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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News December 11, 2004 - Centralia Center gives seniors room to grow By Karen Madden, Daily Tribune Staff When the Centralia Center opened more than a year ago, its tenants thought business would pick up. But leaders of three senior-based organizations never expected demand to increase as much as it has. The Wood County Aging Department served 200 more people than the previous year, said Wood County Aging Resource Director Rosemary Felice. "I think the dream of being more visible and more accessible has certainly become a reality," Felice said. Organization leaders and those who use the services say the Centralia Center facility has improved local programs and increased the demand for them. Cleo Coley certainly appreciates the facility. Coley, 91, of Wisconsin Rapids has been using the Lowell Senior Center services for 20 years, first at the old Lowell School building and now at the Centralia Center. She participates in the senior meal program and the activities provided by the Lowell Center. The Centralia Center is a big improvement, she said. "This is wonderful," Coley said. "I just can't say enough for it." Department of Aging employees served a total of 3,107 people older than 60 from Oct. 1, 2003, through Sept. 30 this year - about 20 percent of the people in that age category in the county, Felice said. Leaders expect that number to keep growing, mostly due to the Centralia Center, which opened Dec. 1, 2003, next to the Rapids Mall in the old Wal-Mart building. The department provides services like the senior lunch program, which has made strides at its new location at Centralia, said Judy Sommerfeldt, 62, of Wisconsin Rapids, who's at the center for lunch nearly every day. She didn't eat the low-cost, nutritious meals nearly as often when they were offered at the Lowell School building. "(The building) was so old," Sommerfeldt said. "It was icky." Sommerfeldt also volunteers for the lunch program at the Centralia Center. She enjoys working with the students from the Charter School who also volunteer. Charter School student John Neuser, 18, is among the volunteers impressed by the facility. "It's a real friendly place to work," Neuser said. Nutritionist and site manager Gina Dahl said the clients using the program enjoy interacting with student volunteers. They have their favorites whom they'll often tease about clothes or other things, and both young and old enjoy the interaction, she said. Coley enjoys playing cards. It's one of the activities that has greatly increased in participation since moving to the new building, said Tommie Mann, director of the Lowell Senior Center. "The card room has eight tables and it's not big enough," Mann said. People coming to the center for a particular program see the other opportunities that are available, Mann said. The staff from the various programs also can work closer together and get the clients to appropriate locations. For some seniors, Lowell Senior Center programs aren't appropriate, said Lynda Almonte, executive director of Park Place, Adult Day Care. Those seniors who need more supervision can go to Park Place. Last year, Park Place was providing service to 24 families, Almonte said. The agency currently is serving 37 families, she said. "We use to only be able to take 12 clients a day," Almonte said. "Now, we have 24 clients a day." The new facilities also have given Park Place the space to have a kitchen and offer bathing services to clients, Almonte said. Overall, the Centralia Center has operated as well as anticipated during its first year, said Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Jerry Bach. There have been a few bumps in the road, but only what would be expected from any new organization. More than half of the center's 15,000 square feet is rented, Bach said. Currently, there is about 6,000 square feet available to rent. However, the increase in program participation could reduce that amount. The Lowell Senior Center Board has had discussions about potential growth needs, Mann said. Board members want to make a decision before the available space is completely rented, she said. "It's an interesting dilemma that after a year we're already looking at some of the rooms not being big enough," Mann said. You can reach reporter Karen Madden at 422-6729 or kmadden@wisconsinrapidstribune.com. The city-owned Centralia Center is home to three service providers for seniors. The Wood County Department of Aging provides: Senior care and medical care/prescription drugs; a resource library; housing options; nutrition; available funds to help people in elder abuse situations by providing emergency money for food, transportation and medical care, or to fill the gaps until other resources can be obtained; arrangements for respite care; connections for caregiver support groups; volunteer senior home repair programs to help elderly residents with minor home maintenance needs; and chore services programs. The Park Place adult day care provides: Respite care for families of the elderly who cannot be left alone and bathing services for elderly who cannot bathe themselves. The Lowell Senior Center provides: Programming and activities for seniors including dances, card playing, pool and other activities. Other tenants in the Centralia Center include: Montessori Center of Central Wisconsin Inc., Miracle Ear, Riverview Hospital, Ministry Home Care Hospice and River Cities Public Access.
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