Senior connection

"We have fun," said senior citizen Shirley Smith. "And we solved the problems of the world -- like this $11 garbage fee...."

The other women laugh as they knit. And visit. And share everything from patterns to recipes. And, okay, maybe just a little ... gossip. But mostly, the knitting club at the Shelbyville/Bedford County Senior Citizens' Center connect, and that's the theme for the month.

If you're under a certain age, you probably only get to the Shelbyville/Bedford County Senior Citizens Center once or twice a year, for the ham breakfast or a craft sale. You may not realize what a vital role the handsome brick building at 111 J. G. Helton Drive plays in the community. September is National Senior Center Month and it's designed to make very one -- not just the seniors -- aware of just how important these gathering places are.

A place to connect

"The theme this year is 'Senior Centers -- Your Place to Connect," said Director Sonia Miller.

In the past, the center has had a picnic or a reception -- some little something to acknowledge the month. This year, however, the center is taking a different approach.

"We wanted to do something bigger and better than we'd done in the past," she said. "It took a lot of cooperation and participation throughout the community to make it happen."

Fact-filled month

What's happening is a month filled, not just with rook games and quilting bees, but education. There will be special programs all month with speakers from government agencies, from political offices, health care experts and public service agencies.

"We thought these were the important things, that and the free blood pressure checks," said Miller. "A lot of people don't seem to realize we do so much more than play rook or paint ceramics."

Or knit. Many of the ladies who come to the Wednesday morning knitting group also attend the educational programs the center hosts on other occasions, such as the woman who comes to explain the latest changes in Medicare.

"We go to the meetings that really pertain to us," said Annette Armstrong. "The AARP does our taxes."

Helping hands

Miller said many people don't realize that the Senior Citizens Center can be a first step for seniors in getting questions answered about anything from nursing home care to home-delivered meals.

"We host an AARP driving course that can help get lower insurance payments, the state health agency comes in monthly to help people with Medicare issues -- those are just a few of the things," she said. "The center is a focal point for the seniors in the community. When seniors are unsure about the things that come up. Nursing homes, Social Security, Medicare -- and they don't know where to start -- we're that first step. We're here to help people stay healthy and informed, and to be able to stay in their homes as long as they can. We call it Aging in Place."

Years of growth

A Bedford County native, Miller has been with the center for 16 years, starting out as a secretary, then bookkeeper, and stepping into the director's shoes when Geneva Smith retired. Over the years, she has seen many changes, from the bright, new building with its airy, welcoming atmosphere, to the activities preferred by the seniors.

"We're getting 'younger' seniors," said Miller. "The Baby Boomers, with more interests than the seniors had 16 years ago."

She's also seen many programs grow, from public transportation (open to all ages) which has gone from two small vans to 14, and the nutrition program, providing lunches five days a week, even delivering some to the homebound.

Varied programs

Other programs the center offers include health promotion and health screening, with ongoing speakers and seminars; telephone reassurance and friendly visitation programs, when volunteers reach out and call or go out and visit clients to provide a friendly ear and to make sure all is well; providing volunteer opportunities for the seniors, allowing them to help their community and education in other areas as well. The knitters especially like this aspect -- they make hats for cancer patients and scarves for nursing home residents.

And, of course, there are the recreational programs -- the rook, the pool, bowling, knitting, ceramics ... but those are just as important in helping seniors connect with each other.

The seniors agree.

Togetherness

"If I weren't here, I'd be home, staring at the wall or the idiot box," said Albert Troxler, in the middle of a card game. "It's a good break in the day."

"I just like coming down here, and getting together with people," said Evelyn Solomon in her ceramics class.

"There's a lot going on here," said Armstrong.

"It's the fellowship as much as anything," said Shirley Smith.

The public is invited to the special programs for Senior Center Month. For more information, call 684-0019.

Senior Center Month activities

Sept. 10: 10:45 a.m. Shelbyville Police

Sept. 13: 10:45 a.m. Public guardianship and Adult Abuse Coalition

Sept. 14: 9-10:30 a.m. Free blood pressure checks

10:45 a.m. Caregiver support and volunteer opportunities

Sept. 15: 10:45 a.m. Long term care ombudsman

Sept. 16: 9- 10:30 a.m. Free blood pressure checks

10:45 a.m. Overview of Medicare changes

Sept. 17: 10:45 a.m. Title V and grandparenting programs

Sept. 20: 10:45 a.m. Planning for ling term illness

Sept. 21: 9- 10:30 a.m. Free blood pressure checks

10:45 a.m. Heritage Medical Center

Sept. 22: 10:45 a.m. Glen Oaks nursing home

Sept. 23: 10:45 a.m. Emergency Management Agency

Sept. 24: 10:45 a.m. Shelbyville Fire Department

Sept. 27: 10:45 a.m. Argie Cooper Public Library

Sept. 28: 9- 10:30 a.m. Free blood pressure checks

10:45 a.m. Caregiver Relief and Community Clinic

Sept. 29: 10:45 a.m. Bedford County Emergency Medical Services

Sept. 30: 10:45 a.m. State Rep. Pat Marsh and State Sen. Jim Tracy