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Local Seniors Staying Physically, Socially Active

Some older Austinites stay active and give back through volunteering.
Photo courtesy sheilaz413 via Flickr
Some older Austinites stay active and give back through volunteering.

May is Older Americans Month — and every year.  more people fit into that category. The Administration on Aging says more than a quarter of Americans will be 60 or older by 2030.

The YMCA of Austin hosted a luncheon today for seniors to encourage them to stay physically and socially active. Research shows older adults are facing more problems with obesity than in decades past and seniors tend to spend less time socializing as they age.

Denise Thomas is the owner of Home Instead — an in-home care agency. She’s working with the YMCA to honor several area seniors who are bettering their lives and the lives of others by staying active and volunteering for groups like Meals on Wheels.

“One of the individuals is 82 and the other is 92 who actually do the meal deliveries. So it’s just really exceptional and they are just very driven and don’t use their age as an excuse not to continue to stay active and give back,” said Thomas.

Former State Representative Wilhelmina Delco was the featured speaker at this afternoon’s luncheon.

Laura first joined the KUT team in April 2012. She now works for the statewide program Texas Standard as a reporter and producer. Laura came to KUT from the world of television news. She has worn many different hats as an anchor, reporter and producer at TV stations in Austin, Amarillo and Toledo, OH. Laura is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, a triathlete and enjoys travel, film and a good beer. She enjoys spending time with her husband and pets.
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