National Senior Center Month – More than a Building, A Place Where Community Comes to Life
By Kathy Robinson, Canby Adult Center Director, For The Canby Chronicle
When was the last time you tried something new?
Learned a new game, took an exercise class, shared lunch with someone you’d never met before, laughed until your cheeks hurt. If it’s been a while, September – National Senior Center Month – is the perfect reminder that it’s never too late to start. Across the country — and right here in our own community — senior centers have evolved into vibrant hubs where older adults gather to stay active, connected, healthy, and engaged.
September is National Senior Center Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate everything these remarkable places bring to our communities. You don’t have to go far – Canby has its very own senior center, the Canby Adult Center.
A Place to Belong
Loneliness has become one of the greatest health challenges facing older adults. Studies have shown that social isolation can impact both physical and mental health, increasing the risk of depression, memory problems, heart disease, and even premature death.
The Canby Adult Center helps change that story. For many people, walking through the doors means finding friends who know their name, people who notice when they've missed a class, and a community that genuinely cares about them. Sometimes the best medicine isn't found in a prescription bottle — it's found over a shared meal, during an exercise class, or while laughing over a game of cards.
Enjoy a Meal with Us!
Maintaining a healthy diet can become difficult as one ages, especially if you are living alone. Cooking becomes a chore, shopping may be more challenging, and taste buds may change. At the Canby Adult Center, older adults can enjoy a hot meal, served to them at their table, four days a week. Our meals are prepared onsite, and menus are varied. Friendships are made at the lunch table, so even if you don’t know anyone your first time, you won’t be a stranger for long.
Staying Strong — Body and Mind
The Canby Adult Center offers many opportunities to stay healthy. Exercise classes improve strength, balance, flexibility, and confidence – whether you want to wiggle your hips to music favorites in Zumba Gold, or seated exercise in a GeriFit class is more your speed, we have you covered! Recreational games and educational classes help keep minds sharp, so come in for a round of bingo or an afternoon of Mexican train.
A Community Investment
Senior centers don't just benefit older adults — they strengthen entire communities.
When older adults remain active, connected, and healthy, everyone benefits. Volunteers give back thousands of hours each year. The volunteers at the Canby Adult center gave almost 11,000 hours last year alone!! Every class attended, every meal shared, every volunteer hour, and every new friendship creates a ripple effect throughout the community.
Looking Ahead
Here at the Canby Adult Center, we're especially excited about the future. As many of you know, we're in the midst of an exciting transformation as we renovate our new home.Thanks to the generosity of community donors and the support of city and county grants, we're creating a welcoming space that will serve older adults for generations to come.This new building isn't just about fresh paint or updated rooms — it's about creating a place where our community can continue to gather, grow, laugh, learn, and thrive.
