Our Alamo RCD Senior Assistance Program helps to improve the quality of life for the elderly by helping them remain healthy and continue to be productive members of the communities in which they live. Our program addresses the needs of Senior citizens in the areas of nutrition, health, fitness and wellness as we also address the detrimental effects of social isolation.. Due to the economic situati
on promulgated by the drought, the local economic downturn, the isolation of many of the rural communities we serve and the increase in the Senior population, the need of Senior assistance in the areas of nutrition, socialization, and wellness in our service area has increased, while funding has decreased, making the ARCD Senior Assistance Program very valuable to the community. Alamo RCD has been working directly with the local community volunteers within this program since 2003. Together, we concentrate on increasing our assistance to local Senior citizens through improved social, nutritional, and health services within the community. Activities Encouraged
Our Senior Assistance Program encourages many activities for seniors that enhances their health and wholeness. Good nutrition is encouraged through a solid Nutrition/Meals service involving a Meals on Wheels program with nutrition enhancements. A mini food pantry (in collaboration with the SA Food Bank and Hill Country Daily Bread) could also be added. Alamo RCD also encourages and supports exercise classes such as yoga, dance and physical fitness (offered weekly), health and wellness activities of health screenings, nutritional workshops and demonstrations (held monthly) and a health fair (in collaboration with local doctors, nurses and senior service agencies). Socialization activities such as experiences in art, music, crafts, entertainment and games should also be provided on a regular schedule along with an annual Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Party and other community social events for seniors. Seniors could also be provided with technology classes and communication classes using the web, internet and social networks according to need. Alamo RCD also facilitates connections to Senior Service Agencies such as Alamo Area Council of Aging, Hospice Services, Medicare and Medicaid and more. Alamo RCD gages the needs of local seniors by getting the Senior Citizens themselves involved in the planning and implementation of our Senior Assistance Program. Goals and Objectives for Project:
The ARCD Senior Assistance Program has two primary goals:
1) to improve the health, wellness and socialization of the Senior population in our service area by providing improved, frequent and consistent activities that will result in an increase in services above the current base,
2) to improve the overall participation within our Senior Assistance Program by upgrading our outreach through increased use of social media, web services, community presentations, mailings, news publications and other outreach methods. The evaluation of our success will be measured by recordkeeping and review of quarterly enrollment and participation in all aspects of this program, review of satisfaction surveys administered regularly, individual participant testimonials/ interviews, reports from the Wesley Nurse program, if applicable, and maintaining records of outreach activities. An impact report will be provided to the Alamo RCD Board of Directors, administrators and joint program committees for review on a quarterly, six month or annual basis to facilitate program improvement. Collaborations:
Alamo RCD works with local leadership to make this mission happen. We collaborate with and assist local Senior Centers, Senior Service Agencies, County Food Councils and other local nonprofits that provide senior services and local senior project volunteers. Along with the program activities mentioned earlier, we can also provide fundraising training, program coordination, program management, Board training, grant writing, strategic planning, computer and social network training, fiscal accounting training and so much more with the goal of enhancing the capacity of the community that provides assistance to the senior population that is so precious to us. We want to help rural senior citizens reach their highest potential and to enjoy life to the fullest!
