Senior Center in Towson Making It Easier for Older Adults to Stay Engaged

Seventy-seven-year-old Greg Bauer spends several times a week playing pickleball with his wife, Jo, at the Bykota Senior Center located in Towson. Bauer, who is also the president of the center's council, shared that he only began participating a few years after retiring.

"I didn't start coming here until a few years after I retired," Bauer explained. "It was when someone introduced us to pickleball and said you could do that at the Bykota center. So, we went here, found it was a really nice social group to play with and got more active."

The senior center resides in a building that is over 100 years old, originally serving as a school. Recently, the center underwent a mini renovation to enhance its accessibility and appeal for seniors. The upgrades include a new walkway ramp, outdoor seating, a large portico creating a welcoming entrance, new carpeting inside, and improvements to the bathrooms.

Heang Tan, director of the Baltimore County Office of Aging, emphasized the significance of the building and the center's role in the community. "This is a very special building," Tan noted. "This center has been the heart of the community. Its transformed from a school to one of the first senior centers, welcoming everyone regardless of age or life phase."

More than 2,000 seniors are members of the center, with around 200 attending daily for free classes and sports activities. Bauer also serves as one of the pickleball instructors, highlighting the active lifestyle promoted at the center.

"It’s pretty busy," Bauer said. "The basketball players are here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We have pottery, bridge club, garden club, photography — a whole variety of activities. If we don’t have something, we consider getting it."

In celebration of National Senior Center Month in September, Baltimore County’s Department of Aging is organizing a series of events aimed at encouraging more seniors to engage with their local centers and stay active. Community members interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the department by calling 410-887-2040.