SHARING OUR RESOURCES

The McClure Center's advanced design lets us share kitchen facilities, an art room, outdoor space, garden plots, the library, and a computer room. This allows both agencies to realize cost efficiencies and long-term savings. The building also offers meeting space for use by local community groups.

Nourishing body...and soul

Eating right is fundamental to staying healthy and active. Access to food doesn't automatically guarantee that people are well nourished. Loneliness and isolation are the primary causes of malnutrition among older adults.

The Champlain Senior Center meets this need by:

Serving noon-time meals at the Centers. Five days each week, people dine together in an atmosphere that encourages socialization and increases appetite. The three-course meals typically include soup, juice, or salad, a hot entrée, and dessert. To ease the financial strain of eating well, meals are available for a small donation. Participants may reserve on day ahead by calling 658-3585
Providing nutrition education to seniors, combined with health monitoring
Inviting interested people to enjoy the companionship of the "Lunch Bunch" at local restaurants
Preparing and serving festive holiday meals

If someone needs additional food, or meals brought to their home, we can arrange that service with the appropriate program.

Good health and independent living

"Who would have guessed that, at the age of 92, I would be practicing T'ai Chi, acting in the drama club and enjoying the camaraderie of such an interesting group of people!"
Betty Watchhorn

For older people who want to maintain an independent lifestyle, staying well is essential. That's why we offer:

Monthly blood pressure clinics
Cholesterol screening
CPR and choking prevention classes
Foot clinic, with foot care and toenail cutting
Nutrition education
Home safety talks
Stress reduction clinic
Grief support group

Our exercise programs are designed to meet a variety of interests and needs:

Armchair exercise, for people who have trouble standing or are wheelchair users
T'ai chi
Walking Club
Line Dancing
Tap Dancing (If you've fantasized all your life about dancing like Ruby Keeler, it's not too late!)
Aerobics classes at various levels
Strength training: recent studies on people of all ages have demonstrated that weight training improves bone strength and lessens the impact of osteoporosis.

The art of aging well

" My two plum trees are so gracious...see they flower one now, one later"
Greta Alger

From George Burns to Grandma Moses, the later years of a person's life often see a flowering of creativity. Champlain Senior Center offers elders many ways to express their artistic spirit.

Classes are held regularly, all year long. It's easy to participate -- you can sign up for one class, or a whole series, as you prefer.

Classes include:

Painting
Sculpture
Drama club
Chorus
Poetry Group
Journal Writing
And...we're continually creating new programs to meet the needs of participants

Recreation = "re-creation"

Center-sponsored pleasure trips are always popular. Participants have visited Montreal, the Boston Flower Show, the Flynn Center for Performing Arts, the Shelburne Museum and various resorts in New Hampshire and New York, among many others.

Card and board games are another favorite activity -- tournaments attract high participation.

More recreational activities: bingo, movie mornings, trivia tournaments, balloon volleyball, sing-a-longs, a drumming group, ferry boat rides, and Champlain Valley Fair, day trips, shopping outings, and more!

Getting Around

"While I am at work it is a comfort knowing that the Center provides Mom with door-to-door transportation and an environment that is safe and which she has come to rely upon. (The Center) is a very important asset to our town."
Craig Fox

Door-to-door transportation is provided to and from the Center in special, lift-equipped vans. The vans operate six days a week, and their drivers are courteous and helpful. All our Centers are conveniently located on the regular CCTA bus routes. Call a day ahead to make transportation reservations: 658-3585.

Intergenerational Programs

Elders can spark a lifelong love of reading in a child through Book Buddies. Other ways to communicate across the generations:

Storytelling, shared art classes, and cooking programs are also enjoyed across the generations at the Center.

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