As you age, healthy habits like quitting smoking, eating well, and socializing can make a big difference in your quality of life.
Simply fellowshipping with other people can even have a impact on your health.
According to the National Institute on Aging, participating in hobbies and other social activities may lower the risk for developing health problems, including dementia, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
Making social connections can be challenging, and the Choctaw Nation recognizes this, along with the importance of staying connected to your tribe.
That’s why there are 17 different community centers across the reservation.
These centers are designed to offer assistance to any tribal member and occasionally to individuals outside the tribe who are part of the community. The McAlester Center recently shared on Facebook that they had free oranges available for anyone to pick up.
The community centers are a place tribal members can get help with program applications and other services, particularly for the elderly who may sometimes struggle with online portals.
One of the biggest benefits of the community center is disseminating important information. During a recent weekly lunch at the McAlester community center, District 11 Councilman Robert Karr used several minutes before the meal to share information about what was happening in the district and on the reservation.
For some, these lunches are the only opportunity they have to access this information. After he was elected, Karr said he had several people approach him, “I had several of them tell me that they just come to hear the updates and hear what’s going on.”
No two community centers are alike. The Hugo center serves popcorn and cappuccinos on Wednesdays, and the Broken Bow center has a senior ball every year.
Robyn Morgan, program manager for the community centers, said the ball is something special.
“They love it, because the workers will take these women, fix their hair, put makeup on them, they’ll wear prom dresses, the men will wear suits. They have a blast at this prom,” said Morgan.
Julia Crafton said she appreciates having the community centers as a reason to get out and stay active; Crafton has made several friends at the center. “I have some really good friends, like Pat, Phyllis and Lisa. We also have a great bus driver who entertains us with music all the time, and it’s just fun to get out and see the country and the beautiful trees and things,” Crafton said.
Seniors will also go on trips all over the country that are planned and organized at the community centers. Morgan said some of the places seniors have traveled to are Colorado, South Dakota and Branson, Missouri. These trips are funded through various fundraisers organized by the seniors, allowing them to visit these places.
“The best part of the trips is all of us on the bus together because we’re laughing, talking, making jokes and teasing each other; just having fun,” said Crafton.
These positive social interactions seniors experience through various activities can help lead to a longer and healthier life.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Disease Prevention and Promotion, social isolation and loneliness are associated with serious health problems in older adults.
The relationships that develop at community centers can help seniors cope more effectively with stress and the challenges of daily life.
According to Karr, many seniors plan their whole week around the weekly lunches.
“Coming out here and visiting with all the other people, fellowshipping together, planning their trips, and then eating a good meal,” said Karr. “It’s just such a blessing.”
Lisa Ward prefers to come to the community center because it’s an Indian community, and many of them grew up together.
For Ward, it’s also nice to meet new people.
“You can get to talk to them and get to know their ways and find out some history that’s totally different from yours,” said Ward. “It’s interesting to hear somebody else’s history.”
Gloria Sirmans, a clerk at the McAlester clinic, said providing essential services, such as emergency housing, is something that many would lack without the center.
“It’s really rewarding. Sometimes we have people that come in, down on their luck, and we’re able to help them,” said Sirmans. “It’s a good thing.”
Sirman sees friendships develop between the seniors, and that they have all become like an extended family to her.
The Choctaw Nation community centers are truly about community.
Whether it’s for seniors participating in games or if a tribal member needs help, that’s what the center is for.