Elderly Program Services

Funding has been provided in the form of grants from the Title III program which was created from the Older Americans Act.  Multi-Purpose operates three senior centers that our a resource for the rural communities we serve. The primary purpose of the senior center is to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The centers support the seniors in their efforts to keep active and preserve their independence by promoting wellness, personal fulfillment and self-esteem.   We do this by offering a variety of services to seniors.

• Monday through Friday seniors are served a nutritionally balanced noon meal in a social group setting.
• Clients that are evaluated and found to be unable to prepare a hot meal for themselves can receive a hot home delivered meal.  The meal is packaged at the senior center and delivered by a volunteer. 
• Staff members advocate for seniors in a variety of venues to secure their rights or benefits.  Advocacy can take the form of resolving an issue one on one or speaking to legislators about issues that affect seniors. 
• Counseling services are offered to seniors.  Often a professional counselor is scheduled to visit the center and present on various topics of interest.  Staff are available to listen with a sympathetic ear and recommend a professional counselor when needed. 
• Education programs are offered both formal and informal.  Topics presented may include nutrition, crime, accident prevention, computer skills, arts & crafts, and personal enrichment.   Education programs are designed to increase knowledge, experience and skills for seniors. 
• Programs to improve or maintain the health and wellbeing of older persons are available.  Services may include health screening and individual and group exercise.  Other health promotion activities are scheduled throughout the year. 
• Staff have extensive knowledge of their communities.  They are often asked to share information on other services offered.  Site managers have a large database of resources and can give seniors a contact person and phone number. 
• Staff contact seniors within the community to assess their needs and to encourage them to use services that are available to them.   Many of the contacts are one on one.  Occasionally the agency will set up a booth at a health fair, church function, senior day at the grocery store or anyplace that seniors gather.  
• Multi-Purpose has a dedicated group of volunteers that provide friendly visiting services.  They visit seniors who have difficulty leaving their home and have little family in the area.  The volunteers spend time with the seniors on a regular basis.   Many of the volunteers and seniors develop friendships from these visits. 
• Another group of volunteers regularly schedule phone calls with seniors.  The volunteer and the senior agree on a predetermined time to talk each week.   It allows much needed socialization for seniors and offers the reassurance that someone will be checking on them regularly.    
• Transportation is offered to seniors so they are able to get the senior centers for meals and activities.  The agency provides transportation to non-emergency medical appointments.  Appointments can range from regular doctors visits, dialysis, eye doctor appointments, dentist appointments or picking up a prescription from the pharmacy.  

If you are interested in learning more about our senior programs, please e-mail Mary