A variety of services are offered by the Senior Services program of CAO in an effort to meet the physical and emotional needs of older area residents. For many seniors, it becomes like family because they have no one else.

MULTI-PURPOSE SENIOR CENTER, SYBENE Site Mgr: Darlene Green 97 Private Rd. 80 South Point, OH 45680 Ph: 740-894-7569

The focal points of this effort are the Multi-Purpose Senior Center, constructed in 1984 on a 14-acre tract of riverfront property in the Sybene community and the Senior Center in the Park Avenue Apartment Complex beautifully renovated from the old Marting Hotel. Here, seniors can enjoy a hot meal, sing, dance, exercise, attend workshops-and most important-break down barriers of isolation and learn to defy stereotypes about the elderly.

The Multi-Purpose Center Senior Center has become a community center for people of all ages. Those who are planning banquets or receptions may rent the facility for a nominal fee. Area businesses have also become involved. The building also is used as a site for job training programs for both older adults and young people.

The Senior Center at Park Avenue Apartments offers a beautiful dining room with TV’s, a beauty salon, exercise room, computer room, and large sitting areas with fireplaces.

SOME OF THE SENIOR CENTER AREAS AT PARK AVENUE APARTMENTS

IRONTON SENIOR CENTER PARK AVE APARTMENT COMPLEX Site Mgr: Connie Lake 202 2nd Street Ironton, OH 45638 Ph: 740-533-1863

Services provided by CAO Senior Centers include the nutrition program, physical fitness, choir, dance, tabletop games, outdoor activities, ceramics and other crafts. They also offer assistance with home heating bills, counseling, and transportation services to doctor appointments, and pharmacies. Home Health services provide personal care.

The Senior Nutrition Program, a part of Senior Services, has been providing older citizens with hot meals since 1973. The initial project demonstration project, serving 50 meals per day, became so successful that it was rated number one in the State. Demand has steadily grown and today, all meals are cooked at the Multi-Purpose Center. In addition, CAO provides transportation to those who need it.

Residents 60 years and older, along with their spouses, can enjoy a well-balanced mid-day meal served at the centers five days a week. Planned by a dietician from the Area Agency on Aging, the noon meals consist of the recommended daily dietary allowance for an adult-three ounces of meat or meat alternative, a half-cup of vegetables, a half-cup of fruit, bread, margarine, a half-cup of dessert and a half-pint of milk.

Donations are requested from participants. Visitors pay a minimal fee. While no one is turned away for lack of money, the donations are essential if the program is to maintain its growth. Donations are put back into the program to help continue to serve more meals to seniors of Lawrence County, because each year the participant list increases. When donations drop, the program is unable to get more monies funded to help cover the cost of over-expenditures. With budget cuts all programs are facing, those donations are vitally important.

Home meals are delivered every day to seniors 60 and older, who are incapable of preparing a well-balanced meal. The Nutrition Program is funded for a set number of meals thus we cannot deliver more than that number.

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