By Liz Lawson-Young, Marketing Specialist
Loneliness and social isolation are large risk factors for adults over 60. The CDC refers to them as “serious public health risks” that put seniors “at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.”
CareWell Services Southwest works to promote health, independence, and choice for seniors and that includes combating the health risks of loneliness and social isolation. One way we do that is by partnering with senior centers that provide opportunities for seniors to build relationships, develop hobbies, exercise, and have fun.
Forks Senior Center in Albion is one of our partners, and they have created a warm environment with a group of really engaged members.
“Senior centers like Forks Senior Center offer great opportunities for older adults to engage with others so they don’t feel so isolated. This can help fight online scams too, because adults don’t feel so isolated and searching for connection online,” said Luann Sommers, Forks Senior Center Director.
“I’ve recently had several people tell me how friendly everyone here is. Regularly, I have about 20 members outside my office shooting the breeze and having a grand old time. It does my little heart good!” Sommers said.
We also are managing partner and primary funder of with Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center in Marshall. Additionally, we provide Lunch and Learns, classes and activities at the Kool Family Community Center, where our offices are located, to provide programming for seniors to create connections in the community.
Our staff is passionate about the opportunities to connect and have fun that these senior centers offer because they have seen the impact in their personal lives as well.
“I know that my mom felt isolated in her elder years. She was the baby of her family so most relatives and friends in her generation had passed. She was introverted and shy and didn’t want to just go to a senior center alone. I’ll bet that is the case for many seniors,” said Kim Smallcombe, CareWell’s MMAP Regional/Program Coordinator.
Smallcombe added, “I think it’s really important to get the message across about how warm, caring and welcoming the staff and participants are at our community centers. I was happily surprised at how good all of them are at making people feel at home. We can’t say that about very many businesses or agencies these days, but we are blessed to truly have that available to our residents.”
For more information about our senior centers, visit https://carewellservices.org/senior-centers/.