September is National Senior Center Month
Delco Senior Centers helping residents to “age well”
Aging well means different things to different people. For some, aging well means remaining healthy and active. For others, it is a time to learn something new or devote more time to a hobby. Remaining connected to family and friends is important to others. For some, volunteering and giving back to their communities makes life more meaningful. While the meaning of aging well differs for each person, senior centers hold the key to enhancing and supporting the lives of seniors who are on their journey to age well.
September is recognized as National Senior Center Month, a month dedicated to highlighting the vital role that senior centers play in the lives of residents 60 and older. The County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA) 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 2019 theme for Senior Center Month is “The Key to Aging Well.”
Delaware County is home to eight COSA supported senior centers. Membership at the centers is open to all residents age 60 and older. The activities and programs offered at the centers provide opportunities to age well and make a difference in people’s lives. Programs include “Healthy Steps for Older Adults” prevention program, chair yoga, meditation classes, blood pressure screenings, bible studies, self-defense classes, language classes, nutrition talks, and healthy cooking demonstrations. Proper nutrition is vital to helping seniors live a healthy lifestyle. Congregate meals support good nutrition. During fiscal year 2017-2018, over 48,000 congregate meals were served in 8 senior centers.
Volunteer opportunities allow seniors to package meals or deliver them to the homebound. Many senior centers are also offering instruction on new technology and social media, which enables seniors to stay connected with family and friends.
According to the National Council on Aging, senior centers are the future of what aging can be. Innovative programs hosted at senior centers can change the perception of aging, and create important community resources for aging expertise.
To learn more about Delaware County’s senior centers, or for information on volunteering at a senior center, visit www.delcosa.org or call (610) 490-1300.
Delaware County Senior Centers supported 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
Schoolhouse Senior Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, 19033, (610) 237-8100
Surrey Havertown, 401 Brookline Blvd., Havertown, 19083, (610) 446-2070
Surrey Media, 302 South Jackson St., Media, 19063, (610) 566-0505
Upper Darby Senior Center, 326 Watkins Ave., Upper Darby, 19082, (610) 734-7652
Wayne Senior Center, 108 Station Road, Wayne, 19087, (610) 688-6246
