Flipping the Script on Aging
Baker Senior Center
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Jul 28, 2025
Florida - Southwest
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When you think of an
“Older American,” what image comes to mind? A parent or grandparent? A military
veteran or grumpy neighbor? Or perhaps you just think of someone slow, weak or
frail?
As the leading advocate
for seniors in our community, it our goal at Baker Senior Center Naples to flip
the script on such age-related stereotypes. Our stated mission is to provide “Confidence,
Connection and Support” to adults over the age of 60 and their families,
helping them thrive and enjoy life to its fullest. We do this through a range
of comprehensive programs and services.
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated
annually to recognize and honor the many contributions and achievements of
older adults across the United States and highlight their ongoing involvement
in society. Led by the Administration for Community Living, it is a time to
highlight important trends and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older
citizens. It also is an opportunity to draw attention to activities benefitting
seniors.
The Administration for
Community Living wisely chose their 2025 theme, “Flip the Script on Aging”, as
a means of transforming societal perceptions and approaches to aging,
encouraging active engagement and highlighting the many contributions of older
adults.
This theme particularly
resonates with our team as we have become acutely aware of these perceptions.
Often, we hear visitors share similar comments as they walk into our building
for the first time. Comments such as, “Wow! This is not what I expected a
senior center to be” or “This place is so bright and beautiful,” or “Everyone
seems so active and happy.”
After hearing these
comments so frequently, I eventually began to ask, “What did you expect?” The responses
were always the same, “I expected it to be dark and dreary” or “I never
expected it to be so big, bright and clean” or “I expected to see people
sitting around and disengaged.”
Those who have visited
us know that our 30,000-square-foot building, which opened in 2023, is filled
with light and brightly colored art and, most importantly, members and clients
who are engaged and thrive through the many wellness programs we offer. We
dispel the myths created about aging through the media that often portray seniors
as frail, forgetful and depressed.
Of course, this is not
surprising as age stereotypes have been ingrained in each of us. Even as little
children we learn nursery rhymes like “There was an old woman who lived in a
shoe” and “This old man.”
At Baker Senior Center
Naples, we promote wellness and thriving in older adults through an average of
40 different programs each week that provide social engagement, physical
activity, mental stimulation and cognitive support, which all lead to positive
functioning and resilience.
We are one of just 111
senior centers in the United States accredited by the National Council on
Aging, and the only one that provides comprehensive services by licensed and
credentialed professionals such as mental health counseling, case management,
dementia respite groups and caregiver support, all under one roof. We also
offer a “choice” food pantry for those in need.
We are proud that Baker
Senior Center Naples is considered the “central address” in our community for
older adults to meet and connect in a warm and nurturing environment.
We invite
you to visit us at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane as we “Flip the Script on Aging.”
By Dr. Jaclynn Faffer
President/CEO of Baker
Senior Center Naples
(Dr. Jaclynn Faffer is
President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that
provides comprehensive, “one-stop-shop” professional services and programs for older
adults and their families.)
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Local Services By This Author
Baker Senior Center Naples
Senior ActivitiesEmpowering Older Adults with Confidence, Connection, and SupportBaker Senior Center Naples was established in January 2014 as the first senior center in Collier County, Florida. Since its founding, it has grown into a nationally accredited, full-service resource center dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. It is one of only 111 senior centers in the United States to hold national accreditation, a distinction that reflects its commitment to excellence in service delivery. The center is staffed by a team of licensed professionals and supported by a large network of trained volunteers.Mission and VisionThe mission of Baker Senior Center Naples is to provide confidence, connection, and support to adults age 60 and older throughout Collier and southern Lee counties. In 2019, the organization launched a major capital campaign titled Building Our Future. This initiative led to the construction and grand opening of a modern, 30,000-square-foot facility on January 11, 2023. This purpose-built space offers a welcoming environment for programs, services, and peaceful outdoor gardens.Programs and ServicesThe center delivers a wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet the needs of older adults:Mental Health Counseling: Licensed professionals provide individual and group counseling to address depression, anxiety, grief, and memory loss.Cognitive Health Program: A structured dementia respite program and memory loss support groups are offered during the week from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Geriatric Case Management: Social workers and trained staff assist seniors with aging in place, overcoming loneliness, and accessing vital services.Food Pantry Assistance: The center operates a fully stocked food pantry for older adults facing food insecurity, supported through partnerships with local food banks.The center also offers a robust calendar of enrichment programs, including weekly hot lunches for over 400 participants, fitness and wellness classes, creative arts activities, technology training, cultural experiences, and social engagement opportunities.
Baker Senior Center Naples
Garden ClubsEmpowering Older Adults with Confidence, Connection, and SupportBaker Senior Center Naples was established in January 2014 as the first senior center in Collier County, Florida. Since its founding, it has grown into a nationally accredited, full-service resource center dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. It is one of only 111 senior centers in the United States to hold national accreditation, a distinction that reflects its commitment to excellence in service delivery. The center is staffed by a team of licensed professionals and supported by a large network of trained volunteers.Mission and VisionThe mission of Baker Senior Center Naples is to provide confidence, connection, and support to adults age 60 and older throughout Collier and southern Lee counties. In 2019, the organization launched a major capital campaign titled Building Our Future. This initiative led to the construction and grand opening of a modern, 30,000-square-foot facility on January 11, 2023. This purpose-built space offers a welcoming environment for programs, services, and peaceful outdoor gardens.Programs and ServicesThe center delivers a wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet the needs of older adults:Mental Health Counseling: Licensed professionals provide individual and group counseling to address depression, anxiety, grief, and memory loss.Cognitive Health Program: A structured dementia respite program and memory loss support groups are offered during the week from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Geriatric Case Management: Social workers and trained staff assist seniors with aging in place, overcoming loneliness, and accessing vital services.Food Pantry Assistance: The center operates a fully stocked food pantry for older adults facing food insecurity, supported through partnerships with local food banks.The center also offers a robust calendar of enrichment programs, including weekly hot lunches for over 400 participants, fitness and wellness classes, creative arts activities, technology training, cultural experiences, and social engagement opportunities.Commitment to the CommunityLocated at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane in Naples, Florida, Baker Senior Center Naples is open to all adults age 60 and older. The center operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and welcomes participants from all backgrounds and financial situations. As a nonprofit organization, Baker Senior Center Naples is sustained through community support, private donations, and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers.
Baker Senior Center Naples
Cognitive TherapyEmpowering Older Adults with Confidence, Connection, and SupportBaker Senior Center Naples was established in January 2014 as the first senior center in Collier County, Florida. Since its founding, it has grown into a nationally accredited, full-service resource center dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. It is one of only 111 senior centers in the United States to hold national accreditation, a distinction that reflects its commitment to excellence in service delivery. The center is staffed by a team of licensed professionals and supported by a large network of trained volunteers.Mission and VisionThe mission of Baker Senior Center Naples is to provide confidence, connection, and support to adults age 60 and older throughout Collier and southern Lee counties. In 2019, the organization launched a major capital campaign titled Building Our Future. This initiative led to the construction and grand opening of a modern, 30,000-square-foot facility on January 11, 2023. This purpose-built space offers a welcoming environment for programs, services, and peaceful outdoor gardens.Programs and ServicesThe center delivers a wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet the needs of older adults:Mental Health Counseling: Licensed professionals provide individual and group counseling to address depression, anxiety, grief, and memory loss.Cognitive Health Program: A structured dementia respite program and memory loss support groups are offered during the week from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Geriatric Case Management: Social workers and trained staff assist seniors with aging in place, overcoming loneliness, and accessing vital services.Food Pantry Assistance: The center operates a fully stocked food pantry for older adults facing food insecurity, supported through partnerships with local food banks.The center also offers a robust calendar of enrichment programs, including weekly hot lunches for over 400 participants, fitness and wellness classes, creative arts activities, technology training, cultural experiences, and social engagement opportunities.Commitment to the CommunityLocated at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane in Naples, Florida, Baker Senior Center Naples is open to all adults age 60 and older. The center operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and welcomes participants from all backgrounds and financial situations. As a nonprofit organization, Baker Senior Center Naples is sustained through community support, private donations, and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers.