YMCA of Greater Rochester opens resource center for older adults

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — As part of ongoing efforts to enhance urban services, the YMCA of Greater Rochester has opened a new resource center for older adults.

It’s at the southwest family branch in the 19th Ward.

YMCA of Greater Rochester President and CEO George Rommell said the need for better urban services for older adults is evident.

He said studies show that there are vast disparities in resources, physical space, and programs between senior centers in urban and suburban locations.

"We’ve always done a great job at attracting seniors to this Y but now it’s an official resource center with partners like the United Way and Lifespan and Foodlink and the Y and giving the seniors a specific place to gather, enjoy each other’s company, enjoy ideas, concepts, Lifespan coming in, supported by the United Way, which we can’t thank enough, and really the whole idea of what it means for this community to gather together," Rommell said.

The resource center will serve as a place that not only provides health and wellness opportunities and combats COVID-19 isolation, but it’s also a place that will provide crucial information for seniors with workshops on topics like scam prevention and stroke education.