Activities & Physical Well-Being
Fitness Programs
Always Active
21 SF Locations- all FREE
Phone: 415-550-2265, or 415-550-2291
No clinical assessments need, classes are not lead by a clinical professional
Enrollment requires a PCP release form, http://alwaysactive.org/enroll/
Client needs to arrange transportation to/from facility
Aquatic Park Center
890 Beach St. SF (located in the Maritime Museum)
415-775-1866
https://www.sfsenior.org/
SF Downtown Senior Center (Downtown Center)
481 O’Farrell St. San Francisco, CA 94102
415-771-7950
https://sequoialiving.org/senior-center/
Exercise
Either sit, stand or jump when you do it, but challenge yourself in four key ways: with aerobics, resistance (weights), balance and flexibility. The following sections provide more information about how to exercise safely, followed by links to workouts and video classes. While many exercises can be performed at any activity level with modifications, we've labeled the ones that are oriented toward a specific level.
Light
Moderate
Vigorous
Modified
Exercise information: Read about ways to keep active close to home.
- 6 myths of exercise in old age. No matter your age or physical condition, it's never too late to start exercising and get fit.
- Staying Healthy During Lockdown step-by-step guide.
- Tips for older people on how to keep moving, despite being stuck at home.
- Fitness expert's advice for being stuck at home during lockdown.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Older Adult Physical Activity Guidelines
- Exercise and Physical Activity by the National Institute on Aging.
- Virtual Community Connector Network has a full calendar of phone and online activities for this month from SF Community Living Campaign.
- Exercising at home using everyday household items as weights and supports (towels, food cans!)
- Exercises to maintain balance and strength
- Daily workout: in three parts: mobility, warm-up, workout
Try DANCING around your home to your favorite music or with a video:
- Gentle dancing, chair dancing, seated warmup, standing warmup, and upperbodydance for strength videos
- Senior Gold dance workout
- 3 workouts specifically for older adults from YMCA 360
Try YOGA around your home to your favorite music or with a video:
- Workout in 7-minutes, or a 25-minute gentle beginner’s class, chair yoga, gentle yoga part 2,
- Sit and Be Fit exercise video clips
- Virtual exercise and fall prevention classes: classes focus on mobility, muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility specifically designed for Older Adults and adults with disabilities.
- Senior Lifestyle: 7 Best Exercises for Seniors (and a Few to Avoid!)
- Baylor University: A resource guide discussing the risks and implications of mobility loss, along with steps seniors and adults can take to prevent loss of mobility.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Resources:
- Dance for Parkinson's at the SF Ballet emphasize large balletic movements and integrate modern, folk, and social dance to honor PD- specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation, and depression.
- Participate in a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum at Rock Steady Boxing
- At PD-Connect, there are variety of fitness programs ranging from martial arts to sports that focuses on cardiovascular health, cognitive well-being, music, strength training, and balance.
Parkinson's Disease Physical Therapy Resources:
- Parkinson Wellness Recovery founded the PWR!Moves framework that help maintain and restore skills that have deteriorated and can interfere with everyday movements.
- The Lee Silverman Voice Training is an effective speech and physical therapy program that can be guided by a healthcare professional or self-guided videos.
Adult Day Health Centers
Housing and Day Services:
HomeMatch SF
415-351-1000
www.homematchsf.org/
Online matching service to expand housing opportunities to low and moderate income people who live, work, or attend school in San Francisco.
Adult Day Health Services: Adult Day Health/Care Centers can provide care and companionship for older adults who need assistance or supervision during the day. Programs offer relief to family members and caregivers, allowing them to work, handle personal matters, or relax knowing their relative is cared for and safe.
- San Francisco: 211 or 415-808-4357. Provides adult day health services to Bay Area older adults.
- Catholic Charities: San Francisco: 415-972-1200.
catholiccharitiessf.org/our-programs/#3
Provides aging support services and adult day health services to Bay Area older adults.
Bayview/ Hunter’s Point Senior Services
415-826-4774
https://bhpmss.org/adult-day-health/
Services as an extension of care, love, and support to families caring for their loved ones at home. It lifts up the spirits of those who would otherwise be isolated and homebound and it empowers elders and adults living with disabilities and chronic illnesses to stay engaged and remain active members in their community.
Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center
415-206-2140
http://bhnc.org/
An award-winning, community-based affordable housing developer that provides an array of culturally and linguistically appropriate community services.
Capp Street Senior Center (Mission)
415-206-7752
https://mncsf.org/capp-street-senior-center/
9am- 5:00pm
Drop-in anytime
Capp Street Senior Center provides a variety of healthy aging activities for senior citizens. Activities include: exercise classes, congregate meals, computer, ESL, citizenship classes, free health screenings and adult day field trips.
Catholic Charities CYO Adult Day Services
415-9751-3500 (Dependent adult services)
https://www.catholiccharitiessf.org/
HELPLINK 211 Information and Referral Line
800-273-6222 (General line)
https://www.211.org
Provides the 211 regional information and referral service to anyone needing information about nonprofit health and human services in Marin, Napa, San Francisco San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Solano counties. Provides food services, mental health services, healthcare services, housing services, and transportation services.
Institute on Aging (Inner Richmond)
415-750-4111
www.ioaging.org
8:00am- 4:00pm, pick-up service provided (must be able to meet transport at the curb), full day stay required
Good for higher needs individuals (with Advanced Alzheimer’s & Dementia) and higher functioning individuals
Day Care- $88 per day (out-of-pocket)
The Enrichment Center (located on the Presidio)- partner of Institute on Aging
415-728-9258 (Rutha Bowling, Center Manager)
415-728-9260 (Allison Moritz, Program Director)
Door to door transportation assistance through PARATRANSIT. Full continence care provided during daycare which includes incontinence products and assistance with medication administration.
Jewish Family and Children Services
415-449-3777
https://www.jfcs.org/find-help/seniors/
3 main service centers:
- Seniors at Home
- L’Chaim Adult Day Health Center
- Holocaust Survivor Services
- Russian speaking clients & staff
Kimochi Home Day Care (Japantown)
415-931-2287, Kai Fukumitsu, Senior Center Coordinator
https://www.kimochi-inc.org/
Japanese speaking staff and clients
Provides transportation to/from home through PARATRANSIT
L’Chaim Adult Day Health Center (Outer Sunset)
415-449-2934 (Lyudmila Mashinskaya, Intake coordinator)
https://www.jfcs.org/find-help/seniors/lchaim-health-center/
Provides outstanding medical, rehabilitative, and social services to thousands of elderly and disabled clients. The center serves Russian emigre clients from San Francisco and northern San Mateo county.
OMI Catholic Charities Senior Center (Serving Oceanview, Merced, and Ingleside neighborhoods)
415-334-5550
https://www.catholiccharitiessf.org/what-we-do/aging-support/omi-senior-center.html
OMI Senior Center provides a friendly and welcoming environment offering daily activities for seniors and disabled adults.
Self Help for the Elderly Jackie Chan Center (Multiple SF locations)
415-677-7600 (Independent daycare)
415-677-7571 (Dependent nursing services)
https://www.selfhelpelderly.org/
Independent adult day care activities and dependent seniors nursing services
Stepping Stone (multiple SF locations- UCSF’s most recommend day health program)
415-359-9210
https://www.steppingstonehealth.org/about-us
Largest and most experienced Adult Day Health Care in SF and their programs are designed to help people stay mentally and physically active, reduce isolation and prevent the decline of their abilities.
4 locations:
- Golden Gate (Tenderloin/ Civic Center)- Chinese clients & staff
415-359-9210 ext 15 - Mabini (across Yerba Buena Center, Tenderloin)- Chinese clients & staff, opens 7am
415-882-7301 ext 16 - Mission Creek (China Basin)- Spanish speaking clients & staff
415-974-6784 ext 23 - Presentation (on Ellis, across from Glide Memorial)- Chinese speaking clients & staff
415-923-0245 ext 11
30th Street Senior Center- partner of On Lok
415-550-2210 https://onlok.org/senior-center/30th-street-senior-center/
Community Services
Daly City Recreation Services
650-991-8012
https://www.dalycity.org/329/Active-AdultsSeniors
The City of Daly City is committed to being an Age-Friendly Community. Their Active Adult/ Senior Services department's specific mission is to enhance the quality of life and promote wellness for all adults 50+ years in Daly City by offering social, educational, and health programs. They currently host programs at 4 locations: Doelger Senior Center, Lincoln Park Community Center, War Memorial Community Center, and Bayshore Community Center.
Diabetes Educational Services
- Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) - Click to see the Program Brochure
- Sponsored by On Lok, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, and the City and County of San Francisco, Department of Aging and Adult Services
- This program is accredited by the American Diabetes Association Certified Diabetes SelfManagement Education
- DEEP is interactive and engaging. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, engage in hands-on activities and problem solving, and make action plans each week.
OWL SF: Older Women's League
415-712-1695
https://www.owlsf.org/
P.O. Box 170622
San Francisco, CA 94117
The Older Women’s League (OWL) is a diverse and energetic group dedicated to improving the quality of life as we age. There are no age or gender requirements to join.
Placement Resources
All-around Senior Services: Independent contractors
- Katie Owens (Case Manager and Placement Advocate): 415-815-7820
- Christopher Valente (Geriatric Placement Advocate): 415-264-1529
- Ned Rozbicki: 415-275-1636
- Launi Condit (American Alliance for Elder Care): 415-370-8335
- Marlena del Hierro (Seniorly Online Services): http://www.seniorly.com
Shanti Project
415-674-4700
https://www.shanti.org/
Shanti exists to enhance the health, quality of life and well-being of people with terminal, life-threatening or disabling illnesses or conditions. Through a continuum of services, including in-home and onsite patient and care navigation, emotional and practical support and preserving the human-animal bond, Shanti strives to achieve the highest medical and quality of life outcomes for San Francisco’s most vulnerable.
Socialize
Socialize to foster trust, compassion, hope, wellbeing and resilience in yourself and others
- The AFA Teal Room is your one-stop shop for virtual therapeutic activities to enjoy with your loved ones from the safety of your own home! Virtual therapeutic activities include creative arts therapies, music/performances, fitness/movement, nature-based programming, and more!
- Arrange a schedule of regular calls or video chats with friends and family.
- Activities for Seniors Facing Loneliness: virtual and in-person activities to do for seniors facing loneliness.
- 12 Ways to Ease Isolation for ideas that work for you from Health in Aging
- Social isolation during coronavirus from AARP
- Covia’s Well Connected program offers free telephone-based educational programs and activities or call 1-877-797-7299 PARA ESPAÑOL: Covia Bien Conectado – 1-877-400-5867
- Social Call matches individuals for weekly friendly phone conversations
- Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly – In San Francisco only. To set up calls and get paired with a volunteer, contact Debbie Uchida at [email protected].
- San Francisco Village can help with friendly calls, groceries, community activities and resources to help you through the pandemic. Contact Jessica Da Silva at 415-387-1375 ext. 6 or [email protected]
Geriatrics Community Resources webpages managed by: [email protected]