Madison Senior Center

By Ellen Vaillant

Happy National Senior Center Month! The Madison Senior Center is spending this month celebrating all that has been accomplished in terms of making sure that Madison’s seniors are supported in successful aging despite being unable to gather at the Center. This year’s theme is Senior Centers: Delivering Vital Connections. We all know that one of the biggest challenges this year has been staying connected. So how is the Madison Senior Center helping older adults make connections to the mind, body, spirit, and community?

Connecting the Mind

Seniors today want to keep those wheels spinning. Learning is a lifelong process, and the Center wants to support this eternal pursuit of knowledge. One way to engage your mind is by joining the weekly Spanish Conversation.

Connecting the Body

There are several opportunities for keeping your body in motion, as well as educational programs to help you keep up with your healthcare needs. They didn’t exactly teach you how to enroll for Medicare in school… So register for one of the available Medicare Enrollment Courses, and get the information you need! Improve your balance and reduce stress every week with some Tai Chi or get limber on Wednesdays with Easy Yoga Plus classes.

Connecting the Spirit

A key component of successful aging is keeping connected with one’s soul, which some may call self-care. The Madison Senior Center facilitates discussions and offers advice surrounding life’s biggest questions. These conversations are especially important right now, given the amount of turmoil and uncertainty 2020 has bestowed upon everyone. Grief Basics offers tips for dealing with loss while the Current Events Discussion Group is a place where it’s safe to sort through your emotions.

Connecting the Community

Fortunately, social distancing doesn’t mean emotional distancing. Melinda Gates pointed out that “deep human connection is the purpose and the result of a meaningful life - and it will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity, and humanity.” Though it may take more effort than usual, connecting with others in your community is more important than ever. The Center is here to support those efforts though, with the launch of the Pandemic Pen Pal Program, and by connecting seniors of similar identities, such as with the Gay, Gray, and Beyond discussion group.

While these are just some of the events coming up in the near future, the Madison Senior Center’s mission is always to promote successful aging in the Madison community. Even through a pandemic, the Center is always here to Deliver those Vital Connections to mind, body, spirit, and community.

*Note: Because technology is so pertinent to staying connected these days, please reach out to borrow a tablet from us if you do not have access to a computer. The Tablets2Go program is available for adults 55+ who are registered for a Madison Senior Center program. Call (608) 266-6581 to schedule an appointment to meet with a staff person to check out a tablet.