By Liz Dorsey, Executive Director, Ukiah Senior Center
In 1920, people 65 or older represented only 5 percent of the U.S. population. By 2020, that percentage had increased to 17 percent, and by 2054 Pew Research anticipates nearly 1 in 4 Americans to be 65 or older.
Longer lifespans reflect many things to celebrate, including improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and healthier lifestyles. But as we live longer, we must also recognize the realities facing seniors: health complications and related expenses, mobility challenges, a rising cost of living, underemployment, and loneliness.
These national population trends are playing out right here in Ukiah. If we want to take good care of our community now and into the future, we need to plan ahead and invest in the well-being of our seniors. After all, most of us will be seniors one day—if we’re fortunate!
Since the 1940s, seniors centers have played an essential role in the health and wellness of seniors. The first senior center was the William Hodson Community Center, established in New York in 1943. According to seniorcenters.com, the Hodson Center was designed to promote social interaction among older adults and provide essential services such as health, food and counseling. In California, we weren’t far behind. In 1947, the San Francisco Senior Center opened its doors, using an innovative approach by developing wellness programs focused on preventive health.
As the needs and capabilities of seniors changed over time, so too did senior centers. In the 1970s and ‘80s, senior centers were gathering places for activities such as bingo, card games, dances, and communal meals. Senior centers provided health and social services, including health screenings, exercise classes, transportation, counseling, and assistance with government benefits. In the 1990s, senior centers began offering lifelong learning programs, volunteer opportunities, computer classes, and more sophisticated health and wellness programs.
Through the decades, more people with a wider variety of needs and capabilities have looked to their local senior center for support of all kinds. At the Ukiah Senior Center, we work hard every day to provide a welcoming place for seniors to connect, find support, and thrive. We help people navigate life transitions, join a hobby group, access transportation, receive tax assistance, and participate in memory care groups. These low- and no-cost programs help people stay engaged, find community, and get connected to the care they need.
The senior center also benefits the wider community. Our thrift store provides high-quality, affordable goods to people of all ages. There are always sales going on, such as $3 a bag for kids’ clothing and $7 a bag for adult clothing. Our food pantry, supplied by donations from Safeway and Lucky, supports meals at the senior center and provides groceries for the larger community.
We are funded by donations and proceeds from our thrift store, and we make every penny count. Years ago, many community members generously contributed to a capital campaign for the senior center. Those funds have been held securely and are continuing to earn interest. Thanks to these generous contributions, we are able to begin some essential improvements.
In the coming months, we hope to temporarily relocate the thrift store while we update and brighten our sales space. We want to make sure all seniors, including the younger ones still in their 50s, feel at home here. Eventually, we’ll upgrade and replace the roof of our event space, Bartlett Event Center, enabling us to continue hosting baby showers, quinceañeras, and other gatherings now and in the years to come.
If you’re interested in supporting an organization that will be here to support you as you age, come and volunteer! Volunteers are the heartbeat of Ukiah Senior Center, the people who come alongside our 15 staff members to support seniors in countless ways. Without volunteers, our staffing costs would quadruple! If you happen to have some expertise in permitting and/or construction, we’d be so grateful for some of your volunteer time and expertise. Of course, as a non-profit, we are always grateful for financial donations (which are tax-deductible), and for those who spread the word about our services and the difference we make.
Aging affects everyone. No matter how well we plan and prepare, life is unpredictable. We may face illnesses, mobility issues, or live far away from loved ones. Offering a supportive, safe, inclusive space where all services are free or low-cost is essential—especially as the population of seniors continues to grow in the years to come.
If you’d like to learn more about ways you can support the Ukiah Senior Center, please visit ukiahseniorcenter.org.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Our Seniors: Meeting the needs of a growing population of seniors )
Also on site :