Aging of 'baby boom' generation presents new challenges for Elizabethton Senior Center

Photo by Dave Boyd The Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center is constantly upgrading its exercise equipment. "Younger seniors are very interested in physical fitness," said Ruth Goodwin, director. The Center has treadmills, a paragym, health rider, step machine and bicycles.

By Rozella Hardin
STAR STAFF
rhardin@starhq.com

   At present, about one in eight Americans is 65 years or older. However, as a result of the aging of the baby boom generation, it is projected that by 2030 about one in five Americans will be 65 years or older, which means that the local population of senior citizens will expand very rapidly during the coming decade.
   This presents a challenge to the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center as well as other senior centers across the state and country. What type of activities and programs do they envision?
   "We are already seeing a new breed of seniors," said Kathy Dula, assistant director and bookkeeper at the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center. "While some needs remain the same, we are looking at a different group of seniors who are nearing retiring," she said.
   Ruth Goodwin, Elizabethton director, said the new generation of senior citizens is more health conscious, more active, and in many cases, more educated. "They are people who have been in the work force, have had high-tech jobs, enjoy traveling, are more active and much younger in their outlook than seniors of past generations, therefore, they keep up their interests. This presents a challenge to us in many ways," she explained, noting the need for a better-quipped facility and an expanded facility.
   "We are seeing a need to increase and upgrade our exercise equipment," said Dula. "Presently, our exercise equipment is located in the same area, where our seniors eat their lunch and where other programs are held. On days that we have aerobics, we hardly have room for everyone," said Dula, noting the need for a separate room for exercise equipment and aerobics.
   "There is also the need for a computer laptop. We have any number of seniors who call and ask about computers. We may have to look into a sharing situation with the Boys and Girls Club or the high school," said Dula. "The interaction between the young and old would be a positive in that situation."
   While Goodwin and Dula are keeping their eye fixed on the future, they are attempting to meet the needs of today's elderly through services like Meals on Wheels, entertainment programs, and transportation assistance. One of the most popular activities the center offers is its dances. "We usually have a couple of evening dances during the month as well as dancing each Monday afternoon. The dances are very popular, and they provide a social outlet for so many of our seniors. We had 102 to attend our last evening dance," Goodwin said.
   "However, much of what we do here and want to do hinges on the support of the community," Dula said, noting that the center has a very conservative budget. "Our budget for the past year was $93,000 and we served 739 clients, amounting to 28,405 units of services." Dula noted that a unit of service is measured by each activity a senior participates in. The source of revenue for the center includes city and county funds, United Way, and the Area Agency on Aging. At least 15 to 20 percent of the center's funds comes from fund-raising projects at the center. "Our fund-raisers include a spring fling, the fall bazaar, and applebutter, which our seniors make and sell," Dula said.
   "Support from the community is going to be crucial in the next few years as future seniors will demand more choices and activities than we offer today," Goodwin said.
   Goodwin said the Meals on Wheels program, which operates out of the Elizabethton Senior Center, serves 93 homebound seniors. The meals are delivered by volunteers. "We are always looking for volunteers in this program," she said.
   The local center also does two trips a year. "This year we are going to Novia Scotia and Prince Edward Island in June. In the fall, we will do our annual trip to the beach. Additionally, we do a number of one-day trips throughout the year to places such as Gatlinburg, Asheville, N.C., and Gaffney, S.C.," Goodwin said.
   "We do cholesterol screenings once a year, and blood pressure checks twice a month," Dula said, noting the need for more frequent blood checks.
   Other weekly programs include health education, bingo, group singing, Bible study, educational programs, billiards, quilting, etc.
   "We offer a wide range of activities for the 501 members of the Center," said Goodwin.
   "Our Center focuses on promoting fellowship among seniors with recreational activities and serving as a local focal point for such services as meals and transportation. Our members can come here to recreate, share hobbies and common interests. To some it is a critical single point of contact in finding opportunities to socialize as well as have access to a variety of services," the director said.
   However, both Goodwin and Dula know that the needs of tomorrow's seniors will be more varied and challenging than what they are today. But, the main goal is to make the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center a happy place for seniors of all ages and all generations.