Limestone County seniors participate in the Masters Games, which are similar to the Senior Olympics, and include activities like Rook, shuffleboard, softball toss and horseshoe toss. The Masters Games is just one of many activities offered by the Limestone County Council on Aging and senior centers.

The older people get, the more important it is to keep their bodies and minds active. Fortunately for senior citizens in Limestone County, there are plenty of recreational activities for them to do just that.

The Limestone County Council on Aging operates seven senior centers in the county where a multitude of social and recreational activities are offered.

Each center has many activities for seniors in the county, Council on Aging director Sabrina Bates said.

“We offer a lot of classes, and there are a slew of recreation activities,” Bates said. “Our services are basically for seniors to stay independent as long as possible. It’s good for mental health as well as physical health.”

Some activities the centers offer include SilverSneakers, which is an exercise class for seniors to improve balance, strength, coordination and circulation, according to Bates. There is also a class called A Matter of Balance, which Bates said is not only an exercise class, but also a support group.

“It teaches techniques on improving your balance and strength to help prevent falls,” she said. “It also goes into showing the improvements you can make in your home and different tactics you can use if going somewhere out of the ordinary.”

One of the highlights of the senior activities are the Masters Games, which is offered at several centers. The games are like the Senior Olympics and include events such as Rook, shuffleboard, softball throw and horseshoe throw.

“We participate in the district level in Huntsville and have had several who make it to the state level,” Bates said. “We have even had a few to make it to the national level. We work with them on that, providing transportation to the district games, and take those who advance to the state level. It’s something we’re pretty active with.”

In addition to scheduled activities, each center has board games, pool and exercise equipment for those seniors who want to be active. There are also plenty of places to just sit and talk to an old friend or acquaintance.

“We also do outings and field trips, such as going to the botanical gardens,” Bates said. “Just an outing to get them out of the house. Whatever amount they use their bodies is some physical activity that will help them.”

For more information about the Council on Aging or the senior centers, contact the Council on Aging at 256-233-6412.

“We have so many different things for seniors,” Bates said. “Each center has basically the same things as far as classes and meals, but they all have individual things as well, depending on what the seniors want and need.”

Senior centers in Limestone County open at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and close at noon or 2 p.m. An exception is East Limestone Senior Center, which opens at 7 a.m.

Here are their locations:

• Ardmore Activity Center, 29920 Park Ave., Ardmore;

• Athens Senior Center, 912 W. Pryor Street, Athens;

• Elkmont Senior Center, 25460 Railroad Street, Elkmont;

• Good Springs Activity Center, 33634 Alabama 99, Anderson;

• Owens Senior Center, 20011 Alabama 99, Athens;

• Tanner Senior Center, 13589 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens; and

• East Limestone Senior Center, 25820 Nick Davis Road, Athens.