Baby Boomers are redefining what it means to be a senior, as their outlook on aging focuses on staying physically and mentally fit.
The Scotts Valley Senior Center plays a vital role in supporting people over 50. Its purpose is to provide a place where seniors can pursue their interests and make new friends.
“I love working at the center,” said Darshana Patel-Croskrey, the director. “Seniors are not sedentary old people but vibrant and fun-loving adults. They come here to have fun, not to die. We offer a diverse array of fitness and enrichment courses along with specialty groups and other ongoing activities, and there is something new for everyone, everyday. Our program is now geared toward a more active, dynamic aging population.”
Patel-Croskrey has served as the senior center’s director of for the past three years. Born and raised in Hampsted, England, she worked for Barclays Bank while attending college.
In 1983, she transferred to a Barclays in Southern California. It was there that Patel-Croskrey met her husband, Willie Croskrey. They married and moved to Scotts Valley in 1993. The couple has two daughters, Shauna and Sarah.
“I’ve lived, worked and volunteered in the community for over 20 years,” Patel-Croskrey said. “I’ve had a number of different positions with the Scotts Valley (Unified) School District along with volunteering for Friends of the Library, the Kiwanis Club, and the Bharatinya Cultural Association of Santa Cruz — a group of people who try to keep in touch with their Indian heritage. In 2002, I received the Woman of the Year award for my volunteer activities.”
“It was quite an honor,” she added.
Patel-Croskrey and her staff of volunteers have built a program to suit different groups and generations. They’ve reached out to traumatized children, held Zumba for special-needs students by pairing them up with seniors, and hosted a “Grandparents’ Day” every fall.
“We’re so blessed by all of our volunteers,” she said. “I couldn’t do this without them. There are over 75 people in the community who contribute to our program and help make the center a vibrant place. Two of our volunteers received the 2014 Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Award.”
Marlene Flannery, known as “Queen of the Kitchen,” was chosen as Senior Citizen of the Year, and Ayan Patel was selected as Youth of the Year for re-establishing the computer lab and helping seniors with technology. He has also volunteered for the Music at Skypark events for the past several years.
Even with their tremendous staff, the center needs citizen involvement to become fully operational. Patel-Croskrey emphasized that they’re looking for both instructors and class participants. Anyone who can create a desirable course curriculum is invited to offer their class.
“We’re still exploring what seniors want,” said Patel-Croskrey. “We need people to come forth with skills or an interest that they can share with others.”
The center recently added two new activities — Scrabble and chess. Scrabble is for all levels, and the chess class is for intermediate and advanced players. Field trips and have community outreach programs are also offered.
Up next, a sock hop is scheduled for Friday, Feb 13. There will be food, music and dancing, and the proceeds from this event will go toward a new bingo board.
At 56, Patel-Croskrey stresses the importance of staying active and maintaining a healthy social life.
“It’s amazing the amount of energy people have at our age and older,” she said. “We’re all about having fun along with keeping our bodies and our minds active. My philosophy is to live each day as though it was your last, and treat others like you want to be treated. There’s an old Sanskrit saying: ‘Athithi Devo Bavah.’ It means, ‘Treat your unexpected guests like God.’”
Patel-Croskrey says she hopes to write a book someday about her experiences. In the meantime, her goal for 2015 is to ensure another great year at the center. She is also busy planning her daughter’s upcoming wedding.
Before I left, Patel-Croskrey enthusiastically pointed out the boutique shop. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of reasonably priced items and assured her that I’d be back soon.
For more information about the Scotts Valley Senior Center, call 438-8666.
