Community Hub In Tulsa Features Activities, Classes For Adults 50 And Older

Adults 50 and older looking for fun and fitness can find it at Roma Berry Center for Seniors in Tulsa.

LIFE Senior Services opened the new community hub for older adults in March.

We have always been in rented spaces, and they were great, but we knew that it was time to have some place that we could utilize more," said President & CEO Eileen Bradshaw.

The property has two buildings with a variety of amenities and activities. Right at the entrance to the senior center is a community room.

"People will show up here and they will do puzzles, some people just drink coffee and visit, they play Bridge, we have people that play Mahjong, so this is sort of a hub for games and just kind of visiting," said Bradshaw.

There is also a gym where members can take line dancing, chair fitness, yoga, Tai Chi, and functional movement classes. There are even classrooms with a kiln for pottery classes, guitar and harmonica lessons, creative writing, stained glass, and other art classes.

The second building is the activity center with basketball goals, four pickleball courts, a ping pong table, and is also where the walking club meets.

"It is a hotbed for physical activity, and it is really state of the art," Bradshaw continued saying, "Whether it is intellectual stimulation you are looking for or physical activity there is really just so much here to do."

Member Jeannette Mendell said she comes to Roma Berry at least 5 days a week.

She jokingly said, "I love this place. I do not know why they do not put a room for me to just be here."

Mendell said she enjoys the activities, but the people are what keep her coming back.

"Everybody here is friendly, everybody here, and people notice like gosh it is so easy to make friends here," she added.

Mendell is always willing to help others get plugged in.

"I do line dancing, I play guitar, I play harmonica," she continued saying, "A lot of people do not know what to do when they come here so I usually tell them, we have got all this stuff going you must be able to find something here."

LIFE Senior Services said getting out and getting active is so important for older adults.

"We really believe that staying connected is the best thing to do for healthy aging," said Bradshaw. "It is better for your emotions, it is better for your brain, and it is better for your body."

A membership to Roma Berry Center for Seniors is $100 a year. LIFE Senior Services also offers a one-day free trial.

"You can come in, try it on, and see if there are things that you like to do," said Bradshaw. "If you are interested in the line dancing, go in and try it before you commit."

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