Senior Citizens Centers in Roseville, Minnesota: Roseville Area Senior Program

While not strictly a "center," the Roseville Area Senior Program provides a variety of opportunities for seniors to connect and enrich their minds. The Roseville Area Senior Program is sponsored by the Roseville Community Education Program and the North Suburban Senior Council, Inc. Its mission is to "promote and provide quality services, educational and social programming for persons over the age of 55 who seek to maintain an independent lifestyle and sustain quality lives."

The variety of offerings certainly reinforce this mission. Activities include board games, card games, holiday parties, dances, bake sales, arts and crafts, and fitness. To enrich the mind, seniors can participate in classes on several topics, including finances, driving, current affairs, technology, and religion.

The program also offers Meals on Wheels, transportation for those unable to drive, support groups for caregivers, and information regarding legal matters and services available.

Fitness opportunities include walking groups, Aquatics, and SilverSneakers, a fitness program which has the added benefit of free membership at the Fairview Community Center (where a senior advisor is on site to help with orientation), as well as access to participating fitness centers throughout the US. This fitness program won the 2004 HAN award from the Healthcare and Aging Network of the American Society on Aging.

Every time I get the Community Education catalog, I almost wish I were a senior and able to join the travel opportunities. These mini-tours offer a convenient, budget-friendly way to see different areas of the state without having to worry about making the travel arrangements, and with staff on hand in case of any emergencies. The senior program takes advantage of Roseville's convenient location in close proximity to both Minneapolis and St Paul downtowns by planning trips to area attractions.

Perhaps the most flexible benefit of the senior program is the lounge. Seniors are encouraged to gather in the open lounge any week day from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. These gatherings are mostly informal ways for seniors to socialize instead of staying cooped up inside all day. However, there are some loosely organized activities available throughout the week, such as bridge, scrabble, billiards, book discussions, and health topics (vision, blood pressure, foot care, and more). There are also opportunities for open music jams (to which non-senior citizens are also invited) and "stitch 'n' chat," a chance for anyone in the community to bring a sewing project and talk with other like-minded crafters.

The Roseville Area Senior Program offers a wide variety of activities, and there is something for every interest! Seniors who are not citizens of Roseville from the nearby area are also welcome to participate in the activities.