Community Spotlight: Kosta Zervas, a lifelong Wauwatosan and the recreation program coordinator at the Wauwatosa Recreation Department, shares at-home exercises for seniors, the status of the Hart Park Center renovations, and his favorite spots to frequent in Tosa.
1. What are some simple, at-home exercises that seniors can try? Which muscle groups do they target/strengthen? And why are these important to target for the aging population?
Chair Squats
- Targets: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes
- Important for: Strengthening these muscles helps with daily activities like standing up from a chair, walking, and climbing stairs. It also improves balance and reduces the risk of falls.
Wall Push-Ups
- Targets: Chest, shoulders, triceps
- Important for: Enhancing upper body strength, which is crucial for tasks like pushing open doors and lifting objects.
Heel Raises
- Targets: Calves
- Important for: Strengthening the calves helps with balance and stability, which is vital for preventing falls.
Toe Taps
- Targets: Hip flexors, quadriceps
- Important for: Improving lower body strength and coordination, aiding in walking and climbing stairs.
Seated Marches
- Targets: Hip flexors, quadriceps
- Important for: Increasing mobility and coordination, which are essential for maintaining independence in daily activities.
Seated Leg Extensions
- Targets: Quadriceps
- Important for: Strengthening the muscles around the knee, which can help reduce pain and improve the ability to stand and walk.
Bicep Curls (using light weights or resistance bands)
- Targets: Biceps
- Important for: Enhancing upper body strength, making it easier to carry objects and perform tasks like opening jars.
Neck Stretches
- Targets: Neck muscles
- Important for: Reducing stiffness and improving range of motion, which can help alleviate neck pain and improve posture.
Ankle Circles
- Targets: Ankle and lower leg muscles
- Important for: Improving flexibility and circulation in the ankles, which is important for balance and preventing stiffness.
Standing or Seated Side Leg Raises
- Targets: Hip abductors, glutes
- Important for: Strengthening the muscles on the sides of the hips, which improves balance and stability.
2. Which types of recreational programs are offered for Wauwatosa seniors? How does the rec department and its staff determine which types of programs to offer?
The Wauwatosa Recreation Department provides many different senior offerings; however, our largest senior offering is membership into our Wauwatosa Senior Centers. At the centers, we offer a wide variety of exercise classes (e.g., yoga, cardio classes, Zumba, Tai Chi, chair yoga, balance classes, and pickleball). Along with that, we offer several art classes, such as beginner watercolor, intermediate/advanced watercolor, and acrylics. On top of those classes, we offer several adult enrichment classes, like Spanish language learning and writing classes. Lastly, we have the opportunity to play sheepshead, cribbage, Mahjong, bridge, watch a movie, get involved in a book discussion, watch a monthly movie, or just come for a cup of coffee and a conversation.
We determine what to offer by collaborating with each other, getting feedback from our senior community, and having discussions with colleagues from around the state. We really focus on what is best for our senior population and how we can keep them active, healthy, and engaged within our Wauwatosa community.
3. Can you speak a bit to the renovations at Hart Park Center? When will they be completed? And what types of senior programming will be affected by the improvements?
The renovation at Hart Park started on Monday, March 20, and we hope to return to the Muellner Building sometime in the late fall. It is quite an extensive remodel, and the final product will be an amazing upgrade for our seniors and for the city of Wauwatosa. The remodel will make the building much more accessible for our seniors, with new flooring, new lighting, new windows and doors, and beautifully upgraded meeting spaces and classrooms. We’re excited and cannot wait to get back.
4. What are some of your favorite places to frequent in Wauwatosa? And why?
Being a lifelong resident of Wauwatosa, I am proud of our community and what it offers for all ages. My wife and I love to walk around the community with our two dogs, Dolce and Vasi, and see how lively Wauwatosa is. We love to frequent the village area, grab a coffee, stroll around, and visit all the different businesses. Being a true Wauwatosan, I love to take my scooter to get a bite to eat at Colonel Hart’s, and then top it off with a sundae from Gilles. Doing that brings back very fond and fun memories of growing up in Wauwatosa. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Tosa has been my home for 46 years, and I don’t plan on leaving any time soon!
