Keystone Senior Services keeps older adults (age 55+) thriving and active through fitness classes, wellness events and social activities.
Older Adults Stay Active
Keystone Senior Services helps seniors “age in place” by providing activities to keeps one’s mind and body healthy. There is overwhelming evidence that shows the importance of fitness and social connections for individuals of all ages. Our programs and activities are designed specifically for older adults and keep our greatest generation engaged as a vital part of our community.
Alert minds, healthy bodies, energized spirits
That’s what the Keystone Active Seniors program is all about! Active Seniors is a year-round program of diverse activities designed to support independence and enhance quality of life. Keystone provides a wide array of exercise, wellness and social/recreational programs to help active seniors stay healthy, independent and socially connected. Participants choose from the program’s many offerings according to desires and interests. All are welcome!
Active seniors love to volunteer. Get involved today!
Keystone’s Active Seniors program is designed for adults aged 55-100+ years old. We offer a wide array of exercise, wellness and social/recreational programs specifically for older adults. Daily fitness classes, social activities and volunteer opportunities are available.
Activities offered in the Community
Our senior participants love that they get to stay close to their home and participate in activities. Classes and programs are offered at both of Keystone’s community center locations, the Merriam Park Community Center and the West 7th Community Center. Each community center also hosts a senior lounge to catch up with friends, borrow a book or puzzle, or just pop in to see what is going on.
Read the Schedule
For a complete look at what is going on at the centers, see our newsletter Thriving Times. We are always developing new activities and educational topics, so check back quarterly.
For complete details about all of the activities, read the current edition of the Thriving Times newsletter. Below is our senior activities calendar of upcoming events.
Activities to Meet Goals
Active seniors tell us that two things are important to them – maintaining their health and staying socially connected to their neighbors. With those two goals in mind, our senior activities are designed accordingly.
Fitness Classes
All of our Keystone fitness classes are tailored to be beneficial for your physical and mental health. We can guarantee:
You will have FUN
You will meet new friends
You will feel better after attending
You can participate in classes regardless of experience and ability
Tailored Fitness Experience
We guarantee these qualities because we modify classes so each person can individualize their workout though the use of weights, resistance bands, chairs, regular breaks and personalized attention from our instructors.
Programs Get Results
Among fitness program participants, 92% reported that attending our exercise classes has improved their overall health and 97% would recommend our programs to family, friends or neighbors.
Social Activities
In addition to our fitness classes, we have multiple activities each day that engage people from the community. Opportunities include:
Card clubs
Crafting groups
Bingo
Book clubs
Weekly movies
Holiday parties
Lunch bunch outings
AARP Smart Driving Courses
Matter of Balance falls prevention classes
Guest speakers
Programs Designed by Seniors
Many of the programs and classes are designed by current participants. Participants share ideas and feedback, plan activities and volunteer to help organize events. We are always open to new ideas. Seniors can share ideas or sign up to volunteer to run an activity.
Keystone History Tours
Many active seniors in our community (and their friends and family members) enjoy participating in Keystone’s History Tours. These tours are stay local for day-trips and head across the country for longer trips. Read more about these tours and how you can get involved.
This couple stays active in Keystone’s senior program
For Sue and Denny, the West 7th Community Center is a big part of their retirement lifestyle. They moved to the West 7th neighborhood in 2011 and have been involved in the programs at the community center ever since.
Enjoy Connection to the Community
While Denny grew up in St. Paul, Sue was brand-new to the city when they moved.
“I had just retired and no friends here. The community center was close by so I started exercising and volunteering,” Sue said.
The couple got Denny involved in volunteering at Fare for All.
Reaping Health Benefits
Now Sue attends the senior exercise class three times a week. Besides developing wonderful friendship with fellow exercisers, Sue has reaped significant health benefits from the classes.
She says, “My blood pressure and cholesterol are lower and my asthma is much better; it’s such a great program.”
Keystone is Like Family
Sue and Denny enjoy being connected to their neighbors through volunteerism and senior activities but they also appreciate the mission of Keystone.
Of their experience with Keystone, Denny and Sue say “The Center is like family and we find purpose in helping out here.”
As you know, the Governor Walz issued an Executive Order directing Minnesotans to “Stay At Home” through April 10th. Keystone is an “essential” business and is part of the Twin Cities’ critical sector response to COVID-19. With this information, we will continue to operate our food shelf, crisis services, meals on wheels and case management programs that support our most vulnerable residents in St. Paul. The executive order also defines “workers” and “personnel” as employees, contractors, vendors and volunteers. This clearly allows our dedicated and wonderful volunteers to continue serving at Keystone during this time. We will have more limited staff in our buildings but remain committed to offering vital support to those who need it.
Programs that are available to the community:
Meals on Wheels deliveries are continuing and staff are modifying operations to ensure safety of the staff, participants and volunteers.
Food shelf operations, including Foodmobile distributions, have been modified to ensure the safety of staff, participants and volunteers but are open Monday – Friday to provide vital food support to people in the community.
Express Bike Shop is open for service repair only. In accordance with the Minnesota stay at home guidelines, bicycle repair shops have been identified as an essential service. To limit person to person contact we ask that you call ahead 651-644-9660 to schedule a bike service repair appointment. Full information is available at exbike.com.
Our youth afterschool programs and active senior programs are canceled as well as any large gatherings in our community centers. AARP Tax Assistance is also canceled until further notice.
We are actively monitoring the situation and will implement any additional strategies when necessary. Stay tuned for updates as things are rapidly changing.
How you can help:
You might be wondering how you can help neighbors during this uncertain time. Here are the top ways you can support your community today:
Give
Your cash contributions give the greatest flexibility to responding the your neighbors’ needs. Support your neighbors today.
Contribute
Give food and household items to keep our food shelves stocked. Click here to see our most needed items and where you can drop off your contributions.
Volunteer
Your time supporting vulnerable people in our community is needed more than ever. Sign up today.
We are so grateful for your care and support!
Healthand Safety Precautions during this time
As you know, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is rapidly evolving. We are relying on facts to inform thoughtful decision-making in an ever-evolving situation. Keystone is committed to providing services in safe, healthy environments for all of our participants, volunteers, and staff. During this time of heightened awareness, we are maintaining our thorough cleaning and food safety standards and expanding them as necessary.
