Senior directory site offers wealth of information
Published 10:10 am Monday, July 28, 2008
Everything a senior needs to know about growing older is available in the Mower County Senior Resource Directory.
According to Judy Schaefer, a member of the Mower County Senior Services Advisory Council, the directory has been updated on the Web.
It was last published in 2004, so the updating was necessary.
“It is available in English and Spanish,” according to Schaefer, who advised, “To find them on the Web: www.co.mower.mn.us. On the left scroll to ‘Human Services.’”
“ The Mower County Senior Advisory Council, would like to thank Liliana Silvestry, director of the Welcome Center, for translating the Mower County Senior Resource Directory into Spanish,” Schaefer said.
The translation work is another example of the expanded services at the Welcome Center, according to Schaefer.
The directory is a “tool” designed to assist seniors to remain independent and keep a high quality of life as they grow older.
From cover to cover, it helps seniors do just that.
Inside the front cover is a space to list important telephone numbers such as contact persons in case of an emergency, doctor, pharmacy, dental, health professionals, clergy, funeral home and others.
The directory also lists food sources, such as food stamps, Meals on Wheels, Semcac, senior dining and others.
There is a lengthy section on health services. It lists adult day programs, alternative care, elderly waiver and preadmission screening advice.
In addition, there’s home health agencies and hospice care.
Medical clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies and screening clinics are also noted.
Housing services, such as adult foster care, apartments, condominiums, assisted living and memory care are also easy to find in the directory.
But the services don’t end there.
Activities and recreation, adult protection, advocacy, caregiver support, Chore Program services, disabled services, financial assistance, guardianship and conservatorship, health care directive, home maintenance and modification, insurance counseling, legal services, medical equipment, personal emergency response systems, rehabilitation therapy, respite care, senior companion, transportation, and volunteer and employment opportunities … it’s all in the directory for seniors.
The goals of the Mower County Senior Services Advisory Council are simple. Topping the list is to “maintain or improve the current quality of life of elderly residents.”
The Senior Resource Directory is an important place to start.
For a copy of the director, visit the Mower County Senior Center.