Submitted by Community & Senior Services of Johnston County
Staying active, connected and engaged is easier than ever for Johnston County’s older adults thanks to Community and Senior Services. CSS offers free membership to anyone 50 and older at its four Centers for Active Aging in Benson, Clayton, Selma and Smithfield, with programs designed to strengthen the body, stimulate the mind and build social connections.
The centers are a valuable resource for local seniors to stay healthy, not only physically, but also mentally and socially. Each center is unique and offers activities catered to its individual members. They focus on providing valuable programs to enhance all aspects of health and well-being.
Staying physically fit can be a challenge for older adults, but the centers make it easier by offering something for every skill level.
The Benson, Clayton and Selma locations all feature fitness rooms that can be used at leisure. Although Smithfield Center for Active Aging (SCAA) doesn’t have a fitness room, it does offer a stationary bike and hosts weekly exercise classes and special events.
Each center features weekly fitness classes such as cardio drumming, arthritis exercise, tai chi, chair yoga, line dance and pickleball. In addition to weekly classes, the centers also hold special events to help seniors stay physically active.
This month, The Harrison Center for Active Aging (HCAA) in Selma will be holding an intergenerational Chair Ball event, and the BCAA is bringing the nightlife to Benson with an after-hours Cardio Drumming class!
Staying well isn’t just about physical health. The Active Aging Centers feature activities to enhance mental health, creative engagement and cognitive clarity. Painting classes, bead weaving, pottery classes and quilting groups are great activities to keep the creative mind engaged.
These activities also enhance fine motor skills in addition to being a fun, creative outlet. Lovers of literature enjoy attending book clubs and writers’ groups. Book club attendees have lively discussions and bond over the stories they read. Language classes are also available.
BCAA is currently hosting a Learn Spanish course, and one can attend CCAA to learn sign language. Members receive cognitive benefits from attending trivia and music bingo. They are also encouraged to use puzzles that are available anytime, and monthly writing prompts help keep older adults feeling mentally stimulated.
All these events allow seniors to participate in enjoyable activities and make social connections with like-minded individuals. Social well-being is just as important to living a well-rounded lifestyle.
Some of the most popular social activities are holiday events, outings, bingo and educational presentations. Each center also hosts speakers who address and inform on important issues such as emotional healing, grief support, illness prevention, avoiding scams and many other topics. The environment of the centers helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, often experienced by older adults, and encourages a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
CSS also provides many other services, such as In-Home Aide, Caregiver’s Support Groups, Home Delivered Meals, JCATS transportation services, a senior dining center in Princeton and subsidized housing for older adults. They are also the official site for the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).
They strive to enhance the lives of older adults in Johnston County and hope to continue to find even more ways to assist people in the future. CSS’ mission is to empower older adults to remain active and connected, enabling them to lead a life of independence.
For more information, visit cssjohnston.org.
