Senior Center...join or not?

BUM

BUM

Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Joined
Feb 7, 2004
Messages
1,781
Location
Mid Hudson Valley
A few months ago DW dragged me to lunch at the local senior center. Since then I visit a few times per week and donate time and money. At the same time, I've met wonderful folks, politions, reporters, philantropists, fishermen, and neighbors I otherwise wouldn't know.

I'm starting to realize that all SC's are not created equal. It seems that if they take state money, lots of strings get attached (some good, some not). A gross generalization is that small town SC's are way more fun than big city SC's. Ours is all volunteer, period. Nobody gets a dime. Great food, big fun. Its really something. The list of free services and things to do, and places to go is daunting. Membership is five dollars per annum.:rolleyes:

Saturday night I'm going to Italian Club, whatever that is in NC. I can see DW getting a phone call.... "I'm sorry, he's gone and dere was nuttin' we could do about it, y'all."
 
Membership is 5 bucks. Hardly good tip money. Do it if it interests you. DW, who's into line dancing, goes to some dance classes in a SC. I've been to watch a couple of their performances. Lots of food, lots of coffee. No wine, though. :(
 
My Mom goes to our local Senior Center, and not only sees people she already knows, but also meets many others that she never would have met otherwise. And like you state, somethings are good and some things are not quite so good, but the good by far out-weighs the other.

They have Tai Chi a few times a week.....also computer classes. There's a monthly potluck where the SC supplies the meat, drinks (non-alcholic), and some other stuff....and each person brings a dish to pass. They also offer a daily hot meal for a very small set cost....something like $3-$4.....and the people can take extra food home home to have for their evening meal (at no additional cost). Of course, I think the "Gamblin' Grannies" really like, best of all, the bingo and bunko games that each happen a couple of times a week.

They have a few day trips each year, but not very many since there are a lot of other day trip options available in our community.....3 of the local banks have travel groups, as well as the local chapter of the AARP, and a tour/travel company that offers a LOT of one-day and multi-day trips at very reasonable prices.

Our SC doesn't have any membership fee....of course they do receive tax $$....and as such, there are some 'strings' attached that place a few limits on what they can and can't do.....but not to tight of a straight-jacket.
 
How old are most of the people at SCs? Like for tai Chi classes?
 
I went for while in my former small town. A lot of well to do accomplished guys, a lot of people well informed about Medicare, SS, etc. Plenty old women, too.

My hang-up as that it smelled like like assisted living. I am always wanting to do free or cheap age appropriate things, but I can't get past the "senior smell". Where I live now, the old people are either poor and living in various senior housing projects, or prosperous-appearing gay men.

Ha
 
BUM said:
A few months ago DW dragged me to lunch at the local senior center. Since then I visit a few times per week and donate time and money. At the same time, I've met wonderful folks, politions, reporters, philantropists, fishermen, and neighbors I otherwise wouldn't know.

I'm starting to realize that all SC's are not created equal. It seems that if they take state money, lots of strings get attached (some good, some not). A gross generalization is that small town SC's are way more fun than big city SC's. Ours is all volunteer, period. Nobody gets a dime. Great food, big fun. Its really something. The list of free services and things to do, and places to go is daunting. Membership is five dollars per annum.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and what a great price! I'd join in a heartbeat. With all those activities, and all the time in the world to enjoy them and to get to know everyone, it sounds like a great resource in your ER.
 
I'd join but I don't consider myself a senior yet . Seniors women wear polyester pants and flamingo shirts and orthopedic sandals and have their manicures in shades of light orange and their hair is set not wash and wear . They probably have purses to match their outfits and orange lipstick to match their manicures . They trade in their Lincoln every few years and sometimes switch to a caddy . They go out to eat at 4 not only for the early bird special but the two for one martinis. Their husbands are usually named Carl or Earl and they have white shoes and polyester pants also .They always drive because the little lady gets lost . Okay ,I think I've been in Florida too long .
 
Moemg said:
Seniors women wear polyester pants and flamingo shirts and orthopedic sandals and have their manicures in shades of light orange and their hair is set not wash and wear . They probably have purses to match their outfits and orange lipstick to match their manicures . They trade in their Lincoln every few years and sometimes switch to a caddy . They go out to eat at 4 not only for the early bird special but the two for one martinis. Their husbands are usually named Carl or Earl and they have white shoes and polyester pants also .They always drive because the little lady gets lost .
Click to expand...

You should write screenplays.

Ha
 
Membership is five dollars per annum.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you have already gotten your $ back on that one.

DW volunteers at a local SC (no $5 fee) and has suggested that I come along one day and give it a go, but I always seem to have something else cooking. I will no doubt get over there sometime in the future and will probably love it which will complicate my life even more!
 
Okay, so inquiring minds still want to know: how old are people at the senior center? At 54, I'm still a little too young for it, I suppose?
 
tangomonster said:
Okay, so inquiring minds still want to know: how old are people at the senior center? At 54, I'm still a little too young for it, I suppose?
Click to expand...

The ages of the folks that go to the SC here, start around 60 and go up through mid-late 80's. And most of the the ones doing Tai Chi are late 60's through 80's. One of our friends who goes there occasionally is 81, but doesn't have a lot of time for it, because she's too busy walking or running. She runs in 10 or 12 races a year....5K's, 10K's, and stuff like that.

I think, over all, most of the folks that go to our SC are pretty spry for their ages.

Oh, and the place doesn't have a nasty smell either. ;)
 
Moemg said:
I'd join but I don't consider myself a senior yet . Seniors women wear polyester pants and flamingo shirts and orthopedic sandals and have their manicures in shades of light orange and their hair is set not wash and wear . They probably have purses to match their outfits and orange lipstick to match their manicures . They trade in their Lincoln every few years and sometimes switch to a caddy . They go out to eat at 4 not only for the early bird special but the two for one martinis. Their husbands are usually named Carl or Earl and they have white shoes and polyester pants also .They always drive because the little lady gets lost . Okay ,I think I've been in Florida too long .
Click to expand...

Oh, so THAT's where Aunt Julia moved!! Hey, if you run into her, tell her to call home...I'm sure the number is in the purse that matches the hula shirt...or she can look in the glove box of the Caddy for the address book. (By the way, you'd know who she is because she's the one who drives all the time with her high beam lights on. Why? Cause she just can't remember to use the thingy on the steering wheel to switch to low beams. She keeps stomping around on the floorboards looking for the switch there!!)
 
Achiever51 said:
Oh, so THAT's where Aunt Julia moved!! Hey, if you run into her, tell her to call home...I'm sure the number is in the purse that matches the hula shirt...or she can look in the glove box of the Caddy for the address book. (By the way, you'd know who she is because she's the one who drives all the time with her high beam lights on. Why? Cause she just can't remember to use the thingy on the steering wheel to switch to low beams. She keeps stomping around on the floorboards looking for the switch there!!)
Click to expand...
:D :D
I read somewhere about senior housing whereby the elderly women were evaluating the men. It seems that the most attractive quality was "still being able to drive at night." Finally I am a hot prospect.
 
We have a really nice, brand new, modern Senior Center only about 1-2 miles from where I live. My problem is that I have the "perception" that everyone going to a Senior Center is 15-20 years older than me and that I won't have much in common with them.

Am I off base with that?
 
My 90 year old dad is one hot "babe magnet" as he still has an unrestricted driver's license, walks spritely without aid, dances, has great manners and is very much up to date on his wardrobe (no poly slacks for him!) And he has some $$ too.

He actually has several neighborhood ladies feuding over him...and I gotta tell ya, those senior girls really have no shame!! They're always bringing over food for him; calling him throughout the day; inviting him to the senior center and church to "show him off". He laughs about it -- wonders where all these "chicks" were when he was younger!
 
BanDit1 said:
We have a really nice, brand new, modern Senior Center only about 1-2 miles from where I live. My problem is that I have the "perception" that everyone going to a Senior Center is 15-20 years older than me and that I won't have much in common with them.

Am I off base with that?
Click to expand...

I regularly ski with people 20-40 years older than me. One guy is 87 now, and doesn't fall very far behind. They're all interesting people, with way more experience than me. We've already found our thing in common since we're all out there skiing, but don't assume that you'll find a bunch of doddering old fogeys you won't have anything in common with. Can't hurt to try, right?
 
Achiever51 said:
Oh, so THAT's where Aunt Julia moved!! Hey, if you run into her, tell her to call home...I'm sure the number is in the purse that matches the hula shirt...or she can look in the glove box of the Caddy for the address book. (By the way, you'd know who she is because she's the one who drives all the time with her high beam lights on. Why? Cause she just can't remember to use the thingy on the steering wheel to switch to low beams. She keeps stomping around on the floorboards looking for the switch there!!)
Click to expand...

I think I know her .Does she constantly drive in the left lane at 35 mph with her blinkers on ?
 
Moemg said:
I'd join but I don't consider myself a senior yet . Seniors women wear polyester pants and flamingo shirts and orthopedic sandals and have their manicures in shades of light orange and their hair is set not wash and wear . They probably have purses to match their outfits and orange lipstick to match their manicures . They trade in their Lincoln every few years and sometimes switch to a caddy . They go out to eat at 4 not only for the early bird special but the two for one martinis. Their husbands are usually named Carl or Earl and they have white shoes and polyester pants also .They always drive because the little lady gets lost . Okay ,I think I've been in Florida too long .
Click to expand...
Don't forget the blue eyebrows! Drawn on in pencil, of course.

Audrey
 
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