What is it: The Erie County Senior Center has a new look to go along with its new lighthouse logo. Using funds from a Healthy Aging grant from the Ohio Department of Aging, the center spruced up its 620 E. Water St. location for citizens of Erie County of all ages to enjoy.
“We like to think of ourselves as more of an active/social facility,” says director Robert Fitzgerald. “You don’t have to be a senior, although we obviously cater to our senior population.”
What’s new: The grant allowed the center to update its fitness room, which now includes a pair of treadmills, a vibration stand that helps promote balance, and pedal devices for individuals who can use bicycle-style machines and for those who can only use a machine while in a sitting position.
Other updated amenities include the Zen Room, a relaxation area that houses the facility’s library. There’s also a Keurig coffee machine for individuals who want to enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the view of Sandusky Bay across the street from the center.
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Erie County Senior Center websiteVisitors can participate in ceramic-making, where they can use the facility’s kiln to fire the ceramic pieces.The only cost to residents is if they want to partake in the lunches that are served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, which is part of the Meals on Wheels program. Seniors are asked for a $3.50 donation and others are asked to donate $5 for the lunch.
“The Meals on Wheels program comes out of this building, which serves all of Erie County for those 60 and over, or the home-bound,” Fitzgerald says. “Whatever is going out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the Meals on Wheels program is what we have for lunch here on those days.”
Other programs: In addition to the renovations, there’s always a full calendar of activities for seniors to participate in and enjoy.
Activities range from ceramics, complete with the facility’s own kiln to fire the ceramic pieces, chair yoga and exercise classes, Tai Chi and dart ball, along with weekly free blood pressure and blood sugar checks. The center’s calendar also offers a senior men’s fellowship group, a postcard club, bridge and bingo, hosts the AA meeting from the Sunshine Group twice a week, plus offers periodic vacation packages, such as its planned visit to New Orleans next April.
“At certain times of the week, there are definitely a number of different events going on at the same time,” Fitzgerald says. “We do feel like we are the best-kept secret downtown.”
Volunteer support: The Senior Center operates through funding from the
Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio,
Serving Our Seniors and local foundations. It also relies on volunteers to keep things running smoothly.
Drivers for the Meals on Wheels programs, and representatives in the center’s Thrift Shop are just some of the ways the center uses volunteers.
“We ask individuals, depending on what they are doing, to fill out an information sheet and do a background check,” Fitzgerald says. “The background check is due to requirements from the Area Office on Aging. We get a great deal of funding from them, so we have to abide by their standards.”
How to get involved: The Erie County Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached at (419) 626-2560. The center also has a website at
www.erieseniuor.org and a
Facebook page, with both sites containing information on all the different activities and programs offered.
“We are trying to help the individuals age comfortably at home rather than in assisted living or a hospital,” Fitzgerald says.