What is happening at the center this month?
Featured Article
Here at the Ann Arbor Senior Center we welcome our members to engage with one another through their creative outlets. This month we are featuring an article by Hazel Bridges that discusses the fun topic of the holidays.
Fun Health and Wellness Gifts for the Seniors on Your Shopping List
By Hazel Bridges
Fun Health and Wellness Gifts for the Seniors on Your Shopping List
Fall is here and the holidays are fast approaching. And if you have any senior family members or friends on your gift list this year, it's time to start shopping! Are you looking to help those loved ones stay healthy and happy with your holiday gifts? Then you may want to check out this guide to some of the latest health and wellness products that can help older adults stay strong, remain independent and maintain a good quality of life during their golden years.
Stuff Their Stockings With Nutrition and Supplements
Are you looking for a smaller gift that keeps on giving to the senior in your life? Well, look no further than these health-boosting supplements that can minimize pain and enhance mobility. Glucosamine, turmeric and collagen are all healthy options, but you should check in with your loved one to see whether their healthcare provider recommends taking any supplements or vitamins.
You could also opt for some nutritional snacks, like breakfast bars from Kind or Kashi, or you could make nutrition even simpler for your seniors by giving them a supply of superfood smoothie powder. A vitality-boosting greens drink like Lady Boss GREENS packs natural ingredients are shown to bump up energy, weight management and the immune system, all while helping with inflammation.
If you want to treat your senior to something a bit tastier, but still filled with a few key minerals and nutrients, you could also bake food gifts instead. In just a few minutes you can whip up some warm and comforting banana bread complete with protein-packed nuts and antioxidant-filled chocolate chips.
Wrap Up Some Fitness Tech That Will Keep Them Safe
Have a little more room in your budget for the seniors on your list? Then why not spend it on wearable tech that will help them stay in shape and stay safe at the same time. The latest smartwatch from Apple comes with fall detection and SOS features that can connect your loved one to emergency services and contacts if they fall or get into trouble while working out, and step trackers and other features can motivate them to get moving. You can find similar fitness features on the FitBit Sense, which senses oxygen saturation, built-in GPS, and even heart-rate notifications.
Want to spoil your senior even more during the holidays? One of these top-rated home workout machines could do the trick! Especially if your loved one is avoiding the gym and working out at home due to health and safety concerns. A Peloton bike could be perfect for the cycling enthusiasts on your list, while the Mirror will offer endless home fitness options.
On the opposite end of the spending spectrum, there are plenty of budget-friendly fitness gift ideas that can help your friends and family members work out safely at home. For example, you could wrap up an exercise ball or resistance bands to inspire your seniors to stay active.
Treat Seniors to Thoughtful Gifts That Encourage Self-Care
This year has been stressful for everyone, so your senior loved one may also appreciate a few self-care gifts to help them relieve all of that extra tension. Are you seeking something inexpensive but effective? You could pick up a set of mindfulness cards or a soothing tea sampler gift to help your loved one find more self-care in the coming months. A colorful new water bottle is also a perfect way to help seniors stay hydrated for better health.
For many seniors, travel is a way to relieve stress. So, if you have any traveling seniors on your holiday gift list, consider giving them a gift that will help them make the most of their excursions. A video doorbell can provide some added peace of mind and make relaxing on vacation easier, while a book club membership is the travel gift that keeps on giving all year long.
With longer shipping times and shopping restrictions, you definitely don't want to leave your shopping to the last minute this year. Use the suggestions and ideas above to pick the perfect present for the seniors in your life, to help them have a happier and healthier year!
Photo Credit: Pexel
Monthly Calendar
Senior Center Membership
Individual and Family Membership
Ann Arbor Senior Center Membership Advantage: Please consider joining the center to start receiving discounts on classes and senior center rentals! A year long membership is only $25, and a family annual membership is $35. Consider the facts: Most ACBL players come two times a week and play - that's nearly 100 games a year. Your membership would cost you just $25 a year , saving you $75. Most Scrabble and Mahjong players play 50 times a year, and with a Senior Center membership, you will save $75 a year!
Arts & Humanities
NEW! Burns Park Women's Circle
Every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m., nonmembers: $2, members Free.
Start
the new year by joining a group of local women that gather to discuss weekly
topics, life experiences, provide support and education to one another, and
discover new connections and friendship.
A2 Community Sing with Dawn
First Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5.
Just like singing around a campfire, you'll find yourself remembering that old ballad, an Irish tune, or childhood family song in no time. Our Community Sings are sure to stir up some fond memories and build a new family friendly tradition to be treasured for years to come. If you love to sing, haven't sung in years or are just yearning for some fun intergenerational community time, our Community Sing is sure to please. We use both the Rise Up Singing Song Book and the Rise Again Song Books. Song leaders typically start out each sing and all participants get an opportunity to pick a song in the circle. All voices welcomed. Community Sings are held in Burns Park in the Gallery Room at the Ann Arbor Senior Center.
Blue Grass Jam
Second and fourth Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., drop-in fee: $5.
The A2 Blue Grass participants, from expert to novice, come from all over southeast Michigan to have fun withbluegrass jamming and singing. We draw a wide variety of musical Instruments including banjos, fiddles, standup and electronic bass, percussion, washboard, dobro, mandolin and the occasional harmonica. All ages are welcome. Visit the
Bluegrass website for more information.
NEW! Bag Lunch Bible Study
Every Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., nonmembers: $2, members Free.
Come fill your life
with joy and happiness during the weekly Bag Lunch Bible Study, where you can
study the Bible and create a life changing experience with long lasting
friendships. Remember to bring a snack or bag lunch to enjoy!
NEW! Movie Matinee
Every Wednesday, 1-3:30 p.m., nonmembers: $2, members Free.
Come join us every Wednesday afternoon to enjoy a great movie! Includes free popcorn!
March Movies: A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, The Last of the Mohicans, The Greatest Showman
Watercolor Skills Course
Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., free.
Winter Session: Jan. 16-March 18.
Summer Session: May 7-July 9
Join this mindful community of painters for artistic inspiration, painting demos, a bit of art history, lively discussion and fun. All skill levels welcome. This class is offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for individuals 65 and older.
Bridge Games & Instruction
ACBL Bridge Barometer Game
Not Currently Offered
Per Game Fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember
Want to improve your bridge game? Know someone who would like to get back into bridge? This is the perfect opportunity. Join fellow bridge players for a fun morning of educational bridge play with Bridge Director and Emerald Life Master, Debra Eaves. The Barometer game is designed with learning in mind and consists of 12 boards to play. All tables play the same board at the same time. Upon completion of each hand, the cards are placed face up on the table (double dummy style) with a brief (5 minute) lesson/discussion. The game awards ACBL masterpoints (60% of full game awards). No partner necessary; we will find you one! Register for 1, 2, or all 9 games.
ACBL Bridge Games
Wednesdays and Thursdays, Noon-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $8 member; $9 nonmember.
ACBL open sanctioned games are played in the Gallery Room on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Pre-dealt hands from "dealer 4" offer players immediate hand records and player analysis printouts. The sanctioned bridge game has players of all levels of expertise from beginner to expert. Your directors encourage you to come with a partner. Looking for a partner? Arrive at the center and let the director know by 11:30 a.m., and they will offer you a guarantee to play. Wednesday Director Debra Eaves (March-December); Wednesday (January and February) and Thursday Director Stacey Tessler.
Duplicate Non-sanctioned Bridge
Monday, 12:30-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $2 member; $3 nonmember
Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge, directed by Ray Gentz, attracts players of all ages with varied levels of expertise including life masters to beginners.
Novice Bridge Game (0-199 Masterpoint Limit)
Select Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Per Game Fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember
Game Dates: April 4, May 2, June 6, 2020
There's a NEW game in town for Novice Bridge Players!
Join fellow novice bridge players for a fun morning of educational bridge play with Bridge Director Stacey Tessler. Play duplicate bridge with others at your level. Hand records and electronic scoring are provided. You can even earn ACBL masterpoints. A short lecture at 9 a.m. precedes the 9:30 a.m. game. No partner necessary; we will find you one!
Contact Stacey at 734.255.1269 for more information.
Bridge Defense
Part II: Mondays, Jan. 20-April 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember
This class is designed for beginners and low
intermediate players who wish to improve their defensive play and do play
practice with analysis. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the
text for the first 60-75 minutes. Students will then play hands from a previous
duplicate game during the remaining time. Hands are analyzed after completion
to review the bidding, play and defense. Students may register in advance and pre-pay for all
13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in: $15 member; $17 nonmember). It is highly recommended that students
have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Classes are held in the
Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages. For more details, contact the instructor or
the Ann Arbor Senior Center office. Text: Defense in the 21st Century by Audrey
Grant. Pre-requisites: Bridge I or equivalent or prior experience.
Bridge II Play of the Hand
Part II: Tuesdays, Jan. 21-April 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember
This 13 week class is designed for advanced beginner and low intermediate players who wish to improve declarer skills. Audrey Grant has a worldwide reputation in the field of bridge education and in this class you use her methods from the required text "Play of the Hand in the 21st Century". The main part of the course deals with play of the hand as declarer. Other parts include bidding reviews, defense, and more. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the text for the first 75 minutes. Students will then play hands for the last 45 minutes. The text may be purchased online or ordered from your local bookstore. Students may register in advance and prepay for all 13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in:$15 member; $17 nonmember). Classes are held in the Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages. For more details, contact the Instructor Ray Gentz at ray62856@gmail.com or the Senior Center office at 734.794.6250. Pre-requisites: Bridge I or instructor permission.. Required text "Play of the hand in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant.
Bridge for Beginners
Part II: Tuesdays, Jan. 21-April 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.A beginning course focusing on basic aspects of bridge featuring bidding using the Standard American system taught using the book “Bidding in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. Also included are sections on scoring, defense and more. Each class consists of 90 minutes of presentation including a brief break. The last 30 minutes will be for students to play pre-dealt hands that deal with the material from the lecture. Open to all ages. Come and learn this fun, yet challenging game! Students may pre-pay for the entire class or pay a drop in fee of $15 for members or $17 for non-members. For more information please contact the Senior Center or the instructor, Ray Gentz at ray6286@gmail.com.
Supervised Bridge Play
Be on the lookout for upcoming dates this spring.
fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember.
fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember.
Enjoy the flexibility of attending
Supervised Bridge Play in the morning, the afternoon, or mix it up and come
when your schedule permits. There will be a Monday a.m. option and a Tuesday
p.m. option. Supervised Bridge Play is designed for beginners and low
intermediate players who wish to improve their bidding, declarer, and defensive
play. The program will run with students playing 7-9 hands per session. Hands
will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play, and defense. No
book or partner needed. It is highly recommended that students have some type
of previous bidding class or experience. Please note that this is not a duplicate game; just practice. For
more details, contact the instructor Ray Gentz at 734.769.3994 or the Senior Center
office at 734.794.6250.
Social Games
Mahjong
Chinese Mahjong on Mondays, noon-3 p.m., drop-in fee: free member; $2 nonmember.
Test your skills and strategy tactics with an ancient tile-based game of Chinese origin, while engaging in bit of friendly competition. Similar to rummy and poker, this four-player game can be played by all ages and skill levels.
Scrabble
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Drop-in: free member; $2 nonmember.
Easy to learn and fun to play, this game is for people who like friendly competition and riveting conversation. All experience levels are welcome.
NEW! Euchre
Mondays, 6-8 p.m., Drop-in: free member; $2 nonmember. Playing Euchre is a fun social experience where you can meet new people.
Bring a partner or just show up and we'll match you up with somebody when you
get here.
Board Game Fun
Not currently offered, Drop-in: free member; $2 nonmember.
Playing board games is a fun social experience. Come out for an afternoon of mystery and detective work; slide, collide, but don’t be Sorry; or grab your train ticket for a cross country adventure. Beginning September 5, come meet new people and play a variety of board games at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Games available: Clue, Sorry, Ticket to Ride, Tripoley, Rummikub, and more!
Fitness
GROOVE DANCEfloor™ 
Mondays, Jan. 6-March 9, 6:00-7:00 p.m., $80 for 10 weeks/Drop-in $12 nonmember, $10 member.
Mondays, March 16-May 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m., $80 for 10 weeks/Drop-in $12 nonmember, $10 member
All fitness levels and abilities of those 15 years and older, are welcome to unite, dance, and be yourself during this fun group dance experience that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. GROOVE® is a simple, fun, and creative dance workout. Just simple moves and rhythms done YOUR own way! The dance floor has evolved, so come join the movement. No dance experience required. Check out Young at Heart for a sneak peek of what this class has to offer. Register with a buddy and you both will save 20%! Call 734.794.6250 to register.
Benefits of Dance
- Reduces stress and depression
- Increases energy and serotonin
- Improves flexibility, strength, balance, and endurance
- Strengthens bones and boosts cardiovascular health
- Increases mental capacity by exercising our cognitive processes
- Dynamic and rapid fire decision making creates new neural paths
Chair Yoga through Ann Arbor Rec & Ed
Chair yoga provides a gentle stretch for your body and brings a sense of clarity to the mind. This class is offered by Rec & Ed at the Ann Arbor Senior Center on Fridays 9:30-10:30 a.m.. Visit Rec & ED to register for the class.
The following classes are in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for adults 65 and older. Please call to register, 734.794.6250.
Fitness for Seniors
Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m., free.
Winter Session: Jan. 14-March 17.
Summer Session: May 5-July 7.
Join Mark Harris in this 10-week free class for adults 65 and older offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College. Improve fitness, strength, conditioning, flexibility, balance and cognitive skills while having fun. Call to preregister, 734.794.6250.
Tai Chi
Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m., free.
Winter Session: Jan. 15-March 18.
Spring Session: May 6-July 8
Join this free class in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older. Instruction combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques to improve balance and overall health. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck. Call to preregister, 734.794.6250.
Wellness and Enrichment
Life Line Screenings
Future date to be announced soon.
Life Line Screening will again host health screenings at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. For more information or to register, visit http://www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle.
Easy Indoor Plant Care and Propagation Workshop
Not currently offered; dates TBD for 2020
Join this hands-on class led by Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener trainee Corry Buckwalter, to learn about the health benefits of growing indoor plants, how to care for them and propagate your own new plant to take home. Whether you already have a green thumb and keep plants thriving for decades or are just curious about the magical world of indoor plants, this class is for you. Plant care topics will include proper soil media, containers, watering and light requirements, as well as common indoor plant problems and how to address them. Instructor will discuss eight methods to conduct vegetative propagation. Come prepared to get your hands in the dirt and have fun! Sample potted plants will be available to study. Free. Ten participant limit for adults 55+. Registration required. Call 734.794.6250 to reserve a spot.
A Matter of Balance
Not currently offered, free, registration with AAA1B required
A Matter of Balance is an award-winning evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falls. Throughout the eight weeks, you will learn to:
- View falls as controllable
- Set goals for increasing activity
- Make changes to reduce risks at home
- Exercise to increase strength and balance.
Call (833) 262-2200 or email wellnessprograms@aaa1b.com for information or to register.
Informational Workshops
The Senior Center also hosts a variety of educational workshops that provide its members with ample information and support. A recent topic of discussion, outlined by Sharon Wagner, describes ways that individuals can find support for obtaining Medicare. See here: 
Breaking Down the ABCs of Medicare to Find Your Best Option.pdf
Article of Interest: "Seniors Face Unique Challenges, But They Don't Have To Go It Alone" Kent Elliot is a retired architect with a passion for dogs, DIY, and universal design. After a stroke left him with mobility issues, he thought he would need to move out of his home and into an assisted living community. But, using his experience as an architect and with a little creativity, he was able to successfully remodel his family home instead. The relief he felt has inspired him to help others do the same. He created At Home Aging to share what he’s learned and is currently working on a book, Aging in Place One Project at a Time: DIY Home Modifications That Don’t Require a Professional.
See here: Seniors Face Unique Challenges, But They Don’t Have to Go It Alone.pdf
