 1. What can the Tarrant County Congregate Meal provide for me?
The Congregate Meal program promotes improved nutrition by not only the meal itself, but by also providing the opportunity to share a meal in the company of others, rather than eating alone. 2. Tell me more about the Congregate Meal? In FY09, Senior Citizen Services served more than 5,000 seniors and provided 228,000 hot, nutritious meals and other services to elderly participants in thirty senior centers scattered throughout Tarrant County. These meals provide 33% of the daily Dietary Reference Intake for senior adults.We know that a large proportion of all our participants consider the congregate meal their most important source of nutrition in helping them to avoid nutritional risk. 3. What is provided at the Senior Centers? All Senior Centers can provide opportunities for social interaction with others in recreational, educational and physical activities. The Senior Centers provide opportunities for wellness assessments, nutrition and health tips, and to help find legal information. Many seniors are provided assistance when it comes to technology. 4. Can I get information at the Senior Centers that provide me with solving a need? Senior Center Directors can connect you to community resources and local information. Nutrition Education provides opportunities for seniors to review medications with licensed pharmacist and review dietary needs with registered dieticians. The Area Agency on Aging provides benefits councelors to all senior centers. 5. What if I wanted to volunteer? It is important to feel connection to society and to make a contribution to it. SCS volunteers give back to the community, sharing their experience and abilities in service. Senior adults participate in volunteer opportunities in senior centers as well as programs affiliated with the RSVP. Over 2,000 RSVP volunteers gave over 234,521 hours of service in 2009. Their tasks range from the relatively simple to the highly skilled and complex. If we convert those hours to a dollar amount based on the Independent Sector value of volunteer hours ($20.85), it equates to $4,889,762 in donated service to more than 100 community agencies by senior citizen volunteers. This is a huge impact upon the community, as well as the individual senior volunteer. 6. I am interested in the health and wellness program, what is there available? Two evidence-based programs help seniors stay healthy. One is the Matter of Balance Program that teaches fall prevention and the other is Texas Healthy Lifestyles Program that is a self-management program for persons with diabetes or at risk of diabetes. Also, the Senior Resource Center utilizes a therapeutic swimming pool, fitness equipment facilities and a variety of healthy life-style classes. All senior centers promote exercise and good diet and have options that lead participants to a new and healthier lifestyle. |
