CENTER HISTORY
In 1969, a young woman by the name of Karen Van Deruokin moved to Clifton Park, from Cohoes, with her elderly mother.  After spending a short amount of time in the area, she realized the need for organized activities offering older adults the opportunity to congregate, enjoy fellowship and interact with their neighbors and community.  She approached the New York State Office for the Aging for assistance.  The first meeting with the Office of the Aging saw a participation of three (3) people.  However, word of her efforts spread quickly and by the second meeting over 150 people were in attendance and anxious to open a local senior center.  In 1971, after conquering many issues regarding the establishment of a senior center: location, logistics, handicapped accessibility and politics, Shenendehowa Senior Citizens, Inc. was incorporated and the Shenendehowa Senior Center was opened.

After 38 years of bringing successful senior programming to the Capital Region and in light of the aging and looming retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, it was determined that programming and activities geared toward the next generation of seniors needed to be addressed.  Many of these individuals do not think of themselves as “seniors” in the traditional sense. Unlike previous generations, there is a much greater likelihood that the Boomers’ own parents are still alive and active, making them the seniors! Therefore, it was decided to choose new naming language that would include these new, “younger seniors.” Shenendehowa Senior Citizens, Inc. adopted the name Shenendehowa Adult Community Center in order to signal its determination to provide programming and services to this wider audience. The formal name remains “Shenendehowa Senior Citizens, Inc.” but we’re now doing business as Shenendehowa Adult Community Center!

The Shenendehowa Adult Community Center – All inclusive, senior focused.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Shenendehowa Adult Community Center is the focal point for many of the senior community within the Capital Region.  This active center offers a wide variety of innovative programs, such as Tai-Chi, exercise, tappercize, softball, line dancing, ballroom dancing, golf league, yoga, bowling, bocce/shuffleboard, ping pong, billiards, walking group, Reiki, poker group, Wii play and more!  Our Macular Degeneration, Bereavement Support Group and various other support groups meet on a monthly basis, allowing for sharing and fellowship for those who need it most.  Our daily meal program offers seniors a warm, well balanced lunch and our dinners, which are held at various times throughout the year, allow seniors the opportunity to congregate in a safe and social atmosphere.

The Center also has speakers on a regular basis, discussing everything from depression and alcoholism to how to avoid internet scams and tax advice.  Free tax services are offered during tax season, flu immunization shot clinics are offered in the fall and various blood pressure clinics are offered throughout the year.