Seniors should be happy, healthy and moving, Wickliffe Senior Center director says

Mar. 25—EDITOR'S NOTE — This is one in a series looking at individual and community efforts to give area senior citizens options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

With isolation still being present post pandemic, seniors being out in the world rather than being shut-ins remains important.

"Isolation is a huge problem," said Wickliffe Senior Center Director Gerri Hubbell. "It causes health issues, depression, decline in cognitive abilities — it's not good for anybody."

Hubbell has had a passion for seniors ever since she was 13. During her time as a candy striper, she always requested the geriatrics floor. When the Wickliffe Senior Center job opportunity came about four and a half years ago, she knew she wanted it right away.

"I applied and here I am," Hubbell said. "I love the seniors. There's so many different personalities and every senior carries so much history with them. It's interesting to hear their individual stories."

Wickliffe's senior population suffered during the pandemic, Hubbell said.

"We would take things to people's houses, we had pickup once a week, we still tried to put on outside parties, so I do think it's important," she said. "I think it keeps people young. I have 80-year-olds who run on the treadmill. I don't think they would be doing that if they were still at home."

Among the things seniors at the center can partake in include chair yoga and senior exercise classes, as well as Wii bowling, which has become a hit at the center.

The center also offers pinochle, clogging, tap dancing, knitting and crocheting, mediation, line dancing and art classes. An attorney comes once a month and does free consultations, which is something that is always filled, Hubbell said.

"We have a podiatrist who comes in once a month and does toenails, so that's always a popular day," she said. "We have educational programs and we have a special Medicare person who comes in, and that helps them out immensely."

Daily, the center offers a lunch program put on by the Lake County Council on Aging, which is donation-based. A library is also open for seniors to read and check out books, as well as work on the computers and puzzles.

A fitness room, billiards room, themed Bingo, parties, outdoor concerts and a car show in July are also among the amenities to keep seniors engaged.

"Every single day is different," Hubbell said. "We're active here."

Joe Tomsick, Lake County Council on Aging's CEO, has also agreed that isolation is playing a bigger role than it ever has because of the pandemic. More often than not, older adults and aging neighbors may go days without speaking to anyone, especially those who are in poor health.

"Maybe they no longer drive, can't get out, don't want to take Laketran or feel uncomfortable," Tomsick previously told The News-Herald. "That's one reason why the Council on Aging's home delivery meal program is so important."

"We often say it's more than the meal," Tomsick added. "It's one of our dedicated volunteers with their smile and a chat they have at that moment. Volunteers function as our eyes and ears out there."

Kristi Ballinger, social work manager for the Council on Aging, said isolation among the elderly is often an unappreciated issue.

"Special emphasis is given around the holidays, but the problem persists year round," Ballinger said, who has 30 years of experience working with the elderly in Lake and Cuyahoga counties. "Causes can include poor health, untreated hearing loss, frailty and poor mental health."

On any given day, more than 100 people are visiting Wickliffe Senior Center and that does not include the lunch program offered, Hubbell said.

"There's a saying about staying active," she said. "They tell seniors to keep moving, so even if seniors stay home, they should be walking up and down their halls, and around the house, but this really gives them a reason to move. It's a nice, big building and you start moving, and you don't even think about it. It's not even a chore anymore."

"You're walking around and people get friendly here," Hubbell added. "They travel around to different groups, so I think it's important people are happy, healthy and moving."

Hours for the senior programs are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For seniors interested in becoming members of the center, they may call 440-373-5015.