• Exercising at home using everyday household items as weights and supports (towels, food cans!)
• Exercises to maintain balance and strength  
• Daily workout: in three parts: mobility, warm-up, workout​ ​

 

Try DANCING around your home to your favorite music or with a video:

• Gentle dancing, chair dancing,  seated warmup, standing warmup, and upperbodydance for strength videos
• Senior Gold dance workout
• 3 workouts specifically for older adults from YMCA 360 

 

Try YOGA around your home to your favorite music or with a video:

• Workout in 7-minutes, or a 25-minute gentle beginner’s class, chair yoga, gentle yoga part 2,  
• Sit and Be Fit exercise video clips 
• Virtual exercise and fall prevention classes: classes focus on mobility, muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility specifically designed for Older Adults and adults with disabilities. 
   
• Senior Lifestyle: 7 Best Exercises for Seniors (and a Few to Avoid!)
   
• Baylor University: A resource guide discussing the risks and implications of mobility loss, along with steps seniors and adults can take to prevent loss of mobility. 

Parkinson's Disease Exercise Resources:

• Dance for Parkinson's at the SF Ballet emphasize large balletic movements and integrate modern, folk, and social dance to honor PD- specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation, and depression.
• Participate in a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum at Rock Steady Boxing 
• At PD-Connect, there are variety of fitness programs ranging from martial arts to sports that focuses on cardiovascular health, cognitive well-being, music, strength training, and balance.

Parkinson's Disease Physical Therapy Resources:

• Parkinson Wellness Recovery founded the PWR!Moves framework that help maintain and restore skills that have deteriorated and can interfere with everyday movements.
• The Lee Silverman Voice Training is an effective speech and physical therapy program that can be guided by a healthcare professional or self-guided videos.

Socialize to foster trust, compassion, hope, wellbeing and resilience in yourself and others

• The AFA Teal Room is your one-stop shop for virtual therapeutic activities to enjoy with your loved ones from the safety of your own home! Virtual therapeutic activities include creative arts therapies, music/performances, fitness/movement, nature-based programming, and more!
• Arrange a schedule of regular calls or video chats with friends and family. 
• Activities for Seniors Facing Loneliness: virtual and in-person activities to do for seniors facing loneliness. 
• 12 Ways to Ease Isolation for ideas that work for you from Health in Aging
• Social isolation during coronavirus from AARP
• Covia’s Well Connected program offers free telephone-based educational programs and activities  or call 1-877-797-7299  PARA ESPAÑOL: Covia Bien Conectado – 1-877-400-5867 
• Social Call matches individuals for weekly friendly phone conversations
• Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly – In San Francisco only. To set up calls and get paired with a volunteer, contact Debbie Uchida at [email protected].
• San Francisco Village can help with friendly calls, groceries, community activities and resources to help you through the pandemic. Contact Jessica Da Silva at  415-387-1375 ext. 6 or [email protected]