Wednesday, March 20, 2002
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 |
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Seniors not being treated well at local Senior Services I am writing in response to the article in the March 6, 2002, edition of The Citizen concerning the forum on service needs are of persons age 60 and older. The notice for the forum was published in The Citizen and stated: "Interested persons are invited to comment ... there is no limit on topics." I attended and spoke at the forum not only as a concerned tax-paying citizen and former contributor to United Way, but also as a former employee of this agency and, therefore, was in a position to observe the strengths of this agency as well as some very important needs. Fayette Senior Services receives government funding to run the county's Meals on Wheels, In Home Services, and other programs. This agency is one of the largest recipients of United Way funds in this county, if not the largest. These programs are invaluable to homebound senior citizens. These programs did not draw criticism at this forum. It was the Senior Activity Center and transportation issues that brought six former employees and three seniors to speak out. My suggestions to improve the center as stated at the forum but not reported by the paper in its March 6 article are: · Reinstate the position of site manager and activity coordinator. The city of Fayetteville funded $12,000 several years ago for a site manager, yet there is no one in that position. The seniors enjoy quilting, making pillows and other crafts and being able to show them off to the community. The center could have a "Senior Day" where the community, friends, and family could visit the center and enjoy their handy-work and even purchase items. The two sewing machines disappeared from the center. · Provide dedicated employees to interact with the seniors. Employee turnover is very high at the center. During a period from 1997 to 2001 I observed more than 17 employees leave, causing service gaps, and the hours for employees who were in direct contact with the seniors were cut. Continuity is vital to the well being of seniors. · Re-organize the management team. The agency has three directors yet some services such as Meals on wheels and In Home Services are outsourced to other agencies. This has the effect of "too many chiefs and not enough Indians" and there was the tyranny of micromanagement in place there. Fayette County commissioners give my tax dollars to this agency to provide seniors a place to visit with friends and feel useful. The present building was not the focus of complaints at the forum, rather it was the lack of creative leadership that was in question and how money is spent. The present management has not treated their long-time core group of seniors in the center very well. Treat your present clientele well and the word will spread like wildfire that it's a happy place, but take away their sewing machines and your customer will go elsewhere. Maybe that was the best suggestion given at the forum: outsource the Senior Activity Center to people who know how to respect and enjoy the camaraderie of seniors. Ann S. Hudson Fayetteville
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