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Dessa Paris-Gant became hooked on cycling in her 40s — riding with several clubs in her hometown of St. Louis and competing in the Missouri State Senior Games and other competitions.
Paris-Gant thought it would be fun to have a cycling group for older adults and reached out to AARP Missouri. Soon after, Boomers and Bikes was born. On one Saturday morning each month from April through October, the program offers two route options, about 10 or 20 miles, over regional trails for cyclists age 50 and older.
“It’s just another way for people to socially network without being on the phone. [They] have a common bond, have fun, create new friendships and stay active,” says Paris-Gant, 63, who receives help from several ride marshals to plan the routes, keep the groups together and answer questions from participants.
The program is one of a variety of activities AARP is offering this year to help older Missourians focus on their health and well-being.
About 50 people, ages 50 to 80, gather for the outings. The rides typically begin around 9 a.m., or earlier during the summer months, and end around noon. Support services for flat tires and other small maintenance issues are available.
For those not into cycling, AARP Missouri also offers monthly Saturday morning hikes. About 45 people join the Trail Trekkers guided hikes, which cover about 2.5 to 3 miles over different park trails in the St. Louis region.
Often, people like to hike but don’t want to go alone, says Sheila Holm, AARP Missouri community outreach director in St. Louis.
“We create this safe environment,” Holm says. “We do all the pre-planning and check out the trail beforehand. We let everybody know what to bring.”
Another monthly activity is Walk with a Doc. The international program has several chapters in Missouri, including one affiliated with AARP in St. Louis. Jovita Oruwari, a breast cancer surgeon with SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis, talks with participants about the importance of staying active.
“Regular walking provides numerous physical and mental health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, weight management, stronger bones and muscles, reduced risk of chronic diseases, boosted mood and enhanced cognitive function,” Oruwari says.
Walks last about an hour and cover 1 mile on paved trails with limited grades, allowing people of all abilities to participate.
Among the participants, Holm says, is a man and his wife, who is visually impaired. It’s a great way for them to be active and socialize, she says.
AARP also offers virtual classes for people who prefer at-home workouts.
Relax and Renew - Yoga for All focuses on caregivers but can benefit anyone who needs to reduce stress.
“You can’t pour from an empty vessel,” says Kat Robinson, 64, a yoga instructor who leads the class. “Caregivers really get overwhelmed and many times — well, pretty much every time — they tend to forget about focusing on their needs and their care because they’re so focused on taking care of their loved one.”
The class differs from traditional yoga in several ways, including offering seated poses in a chair and holding poses for a shorter length of time to reduce pressure on joints.
“It’s about relieving stress. It’s about moving through the poses gently for health benefits, such as digestion,” Robinson says.
The class is gentle enough that caregivers can include the person they are caring for in the class, says Diane Hall, AARP Missouri community outreach director in Kansas City.
Other online classes include tai chi, qigong, Zumba, line dancing and low-impact cardio. The classes are free, but registration is required.
Find a full list of current classes on AARP Missouri’s website. Recorded classes can also be found on AARP Missouri’s YouTube channel.
Cynthia Pasquale is a freelance writer and former editor at The Denver Post. She has written for the Bulletin since 2011.
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