Editor’s note: This article is part of our series about aging and suicide. It was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontological Society of America, Journalists Network on Generations and the Silver Century Foundation.
The Eastgate Senior Activity Center is a happening place.
On an average day, between 65 and 90 adults age 50 and older gather for the jam-packed schedule of mostly free activities ranging from aerobics and line dancing to Bible study and table tennis.
“Unfortunately, the image embedded in people’s mind is that when you get to a certain age your body is going to shut down,” said facility manager Jerome Martin. “If they come here, I can assure you they won’t leave with that image.”
The center is one of three senior centers that are part of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth and Family Development. They can also help protect older adults against one of the biggest risk factors driving higher rates of suicide among that population: loneliness.