New director has plans for aging program

May has been celebrated as Older Americans Month in one form or another since 1963.

It was then the National Council of Senior Citizens met with President John F. Kennedy and advocated for the needs of older adults, which led to the month of May being designated “Senior Citizens Month.” The name was ultimately changed to Older Americans Month.

For 27 of those 61 years, Bertie County Council on Aging/Senior Center Director Rebecca Stapleton has been involved with helping seniors.

“I have an extensive background in Aging spanning over 27 years. I started out at the Hertford County Office on Aging in January 1997 as the Respite Outreach Coordinator. In 2003, I accepted the position of Director of the J.W. Faison Senior Center and served until it closed in 2019,” said Stapleton. “I then went to the regional level with the Upper Coastal Plain Area Agency on Aging as first the Senior Community Service Employment Program Coordinator and later as an Aging Specialist until accepting a position as Aging Services Director with Bertie County in January 2024.”

Stapleton has vast plans for Bertie County seniors.

Aside from achieving Senior Center of Excellence status in 2025 through the state SCOPE program, Stapleton has plans to expand current programs and activities, while starting new ones.

Increasing senior community participation by collaborating with other county agencies is one of the director’s main focuses.

“I plan on collaborating with agencies that serve seniors to make sure older adults in the community are aware of services the community offers,” she said.

With the current expansion of broadband and connectivity throughout the county, Stapleton is planning new computer classes for seniors concerned about connecting and all the challenges that go with it.

“We are planning new computer classes provided by N.C. Cooperative Extension and we are working with Martin Community College Bertie Campus to provide classes that seniors will enjoy. We are also taking out of county shopping trips monthly now,” said Stapletaon. “We have been to Williamsburg. We are going to Raleigh on May 7 and the Smithfield Outlets on June 4.”

A cruise on the new Harbor Town Ferry is also on the agenda.

Stapleton’s outlook on the importance of a senior center and council on aging in a community solidifies her dedication to the aging population.

“A senior center and council on aging is an absolute necessity to address issues important to older adults and their caregivers. Our county’s population is approximately 25 percent older adults,” Stapleton said. “A senior center is dedicated to keeping older adults in their homes longer,

“A senior center advocates for the needs and wants of older adults. It meets the needs of socialization, recreation, education, and services. It has been shown that keeping people at home longer saves Medicaid dollars.”

The Bertie Senior Center offers programs in congregate nutrition, home delivered meals, transportation, home repair, caregiver services, Medicare (SHIIP) counseling, along with a variety of classes, social events, day trips and bingo.

An active exercise program with an exercise room, chair exercises and line dancing class are some of the most popular activities at the center, according to Stapleton, who also has plans for a cardio drumming class in the near future.

While many seniors are familiar with the Windsor location, the county also has satellite sites in Aulander, Kelford and Colerain. Currently, home delivered meals are delivered from all sites except Kelford. The center is in need of volunteers to deliver meals only on Mondays.

Stapleton is focusing on achieving SCOPE Certification for the center. State certification is a voluntary process that senior centers can use to be recognized in their communities and across the state. The purpose of the process is to strengthen the capacity of senior centers by providing a set of measurable indicators of best practice. The work is extensive and time consuming.

“We are working on putting the pieces in place and we will start the 12 month process in September. It is a very involved process and looks at all aspects of a senior center,” said Stapleton.

The process had not been done before. Once State Certification is achieved it is good for five years.

The new director encourages all seniors to take advantage of the Bertie County Senior Center monthly, but especially this May.