FOLEY— Inside the Foley Senior Center, the hum of conversation blends with the upbeat rhythm of an exercise class and the laughter of friends gathered for cards.

On any given day, more than 150 older adults fill the building, moving from handbell choir to line dancing. For many, this is more than a place to spend time — it's where connection, purpose and community take root.

That sense of belonging is becoming increasingly vital as Alabama braces for what experts call the "Silver Tsunami," a term used to describe the county's rapidly aging population. A recent study by Seniorly and CareScout ranked Alabama the No. 7 most prepared state for the coming demographic shift based on senior population growth, financial preparedness and health care capacity.

In Baldwin County, one of the state's — and country's — fastest-growing regions, the effects of that demographic change are already visible. The county's senior population makes up 21.5% of residents, while in Foley, that figure rises to 30.7%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Statewide, Alabama's over-65 population grew from about 861,000 in 2020 to nearly 956,000 in 2024, an 11% increase.

For Foley city officials, the numbers are more than statistics that show the city as the fastest-growing in the county; they're people they see every day.

"We see about 150 seniors a day across four to six activities," said Teresa McKenzie, the city's senior center manager. "We try to make sure our calendar is diverse; not everyone wants to exercise. We do day trips, potlucks and lunch-and-learns with city departments. We want something for everybody."

Over the last few years, participation has surged. Before COVID-19, the center's membership stayed between 550 and 700 each year. After being closed for 15 months during the pandemic, staff returned to an empty roster. Today, that number has climbed to 1,674 members, and new faces continue to join each month.

For retirees like Kew Horton, who relocated from California, the Foley Senior Center has become more than a place for activities.

"It's beautiful what they do here," she said. "People have a chance to come, hang around and have a social life. I've met friends from all the groups — the walking group, the Zumba group, the library group — and I think it's so important, especially for senior people, to stay social. The center gives them that."

That sense of neighborliness is what keeps the center thriving. Pam Harris, Foley's director of senior services, said her job is to help remove obstacles so staff can focus on creating a welcoming environment.

"We want our seniors to have dignity and connections, and they like to have fun. They're movers and shakers," she said.

Executive Director David Thompson said Foley's older adults are deeply involved in civic life, volunteering for everything from community festivals to sports tourism events.

"One of the things that makes our senior center special is that the members aren't just participating — they're volunteering," he said. "They're civic-minded, and they give back."

To keep pace with the demand, the city has plans underway to expand. When Foley's new library opens, the current library building will be repurposed to double the size of the senior center, creating new rooms for activities and programs.

Today, the Foley Senior Center offers 52 programs and has served more than 27,000 seniors between 2024 and 2025. Membership is open to adults 50 and older, with offerings that span from Zumba and yoga to creative writing and educational workshops.

Yet staff say the true heart of the center lies in something less tangible than schedules and statistics — it's the sense of connection that keeps people coming back.

"Some of our members moved here with a spouse, and after losing them, they found family here," McKenzie said. "They may have children up north, but they stay because they have a support network to take care of them."

It's also part of what draws retirees to Baldwin County. Thompson said the city's low crime rate, modest property taxes and sense of community are big attractions.

For Harris, the work is about more than programs or buildings — it's about honoring the contributions of seniors.

"I never want our seniors to be shortchanged," she said. "They have so much worth. A lot of them had incredible careers. They still have contributions to make, and we see that every day."

As Foley's senior population grows, the center continues to adapt, expanding programs, activities and space to meet the community's needs. In doing so, it remains a central hub for engagement, support and connection for older adults across the city.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.