A Senior Citizen Center is a great community resource for senior citizens.
They offer programs and services while providing many benefits and opportunities to Senior Citizens.
A mystery to many, we drive by but never peek inside.
Why?
- Because we think we are not old enough
- Because we do not know anyone
- Because we are shy and do not want to step out of our comfort zone.
You might be surprised by all the excellent programs and services inside.
Terry and I enjoyed spending the afternoon with Mary at the Hillsdale Community Center. As a Senior Citizen Center director, she has worked with seniors for almost ten years. Mary has enjoyed working alongside seniors at three locations in and around Mobile, Alabama. We had many questions, and she was kind to share her knowledge. While talking with Mary, Pam from another senior citizens center spoke with us for a while. Getting insight into two different centers was a pleasure.
How did Mary get involved with Seniors Citizens
After retiring, moving, and leaving a law enforcement career, she was content for a while. Her husband was still working. However, she needed to interact with people after a time and wanted something to do. She began shopping more and more to interact with people. One day she picked up a community newspaper and saw an ad for volunteers at the local community center working with the senior citizen program. She contacted them and started volunteering, and after accepting more responsibility and applying for the position, they offered her the Center Director position.
What Programs and Services are available to Senior Citizens
Nutrition Program
Donations for lunch are accepted, and lunch is provided Monday thru Friday.
Activities could include
- Nutritional classes
- Blood pressure checks
- Chair exercises
- Card games
- Sip and Paint
- Unique hat of the day
- Java and Chatter
- Trail Blazing Tours
- Fall Prevention Class
- Bingo
- And others.
If you are looking for something particular, you should stop by or call and see what programs are available. Programs and activities differ at Senior Citizen Centers. They can also be a great resource. Some associations, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, might hold meetings at a senior citizen center or have information available.
Socialization
Think about all the people you could come in contact with, the staff, the volunteers to members of the center. An excellent way for you to socialize with everyone in a different capacity sharing ideas and talking.
You often retire and need someone to talk to at home. You interacted with co-workers and customers at work, and now the house is quiet. Why not go to your local senior citizen center and check it out? Mary said Spades is a card game seniors like to play daily.
Volunteer
Often, a senior citizen center will ask for volunteers to help throughout the center. If you want to volunteer, ask if they have any volunteer positions available. 7 Places to Volunteer
Transportation
Many senior citizen centers offer lunch transportation to and from the center. Call your local senior citizens center and see if they provide transportation.
Membership
Mary said membership is accessible to anyone over the age of 60. When visiting for the first time, she said to come as a guest a few times and see if this is the senior citizen center you would like to become a member of.
Event
It could be anything from a Holiday Party, Health Fair, Dance, or Field Trip.
Mary’s advice
Mary said the first thing a person needs to do is get a retirement budget. She said; you retire, you find yourself shopping and spending money you may or may not have. She said to budget and then enjoy doing exciting things in retirement.
In Conclusion
Stop and think about it;
- If you want something to try, try a senior citizen center;
- If you want something to talk about, try a senior center
- If you want something to consider,
- Think about joining a senior center.
What do you think? A senior citizen center might be a great place to meet new people, share ideas, and enjoy activities while making lasting friendships.
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