Get Stitched // The Stitch Blog

Where Did Senior Social Clubs Go?

There are more people over 50 than under 30 in the world today. Yet despite the growing demographic, senior social clubs and community centers have been steadily declining. Stitch provides ways to fill this gap and meet up with older adults.

The dimly lit clubs where you could sink into a red leather booth with a whisky and a familiar tune on the jukebox. The community halls where you could turn up any evening and find a crowd playing cards, laughing, swapping stories about old loves and new ambitions. The pubs where you could sip a pint, nod to the regulars, and feel, just for a little while, like the world made sense.

They used to be everywhere. The veterans’ halls, the social clubs, the dance nights, the places where people over 50 could go not to ‘network’ or ‘speed date’ but simply to be together. 

In 2023, one in three adults aged 50–80 reported feeling isolated, a significant increase from 27% in 2018. 

Financial challenges are a primary factor in these closures. For instance, the Vassar-Warner Home, a historic assisted living facility in Poughkeepsie, closed recently due to mounting financial difficulties, including low occupancy and high operational costs.

Similarly, the St Ives Senior Rugby Club in Sydney faced potential closure because of rising costs and declining memberships. 

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation. In March 2020, New York City closed all senior centers to curb the virus’s spread, disrupting essential social interactions for older adults. Most social venues struggled to stay solvent during COVID-19, and many were unable to stay open after the pandemic.

Over 50s at senior social groups, senior meetups and senior clubs

Shifts in societal behavior have also contributed to the decline. The rise of digital entertainment and changes in social habits have reduced in-person interactions. The Atlantic recently highlighted the way that technological advancements have led to decreased communal activities, with more individuals opting for solitary entertainment. 

The reduction in funding for senior programs is another critical issue. In the U.S, senior centers receiving Older Americans Act Title III funds decreased by 23% since 2019, with New Jersey experiencing a 98% reduction in senior centres with OAA funds.

This decline in support has forced many centers to shut down or scale back services.

The closure of these venues has profound implications. Social participation is vital for older adults’ well-being, with studies indicating that engagement in community groups can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental health

That’s where Stitch comes in.

Seniors being social making new friends and clubs and groups
Stitch members going to an event together

Stitch fills the space left by senior social clubs. By providing a user-friendly site where older adults can connect based on shared interests, arrange meetups, and discover local events, Stitch’s active aim is to revitalize community engagement and help people over 50 form genuine connections and friendships. 

Unlike social media, Stitch focuses on in-person events, clubs and group activities. It has a rigorous security process and manually verifies every member. Stitch helps people over 50 find book clubs, walking groups, dance nights, and more.

If you’re looking to find meaningful connections and fun activities with older adults, check out Stitch. Stitch helps create vibrant social networks for bolder generations.

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