Seniors celebrate Older Americans Month

May 1 was an exciting day at the Duplin Events Center as seniors gathered to celebrate Older Americans Month. The event provided participants with an opportunity to enjoy music, dancing, health screenings, food, painting, cornhole games and even a photo booth. 

The Duplin Sparklers Senior Line Dance Team delighted the crowds with their performance and had people ready to join them on the dance floor. Seniors also learned about Medicare scams, how to protect themselves and had a chance to win door prizes.  

“We had a great time with 183 in attendance at the event,” Melisa S. Brown, Senior Services director told Duplin Journal.  

Participants also had the chance to shred old documents during the shred-a-thon portion of the event held outside the events center.  

“This was our first year with the addition of a shred-a-thon, and according to ProShred — 1,500 pounds were shredded,” Brown said.  

Brown shared about the importance of meaningful connections and the tremendous impact that it has on the wellbeing of seniors. She shared that between July 2023 to March 2024, the senior center served 476 seniors in Duplin County, with 58% of participants living at home alone. She added that 57% reported their overall functional status at risk and 54% reported they are at or below the poverty level.  

“As these statistics reveal the need for connection is real and this is a small sample of those, we have made connections [with],” said Brown, she also expressed that the event was a notable example of teamwork in action, serving seniors as it brought many volunteers together working behind the scenes.  

“We ALL want to feel connected and there is power when we are connected together,” said Brown.

Participants were asked to complete a survey providing feedback on what activities they want to see at the new senior center, which is on track for completion by December.