By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
We are social creatures. Even the most solitary among us may crave interaction with others from time to time. For many, once they’ve retired from their careers and their children have grown up and left home, finding social outlets can be challenging.
Senior centers are an ideal place to stay active, enjoy companionship and maybe try something new.
Many townships and boroughs in the Two River area offer senior centers, which are free for residents and charge a small fee for others.
“For some, it’s a place to go, to get out of the house and interact with other people,” said Maria Gato, Middletown Senior Center supervisor. “Some members live alone and here they find friendship, share in common interests and fitness.”
Members can try their hand – or their feet – at a tap class. Others may be attracted to acting or art classes. Knitting groups, book clubs, games and movie afternoons are all offered at Middletown and most other senior centers.
“The most popular classes are Zumba Gold and chair yoga,” said Gato. “It’s mostly women, but a couple of men pop in.”
According to Gato, “Some just come for yoga and there are some who come every single day.”
There have even been a few romances that have started at the center. Widows and widowers, many of whom do not drive, find the center a perfect place to spend time together.
Holidays are celebrated with a flourish: Valentine’s Day, New Year’s and more. “During prom season we had our own prom,” Gato said. “Middletown High School North students volunteered and we had a Hollywood-themed prom. They all really enjoyed themselves.”
As with most senior centers, transportation to and from the center can be provided. Special events, trips to shopping destinations, historic sites, entertainment venues and even Atlantic City are available. Ticket prices vary.
The Borough of Red Bank sports a multipurpose activity center in a sparkling new building overlooking the Navesink River and provides services to more than 1,200 seniors each month.
According to its website, the Red Bank Senior Center strives to cultivate an atmosphere of belonging, usefulness, self-fulfillment and friendship. It offers door-to-door transportation and weekly shopping trips to local food markets. In addition to exercise and art classes, the center offers Bible Study and sponsors weekly Bridge, Bingo and Pokeno games.
Members can enjoy a nutritious noon-time meal; the center also coordinates the delivery of more than 100 meals daily to homebound and shut-in seniors with the assistance of Interfaith Neighbors and local volunteers.
Monthly health visits by a VNA nurse, yearly flu shot clinics and eye screenings are offered, and medical transportation to local doctor appointments is also available.
Courtesy SCAN
Senior Citizens Activities Network (SCAN), located in the Monmouth Mall, serves the 55-plus community in Monmouth and Ocean counties by offering programming to promote healthy lifestyles, continuing education and access to community and economic resources. The goal is to keep seniors active, healthy and connected.
Classes include art, acting, languages, jazz, yoga and more. Free health and wellness workshops, such as a Diabetes Self-Management Workshop, can help members take control of their health. Benefit Enrollment Help will aid seniors in ensuring they receive all the benefits they are entitled to.
“Our Strong Bone Strong Body class is just one of the more popular classes,” said Marybeth Kwapniewski, program director at SCAN. “And all our classes are a community unto themselves. They’ve been together a long time and they look out for each other.” If someone hasn’t attended in a while, they’ll ask Kwapniewski to call and check on the person.
Language classes – French, Spanish and Italian, at different levels – are popular. “Some members want to travel but it’s also great for brain health to learn a new language or brush up on one.”
The sign-up for acting classes grew so much it led to the addition of tap dancing, karaoke and more. “Performing arts at SCAN has really flourished,” Kwapniewski said.
Seniors can check out the SCAN YouTube channel at scannj.org. The fall semester starts Sept. 9.
And for all county residents, the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services helps promote the well-being, health and independence of the county’s older adults. For more information, visit monmouthadvs.com.
The article originally appeared in the July 25 – 31, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
