RETIREMENT
BETTER WITH AGE Local programs and offerings designed to engage with and empower older adults
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BY C E L I A F U N DE RBUR K AND L E NA MIANO P H OTO G RA PH Y B Y JO HN MIC HAE L SIMP SO N
ommunity centers and organizations across Durham offer a diverse array of programs and services tailored to older adults that promote active aging and inclusivity within the community. Downtown’s Durham Center for Senior Life, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has an extensive team of medical staff, program coordinators and nutrition specialists, as well as volunteers, who collaborate to provide free services, resources, fitness programs, caregiver support, health care, support groups and events. The center offers more than 60 regular classes accessible to older adults of all backgrounds and abilities. Members can also take part in celebratory gatherings, cultural events, workshops and presentations on topics such as physical therapy and fraud prevention, among others. DCSL also offers a support program for caregivers with services like respite care along with an adult
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day health program and educational and counseling programs. “Overall, the 75th anniversary serves as a pivotal moment to celebrate past achievements while inspiring renewed commitment and vision for the future of the Durham Center for Senior Life,” says Mika Bukowski, the center’s marketing and communications specialist, adding that center staff hope to expand its program and service offerings, and enhance its engagement and outreach moving forward. Meals on Wheels Durham similarly seeks to build community in the way it supports our county’s older adult population. Volunteers from across the city witness firsthand the profound impact of delivering a nutritious meal and providing a friendly check-in. Its “More Than a Meal” initiative offers supplemental items and services to combat social isolation and improve the overall well-being of clients, including its holiday gift program that brings joy to older adults through thoughtful presents donated by individuals, businesses