The
mission of BERKS ENCORE is to engage the community to enable
older adults to achieve a better quality of life by
providing a comprehensive program of services, referrals,
education and advocacy.
Agency
Happenings
Shoemakersville Dances
December 4th - Music
provided by "By Request"
* No January Dances
February 19th -
Music provided by "Pretzel City Dixieland Band"
Dances take
place at the Shoemakersville Fire Company and start at 7pm.
Cost is $4.50/person. All are welcome!
Quarterly
Membership Meeting
Berks Encore
will be holding its quarterly membership meeting at Berks
Encore-Wernersville (Brenner Building, Wernersville State
Hospital) on Monday, December 15th at 1:00 pm. Those
wishing to have lunch may call ahead (610-670-1372) to
reserve a meal.
39th
Annual Christmas Dinner
The Berks
County Office of Aging is sponsoring the 39th Annual
Christmas Dinner for seniors who would otherwise be alone on
Christmas Day. The holiday meal, catered by Big John, will
be held at Berks Encore-Reading located at Ninth and Court
Streets in Reading. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and
dinner will be served at noon on Thursday, December 25th.
There is no charge for the meal, but reservations are
necessary. Please sign up at one of our centers or call the
Office of Aging at 610-478-6500 or Berks Encore at
610-374-3195 by December 18th to register.
Transportation may be available upon request.
In the
News
Veterans,
Celebrate!
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed
November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with
the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of
Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the
heroism of those who
died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the
victory…”
Today,
that tradition continues. Of the 25 million veterans currently
alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official
period of hostility.
The observance of Veterans Day not only preserves the historical
significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important
purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans
for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and
sacrifice for the common good. Sharyn Kuhn, of Wyomissing, will be
hosting a free celebration for all veterans at Berks Encore (40 N.
9th Street in Reading) on November 11th at 1:00 pm. All veterans and
their families are welcome to attend, and there will be medals of
appreciation presented to anyone who served in a war. In addition to
speakers representing both government and various veteran
organizations, there will be a program by the Wilson High School
JROTC and Bernie Bingham, president of the POW/MIA – Forget-Me-Nots,
will be explaining the missing man table. Free parking is available
in the Berks Encore parking lot on the corner of 9th and Court.
Anyone interested in attending should
contact Berks Encore at
610-374-3195.
The
Longevity Revolution By Pam Blumer
"It is a mistake to regard age as a downhill
grade toward dissolution. The reverse is true. As one grows older,
one climbs with surprising strides."
— George Sand
We’ve all heard it by now –
people are living longer. The
question is, “How much longer?” Well, the average
life
expectancy in the United States has increased by at least 30
years, from 47 in 1900 to more than 77 in 2000.
Furthermore,
the number of people living to the age of 100 is one of the fastest
growing groups in America today. In 1965, there were approximately
3,000 centenarians. By the year 2000, that number had grown to
more than 70,000. And census forecasts suggest that the number
of centenarians will reach 1 million by the year 2050.
But there is another change underfoot … a change
in attitude. William A. Sadler, PhD, a sociologist and author,
explains, “Just 30 years ago, the conventional view of aging was
defined by D words: decline, degeneration, disease, disability,
and dependency. Old age was perceived to begin at 60 and proceed
steadily downhill. But times have changed … and people are progressing
after 50. Their lives are now marked by R words: renewal, rejuvenation,
regeneration, reinvention, rediscovery, and redirection.”
This change in attitude and a longer lifespan
render the traditional model of retirement inappropriate. Reflection
and optimism are more the norm than the exception. Recent retirees
are asking the questions, “How can I become a whole person? How
can I make a contribution? What legacy can I leave?” Retirement
is now perceived as a graduation to something new and different
… and, by all accounts, more fulfilling.
Dr. Sadler refers to a “life portfolio” in describing
the process by which we all integrate values, interests, commitments,
and activities into our personal lives. Today, we have a wonderful
opportunity to both experience fulfillment and lay a solid foundation
for generations to come. BERKS ENCORE exists to assist older adults
as they create a life portfolio that reflects their growing sense
of self. Let us know what you want your portfolio to look like,
and together we can move towards unprecedented positive aging.
