Departments

Senior Center

Senior Center

Programs/Activities:

The Orchard Park Senior Center offers a wide variety of programs and activities of individual interest. Stay healthy through our many different exercise programs, brush up on your dance steps, or join our knitting group. Enjoy a lively hand of cards, play pocket pool, dominoes or bocce, listen to interesting and educational speakers take fun-filled day trips around Western New York or simply enjoy a quiet conversation with a friend or two. In addition to the weekly classes and activities, numerous special events are held at the Center throughout the year. All this and more is offered at the Orchard Park Senior Center! Read through the listings of available activities below and call the Center at 716.662.6452 if you’d like more information. Please be sure to read the current edition of the “S.C.O.O.P.” (monthly newsletter) to see what’s happening each month!

Seniors over the age of 55 may participate in many activities offered at the Senior Center, including the following:

  • Safe Driver Academy
  • Bocce (seasonal)
  • Exercise Classes – Cardio Drumming, Club 99 Exercise, Yoga, Tai Chi, Men’s & Women’s Fitness, Zumba, Stretch and Barre
  • Dinner Club
  • Book Club
  • Games – Dominoes, Chess, Mah Jong, Shuffleboard, Cornhole & Pool (billiards)
  • Guest Speakers
  • Mind Aerobics
  • Bingo
  • Movies & Documentaries
  • Art Classes – Sketch, Watercolor, Beginner Watercolor and Try me Watercolor
  • Cards – Bridge, Euchre, Hand & Foot, Pinochle
  • Dancing – Line Dance,  Tap and Ballroom
  • Sewing Club
  • Fitness Room
  • Travel Club- Hillcrest and Orchard Park Seniors

Services:

  • Dance Classes
    • Line Dance (Beginner and Advanced) – Those who have always wanted to learn how to line dance but, have not had the time, place or the opportunity to do so, may join.  Line dancing is great exercise and a wonderful way to meet new friends.

     

    • Tap for Fun – Classes are designed for those who have always wanted to learn to tap dance, or who have previously tap danced and want to tap again.
  • Exercise Classes
    • Bocce (Couples and Mixed) – Bocce is a fun game similar to lawn bowling.  It’s a game of strategy and skill.  Games are played at Green Lake the months of July August. Look for the Bocce Courts across from the Recreation Building at Green Lake.
    • Club 99 – The Erie County Dept. of Senior Services and Senior Nutrition Program have teamed up to present Club 99. Club 99 is a free fitness program offered to those 60 years of age or older. The class utilizes resist-a-bands which will tone and build muscle.
    • Pickleball – Pickle Ball is the hottest game around! A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn.
    • Tai Chi is now widely practiced for its healing benefits for the entire body, which include increased strength, balance and posture, reduce stress, increased relaxation and improve mind, body and spirit. The center offers Arthritis, Beginner and Advanced Tai Chi classes.
    • Meditation & Gentle Restorative Yoga – This class will combine the calming benefits of meditation with gentle stretching and yoga postures. The instructor will guide you through a seated meditation followed by yoga postures that will help to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance.
    • Yoga improves breathing, increases flexibility and focuses on relaxing the entire body using meditation and stretching; your body and mind will thank you for it. The Center offers classes during the day and evening classes at the Orchard Park Senior Center as well .
    • Men’s Fitness – You’ll notice regular exercising with others motivates you to work toward a healthy lifestyle. Take the first step in living a healthy life by showing up for the Men’s Fitness program.
    • Ladies Fitness – This program uses stretching, aerobic and floor exercises tailored specifically for the needs of those 55+ years.  Exercising with friends encourages you to lead a healthy and more energetic life.
    • Cardio Drumming  – At its core, Cardio Drumming is a cardiovascular based, full-body workout that required you to move and play drums along to music.
    • Zumba – This full body workout uses movement and steps to condition and tone your body. workout to current hit music and your favorites from the past. This is great class for all fitness levels.
    • Stretch and Barre – Barre class is a blend of classical ballet lines and movement with a mix of gentle muscle toning and stretching. It’s a great way of keeping your body moving and opening up stiff joints as well as working on muscle memory and coordination. The foundation of the class will be standing using chairs for your barre and for seated and adapted movements as well. Some across the floor movement for basic cardio work will take place as well for a full head to toe workout.
    • Into to Strength Training – Are you new to the fitness room? Do you find all those machines and weights intimating? You probably know that strength training is essential for all stages of life, but is crucial as we age. You’ll learn about your different muscle groups and how to exercise all of them safely and efficiently and in a variety of ways. You’ll learn how to set up and use the synergy machine and the TRX suspension trainer, as well as how and when to use dumbbells’, kettlebells or just body weights.

     

     

  • Presentations - University Express

    University Express – Lifelong learning for Adults age 55+. Free classes on current affairs, history, science, the arts, wellness and more. Join other like-minded adults interested in learning new things and having lively discussions – all in a fun environment.

    Health & Educational Presentations are held on a monthly basis.

     

     

  • Cards & Games
    • Bridge & Duplicate Bridge
    • Euchre
    • Hand & Foot 
    • Pinochle
    • Dominoes 
    • Smarty Pants Club – Join us for a fun filled hour! Research has shown brainteasers, word puzzles, critical thinking, and trivia often delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. Join the group for laughs and a mental workout which will keep you fit.
    • Bingo – Bring a friend and join us for a fun filled hour of bingo. All are welcome!
  • Lions Club Loan Closet

    Just being released from the hospital and need a wheelchair, cane, tub chair or other device to help you get back on your feet? If so, you may want to check out the Lion’s Club Lending Closet. Contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 662-6410 and they will put you in contact with a Lion member who will assist you.

  • Nutrition Program

    Delicious lunches are served promptly at noon Monday through Friday. The program is open to Erie County seniors over the age of 60 and their spouse. A contribution of $3.00 is suggested. Reservation for a particular week are made by calling Senior Center at 662-6452 (option #3 for Nutrition) by 10:00 am the preceding Tuesday.

  • Transportation

    Rural Transit Service (RTS) is a non-profit transportation service. They provide transportation to senior citizens, low/moderate income individuals and disabled clients. Eligible residents are transported to dialysis clinics, medical offices, physical therapy, pharmacies, colleges, work places, senior centers, nutrition sites, adult day cares, grocery stores, banks, salons/barbers, etc., with medical trips taking priority.

        • The Rural Transit vans run between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Dispatch must be called 48 hours in advance and up to two weeks in advance for appointments. Individuals may schedule up to two rides per week. On days your local school is closed due to the weather, the Rural Transit van is closed.
        • Suggested Donation: $3/trip or more for longer destination trips. Rural Transit riders are not required to contribute for services provided, although passengers may contribute toward the cost of service. Suggested Donation: $3 per trip. Contributions are confidential. No one will ever be denied service due to inability to pay.

    Rural Transit has on an exceptionally low operating budget, and our clients are not required to contribute for our services provided, although donations are accepted and encouraged.

     

    Going Places Van

      • Call (716) 858-RIDE or (716) 858-7433 – 8:30 am to 4:20 pm Monday through Friday. Towns of Orchard Park (service 9:00am – 3:15pm, no Mondays)
      • As a service to older adults (aged 60+) in Erie County, in collaboration with community partners, the Department of Senior Services offers the Going Places Transportation Program.
      • The curb-to-curb van service is available to seniors who are unable to use conventional means of transportation.
      • Schedule health-related trips two weeks ahead of the day of your appointment and schedule non-medical trips one week ahead of the day of your appointment. There is a brief registration that is required for service.
      • Priorities for Van Service. Health Related (NON-EMERGENCY) Trips to the doctor, clinic, hospital, counseling, therapy, prescriptions, etc. Food & Nutrition trips to Stay Fit Dining Sites or grocery stores. Personal Business trips for banking or bill-paying, HEAP, Social Services, HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling & Assistance Program), legal assistance, etc. Social Activities trips made for social or recreational purposes or volunteer opportunities
      • Transportation Contribution Policy – A suggested contribution is $3 per one-way trip or $6 per round-trip; wheelchair service is $8 per one-way trip or $16 per round-trip. Contributions are always voluntary. Any amount you wish to give is greatly appreciated and will be used to expand the transportation program. All contributions are confidential and no one will be denied service if unable to donate.
  • Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone

    The NCOA created Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone, a guide which includes practical tips and resource recommendations from geriatric health experts and advocates, such as:

    • PACE programs, which use Medicare and Medicaid to help older adults attain nursing home-level care
    • HealthFinder, a resource with easy-to-understand articles, videos, and interactive tools to help older adults make informed decisions about their health
    • NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp tool which helps older adults identify their potential eligibility for benefits and programs

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Senior Groups

In addition to the Senior Center activities and programs, the following groups offer social events, escorted trips locally in the U.S and the world!

Hillcrest Seniors:

Meets at 1:30pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center

President is Sally Stoner (716) 861-2246

Richard Jones, travel consultant (716) 827-7074

 

Orchard Park Senior Citizens:

Meets at 1:30pm the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center

MaryAnn Notto, President (716) 674-8661

For travel contact Alan Groth at (716) 662-2140