Photo Caption: Senior Centers buzz with activities
Delaware County Councilman Dave White, center, presents a resolution declaring September as Senior Center Month in recognition of the valuable role that the county’s eight senior centers play in the lives of county residents. Shown at the Aug. 28 County Council meeting are, front from left, Arthur Weisfeld, executive director of Senior Community Services; Evans Gary, Friendship Circle Center member; White; Barb Nicolardi, planner for the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA); Barbara Fentress, president and CEO of Surrey Services for Seniors; Lucille Colgan, Hometown Senior Center member; Sue Elder, Upper Darby director of Leisure Services; Theresa Butts, COSA director of community services; and back row, Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle and Councilwoman Colleen Morrone. For information on the county’s senior centers, visit www.delcosa.org.
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County Council recognizes senior centers as active focal points for mature residents
When people think of a “senior center,” they often picture sedentary elderly people quietly playing cards or Bingo. But that’s not the case at today’s senior centers, which are lively places where seniors gather to do yoga, master computer skills or learn to paint.
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Delaware County Council and the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) declared September to be Senior Center Month in recognition of the important role that the county’s eight senior centers play in the lives of residents 60 and older.
According to the 2010 U.S. census, there are 109,394 people age 60 and older living in Delaware County, which is about one in every five people. Throughout the year, 4,000 senior citizens take regular advantage of the wide array of activities at the County’s senior centers in Chester, Darby, Sharon Hill, Haverford, Media, Ridley, Wayne and Upper Darby. Another 4,000 attend special events such as financial advice during tax season.
County Council joins with the National Council on Aging in declaring September as a time to highlight the many services offered at senior centers while promoting a positive image of aging.
The 2013 theme for Senior Center Month is “Experts at Living Well.”
According to the National Council on Aging, today’s senior center is a vibrant, action-packed combination of fitness center, volunteer headquarters, transportation hub, and tasty dining locale. Senior centers are also a perfect place to visit to stay cool during the hot summer months.
“We are proud that Delaware County is home to eight senior centers and that COSA can support the activities of these centers,” said County Councilman Dave White. “Whenever I visit one of our senior centers, I am always amazed at the variety of programs they offer to meet the social, physical, nutritional, intellectual and emotional needs of older adults.”
Membership at the senior centers is open to all residents age 60 and over who can enjoy fun-filled trips to a variety of places, such as a live show, a casino, or even a cruise. They can catch a movie, join a card game, participate in a craft group, take a whirl at line dancing, or socialize over a nutritious meal.
Senior centers offer lifelong learning through classes in photography, creative writing, painting, gardening, and computer and internet skills. There is something for every interest. Seniors can also stay physically active with exercise classes such as yoga, Zumba, aerobics and the “SilverSneakers” fitness program. There are also opportunities to volunteer.
Senior centers offer health screenings and programs that help people understand medical conditions.
To learn more about Delaware County’s senior centers, or for information on volunteering at a senior center, go to www.delcosa.org, or contact Theresa Butts, at COSA, at 610-872-1215.
Delaware County Senior Centers sponsored by COSA:
Chester Senior Center, 721 Hayes St., Chester, 19013, (610) 497-3550
Friendship Circle Senior Center, 1515 Lansdowne Ave., Darby, 19023, (610) 237-6222
Good Neighbor Senior Center, 1085 Hook Road, Sharon Hill, 19079, (610) 586-8170
Surrey at Havertown, 1105 Earlington Road, Havertown, 19083, (610) 446-2070
Surrey at Hometown, 302 South Jackson St., Media, 19063, (610) 566-0505
Schoolhouse Senior Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, 19033, (610) 237-8100
Wayne Senior Center, 108 Station Road, Wayne, 19087, (610) 688-6246
Upper Darby Senior Center, 326 Watkins Ave., Upper Darby, 19082, (610) 734-7652
