By Rick Eldridge
For the Salisbury Post
With May being national Older Americans Month, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center is seeking to further educate the community on the mission and need for the Center as a key part of the local human services network.
The mission of the Center is to provide a focal point for aging resources as well as opportunities to extend independent living and enrich the quality of life for Rowan County older adults. The Center has been in operation since 1988, serving the citizens of Rowan County with support from federal, state and local government; the United Way; the business community and private donations. The Center serves more than 10,000 older adults each year.
“Community-based services for older adults are critical in terms of maximizing the ability of individuals to remain as healthy as possible, and in living as independently as possible, to reduce or delay the need for more costly acute care services,” according to Executive Director Rick Eldridge.
He said as the older population increases, community-based services are more critical than ever. The 2010 Census says the number of those 65 and older in Rowan County has grown 31.4 percent in the past 10 years. Overall, the county has a 6.2 percent growth rate.
Rufty-Holmes Senior Center offers four basic program services: the Senior Center, Information & Assistance, the Nutrition Program and the Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program.
It provides services designed to keep older adults active, healthy and engaged in the community. There are exercise facilities and classes available, health screenings, educational seminars, recreational programs and 33 clubs and organizations meeting at the Center. Volunteer and civic engagement options offer older adults the opportunity to stay involved. Many of the services are supported by local United Way dollars.
The Information & Assistance Program provides staff assistance to an individual older adult, caregiver or family member concerning eligibility and enrollment for the multitude of aging services available in the community. Staff members provide general information and respond to inquiries, but also provide assistance in “navigating the system” for those who may not be able to fully take advantage of the eligible services. Assistance includes helping with enrollment for Medicare Part D and supplemental insurance plans, AARP Tax-Aide Program, Are You Okay? and the SAFE Program.
The Nutrition Program provides an opportunity for older adults to gather weekdays at eight “Lunch Club” sites for a balanced, nutritious lunch. Staff members work with Chartwells of Catawba College to provide the meals. Sites are at area churches and community centers in Salisbury, Spencer, Cleveland, China Grove, Granite Quarry, Rockwell and East Spencer.
The Title V Senior Employment Program is a job training program targeted at lower income older adults, who are placed in positions with government and nonprofit agencies. Staff members work with enrollees to eventually obtain employment in the private sector.
Rufty-Holmes has been a Rowan County United Way Agency since 1990. It was recognized by the NC Division of Aging & Adult Services as the state’s first “Senior Center of Excellence” in 1999, and has been nationally accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers since 2001.
For more information about Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and older adult services in Rowan County, visit www.ruftyholmes.org or call 704-216-7700.