By Lindsay J. Jones
Danville
July 17, 2007 06:16 pm
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The Hendricks County Senior Center is only one small part of the programs Hendricks County Senior Services offers.
Senior Services bases its programs on one mission: Older people have a right to live with independence and dignity with the best quality of life in the home of their choice for as long as possible.
“When seniors become immobile, it’s critical to help them stay active,” said Sharon Severy of Hendricks County Senior Services. “We really become a family place for them.”
One main service is transportation, which includes wheelchair transportation and transportation to medical appointments and grocery and drug stores to run necessary errands. It operates on a donation basis, in order to allow all senior citizens to be able to leave their home if they’re able.
The LINK transportation service also runs out of the senior center, but is run by the county and operates on a fee basis. It provides services to anyone in the county.
Other services include quarterly health clinics offering screenings and advice on a donation basis. Homemakers volunteer to help seniors with light housekeeping for short-term or long-term periods, depending on their needs. Volunteers also visit isolated elderly people in their homes, offering companionship, errand services, and household management tasks on a donation basis.
Seniors can also call for information regarding social security, Medicare, and other concerns, and the information bureau can help answer questions.
A telephone reassurance program is offered as well, providing volunteers who make daily telephone calls to home-bound seniors.
Additional offerings include respite care, which provides assistants in a senior’s home while the regular caregiver is away, who can offer companionship, supervision, and help with daily living tasks like grocery shopping, errands, and food preparation.
Financial, legal, insurance, and tax aids can help and answer questions for seniors on topics like pre-retirement, finances, and estate planning.
An employment referral helps seniors living on a limited budget find employment to supplement their income.
Finally, the senior center provides opportunities for a variety of daily recreational, wellness, and educational activities, including physical fitness opportunities, crafts, weekday lunches, computer instruction and access, health and consumer programs, legal aid, health screenings, social activities, and more.
Hendricks County Senior Services is funded in part by CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions and the United Way of Central Indiana.
Residents of Central Indiana ages 21 and older may become members of the senior center for a $25 per year membership. Senior Services and the senior center are at 1201 Sycamore Lane, Danville.
An open house is being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 20 for those interested in learning more about Senior Services. Light refreshments, entertainment, and tours will be available. For more information, call 745-4303.
lindsay.jones@flyergroup.com
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