Care for the Elderly Kansas City

Way to go London!  A new proposal to have the first ever park for older persons is planned for Hyde Park in London. Some goals for the project was to benefit people in the community long-term, and to accommodate the aging baby-boomer population in London.

Every park you see has a play area for kids, very few have one for adults, and none have a park designed especially for seniors! Another concern was that aging people in London have been affected negatively by the down-turned economy and finances have been reduced, so a health club membership was not always feasible.

For more info on this exciting project, click here.

In researching this interesting concept, I learned that parks like these are becoming more and more popular across Europe and even Asia. It’s time for the US to follow that trend! We need an over 60’s playground. As I continue to research this concept I’ll let you know if I find any here in the United States, and more importantly, if there are any here locally in Kansas City. What an innovation that would be for eldercare in Kansas City!

For now, seniors in Kansas City should enjoy the parks that we do have!  Shawnee Mission Park is one of the Kansas City Areas largest parks and features walking trails.  Spring is right around the corner, put on some good shoes, and hit the trails!  Click here for other parks in Johnson County, and here is a list of the local Senior Centers:

Olathe - Mill Creek Center (OLA) 311 E. Park, Suite A Olathe, KS 66061 (913) 782- 1878 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Overland Park - Matt Ross Community Center (MRCC) 8101 Marty Overland Park, KS 66204 (913) 642-6410 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Roeland Park - Roeland Park Community Center (RPCC) 4850 Rosewood Roeland Park, KS 66205 (913) 236-4343 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Antioch Park - 50Plus Office 6501 Antioch Road Merriam, KS 66205 (913) 236-1246 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For more information on safe exercise for the elderly, visit our resources page: Exercise For Seniors

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicabrothers/2563271190/