Staying physically active has been proven to benefit one’s mental health and help reduce chronic diseases. A community center in Tucson is providing free services to those over 55 years old.
Al Gallardo has lived in Tucson for most of his life. He has been coming to the Optum Community Center for a few years now after he lost his wife. “If you notice I know everyone here,” Gallardo explains, “that’s a plus, or they know me!”
Gallardo says making new friends at Optum and being able to learn in classes has helped him stay cognizant.
He participates in some of the fitness classes offered but says that they are “not very strenuous, what you can do, and so far my checkups from my cardiologist have been great here. Haven’t had any problems. I did have AFIB about two years ago, but I’m over that.”…