It is easy to enjoy an active lifestyle in Nevada County given the ample opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, boating, tennis, Bocce Ball, snow sports and a great variety of stimulating fitness classes. The City of Grass Valley is even adding pickleball courts at Memorial Park!  Each season offers its own full roster of activities and outdoor fun. Just a few of the types of activities that are beneficial to seniors include:

• Walking. Walking is a perfect way to start exercising. It requires no special equipment, aside from a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and can be done anywhere.
• Senior sports or fitness classes. Keeps motivation alive while also providing a source of fun, stress relief, and a place to meet friends.
• Water aerobics and water sports. Working out in water is wonderful for seniors because water reduces stress and strain on the body's joints.
• Yoga. Combines a series of poses with breathing. Moving through the poses works on strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga can be adapted to any level.
• Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Martial arts-inspired systems of movement that increase balance and strength. Classes for seniors are often available at your local YMCA or community center.

Active lifestyles continue at Eskaton Village Grass Valley.  Our beautiful 42-acre campus, complete with independent living, assisted living, memory care and short-term stays is near the Sierra College campus, Litton Trail, Ridge Racket Club and Nevada County Country Club. The community has a heated indoor swimming pool with water aerobics five days a week along with open swim.  Water aerobics supports physical and mental health and best of all for those worried about falling is that the natural buoyancy of the water helps keep us upright!  

Seniors can relax in the hot tub after using the exercise equipment or attending one of the fitness classes.  Movement with Meaning, Qigong, and Balance, Core & Breathe classes are all offered onsite. 

The community has a vibrant art program where skilled artists, along with those who have never picked up a brush before, work on their creations.  Country drives and participating in weekly live entertainment and dancing are a few more ways that our seniors maintain an active lifestyle.  Eskaton’s signature Kids Connection program has afforded us a wonderful intergenerational partnership with Scotten Elementary School. This partnership helps the children better understand the aging process and helps maintain the health and well-being of aging adults.

We also host community groups in the Lodge as time and space permits. We happily sponsor the Forever Young Chorus, a program of the Falls Prevention Coalition of Nevada County.  The Chorus celebrated its fourth year this past May.  Membership has grown from 12 to 35 members who range in age from 64 to 90.  The Forever Young Chorus was such a hit during the Mother’s Day event at Empire Mine that they have been asked to return this Christmas. The Chorus also performed at the Nevada County Fair this year. 

This community offers apartments within the Lodge building and patio homes on the campus for active folks who are at least 55 years old.  Active lifestyles are supported by providing plenty of opportunities for social interactions. Several of our seniors offer their time and talents volunteering both on and off-campus.  Volunteering positively impacts lives, including yours, when you volunteer!  Volunteers can lead group activities, or enjoy one-on-one conversations, offer musical entertainment.  Some volunteers even bring in their four legged friends for pet therapy!

Beyond providing safety, security and assistance when needed one of the biggest benefits of active senior living is choices. Whether spending time in the swimming pool, volunteering, painting in an art class, or enjoying a meal in our dining room, you pick how to spend your day.  Senior living today is about finding a lifestyle and home built around your interests, passions and goals in life.

Eskaton Village Grass Valley is a nonprofit community based organization serving seniors.  For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.eskaton.org/EVGV or give us a call at 530-273-1778.