A Day in the Life of the Senior Center

Here’s another chapter in our continuing series looking at the daily lives of Island institutions.

Hidden away behind the medical building on Route 114, in a basement space of offices, a great room and a kitchenette, Shelter Island’s Senior Center touches and improves the lives of the Island’s growing ranks of elders in more ways than you think. 

Led by Kelly Brochu, the staff and volunteers implement programs that transport seniors to grocery shopping and doctors, support them with meals home-delivered and in community and keep them healthy and active with exercise both physical and mental. They coordinate trips, lend medical equipment, hold classes for everything from knitting to driver safety, and they’ll even give you a call just to say hello. 

Part gym and game room, part cafeteria and coffee shop, and part resource center, the Senior Center offers support for all Island seniors. Folks over 60 may work, many are mobile and active, and some have language or cognitive challenges, but on this Wednesday two generations of seniors (we live a long time on this Island) gathered around the table at the Senior Center for lunch, conversation and a birthday celebration.

8:30 a.m.

Manager Kelly Brochu arrives a half hour before opening time, to prepare for the day’s activities and handle the paperwork involved in securing and managing the State and Federal grants that support so much of their work. Marissa Fanelli is working the phones to find volunteer drivers for folks who need a grocery run or transport to a doctor’s appointment. Heather Lee, who drove the school bus for many years, now takes seniors to and from the IGA every Tuesday morning, picking them up at home. For those who don’t want to leave home, the Shopping Assistance Program lets people order from stores off-Island such as IGA, BJs, Walmart and Target and have their order delivered and put away.

9 a.m.

The doors are open at the Senior Center, but the main action is over at the Presbyterian Church kitchen where Laurene Meehan and Michelle Beckwith are cooking and packing meals that will be delivered to 25 homes today. Michelle explains that they consider the medical needs of the recipients, especially those with allergies or needing salt- or gluten-free diets. After the meals go out for delivery at 10:30, they turn to the job of creating lunch for the Silver Circle gathering that will take place at noon.

11 a.m.

Back at the Senior Center, Chair Zumba, and Stretch and Movement classes are regular 11 a.m. activities, and lately, the demand for Jean Lawless’s Wednesday Chair Yoga class is over capacity, so the regulars know to get there on time.

Seated in the darkened room, Ms. Lawless leads the group — some who are mobility-impaired — through a series of stretches and positions ending in a brief massage and “namaste” (Sanskrit for “Salutation to you.”) 

Noon

It’s lunchtime, and the Silver Circle is in the house. The energetic group of seniors, staff and caretakers dives into a general discussion of how old a person is on their first birthday, with some arguing that your actual first birthday is at three months because you were alive for nine months before you were born. Some traditionalists were not having it, but the lighthearted and civil discussion could be a model for elected officials. 

“It is a lively group, oh, yes, it is,” said Ginny Springsteen, who lived in Staten Island and New York before coming to Shelter Island. She comes to the Senior Center almost every day. “I like it. It gives me something to do,” Ms. Springsteen said. “I like to get out and do as much as I can.”

Jackie Tuttle, a long-time Islander who taught home economics to several generations of Shelter Island children, explained why she comes so often. “It’s the only time I exercise!” she said. “I can do a lot more than I used to do. And it gives me a chance to be with other people.”

The lunch of lemon chicken with sauteed mushrooms and spinach got Ms. Tuttle’s approval, and she packed the leftovers in a take-out container to take home, as the plates were cleared for dessert.

12:45 p.m. 

Ms. Brochu announced a few of the upcoming activities and trips, including an afternoon cruise to Bug Light, a visit to the Perlman Camp for a concert, and a hummingbird program at Mashomack. Then came signals that the time had come to celebrate Bettianne Morritt’s 97th birthday which included a red party hat and a decorated cake with her name on it. The Circle sang, the cake was served, and Bettianne argued that although this was her 97th birthday, it was really the beginning of her 98th year, and at this rate, she liked her chances to make it a century.

Louis Cicero agreed and invited all present to his future birthday party for which he said he’s lined up two bands and is considering having Jaime Cogan cater the affair. 

1:15 p.m.

After lunch, volunteer (and Reporter columnist) Jenifer Maxson arrived to read some fiction selections out loud, passed out journals, and encouraged the group to write about what they were thinking. The journals, which went home with the participants, are meant to encourage them to respond to what they see and hear and to record their reactions. 

3 p.m.

On other days, the afternoons are for games (Thursday), movies (Tuesday), Mah-jongg (Friday and Monday). Ms. Fanelli said the afternoon Mah-jongg games are so popular, they sometimes extend past the Center’s 4 p.m. closing time, but on this day, the Center was quiet again, and Ms. Brochu and her staff went back to planning and organizing all the busy days to come.