99-Year-Old ‘Dancing Queen’ Zumbas Her Way to Good Health

Credit: Courtesy of Margaret Masters

She's the "Dancing Queen." At 99-years-old, Margaret Masters dances rings around many of those half her age. Masters is the master of her Zumba class, which she participates in twice a week. While she was attending classes at the Metairie, Louisiana Humana Neighborhood Center, Margaret now participates virtually. Neither surgery, nor a pandemic, nor Hurricane Ida can keep her away.  

Masters credits her good health to staying active and positive: "I don't let myself sit down and slow down…you need to move!"   

Her dedication is an inspiration to her fellow dancers and instructor, earning her the well-deserved 2021 SilverSneakers Member of the Year Award.  Those who know Masters describe her as "a wonderful example of growing older actively and graciously," and "one of a kind — with a sassy attitude and zest for life."  

When COVID-19 forced the SilverSneakers classes to go virtual in 2020, Masters didn't miss a beat. The tech-savvy nonagenarian had no problem doing Zumba on Zoom. In fact, she taught her younger friends how to access and use the app so they could keep up their dancing routine. While Masters would have preferred to attend class in person with her dance buddies, there were some advantages doing it from the privacy of her home. "You can do Zumba in your pajamas, and nobody cares," explained Masters.   

Masters had survived more than a year of the pandemic when Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 29, 2021. Her home sustained damage but she luckily stayed safe, riding out the storm at a neighbor's house. In just a few days, she was back in Zumba class thanks to her instructor, Deana Lejarza, using a generator to power her classes and help her students stay virtually connected and healthy. That connection was particularly important given that some class members had to evacuate to neighboring states. 

Not only does Zumba get your heart rate up and is just plain fun, research shows dancing is good for both your physical and mental health. It can significantly improve muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular health, balance and cognitive ability in older adults, and studies have found that it reduces the risk of developing dementia. Dancing to music also releases serotonin, dopamine and endorphins — all natural mood-boosters. 

In addition to Zumba being good for the mind and body, the friendships formed in that class and during other activities at the Humana Neighborhood Center are as important to members' well-being. Masters believes that both dancing and friendship kept many in her class from falling into deep depressions during that very challenging time.

Now that the Humana Neighborhood Center is open again, Masters and her Zumba classmates can attend in-person or have the option of accessing the classes online through the Virtual Neighborhood Centers. In addition to the SilverSneakers Zumba classes, Humana Neighborhood Centers across the country offer special events, programs, activities and lessons such as crafts classes, cooking demos and meditation sessions, to name just a few.    

SilverSneakers classes at the Neighborhood Centers are available to Humana Medicare members whose plans include the SilverSneakers benefit. SilverSneakers classes are also offered at participating gyms and fitness facilities. Many other services offered at the Neighborhood Centers can be used by anyone, including those who are not Humana members, at no cost. Click here to find a Humana Neighborhood Center near you. 

During the upcoming Medicare Annual Election Period, which runs Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2022, eligible beneficiaries — including individuals ages 65 and over and those living with disabilities — will have the opportunity to sign-up for Medicare Advantage plans that, unlike traditional Medicare, offer benefits that can include access to fitness programs like SilverSneakers or other types of gym memberships.     

Medicare Advantage plans can also help save beneficiaries money. In fact, Medicare Advantage members spent $2,000 less, on average, on healthcare costs than those using traditional Medicare. And they often experience better health outcomes — MA plan members had a 43% lower rate of avoidable hospitalizations and a 48% lower rate of hospitalizations for those with major complex chronic conditions, than those in traditional Medicare.  

For more information about Medicare Advantage plans, eligible individuals can visit www.Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, you can learn about Humana plans, which are recommended by USAA* – a company known for its member satisfaction and commitment to the financial security of current and former members of the U.S. military – by going to www.Humana.com/Medicare or calling 1-888-372-2614 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed sales agent from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Humana will offer in-person, online, telephone enrollment options and can provide support in 27 different languages. All enrollment options will connect Medicare beneficiaries with a local licensed sales agent.  

Disclaimer 

Humana is a Medicare Advantage [HMO, PPO, and PFFS] organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. 

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By Humana Inc.

Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.