Senior Center Reopens
The ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Edmonton Senior Center. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
It has taken a few weeks to finish all the renovations, but the new and improved Edmonton Senior Center reopened on Friday, May 16th.
The Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting in honor of the newly renovated center with the City of Edmonton and the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) folks on hand to celebrate along with many people in the
BRADD Executive Director Eric Sexton spoke about the changes being made to the 10-county area. Photo | PJ Martin
community.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Edmonton Senior Center, it is located at 404 North Main Street, on the right, directly past Sunoco on Hwy 80. The center serves as the point for the elderly meals to be served and is also a recreation spot that anyone over 60 can attend.
The new manager is Debbie Holley, who stated that in the months to come, “she hopes to see more people attend and enjoy a sit-down meal together.” The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Senior lunches, which are brought to the center daily, are preordered. These meals are also available for curbside pick-up and, when necessary, home delivery.
BRADD Executive Director, Eric Sexton, spoke about the plans for the senior centers in the 10-county area and happily announced the Edmonton Senior Center is the first one to be under their responsibility. As of July 1, each senior center in the area will be under the responsibility of BRADD, which manages aging services.
Also, from BRADD, was Alicia Johnson, who works with the Aging and Independent Living (AAAIL and ADRC) services. She stated that the hope is to revive the community senior centers and bring the many services offered to the elderly in the communities who need them.
Some of the services provided by the Agency on Aging and Independent Living (AAAIL) are Medicaid Waiver Services
Mr. Edgar Martin relayed a couple of stories about the Senior Center and got everyone to laugh. Photo | PJ Martin
that are meant to keep individuals with physical disabilities at home as long as possible and out of Long-Term Care facilities. Anyone can make a referral for assistance by calling 1-800-395-7654. Applicants will be assessed for eligibility and what type of services they may need.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides information to help the aging and disabled population stayy as independent as possible in their own homes. Some of the resources they help with are in-home personal care, housekeeping services, transportation, home-delivered meals program, Medicare and Medicaid, support groups, and respite care.
Representatives who work with the aging population through services were in attendance, such as Tina Combs with the Community Medical Center and Brandy Bryant with Golden Years.
The Senior Center is a clean, friendly place for seniors to go for recreation and socialization while being provided a balanced meal. The center offers a pool table, the library brings bingo once a week, and other activities are also scheduled.
A friendly game of pool was in process at the Senior Center. Photo | PJ Martin
