Senior Services Commission reports rising membership, healthy-aging outreach and transportation survey

Manchester Senior Services Commission met Jan. 21, 2025, approved the Dec. minutes and heard staff reports showing growing participation at the senior center, expanded healthy-aging outreach and progress on a transportation survey intended to inform an age-friendly action plan.

The session focused on program and membership growth at the senior center. Emily (senior center staff) reported that the center's new Lunch & Learn series with Saco Bay Physical Therapy drew about 35 attendees and that staff had to turn people away at the door. A Tai Chi Kwan balance program established a 10-person enrollment limit and opened with eight participants. The center's hot-dog day drew "over 50" members, and a semiannual all-day games event is planned for February with a Valentine's theme.

Emily also reviewed membership-retention data dating to 2015. She reported the center currently has about 399 members and that 57 people who joined in 2015 remain active. Staff said 2024 produced roughly 10,000 more sign-ins than 2023, a figure driven in part by members attending multiple activities in a single…