Senior wellness in the Tri-Cities: centers, classes and support

Staying active after 50 is easier when there is a place to go, people to see and a class on the calendar. Each of the Tri-Cities has a senior center or club, plus fitness classes built for older adults and a few free support programs worth knowing about.

St. Charles: the Adult Activity Center

The St. Charles Park District runs the Adult Activity Center inside the Pottawatomie Community Center at 8 North Ave. It is open to anyone 50 and older and is open daily: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Members get free daily drop-in time with a game and card room, puzzle table, computer lounge, table tennis and pool tables. The center also runs trips, breakfasts, health and fitness classes and educational programs. Annual membership is $15 for park district residents and $23 for nonresidents, and guests can visit for $5 a day. Call AAC guest services at 630-513-4323.

Batavia: the Senior Citizens Club and 50+ fitness

The Batavia Senior Citizens Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month in Shannon Hall. The business meeting starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by a buffet luncheon with door prizes and entertainment. The luncheon is open to all area seniors. It costs $14 for club members and $19 for everyone else.

Club membership is $17 a year. Members get $5 off the monthly luncheon, the monthly Batavia Bulletin newsletter, free Thursday pinochle and free indoor walking on Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center. To join, call or stop by the Civic Center (630-879-5235), Callahan Community Center (630-239-0999) or Eastside Community Center (630-406-5282).

For exercise, the Batavia Park District lists two classes for ages 50 and up, Easy B-Fit and Cardio Silver. Its broader schedule also includes Yoga for Bone Health and Gentle Yoga with a chair option. Not sure a class is right for you? You can walk in and try one for a small fee, and that fee comes off the registration price if you sign up.

Geneva: township senior center and park district classes

Geneva Township runs a senior center in Wheeler Park at 400 Wheeler Drive. The township describes about 6,000 square feet set aside for seniors, with a social hall and separate rooms for individual and group activities. The township also posts a senior newsletter and activity calendar, and lists deli luncheons and well-being phone calls among its services. Call the senior center at 630-232-3602. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

The Geneva Park District hosts monthly luncheons through its Geneva Friendly Seniors program and offers day trips that are often open to grandkids too. Its fitness lineup includes classes geared toward seniors and an Exercising with Parkinson's class, held at Sunset Community Center and the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center. You do not need a BestLife Fitness membership to take a class, and nonresidents are welcome.

Support when you need more than a class

Batavia RSVP helps residents 65 and older who live in Batavia, Batavia Township or the Batavia Park District. Volunteers drive seniors to medical, dental and vision appointments and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and lock boxes at no cost. It also helps eligible seniors pay for prescriptions. Call 630-406-9993.

TriCity Family Services in Geneva offers counseling for adults and seniors, including help with grief, isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression. Call 630-232-1070.

Senior Services Associates is a nonprofit serving seniors and families in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties. Services include case management, information and referral, transportation and caregiver help. Its Kane County office in Elgin is at (847) 741-0404.

St. Charles residents can get a free File of Life kit, which keeps medical information on the fridge for emergency crews, through the St. Charles Fire Department at (630) 377-4458.

Ride in Kane offers curb-to-curb rides for people 65 and older and riders with disabilities. For general information, call 888-480-8549.

For park district discounts and library home delivery, see our senior discounts guide.