The senior population in Peterborough, and across the state, is growing, a trend that is projected to continue into the future.
A report completed on behalf of the Peterborough Regional Economic Partnership, which covered the time period of 2001 to 2021, marked growth among populations aged 65 and up in all sections covered in the report.
To accommodate the burgeoning number of elderly citizens, the senior center branch of the Peterborough’s Recreation Department has experienced rapid growth in the five years since its inception.
“In order for us to stay relevant to the community, we need to be looking at our demographics and offering programming that’s appropriate,” said Jeff King, recreation director.
Gloria Schultz, senior programming specialist, said when she was hired on a little over a year ago, the senior center mainly consisted of lunches and a small arts and crafts program called Kraft Korner.
“My vision was really to take the program and expand it,” Schultz said.
With that vision and support from the Recreation Department, she has been able to do just that.
Program growth was largely accomplished through the expansion of new programs, which now includes Tai Chi, Meals on Wheels, day trips across New England, and an ethnic food tour trip that takes place every other month. The center also celebrates holidays and special occasions, including Chinese New Year and Oktoberfest
It also hosts a slew of games, including cribbage, bingo, and pickleball. Beginning in October, the center will add time slots for bridge and mahjong – a card game that originated in China.
The expansion of activities has brought more people into the center, Schultz said, estimating roughly 100 people aged 50 and up frequent the programs throughout the year. By the end of October, she predicts that number will increase to 150 people.
“Our hope was to reach out to the people who do live at home and need or want to socialize and just get out. The key is to socialize. I don’t care what it is or what we offer, just to get out and to talk to people, to stay healthy through your mind and body,” Schultz said. “A lot of people feel alone and isolated. Sometimes a spouse will pass away – I have a lot of people who are widows or widowers – and this is a great place for them to come and to talk to other people for a few hours.”
Judy Stockwell, who has lived in Peterborough since 1960, comes to the center at least twice a week to play cribbage and bingo. In October, she will start coming to the center to play mahjong.
“To me it’s a big social, it’s nice to get out. If you don’t care that much for the bingo or something, it’s still nice to get out for a few hours. We laugh and we talk; it’s a friendship,” Stockwell said.
She said it’s easy for seniors to become reclusive in old age, especially after a spouse has passed away.
“A lot of people don’t want to come out of their houses when they get older. They don’t want to drive, they don’t want to do this and they don’t want to do that,” she said. “You have to push yourself when you get older. When you’ve retired all of a sudden you get comfortable at your own home and you need to push yourself.”
The payoffs of those efforts are worthwhile, Stockwell said.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.