By Satina Tolman
For The New Era
As the years pass, life often settles into a quieter rhythm. Careers come to an end, families grow and change, and daily routines can become more still. While this season can bring reflection and peace, it can also bring something many older adults quietly face: loneliness.
Health experts say that staying connected matters more than ever. According to the National Institute on Aging, too much time alone can affect both emotional and physical well-being, contributing to concerns such as depression, anxiety and even heart disease. But the good news is simple. Meaningful connection and activity can make a powerful difference.
Research shows that older adults who stay socially, physically or creatively engaged tend to live longer, feel happier and maintain greater independence. Whether it is joining a class, learning something new or simply sharing conversation, these small steps can open the door to renewed purpose.
That sense of purpose is exactly what local senior centers strive to create.
Kindra Oliver, director of LINX Transit and Lebanon Senior Services, describes the Lebanon Senior Center as a place focused on helping individuals “promote physical wellness, foster social connections, enhance cognitive health, maximize independence, and connect individuals to resources to create a community where seniors can thrive.”
For Oliver, aging is not about slowing down.
“We believe that aging is an opportunity to celebrate where you’ve been and support dreaming up new adventures to be had,” she said. “Life at 50 and beyond is full of possibilities for everyone.”
She added that anyone 50 and older in the area is already part of that community. “Those 50 and older are already ‘members’ just because they live in the area,” she said.
Inside the Lebanon center, those opportunities come to life in everyday moments. Creative groups such as wood carving provide more than a hobby. They create space for connection. Oliver said participants have supported one another through difficult times, including conversations about grief and encouraging each other to seek help when needed.
In exercise classes, that encouragement continues. Participants support one another through joint replacement, stroke recovery and chronic illness. Oliver said watching someone progress from struggling to walk through the building to participating in sit-to-stand exercises becomes a shared moment of celebration.
Moments of joy are just as common. On Thursdays, line dancers fill the building with laughter and cheers. Friendships often form in simple ways. Some participants discover shared interests, such as camping, and begin planning trips together. Veterans also find connection with others who have served.
For those who attend, those relationships make a lasting impact.
Margaret Hemnes, who regularly attends the Lebanon Senior Center and teaches a card-making class, said getting involved has made a difference in her life.
“That’s the whole thing. If you just stay home and work on crafts, which I also like to do, you don’t get to meet people and get out of the house. That’s what you need to do,” she said.
She said the welcoming environment makes it easy to build friendships. “Everybody there is very friendly. I have made some very good friends there.”
She also pointed to the health benefits. “It is good for your health. It is good to get out and meet people and stay active. There is a big range of classes and activities,” Hemnes said.
A similar sense of connection can be found in Sweet Home.
Rosemary Thurber, a retired nurse, has attended the Sweet Home Senior Center for about 10 years. She first began going with her late friend, Anita Lewis, to an art class and later added fitness classes to her routine.
That sense of community became especially meaningful to her recently. After missing three weeks, a class leader called to check on her.
“I thought that was nice that she checked up on me,” Thurber said.
She said those small gestures reflect the relationships built over time. “I think there is a connection anytime you socialize with people from week to week and you develop a close connection to them so it is great for your emotional health,” she said. “The exercise classes keep you physically strong as well.”
Thurber encourages others to give the center a try.
“I would encourage them to do it. There are so many activities at the senior center,” she said. “The quilters make some beautiful quilts and auction them off once a year. There is a Bible study group and one for people who like jigsaw puzzles. The men like to play pool and do other activities offered also.”
She also described it as “a great way to stay active and make new friends,” adding that getting out, moving and socializing supports both mental and physical health.
At the Sweet Home Senior Center, 880 18th Ave., participants gather for activities ranging from Qi Gong and exercise classes to card games, crafts and community meetings. The center also hosts Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, or SALT, meetings, which provide information about safety and local issues.
In Lebanon, the senior center at 80 Tangent St. offers a wide range of programs for adults 50 and older, including tai chi, gentle yoga, Bingocise, creative arts, games and support groups for grief, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and veterans.
Health experts recommend starting with one or two activities and increasing involvement gradually. The goal is to find activities that are enjoyable and meaningful, not overwhelming.
Sometimes, staying active is as simple as showing up. It may mean joining a class, starting a conversation or reconnecting with a favorite hobby.
For older adults looking to stay engaged, local senior centers offer opportunities to build friendships, maintain independence and improve overall well-being.
For more information, community members can contact the Sweet Home Senior Center at (541) 367-4775 or the Lebanon Senior Center at (541) 258-4919. Staff at both locations are available to answer questions and help individuals find activities that fit their interests and needs.