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October 14, 2009

Seniors stay active through groups

By M.K. Moynahan
Contributing Writer

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” — Robert Browning

Seniors in our area are realizing these words, and attitude is everything.

They are active, involved and loving their lives. Many of these aging “baby boomers” are still full-time employees, and are active in senior programs and clubs. Many seniors are readily available for volunteer opportunities within their communities to share their expertise and wisdom. And, the more active a person is, the more healthy and happy that person is, according to studies.

According to one Hobart resident, Jeannette Brown, the Stamford/Harpersfield senior club she is a member of provides “fellowship” and weekly events she looks forward to.

“We all look forward to Tuesdays. So many of us are single now. The club provides us with fellowship,” she said. “It’s a good thing. A place to go once a week and get to know one another.”

Brown is a member of a pinochle card group that plays at 9 a.m. every Tuesday before the club meeting.

“We take surveys. The more active a senior citizen is, the better they feel about themselves. We are dispelling the myth that older citizens are a drain on society and that they are just sitting home after retirement,” said Linda Campbell, director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, of Opportunities for Chenango County Inc. “Chenango County has over 13,000 seniors, and the growing ‘boomers’ population is adding to that group every day. Professional reports indicate that older adults experience meaningful improvements in their mental and physical health when volunteering.”

RSVP has 400 volunteers who offer their services to more than 50 nonprofit and public agencies and organizations throughout Chenango County. The agencies and organizations include local fire departments, Head Start, the Red Cross, food pantries, senior centers and thrift stores.

“Some volunteer seasonally. Even our winter snow birds come back and volunteer,” Campbell said. “We have a variety of volunteer opportunities.

Some of our volunteers do friendly visits to shut-ins. Some make care bears for the cancer wing at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, while others lend a hand at food pantries and soup kitchens.” RSVP is always recruiting, according to Campbell. For more information, call 336-6414.

The 65-and-older population in New York state is growing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.4 percent of the state’s population, as of 2008, is senior citizens and that number is expected to increase by 1.4 million by 2025.

In our area the percentages are higher. Schoharie County’s population is 50,898 with 15.3 percent of this 65-plus. Otsego and Chenango counties, with similar populations, have 15.5 and 15.9 percent, respectively, in the 65-plus age group. Delaware County with slightly less population, 46,085, is estimated to have the largest senior population with nearly 20 percent of its residents 65 or older.

All of the counties, in conjunction with the state Office for the Aging, provide activities and programs for their senior residents, as well as support local town clubs and programs. Whether its Arthritis Foundation water exercises in Oneonta or bingo and Medicare counseling in Cobleskill, there are plenty of activities for seniors. For a comprehensive list of activities, see The Daily Star’s Senior Page every Friday.

Because Delaware County has such a large population of senior citizens, a Senior Council was created. This is composed of representatives from senior clubs throughout the county. The council serves as an important link between the county’s elder citizens and the NYSOFA. The council meets once a month at the Delaware Opportunities Inc. building in Hamden. Senior clubs are located throughout the county. Generally, they meet monthly for a meal, recreation and information.

These clubs also arrange outings and share resources with one another.

One example and one of the more active senior clubs in our area is the Stamford/Harpersfield Senior Club. This club meets every Tuesday at the Community Hall in Hobart at the fire hall located on Cornell Avenue. According to Club President Rosalee Piscitelli, there are more than 40 members, but “we are looking to increase our numbers.”

The meetings begin at 11 a.m. every Tuesday; however, many club members arrive at 9 a.m. for recreation.

“Some of our members come earlier to play cards or games,” Piscitelli said. “Our meetings last about 45 minutes. Sometimes we have lunch catered; sometimes they bring their lunch in. We do fun things. For example, each member brought in a picture of themselves when they were younger and we had to guess who the picture was. We gave out prizes and it was a lot of fun.

“We have a lot of fun. We are very active,” she said. “We go out to lunches, have potluck lunches the third Tuesday every month and we arrange trips with other senior clubs in our area.”

Recently, group members took a bus trip to Kingston. The club shared expenses with the Grand Gorge senior club and enjoyed a day of shopping, lunch and one another.

“We do different things each time,” said Hobart resident Flo Foley. “Our next trip will be to Albany. Sometimes we see plays or concerts too.”

The club also provides its members with valuable information regarding estate planning and other legal issues, as well as health news and information.

“We have speakers come in. Some are provided by the NYSOFA,” Piscitelli said. “We get advice on a variety of topics including when one spouse dies, what to do.”

The club will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Oct. 20. A luncheon is planned at Vern’s Restaurant in Davenport to celebrate the event.

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