At 82, Frankie Gray of Lebanon is more active than people half her age.

She keeps a busy schedule — line dancing every week at the Lebanon Senior Center, bowling once a week, marching in parades with the American Legion and walking the halls of Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital as a volunteer.

“I had a friend tell me once, if you wake up in the morning and open your eyes, it’s going to be a good day,’” Gray said.

Studies suggest people should walk 10,000 steps every day and so Gray wears a pedometer to make sure she does that. Some of her busiest walking days are at weekly Legion dinners and at special hospital dinners where she serves meals. “There are a lot of steps to something like that,” she remarked.

A cancer survivor, Gray also does a lot of walking during the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life in Lebanon. “Any time you walk, you’re increasing your lung capacity,” she said.

When she bowls, she uses a 14-pound ball. “It’s good for the back,” she said.

Sarah Redfern, a registered nurse at Samaritan Wiley Creek Community in Sweet Home, says physical activity is important for seniors for many reasons.

“It keeps your joints limbered up, and it decreases swelling in your legs,” Redfern said. “It helps with arthritis. It keeps the blood flowing and it keeps your brain sharp.”

Walking is one of the best activities because it’s not a “jarring” activity and so people with arthritis can do it, Redfern said. Swimming and water aerobics are also good ways for seniors to stay fit, she added.

At Wiley Creek, a group of residents walks the grounds every day. Some residents also walk up and down the stairways of the two-story assisted living center of the community for exercise.

The retirement community recently received money to purchase a Nintendo Wii video game system, which has motion-sensitive hand controls that imitate activities such as bowling and golf.

Both Gray and Redfern believe it’s important for people to stay active as they age.

“If they have heart problems or breathing difficulties, or if they have severe joint degeneration, they should see their doctor first,” Redfern said, “But you should do what you think you can do.”

Ian Rollins is the marketing/public relations coordinator at the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.