Visit a local store and you may find shelves of salves, creams, lotions and potions all promising a “younger you.” Open a magazine and you may read that 30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30 and so on.
In a world that seems is if it is constantly searching for the fountain of youth, there is a part of the population searching for something more than just wrinkle-free skin and body parts that remind them of their yesteryear. Senior citizens, who like to be referred to as older adults, are searching for programs and resources that keep them social; mentally and physically healthy; and most importantly, independent.
Meet Robertha Jones. She has been going to Heritage Place, a local center that provides older adults with comprehensive and coordinated services, since 1999. She said she enjoys the center because it has a wide variety of services that help her learn, remain active and she can see friends she’s made over the years.
“When I first came, it was for a computer class. Then I began line dancing, then chair aerobics and I kept taking more and more classes,” said Jones. “I come about three times a week. I enjoy it.”
When she’s not at Heritage Place, Jones often travels to California to visit her family, is active at her church, Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church, and also does work around her home.
Ruth Ann Schroeder, executive director of Heritage Place said like Jones, many seniors want to stay in their homes and remain independent, however, they still need help navigating today’s ever-changing world.
“Certainly when it comes to electronics, they feel left out. Computers have been around for a while, but lots of seniors don’t have one and if they do, use is minimal,” said Schroeder. “Its intimidating, new electronics come out so quickly and another part is, they wonder do they really need it.”
Schroeder said numbers are up at Heritage Place, which may further indicate there is a need for programs and services for older adults. Some examples of their offerings include classes on the dangers of identity theft; asset protection; a driver safety course; Medicare help; Spanish classes; bridge classes; genealogy studies; diabetic foot care classes; and chair aerobics among others. There are also programs for home-bound seniors and volunteer opportunities for anyone.
“Many older adults live alone. This is an opportunity to meet other people and at the same time, learn something,” said Schroeder. “We also have more women than men. We believe it’s because wives outlive their husbands. Women don’t want to be at home alone all day.”
Learning and staying active are very important for seniors, yet Orion Bell, CEO of CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, said proper nutrition is also key for older adults. The organization is a member of the EAT (Elders At the Table) Coalition and advocate for seniors who are unable to have a quality, healthy diet. They also have a program called Meals and More that provides appetizing, nutritionally-balanced meals to older adults and those with disabilities either in their homes or at one of more than 30 neighborhood meal sites. Through these avenues, CICOA serves about 2,200 meals per day.
“They may have difficulty with their diet because they have trouble getting to the grocery store, have a physical limitation hindering them from cooking a meal, or have limited finances and are unable to purchase quality food,” said Bell. “We also find that a driver that delivers a meal may be their only source of contact with the world.”
CICOA provides farmer’s market vouchers, nutrition education and is a partner with the Indy Hunger Network.
Other programs like Meals on Wheels, Gleaners Food Bank, and Second Helpings also offer meals for older adults.
“We want to remind people about SNAP (food stamp) benefits. That’s generally thought of for low-income mothers, but a lot of older folks are eligible for that. We want people to sign up to make sure they’re getting the proper nutrition,” said Katie Moreau, a spokesperson for AARP Indiana.
“There’s no reason people in Indiana should go hungry,” added Bell.
CICOA also has programs such as the Way2Go transportation program; the aging and disability resource center; caregiver support; and on Sept. 20 the organization will host the 5th annual Safe at Home event that will give free flu shots and information on fall/winter flu prevention and home safety. They will particularly focus on home safety for residents living in the 46205 and 46218 area codes.
This year CICOA is celebrating their 40th anniversary and are preparing special events occurring this fall.
While direct programs and services benefit older adults, Moreau said agencies like AARP advocate for seniors at the state level.
“Last year we worked on a couple bills our members said was important to them. One was a modest tax credit for family care givers,” said Moreau. “Another was getting some sort of state-assisted retirement savings vehicle. Basically a 401(k) backed by the state.”
Being that many older adults are not only living longer and working longer, Moreau said retirement help is also a great need for this population.
AARP is also advocating at the state level, the need for more public transportation to help seniors remain in their homes and able to move about Indy easily.
“People can also advocate on the local level about things like safe sidewalks,” said Moreau. “We want people to enjoy living here and be a place where they want to retire.”
While there are many programs and services available for older adults, experts say there is still a portion of the population that will never go to a community center, learn a new skill or go above and beyond to get help.
“Part of this group just aren’t big joiners. They don’t want to commit. Maybe they spend half the year in Florida or want to pick up and go visit their children in other states so they don’t want to have strings attached,” said Moreau.
Despite seniors’ level of initiative, experts suggest the public become more aware of older adults and do what they can to help.
“Families should become aware of programs out there for seniors. Volunteer your time to a senior organization or donate financially. Or if you have an elderly neighbor on your bock, ask how you can help them. Just be a good friend to them,” said Schroeder.
For more information, call a local community center; the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (317) 254-3660; CICOA at (317) 254-5465 or visit cicoa.org; Heritage Place at (317) 283-6662 or visit heritageplaceindy.org; or AARP Indiana at 866-448-3618 or visit states.aarp.org/category/Indiana.
