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Dear Editor,
As Reading considers new senior center options and locations, you may wonder, “What’s in it for me?” You may even think, “I would never go to a senior center!”. What’s the benefit of a new senior center?
Today’s senior centers bear little resemblance to senior centers of past generations. In the 1940s when senior centers first appeared, most participants were age 65+, retired, and facing an average life expectancy of only about 10 more years. Programming was limited.
But demographics have changed over the last 80 years, and so have senior centers.
Today, Reading’s Pleasant Street Center caters to the diverse interests and needs of participants ranging in age from 60 to 100+, offering a hub of services and programs to support healthy aging. Fitness classes, entertainment, art classes, games, support groups, luncheons, volunteer opportunities, trips, and much, much more are available. In addition, the Town’s Case Worker and Nurse Advocate are on site to help with support services and health concerns. Check out our newsletter, Pleasantries to learn more.
More than 1,500 aged 60+ residents participate in Reading’s Elder & Human Services programs each year, and the demand is growing steadily. But the current building can’t keep up with the demand. Your support is critical to our success.
Please send comments/questions to CouncilOnAging@ci.reading.ma.us.
The Reading Council on Aging
