Spotlight on: Center 50+
If the term “senior center” conjures images of dusty spaces, rickety card tables, and folks nodding off over games or crafts, think again! Today’s senior centers are vibrant community hubs with robust rosters of programs for learning, wellness, and connection. Activities include live music, dances, outings and events, arts & crafts, games, movies, book clubs, and even support services and resources. Some are free while others have modest membership or activities fees.
This issue kicks off an exploration of the programs and activities on offer. This time we highlight a few at Center 50+ that caught our eye. Please let us know if there are programs at your local senior center you’d like us to share.
The Villages Network
This peer-to-peer, neighbor-to-neighbor program supports aging in place while living longer, healthier, and happier lives together. Anyone can create a village initiative in their neighborhood or community.
Each village can be uniquely designed by the needs, talents, and resources of its members and surrounding area. It can be part of a neighborhood association, another community group, next door neighbors, or completely independent.
Where to begin
Simply recruit 4-5 interested neighbors/ volunteers and request a meeting. The Center 50+ Villages Network will provide the guidance and support you’ll need, and from day one, your village startup can hit the ground running with access to Center 50+’s established volunteer-driven programs and services, including:
- Transportation to essential destinations
- Friendly phone calls and visits
- Light home repair
- Service days for seasonal help
- Tech support
- And more
Let’s Be Friends!
The Center 50+ Friendship Brigade is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to the belief that no one should feel forgotten or alone. They like to say, “We know that life is best when shared with others!”
The benefits of staying connected are many, including physical and mental well-being, increased life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose, and more.
The Brigade includes Friendly Callers, Visitors, a Fix-it Team, and Canine Corps.
Friendly Callers
Friendly Callers are matched with a senior for daily wellness checks or one-on-one weekly phone conversations. Volunteers come from the Salem/Keizer area so they’re part of the community of those they serve. Callers are matched by gender, interests, and background whenever possible.
Friendly Visits
Friendly Visitors develop one-on-one relationships with older adults. They visit once a week both in person and by phone, offering companionship and opportunities to connect over a cup of coffee or tea, walks, games, or listening to music.
Friendly Helpers
Fix-it Brigade volunteers provide short-term, one-time assistance to low-income older adults who have specific household needs, or seniors unable to do the work themselves. Typical tasks provided include: help changing light bulbs or filters, installing grab bars, some repairs, and seasonal yard work.
This is a limited service and does not include heavy chores or cleaning.
Canine Corps
This friendly group of volunteers and their pets visit seniors living in long-term care facilities and shut-ins living alone at home. Volunteers meet with seniors in both groups and individually.
Learn more about these and more programs and activities at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem. 503 588 6303.
Let us know about programs at your local senior center! Email Jennifer at publisher@50plusmagazine.net, or call 971 200 9686.