By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire
The Vance County Senior Center located at 126 S. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson hosts a variety of activities and programs for a growing senior population.
According to Juan Jefferson, director of operations for the Senior Center, “The aging population in Vance County is exploding.” Jefferson said this increase in the aging population is also true at the state and national level.
With the combination of the popularity of the Senior Center and the increase in the aging population, Jefferson says the Center is often at capacity. “We usually have 100 people in and out of our facility every day,” agreed Amber Gupton, Medicare Coordinator for the Senior Center.
Vance County residents age 55 and older are welcome to visit the Senior Center Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A state-of-the-art fitness center with exercise equipment including stationary bikes and weight machines is available along with activities such as low impact aerobics, line dancing, billiards, card games and cornhole.
According to Jefferson, the card games and billiards are popular activities and the line dancers are well known throughout the area.
“We have very energetic line dancers,” said Jefferson. “We get invitations from all around to come dance. Our line dancers are really popular. Just about every month they have some kind of engagement.”
The Senior Center also offers day trips several times a month and overnight trips occasionally.
According to Gupton, the group just returned from an overnight trip to Lancaster, P.A. “We have a good time on our trips,” said Gupton. “For our overnight trips we’ve been to New York City, Atlantic City and Gatlinburg, T.N. to name a few. Cost varies by trip.”
Daytime trips have included the N.C. State Fair, the Fruitcake Factory and a chocolate factory in Raleigh. Cost for daytime trips ranges from $5 to $20.
The Senior Center also offers general and medical transportation via KARTS. To qualify for transportation, the rider must be 60 or older and live in the Vance County area.
“Transportation is one of the biggest issues for our senior citizens,” Jefferson said. “The second biggest issue is safety and security.”
Other programs offered include Meals on Wheels, on-site nutritional programs, educational programs, on-site health screenings, blood pressure checks and support groups.
April is National Volunteer Month and the Senior Center recently held a luncheon to honor their 70 volunteers.
While the Senior Center already has a large number of volunteers, those who are interested in assisting are always welcome. “To help, you can complete a volunteer application and then we welcome you to what I call the family,” said Gupton.
In summing up the overall goal of the agency, Jefferson said, “The Vance County Senior Center strives to enhance the intellectual, emotional, social and economic well-being of seniors across the county.”
For more information on the Vance County Senior Center, please call (252) 430-0257 or visit the website at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/senior-citizen-center/.