Stanford Settlement is the Senior Center I regularly attend on West El Camino Street in Sacramento. I think what makes it spectacular is the involvement of members of the nearby community (some of whom are nearly as old as we are), who join with the staff of 3 to mingle with us seniors. On Wednesday and Friday mornings, some one of these members contributes to buy us the fixins' of a breakfast they prepare using the microwave. Isn't that contribute. Today, it was burritos; and then she asks us "How did you like it?" She wants feedback!
The Senior Center staff provides a safe environment in which we can let go of our troubles. Freely we share them with one of this caring staff. I've been having difficulty adjusting to my 2 roommates, each of whom (I didn't know it initially) clearly is needing psychological assistance on a regular basis. But they're coming along (see the item on residence). Patiently, one of the staff will sympathize with me as I relate my tale of woe at the house. It's such a help to know that someone cares enough to listen to what I go through! That, incidentally, is the hallmark feature of the senior care I receive at the Center.
But they feed us too. The food is hot, specially ordered by a senior dietician who knows the foods appropriate to our age group. And usually, we have some food items we can take home each day. The Center opens at about 8 AM and closes at about 1 PM. Across the country, senior centers vary as to the number of hours, M-F, they're open.
Here's a typical day. Friday. May 15th:
1. Arrive: 835. Sign in, pay what I can up to $2 suggested. Place my name on the sheet for the next day the Center is open. I don't miss a day, if I can help it. I think going to the center every day is preparing me to live in a nursing home or assisted living situation, when the need arises.
2. Gulp the coffee, 10 cents a cup. Plenty of coffee up to meal time.
3. I saw one of the staff as she was serving the breakfast, and poured out my soul to her about the troubles I'm having with my roommates, ending with my declaration "I want to stay there, dammit!"
She duly noted my frustration.
4. Watched TV until it was time to watch a DVD. The one today was "True Grit!" with John Wayne and an outstanding photographic child in lead roles.
5. While waiting for the lunch to be served, I read and talked with others at the table I chose to sit at. Sometimes, I change tables.
6. Ate a fish dinner served piping hot on a microwave plate.
7. Stood in line for seconds.
8. Got a second plate and to it I added 2 milks and 3 tartar sauce packets others were discarding.
9. Got home at 12:05/
What fun!
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