Your community's senior center? Is it useful? Do you use it? (friendly, daycare)

[yourown2feet]

The "over-50" (that's what it's called) center closest to me is a few rooms off the public library.

I popped in one day to see if there were any discounts on trips and the like. Someone at the front desk greeted me, but did not offer a tour. So I wandered around on my own.

Other than me, there was nobody under 75. My observations:

• Shelves of literature on Alzheimer's and adult day care; nothing whatsoever about trips.
• Table of men playing cards. They ignored me.
• A few women in exercise garb, slowly moving to a rumba recording, like a sound track from the 1950's. I didn't go in; the atmosphere felt distinctly "ladies only, and only us ladies at that."
• Display of drawings and paintings from a "senior art class." I've seen better by kids.
• I saw no computers except in the front/administrative office.

At that point, I was growing more and more depressed, and had to leave.


Our community is well-educated and well-off, and I'd think it could be doing so much more. I suspect the "over-50" center is aimed at lower-income residents, who lack money to spend on cruises, second homes, etc.

[selhars]

I've been lucky enough to live in two areas where the senior centers -- where you can go and join starting at age 55 -- have been fantastic. Lots of activities, trips, classes and resources for guidance and referrals should they be needed.

[Cherron]

Small town here so a small senior center as well. Each day there's a card game of some kind or bingo. A few trips each year. That's about it.

[engineman]

We have lived in 55+ communities for the last 17 years. I have never visited a senior center, but have often wondered what they offer to folks who live in all age communities. We have some of the activities described above, but everything is on a different scale, so the resources are different.

[Minervah]

Absolutely! It's right in my building so I don't have to go outside to go to it when the weather is bad. Here's activities in which I participate at the SC.

1. Play reading class (performance in the summer)
2. Writing group
3. Occasional trips to local areas
4. Once a month birthday lunch with entertainment
5. Holiday celebrations
6. Different performances by local entertainers
7. Movie once a month
8. Once a month dinner by residents who volunteer for the Pet Association in our group
9. Social get togethers/dances to meet other people at the center and in the building
10. Great resources for any problems or questions that might arise. There are advisers always available

There are other offerings like exercise classes, bingo and card games I don't participate in.

[Lastfire]

My senior center has pool tables, pickle ball, weights, jazzacise, sculpture, painting, drumming, beginner guitar, and the list goes on. I go over three times a week after dropping DH at adult daycare.

[2cold]

Our town's senior center activities consist mainly of chair yoga, mahjong and cribbage. I'm 65 and I don't think I'm old enough for that kind of stuff. It seems to be a place geared towards people in their 70's & 80's.

[jim9251]

My town does have one, but it would be a 20 minute drive for me. They offer $5 lunches. For that I can get a large pizza. I'll take the pizza.

[Hemlock140]

Our city of 60,000 has no senior center. The nearest is in the next city about 9 miles away, but in our mid-60s we are both still working and have multiple hobbies, so no time or need to check it out yet.

[eureka1]

We have a very active Seniors' Center. I've only accessed it for Dial-A -Ride tix after I had an operation but I'm sure I'll use their other services eventually.