Senior citizens in Tennessee can find a variety of activities intended specifically for them. State organizations like the Tennessee Commission on Aging and non-profit organizations sponsor programs to help seniors stay active, make friendships and learn new skills and information. Most of the activities offered through these programs are low or no cost to Tennessee seniors.
The Tennessee Senior Olympics is an annual recreational competition held in the state of Tennessee. Affiliated with the National Senior Games Association, the games are open to anyone 50 years of age or older who live in Tennessee or within 30 miles of the border of the state. Senior athletes can compete in a variety of categories, including golf, basketball, tennis, volleyball, softball, archery, pickleball, racquetball, road racing, cycling, shotput, javelin, discus, high and long jumping and pole vaulting.
The events begin during the late spring and early summer with district qualifiers. Competitions are held in local parks and other facilities at 10 different locations throughout the state, such as in Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga. Top-performing seniors in the district championships then advance to the statewide games held during the month of July. Some districts offer practice sessions for seniors throughout the year to help them train for the event. Advanced registration is necessary to compete in the Tennessee Senior Olympics.
FiftyForward is a non-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee. The group provides programs for seniors aged 50 and older from its various locations. Four FiftyForward centers are located in Nashville with additional centers in College Grove, Madison and Brentwood. Through the FiftyForward Music for Seniors program, seniors can participate in sing-a-longs and enjoy live music at organization's centers. Musicians also visit seniors who are shut-in or live in long-term care facilities.
Seniors can also participate in volunteer opportunities through FiftyForward. In the Foster Grandparents program, low-income adults aged 60 and over mentor at-risk area children. The RSVP program is a general community service organization for adults aged 55 years and older. Throughout the year, seniors participate in numerous activities, such as delivering meals to shut-ins and assisting in local museums.
The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability funds and oversees numerous Senior Centers throughout the state of Tennessee. In addition to serving meals and offering services like health screenings, these facilities offer year-round programs for seniors. Each Senior Center has its own rules for attending facility activities, but most require participants to be between 50 and 60 years of age at a minimum.
To help keep seniors active, Tennessee Senior Centers often offer physical recreational programs. Aerobics, tai chi and yoga classes are commonly offered. Some centers have exercise equipment like treadmills and elliptical machines on-site for use. Seniors can also enroll in educational courses at senior center facilities. Many locations offer classes in computers, the Internet and other technologies. Art classes like painting or ceramics are commonly featured, as well as courses on history and other special interests.
Tennessee Senior Centers may also organize outings like bus trips to local attractions. Potluck dinners, dances, bingo games and clubs that form around a common interest like card-playing are frequently sponsored at the facilities across the state. Some activities may carry a nominal fee to participate, depending on the policies of the center in question.
