Senior Citizens Centers

Senior citizens centers provide a variety of programs, from educational to recreational, crafts to computers and everything in between.

This article covers:

• Programs
• Benefits
• Membership

Programs

Senior centers provide a variety of programs, including:

Educational

Many centers offer education courses on a wide variety of topics, including: languages, health and wellness, history, woodworking and photography.

Meals

Most senior citizens centers provide meals - usually lunch but some offer dinner as well. Most centers focus on offering nutritious well balanced meals. For some seniors, they can easily eat breakfast at home, eat a well balanced meal (usually the largest meal of the day) at the center and then have a small meal in the evening. This ensures they have one main meal that is prepared for them.

Wellness Classes

Senior citizens centers usually have a health and wellness aspect. This includes wellness programs focused on strength and balance, proper nutrition, managing with common chronic diseases (such as arthritis). Some senior centers also have a health care team on site that provides services to seniors, such as doctors, nurses, physial therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists and others.

Transportation

Many senior centers offer transportation to different local services and businesses such as malls, recreation centers and others. They may also offer transportation services to medical appointments.

Outreach Services

Most senior centers have an outreach component that assists seniors with coordinating benefits, provide information about community services, make referrals to other local agencies and more. Some have social workers on staff that provide case management for seniors who require assistance with obtaining and coordinating services.

Exercises

Many senior citizens centers provide exercise and fitness programs. These include: senior yoga, tai chi for seniors, chair yoga, balance and mobility programs, mall walking in the winter and more.

Games

Many senior centers have games rooms with pool tables, darts, card tables, shuffle boards and more. They may also offer outdoor games such as lawn bowling, horse shoes, shuffle boards and more.

Activities

Senior citizens centers also offer activities such as woodworking, arts and crafts, music, dancing, cards, bingo and more. They may also have seasonal programs such as christmas crafts, gift wrapping, halloween decoration making and more.

Tours

Senior centers also offer tours to local attractions such as beaches, parks, christmas light tours and more. They can usually accommodate all seniors, including those that use walkers and wheelchairs.

Benefits

There are a variety of benefits, including:

• Socialization with friends
• Education on a variety of topics including health and wellness
• Support network of friends
• Case management and assistance managing tasks such as finances, health and medical appointments, benefits, grants and more.
• Exercise including balance, strength and endurance designed specifically for seniors
• Transportation services including to medical appointments, shopping and more.
• Resources and Information about a wide variety of senior related topics such as caregiver information, senior service providers and more.
• Support groups for senior caring for loved ones with Alzheimers, Cancer and others.

Membership

Senior citizens centers typically have a membership fee. This is approximately $25-45 per year which is relatively in expensive.

Anyone over 55 years old can join. There is usually an intake interview with a staff member who will describe available programs and services, ask what the senior is interested in, tours the facility and answering questions.

Some programs may require a small fee to cover the costs of the materials or instruction. For example, health and wellness courses provided by local instructors.