TRAVERSE CITY — Older adults in Northern Michigan are using community senior centers to combat loneliness and isolation, issues that health experts said increase the risk for serious medical conditions.
The Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network provides social and active programming to help residents stay connected and mentally sharp.
Isolation contributes to health problems including heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and dementia. In Northern Michigan, the problem is often intensified by a lack of dedicated community spaces where older people can gather.
Shannon Sabella serves as the program coordinator for the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. She said she frequently observes visitors coming to the center who show signs of being isolated from their community. Sabella said the center in Traverse City is designed to encourage people to try new things and engage with others.
“It kind of encourages them to start a program or try something they’ve never tried before,” said Sabella. “So, it’s really nice to get them out of that isolation zone and doing something active.”
Transportation remains one of the largest obstacles for older adults in the region. In Traverse City, many participants rely on a local transportation solution called Beta to reach the facility.
Sabella said the service is critical for those who can no longer drive themselves.
“They wouldn’t be able to get here without BETA, so that is amazing in itself,” Sabella said. “A lot of people will commute together, which is really nice. A friend will pick up a friend that doesn’t drive anymore. So those are both ways.”
For many participants, the center provides a necessary structure to their daily lives. Sabella noted that having scheduled activities helps prevent people from staying home alone throughout the day.
“It also gives you a reason to leave the house,” said senior center visitor Lee Grant. “As a senior, you’ll sit in the house all day. Knowing I have an appointment to get to, that I have to be here at a certain time and get up and get out of the house makes a difference.”
Participants like Vernie Nagy use the center to pursue long-held interests. Nagy has been taking ukulele lessons at the Traverse City location, an instrument she said she has wanted to learn for years. She said the center gives people a sense of purpose.
“It brings a lot to the community. It’s a good place to come if you want to get to know somebody, or if you just want to sit back and relax and just enjoy life.”
In places like Northern Michigan where isolation can creep in faster, experts say senior activities can be life changing.