AGING IN THE NEWS

Get Thee to Thy Local Senior Center

By Florence Rosner for Aging in the News, WI Dept. of Health & Family Services

To dance or not to dance-oh, we can forget Shakespeare, but let's remember there's Texas line dancing at the Chetek Senior Center in Barron and the Middleton Senior Center in Dane County. And at the Wilson Senior Center in Milwaukee there are classes in salsa and merengue (no, they're not a spicy sauce or cake icing, they're South American dances). And folk and country dancing are everywhere. If dancing isn't your "thing," you can always take a computer class and get to advanced levels. Almost every senior center around the state offers various programs and levels of computer training.

You've probably noticed that these are not our mothers' senior centers. When the federal government started to fund senior centers through the Older Americans Act in 1965, there were only a few centers, one in New York City and two in California. No one expected them to become more than social centers for our grandparents. Who would have thought they'd also become centers for education and health programs, travel tours and language classes?

Senior centers have been constantly evolving over the past 60 years to meet the needs of those they serve. By 1971, the White House Conference on Aging recommended multi-purpose senior centers in every community. That was when the idea took off and senior centers quickly spread, bringing bingo, euchre, canasta and jello salads to every corner of the country. By 1980 there were over 5,000 senior centers in the U.S. with more than 5 million members. Today more than 15,000 senior centers nationwide-more than McDonalds.

Senior centers flourished in Wisconsin as local communities matched the government funding and opened centers where a noon meal was offered. Some centers, especially those in rural areas, offered transportation to and from the nearest center. Centers were open to those 55 and over. At that time, 55 was considered "old" and since most women didn't hold jobs outside their homes, with their children grown they were available and eager for daytime activities. Men, on the other hand, were still working so their interest in senior centers didn't develop until they were older. Today, while men and women who attend senior centers are apt to be over 65 and retired, centers are starting to see the younger crowd of so-called Baby Boomers and are inviting in people as young as fifty. The Wilson Senior Center in Milwaukee is one of the first to offer evening activities from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for those who are still working. Evening hours are expected to be popular to accommodate healthier and more vigorous "elders," working or not. Today, while 55 isn't old; neither is 65, 70, 75….

As the concept of senior centers developed, they became recognized as a source of opportunities for older people. They foster independence and the desire to be active, both socially and physically. To those who might otherwise live a sedentary life at home (watching the "soaps" on TV, perhaps) attending activities at a senior center, and more than that, being involved in the planning and carrying out of programs and activities brings a continuation of active living.

The programs and activities are too many to count-many senior centers offer help from Elder Benefit Specialists on benefits and eligibility requirements for various state and federal programs; income tax help; foot care by a podiatrist or nurse; all kinds of crafts such as sewing, woodworking, arts: ceramics and painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting. And programs to stimulate our minds: language classes and memoir writing, bridge, sudoku and book clubs. And don't forget the trips-local and long distance, exploring cultural and historical spots, as well as entertainment and sports venues. And everyone is working on improving health and longevity. Some highlights from around Wisconsin include 

• Playing billiards at the Berlin Senior Center where men and women have teams. 
• Their own Antique Road Show at the New London Senior Center where people can bring in antiques for appraisal and discussion. 
• Buffalo County's seniors and pre-schoolers share space and interact on holiday craft projects. The seniors love it when the kids come by and call out, "Hi, Grandma!"
• At the Monona Senior Center, the Health & Wellness program has UW student nurses doing twice monthly health checks, conferring with UW nurses and doctors and making everyone more aware of diet and exercise through their blood pressure and glucose testing. 
• The Milwaukee Christian Center has a special program for Southeast Asian refugees. Bilingual health and support services help Hmong and Laotians, among others overcome language and cultural barriers. 
• The Indian Council of the Elderly in Milwaukee offers food and fun plus a variety of cultural and educational programs. " At the Madison Senior Center, a class on digital cameras, eBay buying and selling basics, and piano lessons are part of the center's current busy schedule. 
• Brown County's Aging & Disability Resources Senior Center features "Stepping On," a falls prevention program from Australia, where there were 31% fewer falls among those taking the program two hours per week for seven weeks. 
• Beaver Dam Senior Center coordinates a bluebird project, builds and sells bird houses and holds fund raisers to contribute funds to local community projects. 
• "Breakfast for your Brain" is offered at Manitowoc County's Senior Center.

But senior centers are not just fun and games. They also provide support for older persons caring for a frail friend or family member, a person with dementia, a disability, or a chronic health condition. As part of the Wisconsin Aging Network, many senior centers coordinate their programs and services with the county and tribal aging offices in order to bring programs and services closer to large and small communities.

For all the senior centers, there is not just one or two activities, there are many. The latest movies are often shown, education and health are emphasized. Many of the programs come from the ideas and talents of members. Today's senior centers are works in progress, changing with the times and offering more and more to promote successful aging-they are the best non-exclusive clubs for seniors in America.

Last Revised: October 24, 2008