Paul Simon sings he’s got “reason to believe we will be received in Graceland.”

That’s what the folks at the Graceland Center for Purposeful Living want our elderly to know, and Peggy Jacques and staff are setting up shop to turn our city’s seniors into superstars.

“There’s so much about being older adults,” the founder and executive director said. “It’s interesting — I’m a professional, full-time R.N. — so many things affect our health from what we eat to what we do — our social life.”

Based on the Mathers Centers in Chicago, Graceland wants to help keep that spark inside all of us fired up. Old age is not a death sentence, no matter the aches and the pains, and the maladies that are a part of being human.

“Healthy living for your brain and body,” said Graceland Center Chairperson Cynthia Johnson, who will help operate the Life Together Center at 3625 N. Sheridan Road (corner of War Memorial and Sheridan next to First Federated Church). “We want people to feel comfortable — to enhance the lives of older adults through education, connections and innovations.”

Its website lists Graceland’s values as Inclusion — anyone over 50 is invited for free; Integrity — safe environment without influence of political or economic interests; Wisdom — sharing this treasured resource with others; Dignity — worthy of honor and respect; Collaboration — partnerships throughout the community to promote well-being of older adults; Growth — holistic well-being.

‘I’m going to Graceland’

The Life Together Center will be open weekly from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays. Activities will range from explaining health benefits, chair yoga, art therapy, music, cooking …

“We’ll for sure play Bingo,” Jacques said. “If you don’t know, you may think we’re adult daycare, but with a community-based center, people can drop in and pick and choose different activities.

“Holistic health: mind, body, spirit.”

In addition to Wednesdays at the center, Graceland is planning monthly satellite events throughout the community to spread the word. “Aging with vitality,” preaches Jacques, who was excited upon her return from an event at Lincoln Library during a phone interview last month. There’s another satellite planned for 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at West Peoria City Hall to discuss avoiding fraud.

These events are designed for outreach, meet and greet, and “To learn — to share — what people want in a senior center,” said Johnson.

The elderly can be stigmatized. Graceland wants to guide people to a good life. “We have a bias about older adults based on reputation,” Jacques said. “But they have the right to do activities; the right to be respected.”

The right to have fun. And keep having it. Keep busy living.

Jacques notes that, although Peoria is the eighth largest city in Illinois, there have been zero senior centers. “There are feelings of dependence. They will rely on family members.”

Sheltering in place during the pandemic increased the need for more services for seniors. “With COVID, seniors were staying inside,” Johnson notes. “It was a scary situation for all of us, especially seniors. Diagnosis: Loneliness.”

Free for all who go to Graceland

Everything is free at Graceland Center for Purposeful Living. The nonprofit organization created in 2019 secured the Emerging Philanthropist Grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at Lincoln Library. Central Illinois Agency on Aging also granted funds. It’s accessible and they promise to work with people and their needs.

“I have a little friend who’s 92. She did not go to a quilting show because they raised the price from $7 to $8. I felt so bad. Quilting is her jam!

“But living on a fixed income, seniors don’t have a lot of extra money.”

People are catching on. Jacques said it was standing-room-only at an inaugural event at Proctor Hospital in 2022.

The website gracelandcenter.com has all kinds of resources and news with links to seniors stuff. Check out its Facebook page for future events.

The goal is to keep people safely living in their homes longer. Help the community create ways to age well.

“Enhancing lives of older adults.”