Iowa City Senior Center March-April 2025 Program Guide

HEALTHY AGING SERIES This series is presented by Jake Raecker, a physical therapist who works to help older adults age on their own terms. After earning his doctorate from Washington University in 2020, Jake completed a residency in Geriatrics through the Mayo Clinic. Jake has worked in outpatient and hospital settings, and has experience speaking at national physical therapy conferences. Jake owns a practice in Coralville and delivers group and individual fitness training to older adults. Build Better Bones: The Impact of Exercise on Bone Health Wednesday, Apr 2, 12-1 pm Location: Hybrid (Room 302 & Zoom) Register online or call 319-356-5220 Exercise, specifically weight-bearing and impact exercise, is critical for people wanting to maximize their bone health and avoid fractures as they age. Unfortunately, many people with low bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis have been told not to bend, lift, or twist, creating confusion and fear about what they can and can’t do. This class will cover why certain types of movement are helpful for bone health and how you can strengthen your bones as you age. Sleep: A Key to Healthy Aging Wednesday, Apr 9, 12-1 pm How do our sleep needs change as we age? What is REM sleep? How does sleep impact my memory, my heart, and my pain? Why do I pee so much at night? Attendees will walk away with answers to these questions and more. Come learn things you can immediately apply to your lives to sleep better and age better. Muscle Matters: Building Strength for Better Aging Wednesday, Apr 16, 12-1 pm As we age, muscle loss can significantly impact our health, independence, and quality of life. This engaging lecture explores practical strategies to rebuild muscle through proper nutrition and strength training, and why maintaining muscle is essential for aging well. Join us to gain actionable insights that can help you stay strong, active, and resilient at any age! Location: Hybrid (Room 302 & Zoom) Register online or call 319-356-5220 Location: Hybrid (Room 302 & Zoom) Register online or call 319-356-5220

Death Doulas/Midwives/Guides Wednesday, Mar 12, 10-11 am Location: Room 308 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Presenter: Mary McCall

In this session, a panel of death midwives will share their roles in supporting individuals, families, and friends when someone is facing a terminal diagnosis or hospice and end-of-life. We’ll explore the backgrounds of the midwives and their areas of specialty, ranging from legacy projects to rituals to death plans to sitting vigil the last days/hours, as well as after-death plans and care for loved ones. Bring your friends, family, and lots of questions! Advance Care Planning Workshop Friday, Mar 21, 12-2 pm Location: Room 308 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Mary McCall We can't predict when a sudden illness or injury could leave us unable to communicate or make decisions. Learn how to talk about and document your health care preferences to ensure that your family, friends, and health care team know what's important to you and your wishes are honored. What Is Good for Your Heart Is Good for Your Brain: A Brain Wellness Book Club Wednesdays, Apr 2 - May 7, 10-11:30 am Location: Room 302 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Join Michelle Voss and guests from her UI Health, Brain, and Cognition Lab for a book club series that will interactively guide you through Peter Attia’s book Outlive, with a focus on brain wellness. This six-week class will cover how heart and metabolic health affect your personal risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s, and how/why physical activity and sleep hygiene are essential to brain wellness. We will have assigned readings each week, followed by discussion and interactive activities during class. Each class ends with reflection on your lifestyle and developing personal tactics to build brain wellness. The book is provided. Fee: $10 to cover part of the book cost; pay ICSC at registration (fee waived for participants in ICSC's low-income membership program). Membership required.

Online at icgov.org/senior/registration By phone, call 319-356-5220 In-person at the Senior Center, 7 days/week during open hours

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