Since 2024, the East Montgomery County Senior Center has evolved with new programming and will continue to do so in the coming year, said Kim Brode, a community outreach staffer and scheduler for Montgomery County Precinct 4.
What’s new
In the coming months, Brode said the EMC Senior Center will add a monthly mental health class as well as a sourdough making class and chair volleyball. The center also plans to host special speakers on senior pedestrian and driver safety.
Additionally, the center will continue to hold programming introduced over the past two years, including line dancing, which is held twice per week, and a walking club, which meets three times per week.
Precinct 4 has also partnered with the Houston Galveston Area Council to bring exercise and wellness classes to the center, as well as with Prairie View A&M University, which offers classes on exercise and nutrition and hosts fraud bingo to educate seniors about scams.
The EMC Senior Center has also hosted guest speakers discussing fall prevention and the importance of social connection. The center also hosted its first Senior Prom in June.
The impact
According to a Dec. 4 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity for adults age 65 and older has been proven to improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Long-term, physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, as well as depression, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and eight types of cancer.
Physical activity can also improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls; improve bone health; and help people live independently longer, per the report.
“It keeps our seniors active, connected and engaged,” Brode said. “[Commissioner Matt Gray] supports healthy aging, and this center ensures our seniors have a welcoming place to gather, learn and thrive in our community.”
Brode noted that all the EMC Senior Center events have been well attended, averaging 15-30 people.
“Interesting to note that it’s not the same seniors attending all classes,” Brode said. “Each program brings in different seniors.”
Check it out
In addition to the new programming, the EMC Senior Center continues to host bingo twice per week and craft days twice per month. Meals on Wheels also serves hot lunch to residents of Montgomery County age 60 and older Monday-Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
Located at 21679 McCleskey Road, New Caney, the EMC Senior Center is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-noon. For a complete list of classes and activities, click here. For more information, call 281-577-8911.
