Courses For Seniors Offer Many Opportunities

By Hayley Gable
When the Arnold Senior Center first opened its doors on June 9, 1979, college courses that catered specifically to senior citizens were not yet available. With Anne Arundel Community College just under two miles away, the Arnold Senior Center quickly looked into how they could provide a method of continued education for seniors that was both accessible and affordable.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Thomas Florestano, who served as president of Anne Arundel Community College from 1979-1994, teamed up with the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities to create a program that would become one of the most successful to date.
The Arnold Senior Center, along with Annapolis Senior Center, Brooklyn Park Senior Center, Catherine O’Malley Senior Center (Odenton), Heritage Harbour Senior Center, Pasadena Senior Center, Pascal Senior Center (Glen Burnie) and South County Senior Center, began offering a handful of classes that were tailored to the needs of seniors and disabled retirees age 55 and older.
Dr. Carol Baker, director of the County’s Department of Aging and Disabilities program, estimated the current number of seniors taking fall classes at all county senior activity centers is between 6,500 and 7,000. At the Arnold Senior Center, which draws seniors from the Arnold, Broadneck, and Severna Park areas, there were approximately 1,000 seniors registered this past cycle.
With a schedule that offered over 51 different classes this past fall, Arnold Senior Center provides subjects for nearly all areas of interest. Fundamentals of Digital Photography, Intermediate Spanish, Aerobics, Weight Training, Pilates, Yoga, Chinese Brush Painting, Watercolor Painting, Ballroom Dancing and Line Dancing are all popular courses that have been continuously offered in recent years. For the fall semester, there were several new courses added, including The History of Maryland, Australian Mythology and Conversational Sign Language.
“All of these courses for seniors keep their minds challenged, and the exercise classes help them maintain their physical strength,” stated Mary Felter, the Public Information Officer for Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. “There also are studies gathered by the National Center for Creative Aging, which show being creative in the arts can definitely rejuvenate seniors, especially when they are able to explore their talents,” she added.
Seniors and disabled retirees can register now for winter courses at any of the County’s Senior Centers or through Anne Arundel Community College via the phone, internet, fax or the Arnold Campus.
Seniors ages 55-59 must pay $40 tuition per course plus a $40 administrative fee per three-month cycle. Seniors age 60 and older and disabled retirees pay only the $40 cycle fee. All seniors age 55 and older and disabled retirees must pay for supplies and lab fees. Course cycles are January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December.