For years, the Longmont Senior Center has offered services and resources to residents 55 years and older Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning Sept. 3, that will change.
The city of Longmont announced on Aug. 12, that the Longmont Senior Center will extend its hours. Patrons can now visit the center Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. The center will remain closed on Sunday.
Ronnie Maynes, senior services manager, said he and his team identified a need to reach seniors who are still working. The current hours did not allow these patrons time to balance their jobs, seek out necessary resources or participate in events and classes.
“In expanding our hours, our goal is to make Senior Center programming more accessible to more people, including working seniors and others who’ve previously been unable to join us,” Maynes said.
According to the 2020 census, “the older population grew five times faster than the total population, which grew by 7.4%.” Longmont’s 65+ age group grew by 2.1% reaching 19.5%, the census reported. There are roughly another 7,000 people in the 55-65 age group who are still working and have had less access to the services at the Senior Center.
These services can include information about housing, help in the home, healthcare, completing forms, navigating systems such as Medicaid or Social Security or other financial assistance resources.
“The Senior Center is dedicated to helping patrons see that their needs are met. Their working schedule should not prohibit them from accessing the resources that may enhance their quality of life,” Maynes said.
The Senior Center was granted permission to hire two additional employees to cover the evening shifts in the 2024 budget cycle. The staff will be able to help patrons enroll in programming and answer questions. Evening appointments with a resource specialist will also be available.
An added benefit of the extended hours is that it will also allow the center to offer more programming and highlight some of the popular programs. According to Maynes, some programs fill up quickly at the senior center. The extended hours will allow the center to increase the number of classes and allow more people to participate. He also hopes that it will draw in more community members who have an interest in the center’s programs which might have conflicted with their schedules in the past.
“We have a commitment to the community to continue to evaluate our successes and to continue to provide additional support in areas that better meet the needs of the community,” Maynes said.
Locals 55 years and older can explore program offerings in the GO catalog and register online. For those who prefer to register in person, they can stop by the Senior Center at 910 Longs Peak Ave. or call 303-651-8411. Fall class, program and special event registration is open now.
