By Sydney Ochoa
North Carolina is home to over ten million residents, 30% of which are over the age of 55. Here in Holly Springs, 8% of residents are 65 and up. That’s a pretty big difference. The juxtaposition of these two numbers may be a result of the benefits Holly Springs offers for young families—like the stellar Parks & Recreation department, friendly neighborhoods, and incredible schools. A multi-generational community is integral to the diversity of a small town, so how can Holly Springs begin to attract new and retain existing older residents? The Holly Springs Town Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee have been discussing programs to improve services for the 55+ crowd to do just that.
Now, lest we offend, 62 to 65 may be the threshold for retirement, collecting Social Security, Medicare eligibility, and other benefits, but since the early 1900s, the age of 55 has been a marker for “seniority” in the workplace and qualification for discounts related to travel, dining, shopping, entertainment, and other products and services. For the purpose of this article, we respectfully acknowledge “seniors” as those wise and experienced older adults of age 55 “and better.”
Before we dive into the new services being discussed, let’s take a moment to go over the existing Parks & Rec programs that are currently available for older adults. These activities do not require pre-registration, and typically are offered at low to no cost.
Welcome to Holly Springs!
Seniors new to Holly Springs are invited to attend a Newcomer Town Tour where they will receive information on our town facilities and services, receive local recommendations, and even learn a little about the history of Holly Springs. Tours require minimal walking and attendees can ask questions along the way.
It’s Game Time
Seniors who enjoy playing games with their peers are in luck. There is a weekly schedule of gaming activities provided by the town. On Mondays, residents can stay active by heading to the cultural center for some Wii Bowling. Those who play Mah Jongg, a game akin to Rummy, can join the Mah Jongg Club that meets every Monday and Friday. On Tuesdays, the Cultural Center hosts drop-in card games from 1-4 p.m. for seniors. The Bridge Club meets on Wednesday mornings and Bass Lake Senior Bingo kicks off at 1 p.m. (Bingo schedule varies during the summer.) Thursdays are for Hand and Foot games, a game comparable to Canasta, and both new and experienced players are welcome. Finally, residents can round off the week with another meeting of the Mah Jongg club from 1-4 p.m. at the Cultural Center.
Staying Active
Health and wellness are important for all residents and the Parks and Recreation department offers opportunities for seniors to stay fit, both mentally and physically. Residents can attend Fit Advantage, a daily fitness class for seniors offered Monday-Friday at the Hunt Recreation Center. These classes are suitable for all ability levels and aim to touch on a range of physical wellness. Along with these weekly fitness classes, seniors can join a Tai Chi Qigong class on Wednesdays. Qigong exercises both the body and the mind with flowing movements and intentional mindfulness. There are countless benefits of practicing Qigong; it is even endorsed by the National Institute of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Veterans Association. This activity can be enjoyed both standing and sitting, so it’s perfect for those with limited mobility.
Hobbies & Special Interests
Crafty seniors can head to the Quilting Club on Tuesday mornings to connect with other social quilters and sewers. If needlework is more your vibe, the Crochet and Knitting Club meets at the same time—both at the Cultural Center. Local bookworms connect and discuss their most recent read at the Senior Book Club, which meets the third Wednesday of the month. The Cultural Center also hosts Golden Matinee Mornings, where seniors gather to enjoy a mid-morning showing of a film related to a theme. This summer’s theme is “When They Were Young.” And if none of those pique your interest, I bet this one will—once a month, the Senior Ice Cream Club meets at a local business to enjoy a sweet treat with friends.
Senior Freedom Tours
If you are looking to get out of the Springs for bit, this program is for you. This group travels together to explore interesting locations, like museums and historic sites. Occasionally, trips are even overnight. Some of the single-day trips planned for this summer include: the NC Art Museum, WRAL Azalea Gardens, and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. There is also an overnight trip to Cherokee, NC, where participants will learn about the rich Native American history of the Blue Ridge and enjoy spending time at local casinos. The featured trip for this year is planned for August, when the group travels down to Savannah, GA. There is even a mystery trip on the books, one where you can voyage into the unknown for a 1-day adventure.
Proposed Enhancements – Parks & Recreation
Although that seems like a fair amount of senior programming, there are still opportunities to grow. In fact, we know that 8% of Holly Springs residents are over 65, yet only 3% of programming offered by Parks & Recreation is geared towards seniors. The Town Council is currently discussing ways to enhance programs to engage with more seniors around our community. Councilman Timothy Forrest, a representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on the Holly Springs Town Council, was kind enough to shed light on some of these proposed enhancements aimed at diversifying available programming.
Ideas for health & wellness programs include offering additional low-impact fitness classes, health screenings, and nutritional advice. It’s important to consider the feasibility of residents traveling to such programs, so improvements to available transportation—like shuttle services and partnerships with ride-sharing companies—are being explored. There are also ideas being considered to ensure seniors have an opportunity to continue learning, like hosting workshops or seminars, and inviting guest speakers to discuss relevant topics.
Senior Housing Options
The availability of senior housing options is crucial to fostering a multi-generational community. There are a few different approaches to senior housing, like active adult communities, retirement facilities, and in-home care. Active adult communities are becoming increasingly popular for empty nesters. These neighborhoods are often high-end and packed with amenities. Regency at Holly Springs is one such community taking shape right here in Holly Springs. Regency is advertised as “luxury adult living,” and has homes that are move-in ready. Residents will get to enjoy true no-maintenance living with provided lawn care and access to a host of amenities. The site includes a fitness center, clubhouse and community center, bocce court, and four private pickleball courts. Furthermore, residents will also have access to the amenities offered by the nearby 12 Oaks community. Seniors who are in the market for the convenience of completely maintenance-free apartment living might consider The Aspens Holly Springs. This active adult community has it all—luxury apartments, community craft room, theater, yoga studio, and sports courts. They even have an option for à la carte meal plans. In-home care services, like Home Instead, are perfect for those wanting to stay in their own home but interested in the benefits of a helping hand.
Seniors, Have Your Say in Holly Springs
It’s important for the community to remain involved in shaping the future of senior programming. If you have ideas for improving senior programming, make sure to attend the Mayor’s Community Chat on Thursday, May 16, which will focus on this topic. Additionally, the town is planning two Senior Adult Focus Groups for this summer, the first of which will take place at Bass Lake on Wednesday, June 5 at 3:30 p.m. (following Senior Bingo). These sessions will give residents over 55 a forum to share their ideas and interests related to recreational programming. Hopefully the ideas of the community along with the expansion of senior programming and availability of senior housing options will put Holly Springs on the map as a great place for seniors to thrive. Councilman Forrest may have said it best, “At Holly Springs, our commitment remains steadfast: we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where seniors can flourish.”
