Active 100-Year-Old Celebrates Birthday At Hillsborough Senior Center

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — She is active and young at heart despite the fact that she just celebrated her 100th birthday this month.

Hillsborough County Aging Services commemorated Iris Serrano's centennial with a birthday bash that included Spanish music, friends, family and her favorite activity — dancing.

Serrano attends the Hillsborough County Brandon Senior Center, where she meets with friends, plays bingo, listens to music and is quick to jump to her feet and cut a rug whenever there's a celebration that includes dancing.

"I am thrilled to be able to attend the Brandon Senior Center," Serrano said. "It is a very good experience. I love it here."

Since 1963, Older Americans Month has been celebrated once a year. But Hillsborough County Aging Services recognizes Older Americans Month all year long by hosting daily activities and programs for active seniors and seniors needing additional care, according to Tracy Gogichaishvili, senior services department director.

Hillsborough County Aging Services provides social activities and health and wellness programs through the senior centers, in addition to transportation options, meal delivery and caregiving services that help older adults of all physical abilities get the most out of life.

On May 25, Hillsborough County Adult Day Services will host a Health Fair and Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Phyllis Busansky Adult Day Care Center, 4102 W. Spruce Street, Tampa. The health fair and open house is free and open to the public. There will be free health screenings, memory screenings, chair yoga demonstration and cooking demonstrations. There will also be exhibitors presenting health information for clients and caregivers.

Hillsborough County Senior Centers

Hillsborough County Aging Services has seven senior centers throughout Hillsborough County where older adults are provided activities and meals. The Hillsborough County Senior Centers serve as a focal point for seniors to gather, learn and enjoy free activities designed for today's active seniors.

Programs include lifelong learning classes, photography workshops, sewing classes, a painting club, jewelry-making classes, gardening club, a billiards and chess club, fitness classes, a ping-pong club, yoga classes, tai chi classes and table games. Activities are for adults age 50 and over. Adults who are 60 and over may qualify for a noon-time meal.

Volunteers Recognized

On Thursday, two of these volunteers were honored for their dedication and for contributing numerous hours to assist staff and clients at the county’s senior centers.

Hillsborough County Aging Services presented Wanda Poindexter and Martha Whyte with the 2023 Hillsborough County Elderly Affairs Day Volunteer Award at the Oaks at Riverview Senior Center, 101 E. Kirby St., Tampa.

Poindexter has been a dedicated volunteer at the Gardenville Dining and Activity Center in Gibsonton for more than five years. She has donated more than 430 hours of service to assist Hillsborough County seniors. At the Gardenville Senior Center, Poindexter provides food service assistance, participates in active aging games and is first in line to volunteer at all countywide events for seniors. Her peers have nicknamed her “The Cyclone” for her speedy and flawless work.

In addition, Poindexter volunteers with community programs, such as Portamento of Hope Inc. in Brandon. She serves as a soup kitchen volunteer and a lead in donating food to the homeless and families in need throughout Hillsborough County.

Whyte has been a volunteer at the River Pines Senior Dining and Activity Center in Tampa for more than five years. She has donated hundreds of volunteer hours assisting with food service, special events and marketing.

Whyte also works with the senior community by planning holiday cookouts for diners and residents at River Pines Apartments in Tampa. The cookouts serve as community mixers and an opportunity to form new friendships.

She also assists with coordinating, planning and marketing other special events held inside the dining area, such as the monthly Shuffleboard Fiesta, monthly birthday celebrations and holiday parties.

Adult Day Services

Adult Day Services has four locations in Hillsborough County — Tampa, Brandon, Plant City and Wimauma. Each location is designed to help families whose loved ones wish to remain at home as long as possible, but often struggle with providing care.

Adult Day Services are for Hillsborough County residents age 60 and older who have decreased physical, mental or social functions. Each center offers nurses who provide health monitoring and counseling, therapeutic activities, nutrition counseling, social work counseling, meals and snacks, and assistance with medication administration.

Activities are for adults age 50 and over. Adults who are 60 and over may qualify for a noon-time meal.

Senior In-Home Services

Senior In-Home Services provide services in the home for adults over 60 who are functionally impaired and need assistance with everyday activities.

These services are provided on a long-term basis. The services can include respite care for the caregiver, companionship for the client, consumable medical supplies, emergency alert response, home-delivered meals, homemaking, personal care and lock boxes for seniors who live alone or are alone during the day.

To learn more or to sign up for Aging Services programs, click here, call 813-272-5250 or email AgingServicesCustomerCare@HCFLgov.net.

Frequently requested services

• See all senior services available
• Find a senior center
• Find a dining and activity center
• Senior in-home services
• Adult day services
• Senior meal services
• Register for adult and senior classes

Resources

• Elder Helpline: 1-800-962-2873, TTY 711 or 1-800-955-8771
• Sunshine Line door-to door transportation, 813-272-7272
• Emergency Home Energy Home Assistance
• Find a community resource center
• Senior citizen trash bill discount
• Medicare enrollment