The benefits of senior centers in helping elderly parents find community-Libby Deege

The benefits of senior centers in helping elderly parents find community

Today many senior citizens are still healthy and active but they may feel "lost" when they no longer have jobs or they lose friends and family due to death and relocations.

Senior centers are places where they can meet with other people in the community who have simular interests and problems. They can learn new skills. Get involved in community projects. Even acquire new "jobs" to give themselves a renewed sense of purpose and usefulness in the community.

They can help other seniors and in doing so help themselves. Sharing information about themselves and their lives helps other seniors open up and share too. Sometimes just talking about problems relieves the burden. Perhaps problems that seemed to have no solution are not as major as they thought when someone else tells how they handled a similar problem or directs them to resources they were not aware existed.

It is rather amazing but in a very short time, every one that goes to the senior center knows everyone else. If one of them has a problem, the rest are quick to rally round with support. If one doesn't show up on schedule, at least one of the others will check up on them to make sure thay are OK.

We have several Senior Centers available to our clients. Its probably easiest just to call and see if they can mail you a current calendar of events!

Central Senior Center                                                     North Senior Center
2008 Forest Ave                                                                Park Fair Mall, 2nd Ave
515-286-3677                                                                   515-288-1524



Eastside Senior Center                                                   Southside Senior Center
1231 E 26th Street                                                             100 Payton Ave
515-265-8461                                                                   515-287-0092



MLK Senior Center                                                        W.D.M. Community Center
1650 Garfield Ave                                                              217 5th St

515-266-5445                                                                   515-274-0373