Wednesday, March 27, 2002
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Wednesday, March 27, 2002 |
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Seniors have needs not being met by Center I attended the Fayette Senior Services Inc. public hearing held Feb. 28 and was subsequently quoted in several newspaper articles. I would like to clarify a few things. I was saddened as I sat and listened to comments from seniors who had once been participants of the Friendship Center at Fayette Senior Services. I was also saddened to have to come forth and give my views of what Fayette County needs as far as a Senior Center goes. Please understand that my letter, and the comments made during the public hearing, were not applicable to the Meals on Wheels Program offered by Fayette Senior Services and its hundreds of volunteers delivering those meals daily. That is a terrific and much needed service for the county. My first fundamental service need for the senior population of Fayette County ... is kindness, respect, dignity, consideration of the senior client, the understanding that they are our teachers and we can learn so much from them, and the recognition that seniors can build camaraderie among their colleagues. It's okay and it's not a threat or plot to get someone. Along with the fundamental service of humanity is the requirement for an organization where key staff are in possession of geriatric degrees, and a loving, caring, nonthreatening atmosphere for seniors exists. This sounds like a simple request. It's amazing, however, how difficult providing this fundamental service can be if the right people are not positioned in the right areas of services provided to seniors. It really, in my opinion, doesn't matter how many "bells and whistles" you add to an organization, or if you build a bigger building with lots of frills. If the fundamental service of understanding and being knowledgeable of the elderly, being empathetic, being compassionate, possessing a genuine listening ear, having a genuine love for seniors, and a passion to please the customer (our senior client) does not exist, the "bells and whistles" are just that window treatments with no substance. The attention to minimize to the best of our abilities mental anguish and stress on the senor should be Fayette County's number one priority. It is okay to admit when that love or passion ceases. That is why we have retirement systems in place. The second need for our senior population is transportation to and from needed services such as doctor's appointments, hair appointments, grocery shopping, library visits, community sponsored events, etc. This service should be contingent on the senior's needs and schedule without limitations and regulations imposed by the organization providing the service. In other words, it is very difficult to schedule doctor appointments, etc. Why would we only provide this service on certain days of the week, adding more stress and mental anguish to our senior population? The third need for our senior population is "handywork-repairs-lawn-maintenance" for those in their own homes. While this might appear costly, the partnership with volunteers, businesses, church organizations, etc., can make this a reality. The fourth need is periodic help with utility bills and other unanticipated debt. Fixed incomes breed debt in many cases and we need to help in this area. Lastly, the seniors need stimulating, energetic programs to continually sharpen their minds. More monies should be allocated to this area. Assembling cardboard puzzles, playing checkers or chess, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, and playing bingo are mentally stimulating; however, they are low-cost activities. Surely, we can be more creative in choosing programs for our seniors. I can think of at least 20 other services that could be provided and, yes, monies and volunteers-staff would be involved. Instead of finding reasons to deny these opportunities, let's look at ways to grant them. Fran Plunkett Peachtree City
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