Senior Center Keeps Members Active

You can find Arlene Wilbur at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center every day except Wednesday.

The 93-year-old often volunteers at the reception desk answering the phone. Wilbur socializes in the "Chat Room" on Fridays where members discuss different topics and solve riddles to keep their minds sharp. She also attends a diabetes support group on Mondays.

Maggie Martin, 66, also volunteers at the reception desk and said she frequently observes people in their 50s and 60s bring their parents to the senior center and find out there is something for them as well. They are thrilled to know that they, too, can benefit from the state-of-the-art fitness center, she said.

And Martin added, “Younger seniors are surprised to see all that is offered. Fun, food and friendship — what a vibrant place.”

Wilbur said that she wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for the senior center. “It keeps my mind going,” she said.

Martin agrees. It takes some sharpness to play bridge, mahjong, and participate in computer and language classes, she said.

Sue Frank, supervisor at the senior center for the past 20 years, said it's really built up its fitness center in recent years, which now attracts people from all over the county.

More and more seniors are taking better care of their health and want to maintain or improve it, she said. She believes the senior center is the answer for many keeping its members mentally and physically active.

“This place keeps us older folks going,” Wilbur chuckled.

There are many senior centers in Florida that meet the needs of seniors who wish to remain physically and mentally active. Many seniors and their families are not aware that many of these facilities exist.

For those that have discovered facilities in their area, many seniors are grateful to have a place to go.

The closest program to Bloomingdale Patch is the Brandon Senior Center at 612 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon, by Davis Park, open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Call 813-635-8064.

The Brandon Senior Center, managed by Paul Jory, offers both a daycare for seniors as well as activities for active seniors.

The adult daycare program features daily activities including bingo, sing-alongs, movies, crafts, game days, exercise programs, a Spanish class, trivia, ice cream socials as well as discussions of various issues including hurricane preparedness and the dangers of dehydration during the summer months. Seniors attending the daycare receive a hot lunch and snacks each day as well.

Activities for active seniors include painting classes, movies, field trips, tai chi classes, bridge, dominoes, a coupon club, and AARP driver safety classes.

A caregiver support group also meets at the senior center on the second Monday of the month at 1 p.m.