Prior to college graduation, I never knew what a senior center was.  I’d never heard of it.  It wasn’t until I entered an aging-related profession that I became aware of them, and their essential role in our communities. 

Wikipedia defines a Senior Center as “a place where older adults can congregate to fulfill many of their social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs.”  A senior center is a great place for a senior to go for social interaction, fitness, health and social support, and even education or vocational training.  There are numerous Senior Centers in the immediate area, including:

• The North Shore Senior Center in Northfield - http://www.nssc.org
• The Niles Senior Center - http://www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=846
• The Village of Skokie’s Oakton Community Center - http://www.skokieparkdistrict.org/spdcm/OaktonCommunityCenter.aspx
• Park Ridge Senior Center -  http://www.park-ridge.il.us/record.php?_ID=4441
• The Frisbie Senior Center formerly called the Des Plaines Senior Center - http://frisbieseniorcenter.org/index.htm
• The Meskill Senior Center in Wilmette - http://www.wilmettepark.org/adults-50-plus
• The Levy Senior Center in Evanston - http://www.cityofevanston.org/parks-recreation/levy-senior-center/programs-info/
• The Glenview Senior Center - http://www.glenviewparks.org/senior-center/senior-center.htm
• The Morton Grove Senior Center - http://www.mortongroveil.org/government/departments/seniorcenter.asp
• The City of Chicago has several Senior Center locations - http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fss/dataset/senior_centers.html

Senior Centers vary widely in the array of services and facilities they offer.  Some are simple social halls which have structured or unstructured social activities going on.  Others offer health and social service resources, case management, geriatric care management, caregiver/nursing home/senior care information, adult day care, and meal programs.

My father attends his local senior center almost daily.  He plays cards, exercises there, and spends time with friends.  The benefits to him are numerous - fitness, mental stimulation, social interaction, etc.

If you know a senior who wants to remain active, and could use some interaction, check out one of the links above.

Thanks for reading!

Michael Melinger

mmelinger@homeinstead.com

Home Instead Senior Care

Caregivers & Companions, Live-In/Hourly, Meals, Housekeeping, Errands, Personal Care

Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette - 847-673-1250

Niles, Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Des Plaines - 847-518-1400

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