GALVESTON — From monthly dinners and escorted beach walks to volunteer training for the Acute Care for Elderly Unit, the new Senior Seaside Club brings an array of activities to Galveston focused entirely on older people.
The club is open to baby boomers through centenarians, and family members are welcome to accompany their elder parents.
The club, created by the Center for Spirituality of Aging in the Sealy Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch, is funded through 2010 by a medical branch President’s Cabinet Award.
“We requested the President’s Cabinet Award in order to give Galveston elders every opportunity to enjoy being together and to build a caring community of mutual support,” the Rev. Helen Appelberg, director of the spirituality center, said.
“Our goal is to provide activities that encourage seniors to live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
The first event is a dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Levin Hall, 10th and Market streets.
The featured speaker, Dr. James Goodwin, director of the Sealy Center on Aging, will talk about “How to be 80.”
The dinner is $6 per person. Free parking is available in lots J and D starting at 4 p.m. Reservations can be made at 409-747-0008, or by e-mail, omtownse(at)utmb.edu.
Upcoming dinner speakers include Michelle Sierpina, director of the popular Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, in January; and Peter Davis, chief of Galveston’s Beach Patrol, in February.
“By the Sea,” senior beach walks, is tentatively scheduled to start Jan. 13.
The walks will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. starting at the Stewart Beach Pavilion, Sixth Street and Seawall Boulevard. The walks are free.
The Beach Patrol as well as students from the medical branch’s school of health professions will be walking partners, assisting with wheelchairs and providing hospitality.
Refreshments and games will be conducted in the pavilion following the walks.
For information, call Appelberg, 409-772-5352, or e-mail hwappelb(at)utmb.edu.
