Multiple services offered for seniors throughout Northern Shenandoah Valley
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Sept. 12 — A decade after the passage of the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965, Seniors First set out on a mission to provide needed services to the elderly residents of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. A half century later, the non-profit organization is celebrating a milestone and reminding the community of what it does to make those Golden Years a little easier.
“We address the social isolation and loneliness that we know exists here in Page County, and anything we can do to address that burden is our purpose…for them to make new friends and relationships,” said Jimmy Roberts, Executive Director of Seniors First.
“This is about your community and you helping us serve our seniors,” Roberts told a group gathered at the Page Senior Center in Luray on Sept. 12 to mark the group’s 50th anniversary. “We’re a non-profit, and it always about the money for a non-profit. The end result is we are trying to reduce the isolation and loneliness. The pandemic really brought that to the forefront. We look forward to another 50 years and to continue the groundwork that our predecessors have laid.”
Incorporated in July 1975 and operating as the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, the non-profit has grown to six senior centers spread throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley from Frederick County and Winchester, over to neighboring Clarke County, and south to Front Royal, Luray and Woodstock. The landmark legislation created in 1965 provided a “framework to support older adults in aging with dignity, health and independence.” Today, the 501 (c)(3) provides both in-home and community-based services ranging from transportation and home-delivered meals, to counseling and personal care services.
“This is such a milestone and celebration of everything they do for the community,” said Gina Hilliard, president of the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce, during a ribbon cutting hosted on Friday. “We appreciate them being here in our community. They are a great member for our Chamber and everything they do for our seniors. We appreciate your partnership.”
An average of 20 clients a day enjoy the environment of the Page Senior Center on Second Street Monday through Thursday, with activities, crafts, games, exercise, guest speakers and even field trips. On Sept. 23, the group is heading west over the Massanutten Mountain to visit the New Market Battlefield.
“It’s socialization. A lot of them don’t have a family, or a close family, so they become a family within themselves,” said Amy Stanley, the local Center’s director. “It gives them a purpose to get up and come in here and see each other. They are so close that some of them meet up outside of here and go shopping or go to Cooters.”
Meals are delivered Monday through Thursday to about 25 homebound clients, and a frozen meal (or meals) can be requested to cover lunch on Friday, or throughout the weekend. The consolidation of another home-bound meal program with Seniors First will soon raise the number served daily to 40. Other services offered free of charge to local residents age 60 and older include:
• In-Home Services — Personal Care Services (assistance with things like bathing, shaving and dressing), Homemaker Services (light housekeeping tasks), Respite Care (temporary relief for family caregivers) and Home-Delivered Meals (four days a week).
• Education, Counseling and Advocacy — Senior Medicare Patrol (assist Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors or abuse), Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) – (one-on-one unbiased counseling), Options Counseling (helps make informed long-term care choices), and Ombudsman (citizen advocate).
• Transportation Services — Senior Center activities and Medical appointments (non-emergency); reservations two weeks in advance; $4 per 20-mile round trip and $0.50 per mile thereafter.
• Other services — Information and referral (variety of services), and Senior Cool Care (May 1 – Oct. 31, provides window AC units or fans for qualifying individuals who need help cooling their homes).
Even with all of these services, the central mission of Seniors First and its six senior centers is to simply free seniors from the feeling of isolation that sometimes comes with again.
“It’s about connection to their community and connection to each other…a reason to get out and be with each other,” said Marsha LeBrecht, Director of Senior Center Operations. “When we can talk that one person into coming who was reluctant to come…saying ‘Oh, I’d be better off at the house’…and then they come and just blossom and become some of the most helpful. That’s what success looks like to us.”
The Page Senior Center, located at 10 Second Street in Luray (adjacent to the East Luray Shopping Center) is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
For more information, call them at (540) 743-1241,
or CLICK HERE.
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