HealthBridge's In-Home Care Blog

We all know that daily activities and companionship are an important part of the senior care equation.  However, often times it is difficult to think of new ways to engage your loved one.  With different backgrounds and interests, we rack our brains to think of daily activities that will keep them busy but not make them feel like they are being forced to participate.   

HealthBridge Monday List to the rescue!  I researched 10 Dallas area senior centers to catalog their features and activities (listed below in no particular order).  Click on each city to be directed to their website for additional details and a map to their specific location.  I quickly learned there is something for everyone!  Most of the listed senior centers are open to individuals outside of their city limits (either free of charge or for a small fee). 

Dallas - 14 locations

• Cedar Crest Senior Center (1007 Hutchins Road, 75203)
• Concord Senior Center (6808 Boulder Drive, 75232)
• Elmwood Senior Center (1315 Beckley Ave, 75244)
• Emeritus Center at Mountain View College (4849 W. Illinois Ave, 75211)
• Jefferson Senior Center (1617 West Jefferson Blvd, 75208)
• Juanita Craft Senior Center (4500 Spring Avenue, 75210)
• K.B. Polk United Senior Center (6801 Roper St, 75209)
• King New Beginning Senior Center (114 West Hobson Ave, 75224)
• M.L.K. Senior Center (2901 Pennsylvania Ave, 75215)
• Pleasant Grove Senior Center (7224 Umphress Road, 75271)
• Rankin Senior Center (3100 Crossman Ave, 75212)
• South Senior Center (2500 Romaine Avenue, 75215)
• Sunshine Senior Center (8341 Elam Road, 75217)
• West Dallas Senior Center (2828 Fish Trap Road, 75212)
• Overview of Various Locations: for ages 60 and older, daily meals, transportation services, various activities, field trips, health services, workshops and seminars

Richardson

• Location: 820 W. Arapaho Road, (972) 744-7800
• Overview: serves ages 55 years and older, offers benefits counseling, concession area, Robin's Nest gift shop, located below Senior Health Center, transportation services
• Weekly Activities Include: dance classes, fitness classes, support groups, pool tournaments, ceramics, crochet & quilting, card groups, ping pong
• Special Events: bowling, tennis & golf leagues, day and overnight trips, "Lunch Bunch" restaurant outings, volunteer opportunities, computer courses

Plano

• Location:  401 West 16th Street, (972) 941-7155
• Overview:  fitness room, billiards room, snack bar, Geriatric Wellness Center of Collin County, transportation services, on-site library
• Weekly Activities Include:  bingo, bridge, ballroom dances, off-site bowling & golf, dances, movie nights, support groups, $3 lunch provided by The Collin County Committee on Aging
• Special Events:  volunteer programs, various classes, day and overnight trips, AARP meetings, health clinics, birthday parties, breakfasts, craft shows

Garland

• Location:  600 W. Avenue A, (972) 205-2769
• Overview:  75-cent lunch program, transportation services, fitness center.  Most activities at both the main Senior Activity Center AND the Carver Center located at 222 Carver Street, (972) 205-3305
• Weekly Activities Include:  bridge groups, fitness classes, bingo, dance classes, billiard and poker tournaments, themed dance nights
• Special Events:  Wii bowling tournaments, day and overnight trips, "Grub Club" lunch outings, Poker Tournaments, birthday parties, shopping outings, theater outings, movie nights

Carrollton

• Location:  1720 Keller Springs Road, (972) 466-4850
• Overview:  meeting, exercise and fitness rooms, sits on a lake, hiking and biking trails, full-service kitchen, serves adults 50 years and older, $5 annual membership fee
• Weekly Activities Include:  dominoes, party bridge, ping pong, embroidery, ceramics, dances, billiards, hand and foot canasta, pinochle, watercolor classes, and fitness classes
• Special Events:  $4 monthly luncheons, movie nights, Travelin'N Texas group, "Lunch Bunch" restaurant outings, various classes and seminars, ice cream socials, volunteer activities

Farmers Branch

• Location:  14055 Dennis Lane, (972) 241-8636
• Overview:  22,400-square-foot facility, computer lab, workout facility, more than 70 programs geared toward meeting the physical, mental, social and emotional needs, serves ages 50 years and older
• Weekly Activities Include:  dances, health and fitness classes, chair and table massages, bridge, health and wellness checks, cooking and gardening groups, book exchange, poker tournaments, crafts
• Special Events:  day and overnight trips, various courses, volunteer opportunities, breakfasts, Wii bowling league, meet and greet returning soldiers at DFW airport, movie nights

Mesquite - 3 locations

• Evans - 1116 Hillcrest, (972) 285-6761
• Goodbar - 3000 Concord, (972) 279-6881
• Rutherford - 900 Rutherford, (972) 216-7791
• Overview:  serves ages 55 years and older, daily lunches, transportation services, fitness center, rotating benefits counseling sessions
• Weekly Activities Include:  exercise classes, bingo, bridge, dances, ceramics, Wii bowling, table games, various arts and crafts sessions
• Special Events:  various courses and seminars, pool parties, birthday lunches, day and overnight trips, game nights, shopping trips, potluck dinners

Lewisville

• Location:  1950-A South Valley Parkway, (972) 219-5050
• Overview:  transportation services, fitness room, billiards, daily for a voluntary daily donation of $1.50, health screenings, financial and health seminars
• Weekly Activities Include:  bingo, movie showings, arts & crafts, Spanish classes, manicure appointments, bridge, dominoes, pinochle, exercise classes, Wii bowling, horseshoes
• Special Events:  dances, volunteer opportunities, newcomer's breakfasts, reading and writing clubs, benefits counseling, poker tournaments, day and overnight trips, walking club, lunch group outings, computer classes

Allen

• Location:  451 E. St. Mary, (214) 509-4820
• Overview:  serves ages 50 and older, $5 annual membership, daily $3 meal services, fitness room, craft room, game room, transportation services
• Weekly Activities Include:  dancing, yoga, tai chi, ceramics, painting, scrap booking, cards, dominoes, chess club, karaoke, sing alongs, piano classes
• Special Events:  day and overnight trips, annual Ms. Senior Allen pageant, Geriatric Wellness Center nurse visits, volunteer opportunities, financial and medical workshops

Irving

• Location:  200 South Jefferson, (972) 721-2496
• Overview:  serves ages 50 and older, $10 annual membership, transportation services, continental breakfast, hot lunches daily for $1, gift shop, fitness center
• Weekly Activities Include:  dance lessons, Bunko, bingo, yoga, ceramics, foot massages, aerobics, Tai Chi, scrapbooking, Spanish classes, computer classes, support groups, wood carving classes, quilting and crochet classes, watercolor classes, acrylics
• Special Events:  annual Mrs. Mature Irving Pageant, Senior Idol talent contest, day and overnight trips, poker tournaments, book club, volunteer opportunities, benefits counseling, health and wellness clinics

Do you visit any of these senior centers?  What other venues to you frequent for senior activities?  Let us know and we will add them to our list!  HAVE FUN!!!