Active by Design
August 22, 2025 | Assisted Living, Health & Wellness, Mary Schwartz Summit
Retirement is often viewed as the finish line, but it’s really just the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunity, discovery, and purpose. At Kline Galland’s Mary Schwartz Summit and through our Benaroya Services including home health, we believe staying active and engaged is essential to aging well. And we’re not alone: Research consistently shows that keeping an active lifestyle in retirement supports better physical health, sharper mental abilities, and stronger social connections.
Why stay physically active and socially engaged
How’d you like to keep your younger body? On a cellular level, active older men’s muscles resemble those of 25-year-olds and can manage inflammation better. “Physical activity is probably as close as we’ve come to a magic bullet for good health,” says Dr. JoAnn Manson at Harvard Medical School.
Research has shown that physical activity can delay or prevent many of the health problems that come with aging. It can reverse heart stiffness and improve cardiovascular health, reducing heart disease. Even without weight loss, movement can reduce diabetes risk; one study showed a 34% reduction in diabetes for each hour of daily brisk walking. Multiple studies have found that walking can help the memory center in the brain and that active older adults are half as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. In fact, active seniors who do develop dementia are more likely to show symptoms later in life than inactive individuals.
But it’s not just about motion, it’s also about meaning. Robert Waldinger, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explained to The Washington Post, “It’s never too late to develop meaningful relationships” and even casual connection, like seeing the cashier at the grocery store, “can give…a significant hit of well-being.”
Social activity in later life has been shown to improve health outcomes. Seniors who are highly socially engaged have 42% lower mortality risk than those who aren’t. More social participation is directly tied to a higher quality of life and individuals who feel lonely are twice as likely to develop depression. Connection to purpose also positively affects well-being: Older adults who feel their life has meaning also have a 35% lower risk of dementia (a benefit similar to regular exercise).
For the mind and body
Here are five activities to combine physical, mental, and social wellness for a more vibrant retirement:
- Tai chi and gentle movement. These low-impact exercises improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, while also supporting stress relief and mental clarity.
At The Summit: Group tai chi and chair yoga sessions are held regularly and designed for all mobility levels.
At home: Kline Galland Home offers personalized wellness visits that include guided movement sessions. Online tai chi classes are also easy to follow from the comfort of home.
- Creative arts and crafts. Artistic activities stimulate the brain, boost mood, and allow for self-expression. They’re also wonderful opportunities to socialize and learn something new.
At The Summit: Residents can join watercolor painting workshops or fiber arts groups, guided by instructors who encourage experimentation and community.
At home: Activity kits delivered through Kline Galland Home can include seasonal crafts or guided projects, ideal for solo or small-group enjoyment.
- Book clubs and cultural conversations. Reading and discussion stimulate cognitive function and help build meaningful relationships through shared ideas and perspectives.
At The Summit: Weekly book clubs and discussion groups are resident-led, creating space for connection and lifelong learning.
At home: Virtual book discussions through Benaroya Community Services or library-sponsored senior groups make it easy to stay connected.
- Music and memory programs. Music activates multiple areas of the brain and has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even enhance memory recall.
At The Summit: Residents take part in “Music & Memory” sessions, sing-alongs, and live performances.
At home: Personalized playlists and home-based music therapy sessions through Kline Galland Home can bring joy and comfort to individuals with memory challenges.
- Volunteering and mentoring. Giving back creates a strong sense of purpose, builds intergenerational connections, and combats loneliness.
At The Summit: Residents take part in community service projects and activity partnerships with local students or younger adults.
At home: Many older adults volunteer by phone, write letters to community members in need, or participate in phone buddy programs – all of which can be supported by local organizations or Kline Galland staff.
This is where a short anecdote or quote from a resident discovering a surprising hobby—perhaps becoming a painter at 80 or leading a trivia night for neighbors—can highlight how fulfilling active retirement can be.
Life enriched at every age
Retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about choosing how you want to stay involved. Whether you’re dancing in a fitness class, mentoring a teen, or painting your first landscape, staying active and engaged nurtures a sense of joy and meaning every day.
At Kline Galland, we’re here to support that journey through vibrant community life at The Summit and compassionate home-based care through our Benaroya Services.
Ready to explore what this next chapter could look like? Let’s create a retirement full of life, together.
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Sources: NYT 1; NYT 2 ; Harvard; National Library of Medicine; European Journal of Ageing; The Washington Post; News Medical; Health and Quality of Life Outcomes; HHS
