How keeping involved and active improves these retirees’ physical, mental health

Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,
Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,

Betty Lassiter was hardly breathless when she answered a phone call.

The almost 82-year-old was completing her normal walk around the track at the Pat Jones YMCA on Republic Road before her exercise class later that afternoon as she spoke about her life and why she now spends most of her time at the gymnasium.

Having lived in southwest Missouri for more than four decades, Lassiter still speaks with the sweet drawl of a Georgia accent that others told her she was sure to lose at some point.

Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,
Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,

"Someone said, 'I think you're losing your southern accent' and the people at the Y said, 'Oh no, she isn't either,'" Lassiter said.

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Lassiter's been retired since she was 75 years old and, although she said she has always eaten healthy, she never spent much time working out.

Now, she's going to classes, sometimes several, nearly every day at the Y. She focuses on body pump, Zumba, indoor cycling and barre — where she can work on balance — while also fitting time in to regularly walk the track.

"I'm really enjoying it or I wouldn't be here," Lassiter said. "The people are nice. I'm an inspiration to a lot of people here because they encourage me all the time, and they say, 'When I'm your age, I hope I can do what you do now.' It takes a lot of work and I'm a go-getter."

Lassiter returns encouragement to others, especially after having her own injuries in the past few years.

Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,
Betty Lassiter, 81, works out in a group exercise class at the Pat Jones YMCA on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022,

"I've encouraged two people that had surgery and now they came back with a walker and then they came back with a cane and I said, 'Pretty soon you'll be like I did. You'll just get rid of that cane and start walking,'" Lassiter said. "Now, they practically run around the track every day."

Lassiter still makes time for other activities, like doing her own yardwork, attending Ridgecrest Baptist Church, or enjoying days with her family, which includes five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Volunteering with Red Cross keeps Walter Roberts Jr. active

Walter Roberts Jr. with one of their therapy dogs, Tchoupitoulas Rose (aka, "Choppy" for short), preparing to visit Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri to work with incarcerated veterans.
Walter Roberts Jr. with one of their therapy dogs, Tchoupitoulas Rose (aka, "Choppy" for short), preparing to visit Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri to work with incarcerated veterans.

Walter Roberts Jr. spent years as a professor of counselor education at Minnesota University. He spoke to a reporter about celebrating 40 years of marriage with his wife, Laurie, moving to southwest Missouri and their passion for working with therapy dogs spanning more than two decades.

Roberts spends his days as a Disaster Mental Health Lead for the Missouri, Arkansas Region of the American Red Cross. His most recent deployments were to the Caldor Fire in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and the tornado outbreak in northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel. Responding to disaster areas is an effort to provide short-term relief as people navigate their world that may be full of loss.

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Walter Roberts Jr. stands with a horse at an animal shelter in Reno, Nev., onn the western side of the Caldor Fire this summer in California-Nevada Sierra Nevada Range.
Walter Roberts Jr. stands with a horse at an animal shelter in Reno, Nev., onn the western side of the Caldor Fire this summer in California-Nevada Sierra Nevada Range.

Staying active mentally and physically is how Roberts keeps up with all he's got going on.

"I think the old adage of 'use it or lose it' really becomes more important as we age," the 65-year-old said. "I think staying mentally active is probably one of the best opportunities that we have to prevent many of the issues of older age from setting in."

Although some may view ageing as the beginning of a "limiting process," Roberts said that the exact opposite can occur.

"Individuals, when we retire, suddenly are blessed with many more opportunities than we've had in many, many decades, which may very well be visiting with friends, increasing our ability to interact with others when we couldn't in the years before because we were busy with families and with work," Roberts said.

Remaining on as a volunteer with the Red Cross during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has given Walter opportunities to stay engaged, being aware of others' needs and more.

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"We always need to be reminded that the world goes on as we age and we're still a part of it," Roberts said. "One way to be a part of it is to engage with others."

To find local ways to volunteer or engage, visit United Way of the Ozarks at https://www.uwozarks.org/

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: How these southwest Missouri residents stay active in retirement