Volunteering one of many activities seniors can enjoy

BJ Contributing Writer

People have worked hard on pension programs and are often able to retire before they reach 60. With baby boomers reaching maturity and more people in the 55-and-older age group leaving their jobs early, this is a large segment of the population, according to Diana Richards, information and assistance director at Southwest Missouri Office On Aging.

The office of aging guides seniors toward organizations that can help them find meaningful and fun activities to keep them busy in retirement.

"We're such a good information resource for seniors," Richards said.

Between traveling, volunteering and participating in the many activities offered to seniors, retirees can stay active, learn new skills and fill their time productively.

"When you have a purpose in life it is so much easier to get up in the morning," she said.

Volunteering has become a real purpose in life for many seniors. They deliver meals to their homebound peers, help others with tax advice and even hold computer classes, according to Richards.

The computer training session, taught by seniors through St. John's Seniors is an ongoing project and a popular one, according to Myra Halstead, assistant director for the organization.

St. John's Seniors offers bus trips, either day or overnight excursions, each month from March through December, The organization also plans monthly birthday parties to collectively celebrate members' birthdays. Gatherings usually also include a speaker on health related issues.

The organization recently added a segment called Connections for Singles, an active social group that plans luncheons and outings.

Several other activities are planned throughout the year and Halstead expects to add at least two more new programs this year.

The Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, RSVP, sponsored by the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, has approximately 1,000 senior volunteers enrolled, according to Rowena Jones, director of retired and senior volunteers. They do everything from Meals on Wheels to computer training, Jones said.

Today's older adults believe in an active retirement. "It's important for people to find some meaningful way to give back to the community," Jones said, adding that often seniors get back more than they give. Active volunteers do not suffer from depression and sometimes are even able to cut down on or eliminate some medications.

Springfield has three independent living centers that provide secure environments for seniors who no longer want the responsibility of a big house, according to Richards. Creekside, Montclair and Cambridge centers cater to people over 55. In response to demand, two more centers, Parkmoor and Waterford, will open this year.

Creekside at Elfindale offers residents a variety of activities and provides a monthly calendar and daily activity board to keep people informed, according to activities director Kevin Rusenstrom. The facility schedules monthly outings and activities include crafts, card games, bingo and sing-along sessions. Exercise classes are held three times per week and local travel agencies also give presentations for residents interested in booking a cruise or tour.

Richards noted that travel agencies often target seniors for the many tours and cruises offered today, and that all of the local banks sponsor senior trips at various times of the year.

Empire Bank's Classic Club offers everything from day trips or short two- to three-night stays to international travel, according to officer Jeanne Sleeth. The club holds quarterly luncheons or suppers to provide its 6,000-plus members with information on upcoming events. It plans at least one all-inclusive winter trip to Mexico each year, as well as two annual trips to Hot Springs and a trip to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play. This year, 35 participants spent seven days in Puerto Vallarta, she said.

Classic Club activities include computer training programs to help seniors get comfortable with the Internet and learn about banking at home, as well as seminars on trust and investment issues.

Barbara Barnes, owner of Sunnyland Tours Inc., said it would be hard to estimate the percentage of her clientele that fall into the over-55 bracket, but it would be significant.

Sunnyland has published a 69-page 2001 catalog of tours on everything from one-day adventures to 18-day tours. The roster includes air trips, cruises and motor coach tours.

Seniors like the security of group travel and express appreciation for the tour escorts provided with each package Sunnyland offers, Barnes said.

For seniors who are unable to travel and do not belong to a group or organization, two local senior centers offer a variety of programs and activities. Center City Senior Center is located at 2215 S. Fremont and Northview Center is at 2600 N. Robberson.