Senior Citizens Take on the Silver Comet Trail--“If you have to ask the age, it does not matter.”

Finally, seniors are recognizing, acknowledging, and embracing the “gift of long life.”  On Monday, October 3, 2011 at 10:15 a.m., seniors from C. Freeman Poole Senior Center will take on the Silver Comet Trail.  They are encouraging everyone to come out, any way you can.

Bring your walkers, canes, and your attitude and be prepared to move at your own pace.  These seniors recognize that “no one can do everything but everyone can do something!”  It is time out for sitting on the sidelines on the society of which seniors have invested the younger years of their lives and make a bold statement for LIFE.  Seniors are empowered to move!

Under the direction of Gretchen Mattei and the leadership of Margaret Rojas, their mantra is “Keep Moving Seniors!”

I had the opportunity to volunteer & participate at the center on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 for the “Meet & Greet” social.  What an exciting group.  To the sound of spirited music, we danced, laughed, enjoyed a wonderful barbeque lunch, and otherwise incited joy for hours.  I found that many were inquiring to each other “are you a senior?”

What a question!!  If you have to ask, it does not matter.  As a society, we place too much emphasis on chronological age and not enough on the “gift of life.”

Margaret is of the premise that, many seniors are claiming and experiencing a decline in physical activity.  With the decline in activity is also the decline in health.  This must change she says.  She quotes Newton in his First Law of Motion:  "An object will continue moving at its current velocity until some force causes its speed or direction to change." 

Many prescription medications and body ailments can be eliminated or reduced with just a little “movement.” She declares: “If you don't like the direction in which your health is headed, you simply must "KEEP MOVING SENIORS!"

She further agrees with George Moschis, director of Georgia State's Center for Mature Consumer Studies, "the 55-plus age group controls more than three-fourths of this country's wealth and the 65-plus group has twice as much per capita income as the average baby boomer.  The new senior population shows no signs of slowing down—becoming a force in the marketplace. http://robinson.gsu.edu/magazine/aging.html

The aging of America promises to affect all areas of society, but one area already feeling the influence of the senior population is the economy. Armed with experience and wisdom, these groups use their financial resources to remain physically and mentally active: vacationing, trying new hobbies, exercising, continuing their education and purchasing items such as computers and smart phones!!  You don’t have to just sit there, “get up and do something!”

http://robinson.gsu.edu/magazine/aging.html

 It is no secret, we have moved From "Those Were the Days" to "These Are the Days."  Seniors are no longer willing to sit idly by.  Seniors are:

1. are questioning policies
2. making decisions
3. enriching their lives through learning and leading
4. and demanding attention

 Stay tuned.. There are many senior centers available, however, I am a witness; Freeman Poole is on the move!!  How to find it?

C Freeman Poole Senior Center

4025 S Hurt Road Southwest
Smyrna, GA 30082-3526
(770) 801-3400