Debra Raymond spent 13 years giving guidance to Dartmouth’s elderly populations through her work at the Council on Aging Senior Center. Now, she’s listened to the advice of the elderly and dropping everything to move to Arizona.

“I’m blaming the seniors. They said, ‘Don’t wait till you get old. Don’t wait till you get sick. Don’t wait till you lose somebody.’ That’s exactly why I’m doing it. They taught me well,” said Raymond after the Council on Aging’s meeting on Monday.

She said she’s been periodically visiting Arizona throughout the past six years with her husband, Richard, and felt that now was a good time to take the plunge and move.

Raymond, who has a background in social services, started her career in a nursing home and then worked for Meals on Wheels. She directed the Social Day Program at Dartmouth’s senior center for six years and then became the director of the Council on Aging, where she's spent the last seven years.

She doesn’t plan to find a similar job because she doesn’t want to end up continuously comparing her new job to Dartmouth.

“It’s different chapter. I’m open to new experiences. We’re really going to shake the tree this time,” she said.

Raymond said that much has changed during her time at the senior center, which she describes as a youth center “but with more opinions.” Today’s elderly aren’t content with getting together to play bingo.

“There’s been a major generation change within my time,” she said. “You’ve had the people that have belonged to senior groups, and they would meet once a week. A lot of those have dwindled, and a lot more active things have taken place.”

Seniors meet throughout the week for yoga, tai chi and Zumba and more. There’s a walking club and line dancing on Fridays. And all of this physical activity has drawn a younger crowd to the center. Raymond said the age range is now somewhere between 62 to 98.

“Baby Boomers are starting to come in and take part in the activities because they’re more physical. They’re keeping them going,” said Raymond.

As director, she’s also tried to create spaces for men to feel welcome.

Dan Fournier, who’s been going to the Senior Center after he retired two years ago, said he’s seen Raymond respond efficiently to the needs of the people.

“She listens very well and takes actions on what she hears. For example, before I came the boys were playing cards on a table that wasn’t friendly to playing cards. Now we have a card table,” said Fournier.

George Frias said that, in the ten years that he’s frequented the center, he hardly sees her standing still.

“She’s like the Energizer Bunny. She never stops,” said Frias.

She said that mornings are often crazy at the center, and some people will wait at the doors before they open, eager to get coffee. In an average week, she estimates that 175 to 200 seniors visit.

At the Council on Aging meeting, board Member Margaret Anderson and Chair Susan Thompson discussed the next steps in the process for finding a replacement.

The Council received 16 applications for the position. Anderson and Thompson are presenting their top candidates to Town Administrator David Cressman and Select Board member Stanley Mickelson, and the group will later conduct interviews.

“How we selected the people was based on education, their experience and their community involvement. We narrowed it down to four,” said Anderson.

Raymond’s last day will be Aug. 31.

“When I do leave, I have no doubt that they’ll keep the same momentum going. That’s going to be my legacy right there,” said Raymond.