Join an Activity Center

an interview with Debbie Travis

Hi, my name is Debbie Travis, Program Coordinator with the Clinton Township Senior Adult Life Center in Clinton Township, Michigan. Senior centers aren't what they used to be. In fact, we prefer to be called activity centers because that's what we are. We're so bustling with activity. And we offer our members a wide range of opportunities to grow and develop.

The Role of a Activity Center

A lot of people aren't real keen on the aging process, which is funny because we gain a lot of great treasures as we get older. The things that you get when you walk into a activity centers are bigger than the exercise class, or the card group, or any of the presentations that are going on. It's the opportunity to build relationships.

That is key in what we do here. And like I say to many people, we have to break the image of what was a senior center, and introduce people to what's going on behind these walls. Because if you are not involving yourself, putting yourself out there, trying new things, learning new things, building, growing, you're really missing out. You're missing out on a wonderful phase of your life.

A New Phase of Life

We struggle with different issues as we get into different phases of our lives. Your children may have moved out of state. Your family is scattered. But when you start sharing some of the concerns that you have in this phase of your life with other people who are your peers, the information that you reap is vital to finding better resources. You start to realize that you're not alone or there are better options. It's reassuring to know that you're not alone and at the same time you can adds an additional layer of fun in your life. It's fun meeting new people.

The New Activity Centers

I know that the few in my surrounding community that I've connected to all have the same mindset that, 'this ain't your grandma's senior center'. We're all 30 year-old minds in 55 plus year-old bodies. So we still have many of the same interests.

Many Exercise Options Available

Activity centers offer a plethora of different types of exercise classes given your abilities. From chair yoga and all the way up to Zoomba, which is super high intensity. People who do Zoomba are very ambitious exercisers. We also have a fitness room here with all of the equipment you can imagine.

Presentation Series

We have ongoing presentations that are delivered all the time from experts in their field. Often these are on cutting edge topics. Things that we really want to know like how to prevent diabetes, what is the best way to do a certain craft, or what's the latest in new age medicines? What about medical marijuana? How do you determine what's right, what's wrong?

How About Some Gardening?

Here is a typical situation: "I can't get outside in a garden anymore cause I'm living in a condo and I used to love it."

We heard this conversation from our members. So within a year we had a new community support group to get this garden growing. And now there is a garden club. It is a giant point of pride for our town, Clinton Township.

Our members are getting their hands in the dirt, which you know is therapeutic. We're producing organic produce for area food pantries. We have such a nice circle of members who are making a difference. And that's a big goal, to feel valued.

Editor's Note: gardening is one of the most popular activities after knee replacement surgery.