Older Persons’ Commission Wins Prestigious National Award!
Rochester, MI, January 3, 2023: The Older Persons’ Commission (OPC) has been awarded the 2022 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award Top 5 ‘BEST IN WELLNESS’ Community Centers in North America!
This award recognizes the OPC’s commitment to providing exceptional programs and services that keep seniors active, vibrant and healthy. The OPC, located in Rochester, was selected from among hundreds of community centers for this prestigious award.
The Pinnacle Award is presented by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), which leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry, and NuStep, LLC, a major manufacturer of recumbent cross-trainers used in healthcare, senior living and fitness centers. The award recognizes organizations for successfully fostering a wellness-centered environment to benefit all who participate in, or work at, the center.
Wellness can be defined by seven key dimensions: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational and environmental, and it’s the OPC’s mission to provide seniors every opportunity to expand and strengthen these areas.
The OPC is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, and is an integral part of the Greater Rochester community. Offering a wealth of fitness, aquatic, social, enrichment and fine arts programming, as well as supportive services, the organization provides something for everyone 50+. The OPC boasts a newly renovated, state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with cardio and weight equipment, free weights and two pools, allowing for lane swimming and a wide variety of aquatics-based classes. There is a comprehensive gym schedule providing all levels of pickleball play, spin classes in addition to team sports, table tennis, open-gym and billiards. Fitness classes including strength, yoga, barre, cardio kickboxing and more provide an opportunity for everyone, at any fitness level, to maintain and improve their physical health.
OPC members also enjoy lectures, concerts, card, game and language groups and frequent special events. There is a huge variety of fine arts classes, a pottery studio, lapidary and woodshop for participants to explore their creativity. There is a thriving performing arts program for those looking to exercise their singing, acting and dancing skills. The OPC also provides local, regional, national and international travel opportunities.
The OPC’s critical supportive services include Meals on Wheels and transportation which allow seniors to safely age in place in the comfort and security of their own homes. Adult day services, information and referral to supportive programs and services, mental wellness counseling, medical loan closet, support groups and much more help individuals stay connected and maintain their independence.
Prioritizing and nurturing the many aspects of wellness enables individuals to embrace their potential to pursue and optimize life’s possibilities. As the older adult population grows, community centers such as the OPC can significantly impact health, longevity and quality of life by establishing wellness as an essential and beneficial way of life. As OPC member, volunteer and regular Fitness & Aquatics participant, Brian Conlon famously said, “Even as a ‘senior,’ I’ve never felt like a senior here at the OPC!”
OPC Executive Director, Renee Cortright eagerly shares the organization’s driving philosophy in supporting seniors; “Everyone deserves the opportunity to fully explore and expand their horizons, and we at the OPC are seniors’ biggest cheerleaders. We’re focused on providing the exceptional programming that supports total wellness for the 50+. I’m extremely proud of this team that works each and every day to bring this level of service to our members. The OPC is a beacon for seniors in our community!”
Wellness is not simply something to add to programs and services; instead, it is a mindset and foundation that permeates every aspect of life for the members, clients and staff at the OPC. The ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award recognizes the OPC’s dedication to the local 50+ community as among the very best in the nation.
ABOUT THE OLDER PERSONS' COMMISSION (OPC)
OPC is Michigan’s premier community center dedicated to the physical, intellectual and emotional well-being of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township residents who are 50+. In addition to “Meals on Wheels,” the OPC offers many resources through its Adult Day Services, support groups and much more. All of the services offered by the OPC are designed to help individuals 50 and older age in place, stay connected to the community, and maintain their independence. For more information on the OPC, visit opcseniorcenter.org, Like us on Facebook or call 248-659-1029.
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January 3, 2023, OPC and Rochester.Life Staff