Senior Center Without Walls

Have you heard of the Senior Center without walls?  I have previously heard of telephone reassurance programs or a friendly caller type of phone check. This is clearly beyond that. As the website describes it:

Senior  Center Without Walls offers activities, friendly conversation, and an assortment of classes and support groups to homebound elders and others who find it difficult to go to a community senior center.  Participants call from the comfort of home through telephone conference calls.  No special equipment is needed and the calls are completely free.

The weekly activities are quite extensive, ranging from brain games, parties, sing-alongs, support, poetry, reading, literary discussions, “travelogues” and more. Not everyone may have a computer or internet access, but I am betting of those who do not, they more than likely have access to a phone.

I’m a big fan of senior centers (conflict alert-my husband has been working in or with them for years). I think this extension of the concept is a terrific way to keep those who might (for whatever reason) not go out of the home connnected to the outside world.