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In reference to senior centers, I wish we had one like the one in that newsletter!!!! Wow!!
Ours is depressing and is for the pre-boomer generation. Bingo. 1940s jazz music. Cards. They do have some computers but no one ever uses them. They have just had their first computer class but it was only for beginners, as if they assume none of us know how to use a computer and they're going to teach us something "new."
There is nothing educational except once in a while a health themed lecture.
They do have trips and that's good for those who can afford Europe and need to travel with a group. There are also a few local bus trips, that's nice too.
But, as an example of their offerings, I once signed up for a bead working class and looked forward to it. Do you know what we did in that class? They gave us some string and dumped a pile of beads on the table and we strung beads like pre-schoolers! Depressing?
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels that these senior centers don't serve people under age 70 or more like age 80. I think boomers will start to demand some attention from these senior centers but these places seem very resistant to change.
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels that these senior centers don't serve people under age 70 or more like age 80. I think boomers will start to demand some attention from these senior centers but these places seem very resistant to change.
Part of the problem for many of them is that they're usually run by people whose only experience with aging is what they read in school.
In reference to senior centers, I wish we had one like the one in that newsletter!!!! Wow!!
Ours is depressing and is for the pre-boomer generation. Bingo. 1940s jazz music. Cards. They do have some computers but no one ever uses them. They have just had their first computer class but it was only for beginners, as if they assume none of us know how to use a computer and they're going to teach us something "new."
There is nothing educational except once in a while a health themed lecture.
They do have trips and that's good for those who can afford Europe and need to travel with a group. There are also a few local bus trips, that's nice too.
But, as an example of their offerings, I once signed up for a bead working class and looked forward to it. Do you know what we did in that class? They gave us some string and dumped a pile of beads on the table and we strung beads like pre-schoolers! Depressing?
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels that these senior centers don't serve people under age 70 or more like age 80. I think boomers will start to demand some attention from these senior centers but these places seem very resistant to change.
The kind of senior centers you and I are talking about must be endemic to New England. The senior centers I saw in VA and NC seemed much more contemporary and advanced, in general. I don't know that I will approach one here again any time soon, I just got so down that here I am, at that age...and all the visits did for me was reinforce negative, rather than positive (or at least hopeful) feelings about aging.
Part of the problem for many of them is that they're usually run by people whose only experience with aging is what they read in school.
You definitely got that right. Textbook gerontology, and trainings for activity directors using those books. "Chapter 18: Essential Bingo and Shuffleboard for the Over-60 Group."
The kind of senior centers you and I are talking about must be endemic to New England. The senior centers I saw in VA and NC seemed much more contemporary and advanced, in general. I don't know that I will approach one here again any time soon, I just got so down that here I am, at that age...and all the visits did for me was reinforce negative, rather than positive (or at least hopeful) feelings about aging.
I have to agree with you. I have checked out three different Senior Centers in three places I've lived and every one of them was the same...boring. I found most of the people who went to them "too old" for me! I was early to mid 60s. Haven't been in one in a long time now except to take my mom for her yearly Flu shots. Oh, and once to get my taxes done by AARP. And they goofed! lol I didn't come away with any positive feelings either. I have to admit though, most of the people my age that I've met over the years, are "too old" for me. Shoot, I don't even have any surgeries or a long list of meds to discuss/compare!
My FIL turns 89 in August. One of his favorite pastimes was to go dancing. There was the Polish Club, the Canadian Club, the German Club.
He went 3 times a week - one time it was raining so badly but he went anyway (we were out of town).
Anyway, what has happened is that the music and the age of those attending is getting younger. He now doesn't know anyone, the music is not familiar anymore and he just quit going. I know he's very disappointed but it seems to attract the 70-85 crowd.
From the description of Senior Centers that I'm reading about here, knowing me and my personality, I'd probably walk in, look around and say "where's the Party!" with a big smile and loud enough that even a partially deaf person would hear me! My wife would be with me and cracking up inside!
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The senior centers I saw in VA and NC seemed much more contemporary and advanced, in general. I don't know that I will approach one here again any time soon, I just got so down that here I am, at that age...and all the visits did for me was reinforce negative, rather than positive (or at least hopeful) feelings about aging.
what a picture you painted!!!! But my fav line is what I left, for that part is definitely true!!
Going out dancing - it's changing
