Boomers & Beyond

What better way to celebrate National Senior Center Month in September than to visit one of our local Senior Centers? Throughout this month, special activities will be held at senior centers to mark the occasion.

The theme for this year’s event is, “Celebrate Life” and through that motto, seniors are encouraged to expand their knowledge, live on their terms, discover health and vitality, and enjoy life and laughter while feeling connected.

Older adults are able to enjoy a wide range of services and activities at Calcasieu Parish’s senior centers, including health screenings, recreation, club meetings, ceramics, dominoes and quilting.

Special to the American Press

Senior centers offer dozens of opportunities for fitness, life-long learning, and volunteering that empower older adults to remain healthy, active, and independent in their communities.

In addition to providing meals and access to benefits and services, the centers provide a wide range of activities Monday-Friday weekly.

Events are open to those who are 60 and older. Maybe you’ve often thought of stopping by one of the senior centers but just haven’t yet for whatever reason. Change can be hard for any of us. But the staff at local senior centers are eager to connect with you and there are other seniors there just like yourself.

Older adults are able to enjoy a wide range of services and activities at Calcasieu Parish’s senior centers, including health screenings, recreation, club meetings, ceramics, dominoes and quilting.

Special to the American Press

Health screenings, recreation, ceramics, dominoes, quilting, dancing, bingo, exercise, and socialization are just a few of the benefits provided at local centers.

Calcasieu Parish has seven senior centers that are administered through the Calcasieu Council on Aging.

Jackie Green, executive director of the Council on Aging, said that sometimes “People drive right by the agency or its senior centers and don’t realize all we have to offer.”

Green and her staff are working hard to make sure that all seniors are aware of everything that is available to them here in our area.

Nationally, there are nearly 11,000 senior centers that serve approximately one million adults on a daily basis.

Some senior centers offer job training and placement services as well as volunteer opportunities and other resources.

If you’re a senior and want to get a full schedule of activities going on locally as well as special events planned this month for National Senior Center Month, call or visit the senior center closest to you.

{{tncms-inline alignment=”left” content=”<p>• Calcasieu Council on Aging Main Office: 3950 Hwy. 14, Lake Charles</p> <p>• Lake Charles: 1530 5th St. Ph. 337-433-0805</p> <p>• Sulphur: 601 Maple St. 337-527-4574</p> <p>• Westlake: 2001 Jones St. Ph. 337-436-6879</p> <p>• Vinton: 915 West St. Ph. 337-589-3700</p> <p>• Iowa: 800 Factory Dr. Suite 116 Ph. 337-582-1551</p> <p>• Moss Bluff: 2868 Highway 171 North Ph. 337-217-0500</p> <p><em>Source: Calcasieu Council on Aging</em></p>” id=”321b2dce-1dc6-4278-a1fa-46017f545115″ style-type=”fact” title=”CCOA main office and senior center locations” type=”relcontent”}}

These are the local senior centers:

Lake Charles Senior Activity Center, 1530 5th St. 337-433-0805. Sheila Evans, coordinator.

Moss Bluff Senior Activity Center, 2868 Hwy. 171 N. 337-217-0500. Mary Jane Sensat, coordinator.

Iowa Senior Activity Center, 800 Factory Dr., Suite 116. 337-582-1551. Christy Trahan, coordinator.

Westlake Senior Activity Center, 2001 Jones St., Westlake. 337-436-6879. Cynthia Robertson, coordinator.

Vinton Recreation Senior Activity Center, 915 West St., Vinton. 337-589-3700. Melissa McHenry, coordinator.

Sulphur Senior Activity Center, 601 Maple St., Sulphur. 337-527-4574. Cynthia Ryan, coordinator.

DeQuincy Senior Activity Center, 500 Grand Ave., DeQuincy. 337-433-0805. Jennifer Freeze, coordinator.

For more information about the Calcasieu Council on Aging or any of the senior centers, call 337-474-2583.

• Calcasieu Council on Aging Main Office: 3950 Hwy. 14, Lake Charles

• Lake Charles: 1530 5th St. Ph. 337-433-0805

• Sulphur: 601 Maple St. 337-527-4574

• Westlake: 2001 Jones St. Ph. 337-436-6879

• Vinton: 915 West St. Ph. 337-589-3700

• Iowa: 800 Factory Dr. Suite 116 Ph. 337-582-1551

• Moss Bluff: 2868 Highway 171 North Ph. 337-217-0500

Source: Calcasieu Council on Aging