Senior centers seek support on Issue 27 this November
By Alyssa Mayley
October 2, 2015
1135
To continue and expand services for senior residents in the community, area senior centers are asking for public support on Issue 27 in the Nov. 3 replacement levy ballot.
If passed, the replacement levy will permit the senior centers to maintain and broaden the services offered to include transportation, in-home services, minor home repair, daily lunches, Medicare consultations, health and wellness programs, and socialization activities for six senior center sites across the county.
The passing of this replacement levy will impact Tuscarawas County, Dennison, Garaway, Mineral City, Newcomerstown and Westchester senior centers.
We are very hopeful that the Tuscarawas County community will support Issue 27 that will allow us to continue services weve been providing, Pamela Farrell, executive director at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center, said. It will allow us to enhance our transportation program and create a social services program and a health and wellness program.
The additional money will maintain existing services over the span of the next 10 years, expand transportations hours of operation, allocate funds for the future purchase of new vehicles, establish case management for individual or family counseling, restore funding for minor home repairs and expand health promotion programs and training.
The countywide services aim to promote health, independence and productivity for local senior citizens. The Dover facility is for all residents age 50 and over, and services are provided for individuals over age 60.
Residents are not required to be a member to enjoy some of the features the center offers such as lunch at the banquet center, visiting the library or stopping in for a health screening; however, for only $20 per year many people choose to take advantage of the benefits and become a member.
Some perks of having a membership are lower cost on trips and use of the computer labs, sewing room, choir, card playing, arts-and-crafts room, fitness equipment and an indoor-walking track.
A fleet of 17 vans travel all over the county transporting seniors to medical appointments, banking, rehabilitation, grocery shopping, socializing events and much more.
The center also provides in-home, non-medical services to more than 100 clients, assistance to help seniors find a Medicare program that meets their needs, as well as monthly screenings and presentations on topics like diabetes, nutrition and caregiver support.
The Dover facility also offers telephone reassurance up to five days per week to provide comfort and support to seniors.
The Support Our Senior program assists low-income seniors who need emergency help but who do not qualify for other programs. They have helped many people so far this year with safety issues around the house such as broken stairs and wheelchair ramps, replacing a hot water tank and a bad battery in a mobility chair, and multiple cases of gas, water and electric shut-off notices.
For people living in a home valued at $100,000 the cost will be about $28 per year or 54 cents per week, 15 cents more than the current cost of 39 cents per week.
Its very friendly and I really like it, said Patti Stull, who has been a regular at the Tuscarawas Senior Center since before the new Dover building was constructed in 2005. Its like home.
For more information, call 330-364-6611 or visit Tuscarawas County Senior Center on Facebook.
