During retirement many people find themselves lacking in the regular intellectual stimulation and mental challenges provided by careers, school, and volunteer activities. Just like the muscles in our arms and legs, the brain needs regular exercise to remain in tip-top shape as we age.

Every Friday, rain or shine, a group of Monarch Landing residents gathers for a lively game of water volleyball. The indoor aquatics center boasts a spacious heated pool that’s perfect for water sports, swimming laps, or just a relaxing evening dip.

“Extended care is often organized to meet the needs of the providers, who need to deliver large amounts of care and service,” says Bill Russell, M.D., regional medical director and vice president of Erickson HealthSM.

Knitting is a common hobby of older women, many of whom learned from their mothers and grandmothers or in home economics classes.