Steelton Senior Center receives $10,000 from Dauphin County Commissioners to fund exercise program and activities

STEELTON, PA (January 28, 2019) – The Dauphin County Commissioners today presented the Steelton Senior Center with a $10,000 check to help fund activities and programs at the facility, which serves roughly a dozen area residents every day.

The facility is one of 14 senior centers overseen by the county’s Area Agency on Aging that serve 2,500 older adults annually, a 5 percent increase over the past five years. Open weekdays to anyone 60 or older, the centers offer a welcoming place to eat lunch, play cards, take exercise classes, and socialize with friends.

“Many of our seniors live alone, and the centers provide an important social lifeline,’’ said Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III, who oversees the county’s Human Services. “We’re here today supporting the Steelton center because we know the vital role it serves in this community.’’

Barb Coates, the center’s 70-year-old volunteer director, said the $10,000 would go toward paying the exercise trainer who comes for an hour every Friday and trips to Lancaster and the Gettysburg battlefield. The 900 Cumbler Street center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The space is provided rent-free by the Housing Authority for Dauphin County.

“It helps fight the sense of loneliness to be around other people in their age group – it’s as important to me as it is to them,’’ Coates said. “They like to play their cards and talk about what their children are up to.’’

In 2018, the county provided various services and assistance to more than 10,000 seniors. In addition to the centers, the county offers services ranging from transportation and health insurance counseling to personal care.

“We understand how important it is to many seniors that they live independently,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Supporting centers like the one in Steelton is one way to help them achieve that goal.’’

Providing nutritious meals is another way the county helps seniors remain independent. Last year, the Meals on Wheels program served approximately 169,000 home-delivered meals. A decision four years ago to bring in a private company prepare the food allowed the program to serve 10,000 more meals a year and yielded $300,000 in annual savings used to expand services.

Commissioner Mike Pries stressed the county is also committed to protecting seniors and prosecuting those who cause them physical or financial harm. In 2018, the Elder Abuse Task Force, made up of eight caseworkers and a county detective, received 1,981 reports of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of adults 60 or older, an 8 percent increase.

“Our older residents have given so much to our community,’’ Pries said. “We owe it to them to ensure they have the quality of life they deserve.’’

To learn more about the Steelton Senior Center and other services for senior citizens, visit www.DauphinCounty.org.

“We understand how important it is to many seniors that they live independently,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Supporting centers like the one in Steelton is one way to help them achieve that goal.’’