RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County Human Services officials said with the pending shutdown of Dorothea Dix hospital, they need more space for mental health services. As a result, some people at the senior center on Whitaker Mill will have to find a new place to meet.

"I don't think stealing something from me is helping me and they're stealing my senior center," resident Jean Waddell said.

Waddell comes to the senior center three days a week for cards, calisthenics and camaraderie.

"You take all of the good things that make these seniors happy and take it away from them and we will probably all come back here as patients of the mental health," she said.

"We're trying to maximize the opportunities for seniors not diminish or cut out opportunities for seniors," said Bob Sorrels, of Wake County Human Services.

Sorrels said there will be more senior activities, but they will be scattered among community centers, churches and private facilities.

Most days, the senior center serves about 150 people. They range in age from 55 to 92 years old.