For the elderly, there are benefits of living at home instead of an assisted living center. You might feel safer, more independent, and have more control over your caregiving services (especially is you are signed up for CDPAP).
Or you may have a senior family member who appreciates being able to live in the community where they feel a sense of belonging.
But there are a few challenges that come with spending your golden years at home.
Maybe you find that there aren’t enough meaningful activities to fill your day, especially if you’re retired. Or that it is hard for you to get enough exercise because you don’t feel safe working out at the noisy local gym. If your movement is restricted due to mobility issues, you may also find it challenging to meet up with friends or connect with other members of the community.
A local senior center allows the elderly to enjoy the best of both worlds. They can enjoy the comfort and privacy of living in their homes, as well as connecting with fellow members of the community over fun and engaging activities.
Unlike an assisted living facility, a senior center is designed for those living in the community. They provide a space where seniors can connect and engage in different activities.
Here, we’ll further explore how a senior center can help the elderly age with dignity and independence. We’ll also list three senior centers around the Middletown, New York area.
How senior centers help the elderly connect
Senior centers provide various benefits to the elderly living in the community. Many of us have family members that enjoy their weekly bingo nights, which are typically hosted by a local senior center. But they do a lot more than that.
A local senior center might organize different recreational or educational activities. They might host a seminar about financial education, or a safe group exercise class. Some centers go as far as organizing day trips for members. Other activities may include lunch, dance lessons, and of course, bingo nights.
Here are some of the services and amenities that you can expect to find at a center near you.
- Weekly lunches
- Safe fitness classes (yoga, tai chi, etc.)
- Salsa nights
- Day trips
- Game nights
- Transportation
- Educational courses on various topics
- Recreational activities (painting, for example)
- Movie screenings
Check with your local senior center for a calendar of events. You can also ask them if they provide transportation services for scheduled activities. Some senior centers may also arrange transportation for things like grocery shopping, doctor appointments, and more.
If you live in the Middletown, NY area, here are three senior centers that are close to you. We’ve also included their contact information so you can get in touch directly with any questions.
Mulberry House Senior Center
Address: 62-70 West Main Street, Middletown, NY 10940 (Google Maps)
Tel: (845) 346-4071
Website: https://www.middletown-ny.com/en/community/senior-services.html
Mulberry House Senior Center provides transportation from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
They aim to enhance the lives of the elderly living in the community. They offer a wide array of activities such as group exercise classes, art, theater, crafts, music, tax-help, and more.
The center also has a state-of-the-art computer lab.
Mulberry House provides nutritious lunches for seniors Monday – Friday between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM. Please call 845-956-1428 at least 24 hours in advance to reserve a meal.
Goshen Senior Center
Address: 100 Trotter Cir, Goshen, NY 10924 (Google Maps)
Tel: (845) 294-8545
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.goshenseniorcenter.org/
Monthly Activities Calendar: http://www.goshenseniorcenter.org/calendar.pdf
Newsletter: http://www.goshenseniorcenter.org/GSCnewsletter.pdf
Goshen Senior Center aims to facilitate both the physical and emotional well being of the elderly in the community. The center is open from Monday to Friday. They offer recreational activities yoga, aerobics exercise, poker, and line dancing.
Monroe Town Senior Center
Address: 101 Mine Rd, Monroe, NY 10950 (Google Maps)
Tel: 845-783-1900 ext. 212
Website: https://www.monroeny.org/community/senior-center/13-senior-center.html
Monroe Town Senior Center offers recreational activities like yoga, group exercise classes, meditation, and even Zumba!
Call them or check their website for their monthly calendar for other activities like lunches, organized trips, and social events. You can also check with them to see if they provide transportation.
Get in touch with a senior center today
Take the first step and contact one of the senior centers in the Middletown, NY area today. Whether it’s for you, or an elderly family member, a visit to a senior center can be the first step towards new connections and exciting beginnings.