By Rick Eldridge

For the Salisbury Post

May is national Older Americans Month. This year the observance extends to recognizing the 50^th anniversary of Medicare & Medicaid, the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Older Americans Act, and the 80^th anniversary of Social Security.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center in our community serves as the local aging resource center for Rowan County, and during May seeks to further educate the public on the network of support services available to assist older adults in aging with dignity. 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 over 10,000 different 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. As the older population increases, community-based services are more important than ever. With the 2010 Census, the number of those age 65+ in Rowan County grew 31.4% from the 2000 Census, as opposed to an overall 6.2% growth rate for the County.

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.

The Senior Center 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, and recreational programs. Thirty-two different clubs and organizations meet at the Center offering a variety of program activities. Volunteer and civic engagement options offer older adults the opportunity to be involved with Center operations and community service. Many of the services provided through the Senior Center are supported by local United Way dollars, with most offerings available to everyone age 55 or older.

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. Included within this program is assistance with enrollment for Medicare Part D, assistance with enrollment with Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, and the annual AARP Tax-Aide Program. Are You Okay? and the Secure Home Program provide assistance in helping older adults to remain living in their homes. The I & A Program works closely with other agencies in the community serving older adults, and the United Way’s 211 system, to insure that those needing assistance can access services.

The Nutrition Program provides an opportunity for hundreds of older adults in Rowan County age 60+ to gather weekdays at six “Lunch Club” sites within the community to share a balanced, nutritious lunch and to benefit from educational programs and social interaction. Staff members work with On-Time Catering in Lexington to provide the meals each day based on a menu that has been developed to meet the special nutritional needs of older persons. Sites are located at area churches and community centers in Salisbury, as well as the north, south, east and western areas of the County. “Shelf” or emergency meals are made available for clients to keep at home for use on days when inclement weather prevents them from attending a site. Although meals available at the sites are provided through federal, state and County funds, these extra “shelf” meals are funded through United Way dollars.

The Title V Senior Employment Program is a job training program targeted at lower income older adults who need a period of re-training or re-tooling to be employable in the private sector workforce. Older adult enrollees are placed in positions with government and non-profit agencies to work while attending training classes and programs. Staff members work with enrollees to eventually obtain employment in the private sector. Classroom training expenses are covered in many cases through United Way support.

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, check out the Center’s website at www.ruftyholmes.org or call 704-216-7714.

 

Rick Eldridge is executive director of the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.