SARASOTA — When he was born, Fredric Douglas Binion says, his mother told him he “came into the world smiling.”
Binion, 77, a resident of Sarasota and 11-year volunteer at Senior Friendship Centers, enjoys participating in events that help seniors deal with aging.
“I pass that smile on everywhere I go,” Binion said.
Senior citizens in Southwest Florida face an array of issues in their daily lives that may curtail smiles.
Some battle memory loss. Others struggle with loneliness and isolation. Many deal with issues such as finances, intimacy and sexuality, divorce, family relationships and death and loss.
Fortunately, Hedda Matza-Haughton said, most have inherent strengths for handling them.
Matza- Haughton, a licensed clinical social worker and arts for health practitioner, created an interactive program using improvisational drama. She wanted to help seniors learn more about the strengths and challenges of aging through her eight-week improv sessions.
Senior Friendship Centers is hosting Matza-Haughton’s programs in October, November and January. She wants participants to “come and learn and laugh and enjoy.”