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Senior Centers on the Eastern Shore and in Caroline County are gearing up for a month full of fun to celebrate. Jennifer Neal, Director of Senior Centers at Upper Shore Aging, said that National Senior Center month “highlights the vital role that senior centers play in supporting the health, economic security, and social engagement of older adults.”
Upper Shore Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Caroline, Kent, and Talbot Counties. They operate five total Senior Centers across these counties, with two of them being in Caroline – one in Denton, and one in Federalsburg. The goal of these Senior Centers is to “provide a welcoming community for older adults who wish to stay active and engaged.” This can look like congregate lunches, fitness classes, educational seminars, and other activities for those who come to enjoy the Centers in person. They even organize errand trips to the bank, post office, and shopping.
Neal explained that anyone can take advantage of some other vital services or opportunities they offer, “Maryland Access Point and the State Health Insurance/Medicare counselors are available to assist with Medicare and community resources. The centers also host the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), where volunteers provide assistance with meal services and administrative support.” It is also under Upper Shore Aging’s purview to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound senior citizens.
And this is just the normal stuff. During the month of September, the Centers will be stepping it up. The theme for 2025 is Powering Possibilities: Flip the Script. Neal said the reason behind the theme is to directly contradict the negative stigma around aging, “Some people believe that just because you’re older…They think that you have limitations on what you can do, as far as exercise or activity. And we're trying to lift that stigmatism and say, hey, just because they're older doesn't mean that they don't have the ability to go out and do things.”
The calendar of events hosts a healthy balance of entertainment and instruction. The Seniors are perhaps most excited for the joint celebration between the Denton and Federalsburg attendees on September 23, which promises “a full day of fun and education.” There will, of course, be meals together, games, and live entertainment, but there will also be a cooking demonstration which Neal hopes will help seniors learn how to eat in a way that is healthy and practical for one or two people. Throughout the month they will also have info sessions on dementia, alzheimer’s, diabetes, and Medicare open enrollment.
“We’re so close knit here. Bringing seniors together in a smaller area…we're able to provide the activities for them, the engagement, the socialization, and all for free,” Neal said. To sign up to attend one of the Senior Centers, she said all you have to do is call the one closest to you for the registration form. “It's a variety of programs; fitness, dance, health and nutrition, education, arts and crafts trips. We're very active — our centers have full gyms. And that's provided free.” Folks can also call to inquire about taking advantage of the Meals on Wheels program or free insurance consultations to get the most bang for their buck.
Brandy Hatten, the Caroline Senior Center Manager in Denton, said that the Senior Centers are above all a “fun place to be.” They offer much more than arts and crafts for a demographic that are usually counted out. As the theme for National Senior Center month insinuates, local Senior Centers “flip the script” on our idea about aging. (But they can’t do it alone, so if you happen to be looking to volunteer, Neal said they’re always looking!)
