Tracy Press

A visitor to the Lolly Hansen Senior Center hopes its policy is amended to encourage young guests.

EDITOR,

My 12-year-old son and I recently went to visit my 91-year-old father at the Lolly Hansen Senior Center. My father was playing bingo. I totally understand that they did not want my son sitting in the bingo room, although I have to admit that seeing the delightful smiles and wonderful greetings from all the seniors was a great experience, regardless of how short it was.

We were there because I believe in teaching good morals and values to my son. And this was a great environment.

At first, I was told that my son could sit in the lobby area. He sat there with his handheld game player and didn’t bother anyone, but then I was told he couldn’t sit there, either.

And so it was that a youth who wanted to spend time with seniors and socialize with his grandfather was not allowed to, even with me there.

I hope in the future the senior center will evaluate its visitor policy, because my son and I would like to visit the friends we met.

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written by bla , August 02, 2008

That's just not right. My daughter use to go to the senior homes & centers around Tracy with her school, dance class and church. The elderly loved having them around. I will never forget the smiles on their faces. I just don't get it!

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written by amy , August 02, 2008

It seems to fall in the same category, "out of sight, out of mind".

Where are the disabled? Also? Same thing.

When they are "housed", they are pretty much removed from the society, not by their choice, but by their age and ability to get around easily.

So glad to see this come out more, show the old people that there is life going on around them by showing up and share the stories with them, who knows, one might walk away with wealth of "histories" of what they had been through, witnessed in their lifetime and so on!!!!

Keep the "human" touch alive.

Thanks.
-amy

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written by Dave Hardesty , August 02, 2008

I am wondering who told this person their son had to leave?

The reason I ask because this certainly doesn't sound like any policy that is enforced by the city and the City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services department is the only one that has the legal right to enforce such a thing.

This sounds to me like someone may have overstepped their authority and I highly recommend this person take the complaint to the Parks and Community Services Commission to let them know what occurred and to make sure something like this doesn't occur again.

Before everyone jumps on the mantra "Bad City, bad Senior Center" it deserves a public hearing and investigation into the matter.

This just doesn't sound right to me and I don't believe this public place has such a policy. There must be something more to all of this than all of the rest of us know about.

Let the proper people know about it so they can look into it.

Dave Hardesty

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written by fortheunderdog , August 02, 2008

I believe playing BINGO has a gambling air to it, meaning that there is a cash award being offered and is actually a form of gambling. Minors are not permitted to be inside a gaming center. I'm sure if the author's child was 21 yrs of age there would have been no problem. I also believe that the players have to "buy in" to play. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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written by amy , August 03, 2008

I had thought there must be some sort of restrictions in having a minor in gambling atmosphere (bingo... cute). You, fortheunderdog, stated what I thought.

Couldn't they change the time to visit their parent or grandparent to non-bingo hours for visiting?

Hope the center will include more young people at non-bingo hours?
-amy

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written by fortheunderdog , August 03, 2008

I would have to suspect that another reason they don't want minors inside while they're playing Bingo is distraction. Those seniors are totally engrossed in their play. If someone makes them miss marking they're going to be really annoyed.

B-1 considerate person and keep your children out of the senior center'

I-2 will not interfere with their game.

N-? Gosh don't have anything cute for this one.

G- I wish I had something for this one.

O-2 be a senior and play Bingo all day!

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written by Annie Snyder , August 04, 2008

And then there is the thought that the child may have been irritating. I don't get it. Why would a quiet child be asked to leave a lobby? I have run into some seniors who are completely intollerant of the way we raise our children today. The seniors are not quiet about it either. They don't like to see a child sitting and playing electronic games. They think the kids should be outside. We don't know because we were not there. I think there is more to this story.

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written by fortheunderdog , August 04, 2008

ANNIE SNYDER,

You could be right but I'm guessing that the main reason the child was asked to leave was because of the gaming atmosphere and the childs age. I doubt it could be noise from the electronic game they were playing because my grandchildren have those and they usually wear their earpieces so it doesn't disturb others.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 04, 2008

If they allow one child in then they have to allow them all. I'm all for kids hanging around senior citizens. They really cheer them up. But usually there is just one or two kids that are runners, criers and, I wanna go home, but the parents ignore them and the seniors may not want that part of the cuteness.

Maybe it could be done on a case by case child but then the staffing may not be there for that and then what if one senior says, hey if yours can come then mine should be able to, even if they are like the Tasmanian devil.

Do they have family days?

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written by bla , August 04, 2008

I understand if he were asked to leave because of the gambling aspect but, it doesn't appear that they gave them any reason why. This may not be the whole story, I'm just expressing my opinion on what was written.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 04, 2008

I just got a picture in my head of a senior getting some of their cards messed up by a little one. Kids are good for seniors but maybe a time could be set aside for them to come,

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written by amy , August 05, 2008

Totally different scenario, at the hospital lobby, kids are very fidgety when they are not allowed in ICU.

It is their nature to be restless.....waiting while sitting still is often not their strong suit. It is for this reason we keep the visits to a minimum for the visitors who brought their kids along. Please, visitors, plan ahead, give them ample opportunity to find things to do, maybe volunteer to help out with the books at the senior citizens center or something like that, to feel sense of pride at their contributions?

Give them something light to do, or like maybenotadumBcommenT said, set a time aside for them to come by, Family day... without Bingo that day?

-amy

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written by fortheunderdog , August 07, 2008

In my opinion, these seniors look forward to their Bingo playing day. For some, a day without Bingo is a day without sunshine. Let them have their day for Bingo and plan your visits with them on days they're at home. I'm sure there are some seniors who play Bingo just to get away from all the interruption of everyday life and that includes grandkids. Give them their free time to spend the way they see fit...........to play BINGO.