City Programs respond to rise in senior population
Originally published September 28, 2011
Golden Valley residents age 65 and older now total 20.3 percent of the city’s population, according to 2010 census numbers.
The city is adjusting to meet the needs of the growing number of senior residents.
Fidel Eckes, 97, said he’s been attending the city’s cribbage group at Brookview Community Centerfor years. The group meets Tuesday afternoons, trading barbs and catching up on the week’s events. Eight members convened one Tuesday last month, but member Evan Johnson said some of the usual attendees opted out to play golf.
“There has been a steady increase in more active seniors,” said Jeanne Fackler, Golden Valley senior citizens coordinator.
Fackler said the Seniors Program—which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October—reaches out to about 10,000 seniors per year, and the program is seeing an increased attendance in non-traditional programming like Tai Chi classes.
The group partners with the library, Calvary Center Cooperative and other agencies to offer a variety of programs from a monthly speaker series, blood pressure screenings, defensive-driving courses, and one-day and multi-day trips.
“We have a little bit of everything,” Fackler said.
City Planner Joe Hogeboom said the city has seen an increase in the numbers of people calling to look for senior housing in the area as well. The Golden Valley Planning, Zoning and Development Department has been working on a variety of projects that would expand senior housing capacity in the city.