Art of Aging: Philadelphia Positive Aging Lunch Series

PHILADELPHIA -- It's called the Philadelphia Positive Aging Lunch Series and it's an open forum for seniors to get together and chat about the good things that come with getting older.

Lynne Iser, Coordinator of the Positive Aging Lunch series said, "It's a way to support each other, affirm each other, and get new ideas."

One of the topics discussed was about building communities.

Ted Reed of Friends in the City says, "Having a supportive social network is absolutely vital for people."

The guest speakers at one discussion were from Friends in the City, a social network of Center City seniors.

"We run 75 or 80 programs every month and those range from uh walking groups, and book groups, and play reading groups, and Canasta groups," said Ted.

Evelyn Eskin of Friends in the City said, "We go as a group to Manna. We go as a group to Saint John's Hospice.

The group has at least one or two activities every day.

"We have a happy hour every month at the Ritz Carlton where we all gather the last Monday of every month and we have Morning Joe at the Reading Terminal where we gather and we have we even get a 10% discount," (laughs) Evelyn.

Friends in the City started with just 17 members and now has more than 300 and a focus on giving back while also taking advantage of all that Philadelphia has to offer.

Dick Goldberg a Positive Aging Lunch Series member said, "It's not all about decline, not all about loss. There are lots of wonderful opportunities to engage in the world, to learn new things, to have new experiences, and to feel vital.

If you're interested in volunteer opportunities and social groups, check out our Art of Aging section.