Local fun activities for seniors are as diverse as the folks who enjoy them. For starters, you’ll often find ladies and gentlemen enjoying biscuits or waffles at their favorite Murphy, NC breakfast eatery. Next, some seniors might hit the grocery store or make the rounds of the local thrift shops. Other residents browse through books and DVDs at the Murphy Public Library, while hobby fans stock up on supplies for their latest projects.
Seniors who prefer group activities also have some attractive options. Whether they engage in gentle exercise with like-minded workout buddies, or socialize with friends and neighbors at a favorite gathering spot, they can enjoy those pastimes right in their local community. Looking at the big picture, Cherokee County offers some enticing choices for every taste.
BODY-FRIENDLY EXERCISE OPTIONS
Exercise just makes you feel better. Whether you’re up for daily walks through the neighborhood, or enjoy a light workout with friends at the gym, regular exercise has several proven benefits. First, exercise helps to boost your mood and relieve stress. In addition, doctor-approved exercise can be a beneficial treatment for some chronic health conditions. So, pull on some comfortable clothes, grab a bottle of water, and discover two enticing exercise options at a popular Murphy fitness center.
HIWASSEE VALLEY POOL & WELLNESS CENTER (HVPWC)
695 Connehetta Street, Murphy, NC (828) 835-3700
Silver Sneakers® Program
This nationally available fitness program is geared to older adults, people who aren’t accustomed to exercise, and those beginning a post-rehabilitation program. Silver Sneakers® weekday classes emphasize strength, flexibility, range of motion, and cardiovascular improvement. A certified instructor leads each Silver Sneakers® class. Class participants also have access to the facility’s fitness equipment.
The HVPWC offers the Silver Sneakers® Classic class. This lively session is set to music, and incorporates elastic tubing with handles, hand-held weights, and a Silver Sneakers® ball. Participants have a chair for standing support and seated exercises, and can adapt each exercise to their own abilities.
Best of all, many health and Medicare plans include a Silver Sneakers® membership at no extra cost. To learn if you’re eligible, visit or call the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center.
Water Arthritis Classes
These weekday morning and afternoon sessions attract exercisers who want a gentle workout with water’s cushioning benefits. Set in the HVPWC pool’s shallow end, the classes are held outdoors during warmer weather, and under the pool dome during the cold-weather months. Although this class has a regular following, new participants are always welcome.
Special note: The HVPWC is ADA-compliant, offering handicap access throughout the entire facility. The pool has a convenient wade-in entrance that’s popular with guests of all ages. When necessary, pool staff can operate a pneumatic chair that provides easy water entry/exit for mobility-challenged guests.
COMMUNITY-BASED SENIOR SERVICES
Cherokee County’s scenic beauty and friendly atmosphere promote a good quality of life for residents of all ages. For senior citizens 60 years or older (and their spouses), Cherokee County Senior Services provides an added bonus. This county-run agency maintains three convenient senior centers that offer varied services, programs, and activities throughout the year.
Located in Murphy, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam, the Senior sites host a regular schedule of musical performances, games, field trips, and intergenerational activities. Recognized experts periodically conduct workshops on taxes, safety, and other senior-focused topics. Each Senior site serves nutritious meals, with contributions welcome and reservations required one day ahead.
J. Robert Penland Senior Center
69 Alpine Street (Behind County Courthouse), Murphy, NC (828) 837-2467
Business Days: Monday Thru Friday
Andrews Nutrition Site
Andrews Sunshine Center (Park Street), Andrews, NC (828) 321-4505
Business Days: Monday Thru Friday
Hiwassee Dam Site
7829 Hwy 29, Murphy, NC (828) 644-0300
Business Days: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
With a good variety of options for exercising and socializing, Cherokee County seniors can choose a different activity almost every day of the week. And whether they meet for breakfast beforehand, or chat about the event during a Murphy, NC lunch afterward, they’ll enjoy a great quality of life in these beautiful mountains.
The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team