Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, NCCOA
There’s a weekday program at Nassau County Council on Aging’s Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center, 1901 Island Walk Way, that has been compared to a daily hug. “Just Friends” is that group, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds.
Socialization is an important key which unlocks happiness and contentment in later life.
Widespread research proves that social support can play a significant role in overall health as people age. Spending time with family members and friends can boost quality of life, including both physical and mental health. That’s the premise of Just Friends. It’s a morning program, Monday-Friday, featuring a variety of activities, from live music (Elvis is in the building every other Monday!) to health education, pet therapy to crafts, nutrition to exercise…and more (don’t forget Bingo!). Our Just Friends group even has tech time with tablets from a generous donor, as well as guest speakers who share the unique happenings throughout Nassau County.
I could share all of these benefits myself, but let’s hear from the “experts.” What do our Just Friends members have to say?
David joined Just Friends at the urging of his daughter. After his first visit, she asked him what he thought about it. “I told her that I saw a lot of older people there to which my daughter said ‘Dad, look in the mirror,’” David recounts. “I realized that some may have been older than me, but I was one of them…they weren’t so old after a while.”
“We have some of the best entertainment I’ve ever seen. I would pay to go see these singers and musicians, no matter where they played,” he said. “The NCCOA staff is warm and friendly. They can’t do enough for us. Sometimes I feel guilty, but I try and help out a lot.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have a place to come every day,” David said. “You have to experience it yourself. It’s life-saving.”
David and Larry became good friends at the Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center. Larry has been a regular for 14 years.
“I first came to the Council on Aging because I didn’t want to stay at home and just look at the four walls,” Larry said. “My son brought me to the old building [near Baptist Nassau] and I really enjoyed it. I started using the Council on Aging’s transportation because I couldn’t drive with my sight failing. I still use NassauTRANSIT today.”
Just Friends members range in age and experience. Some spent their professional careers with well-known corporations and others served in the U.S. military. Several members raised their families, while others traveled for business and pleasure.
“I have met a cross-section of the United States through Just Friends, and have learned about people from many parts of our country,” Larry said. “Everyone has a story. I’m a history buff and I love to hear people talk about their upbringing across the states.”
“David is my friend and neighbor. Now here’s this Yankee man [from Massachusetts] with this Southerner…I get tickled because sometimes he’ll say something I pretend not to understand because ‘I don’t know what you’re saying with that Yankee accent,’” he said with a smile.
Of course, Bingo is a favorite of Larry and just about all the Just Friends group. They play pretty much every day…for prizes!
Marilyn celebrated her 100th birthday with Just Friends. “The COA went all out for me and I’m so grateful,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience and the highlight of my life.” Marilyn attends Just Friends with her best friend, Naomi Allen. She’ll sometimes stay into the afternoon for a game of bridge.
The Just Friends program has brought music back into Marilyn’s life. Like most members, Marilyn can’t help clapping her hands and moving her feet to the diverse selection of daily tunes. “Each day is fun…you’re with people you care about and people who care about you…you’re not alone.”
Now that you’ve heard from our experts, we’ll save a spot for you at Just Friends.
For more information on NCCOA’s Just Friends program, contact us at 904-261-0701.