Coming of Age at the Focal Point: How Senior Centers Enhance Quality of Life for Older Adults

Having worked 14 years in a senior center, Althia Ellis has a lot of observations about the purpose of senior centers and how she might imagine her parents arriving at that stage in their lives. “I would like for them to be able to laugh, have fun, be active, enjoy life, and not be too concerned about the mundane things of this world.”

Ellis’ book, Coming of Age at the Focal Point, emphasizes the many resources that senior centers as well as other community groups provide that add value to the lives of older adults. She advocates for independence and dignity for older adults and promotes the importance of caring for, respecting, and honoring the elderly.

“Active seniors will learn ways to help prepare for and adapt to a changing lifestyle that can make them feel healthy, fulfilled, independent, and valued,” she says. “Caregivers and healthcare professionals will find solutions to some of the challenges that older adults face that can potentially compromise their quality of life and how best to assist and support this growing population.”

Her book also lists state-specific agencies on aging that will help older adults and their families locate centers that serve this population. “Joining a senior center or participating in other programs in their community is a great way for older adults to help improve their social, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing,” Ellis says. “Older adults may accept help from people they trust and who care about their well-being, but more importantly, realize that they hold the key to a life of social, emotional, physical, and spiritual health; independence, and dignity.”