A place for health, fitness, and recreation
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ALPENA -- The Alpena Senior Citizens Center has had a steady increase in the amount of seniors who are taking advantage of the health, fitness, and recreation programs it hosts.
Interactive exercise classes have become very popular and the number of participants has nearly doubled over the last year or so, Director Andrea Hepburn said.
On Wednesday, yoga instructor Punky Simpson led about 75 seniors through a series of stretches, breathing exercises, light calisthenics, as the sound of her calm, encouraging, and relaxing voice and the soft background music created an inviting and peaceful setting for the exercises.
Hepburn said there are obvious health benefits for the senior from the light workout program and she added there are also psychological benefits too.
"There have absolutely been health benefits for the seniors, you can see them," Hepburn said. "Also, the connection they have with one another and the socialization they get is key. It helps to reduce loneliness, like if they didn't come and do these things, they would probably stay home by themself. Here, they get to come out and get some exercise and socialize and that is healthy for them."
Hepburn said the overall use of the center has increased and more people are taking advantage of the quilting program, meeting new friends for cards, Bingo and other activities, as well as joining the puzzle group. There is also knitting, crochet, needle work, and a host of other things for people to enjoy or learn from.
Hepburn said she has also noticed there are some “younger” seniors who have been attending various events. She said the most popular programs will remain, but staff are always looking for ways to find cool and interesting programs for people who have just become seniors.
Another program that is seeing a bounce in attendance for the center's dementia care and support groups. Hepburn said more seniors and their friends and family members are taking advantage of the programs.
"A lot more people are getting diagnosed and they are reaching out to us for support," she said. "Now we get between 15 and 25 people for the support group, where not long ago it was about five. It is a good way for people with dementia, which there is no cure for, to get some of the tools they can take home with them to make their life better. Also, if you get educated early, it will make your journey a lot easier."
Hepburn said the congregate meals and Meals on Wheels are strong, especially on the night when smelting like roast beef is served. She said even on slow days, there are about 30 seniors who come to the center for a meal.
On Wednesday, Hepburn said she anticipated there would be more than 100 different seniors who would visit the center for one reason or another.
The senior center staff and those who utilize it are also proud of the large garden on the side of the building. Hepburn said there are a handful of people who sow the seeds in the spring and maintain the garden through the fall. She added all of the food harvested is used in the kitchen. Some of the food is frozen and it will be used during the cold weather months.
"It remains fresh and is healthy," she said. "We have tomatoes, we have peppers and green beans, we have onions, lettuce, and it all gets used here at the center.