For Hidden Valley seniors, Eastway rec center is a haven for community, fellowship
Flowers and fancy dinners are Valentine’s Day staples, but for 40 senior women at Eastway Regional Recreation Center, a line dancing class was the activity of choice.
Instructor Sean Corbus began the class, which met Tuesday, with an all-time party favorite – the “Electric Slide” – as the women moved rhythmically to the beat.
Corbus, a recreation specialist overseeing inclusion at Eastway, concluded with some new moves to Ed Sheeran’s 2021 hit, “Shivers,” an upbeat pop song. Though the steps were tough to learn for some, all the women did their best to mimic Corbus as he broke them down.
The line dancing class is among several programs offered at the recreation center on Eastway Drive, about three miles from Charlotte’s Hidden Valley neighborhood. The center is a haven for community and draws some 300 seniors daily who participate in activities, such as pickle ball, bingo and water aerobics, says Trina Williams, a senior recreation specialist.
Many come here because it’s easy for them to make friends who share common interests.
“They love the fellowship,” Williams said.
Around Mecklenburg County, there at least three recreation centers offering programs for seniors, which help with critically needed social interaction, says Dace Brown, an assistant professor of gerontology at UNC Charlotte, said.
Exercise programs like the ones offered at Eastway are beneficial for older adults because they increase their heart rate, and decrease the effects of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, he added.
“When we think back to what happened these last couple of years with social isolation, it was just as difficult on older adults because they weren’t able to get out and be with their families and friends,” Brown said. “What we’ve learned is that everyone needs to be around people.”
Hidden Valley residents Veronica Caldwell and Betty Dial participated in the line dance, and said they typical come three times a week to Eastway — something they have done since it opened in April 2021.
Outside of line dancing, Caldwell said she likes to participate in other activities at Eastway offered to seniors, like yoga sessions and swim classes.
“I enjoy seeing folks my age getting out and doing different things,” Caldwell said.
Dial said one of the things that enticed her to join Eastway was the pool. Previously, Hidden Valley, a predominantly Black neighborhood, had a pool but it was shut down a while ago.
“More of us need to learn how to swim,” Dial said, noting that more seniors in Hidden Valley have started going to water aerobics classes at the center. “There should be affordable programs available to teach our kids how to swim.”
Mary Aikens, who moved to Hidden Valley in 1998 from Mobile, Alabama, said she goes to Eastway five times a week for exercise and enrichment opportunities.
“I’m on disability, so it helps me to be on a regular exercise program,” said Aikens, “ And I went to an art program last month, and people really liked my artwork.”
Memberships at Eastway for adults aged 55 and up in Mecklenburg County are $22 per month, according to their website, but there is a program that lets them access the center for free.
Caldwell, Dial and Aikens are enrolled in SilverSneakers, a program offered to seniors on Medicare plans that gives them access to fitness centers in their area at no cost, according to the program’s website.
“With SilverSneakers, I can do the water aerobics, I can do the line dancing and I get to participate in all of the programs at the center,” Dial said. “They have a lot of nice events for seniors.”
‘I love seeing them smile’
In a study that focused on Gerofit, an exercise program for older adult veterans in Durham, Brown found that “social interaction was a key motivator” for participants to continue the program.
The study also noted that participants “enjoyed the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn relatable health information from another,” and how it allowed them to stay connected.
“Seeing older adults who are able to socially interact and exercise with each other, to me, is just one of the most beautiful things in the world, because they look out for each other,” said Brown. “It’s community, and that’s what people build when they have these different types of exercise programs.”
Williams’ favorite part of the job, she said, is getting to know and forming relationships with the seniors, and leading activities that they cherish.
“I love seeing them smile,” said Williams. “That just makes me happy. Sometimes I have a tear in my eye, because what I do makes a difference, and it gives them a purpose – and a reason to smile.”
This story was originally published February 15, 2023 at 12:51 PM.
