2008 was an extremely busy year at the Mae Volen Senior Center. A number of new initiatives commenced and will carry over into 2009 as Mae Volen looks to increase services to seniors throughout Southern Florida.
Intergenerational Expansion The Schmidt Family YMCA Child Development Center at Mae Volen After months of anticipation, in November 2008 in partnership with the Peter Blum Child Family YMCA, the Volen Center began development of a new program for children 20 to 30 children age 3 to 5 that will have its home at the Center. With startup funding provided by the Schmidt Family Foundation, the program will emphasize intergenerational activity. Adult Day Care Expansion Work also began in November on the Centers new adult day care site at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in West Palm Beach. This new facility will add approximately 20 slots to the Centers 147 adult day care slots. Scheduled to open in early 2009, this program will incorporate the highly individualized model used at the Centers Boca and Delray facilities Project Lifesaver In early 2008 the Center became an active participant in Palm Beach Countys new Project Lifesaver program. Project Lifesaver offers radio frequency devices that can be worn by adults and children who are at risk for wandering. To date, the Center has provided 30 bracelets to adults with Alzheimers disease and children with autism. Project Lifesaver, Silver Alert, has assisted in brining home more than 20 seniors who have wandered due to Alzheimers. Caregiving Related Education and Services In addition to its caregiver support groups, the Center has begun to lay the foundation for additional programs targeted at addressing the needs of caregivers. First, with the cooperation of the American Association for Caregiver Education, the Center is developing the “Living Well Academy”, which will provide continuing education for professionals on issues such as Alzheimers disease and dementia, caregiver issues, and practical methods in assisting caregivers in learning to make decisions. Second, the Center began preparation of a targeted program on “Presenteeism” working while distracted by family caregiving responsibilities, which can lead to a lack of productivity, increased stress, and a negative economic impact on business. A New Image for Centers Transportation Program The Volen Community Coach – The growing number of both seniors and other individuals in Palm Beach County presents a real challenge to the transportation programs offered, and the Center is taking steps to meet those challenges by expanding the role of the almost 40 year old transportation program. This change is acknowledged by the new name of the system the Volen Community Coach and a new, more vital look for the 24+ vehicle fleet operated by the Center. The “new” transportation program will become a familiar sight as the Centers program expands to serve the Centers new adult day care, opening in West Palm Beach, and as other new facilities and services are offered by the Center.
