People still do not understand the difference between what we do and what is offered at the new Lexington Senior Center. I love the Senior Center and am a participant. I would love to have more time to take advantage of the many educational and exercise programs that they offer there.

The Senior Center is for older folks who can do for themselves, i.e. “independent seniors”. These are seniors who are still able to walk without falling down, use the toilet by themselves, move from a chair to a standing position without assistance (otherwise known as transferring), use a utensil to get food in their mouths and swallow food with a normal consistency without choking, and drink from a cup they can hold themselves, take medication according to directions and schedule without assistance, dress themselves without assistance, and who know what year, month, day and time it is, who know who they are and where they live, who can communicate that, and who know how to get from here to there.

We would love for those seniors described above to join our club to get tests and screenings and to have a Wellness Map to help them stay on the path to good health. The independent senior would benefit from joining our club and coming once a month for a few hours in their 50s and 60s and more and more often as they age. We have nursing services. The senior center does not have nursing services.

For people who have failing health…in other words, for people who are challenged with not being able to walk without falling down, who need help using the toilet or changing adult diapers, who cannot get good food or liquid into themselves for one reason or another, who cannot take their own medication correctly, who cannot dress themselves without someone helping them, or who do not know what time it is or where they are or how to get from here to there, we can help. The members of the club who need help get the same love and caring as members who don’t need help…perhaps more. We are all a breath away from failing health. As I always say, we can all try to age with grace, but the rest is up to God. Aging is a very humbling process.

At the same time I believe in Senior Power! God loves seniors and He used older folks over and over in the Bible. With age comes wisdom. Please use your wisdom and join the club!

May you and yours have a blessed week ahead!