Regular, organized social interactions have been found to slow down the decline in cognitive function typically associated with aging.
Meet Sue.
Sue, 88, of LaGrange Park, has found a healthy lunch, friendly faces and a place to exercise at a United Way funded program for seniors for the past 20 years.
She and her older sister have been going to the West Suburban Senior Center three times per week since Thanksgiving 1987.
“We heard about it, and we came there one time for Thanksgiving Day,” Sue says. “We were real late, and they were all through with dinner, but they were so nice to us! They packed us some food to take home.”
The following week, Sue and her sister began attending the center on a normal basis and have continued the trend ever since. They go there for the library, the educational seminars, a 30-minute chair exercise program, Bingo and the book club.
Sue also volunteers at the gift shop every Thursday, and if she needs advice about living alone or tax help, she knows she can access assistance at the center.
“Any time you need advice or something, there is always someone to help you,” Sue says. “Everybody treats you so nice there!”
This year, for Sue birthday, the senior center hosted a party with ice cream and cake, and about 30 of Sue’s friends from the center.
“What a beautiful place for oldies,” Sue giggles.
