(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club heard from Bill O’Reilly, executive director of the Chelsea Senior Center (CSC).
CSC offers 250 programs each month in which members can participate, there are 50 unique programs. Recently, CSC has eliminated any age requirements to join, so that anyone may take advantage of any of those programs. Chelsea Senior Center offers a larger selection of activities compared with other senior centers.
O’Reilly spoke of a personal experience where a relative’s health was worsened due to providing care to a dying spouse. After months of effort, a grant was awarded to fund a caregiver respite program called “Ease the Day”. Now, caregivers are able to drop off a loved-one for a time during the week to be under the care of trained volunteers. Silver Maples is partnering to do assessments to determine eligibility, and Catholic Social Services in Ann Arbor, Jewish Family Services, and Chelsea Hospital Ministerial Association are also helping.
In addition to the adult day respite care onsite at CSC, there are two in-home respite care options, and assistance to connect to other community resources. Volunteers are needed and are welcome.
To improve communication for seniors, Chelsea Senior Center has launched the “Grand Pad Program”. Thanks to funding from the Chelsea Community Foundation there is no cost for eligible seniors. A simple tablet is available with very basic functions, for example, photos of a person’s contacts can be touched to begin a phone call.
Since 2013, Chelsea Community Senior Services (C2S2) is a program offering services beyond the walls of the center. Referrals for in-home care, house cleaning, handyman services, leaf raking, and transportation needs can be received by calling, emailing, or visiting the center.
Meals on Wheels operates out of the Senior Center producing 500 meals every week, delivered by volunteers five days a week for homebound seniors. Deliveries to Manchester occur two days per week. Meals are $5 each for those under 60, and a suggested donation of $3 for those 60 or better.
The travel group arranges excursions near and far. Travelers of all ages are welcome. Coming up this year:
- Frank and The Great Ladies of Song at The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 10, $90
- The Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, April 4, $65
- Detroit Prohibition Tour, May 9, $120
- Grease at Tibbits Opera House, Coldwater, July 13, $95
- Lugnuts Baseball, Lansing, Aug. 15, $95
- The Tragedy of Macbeth at Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Summer, (Interest List Only)
- 3 Night Stay at White Oak Resort, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Sept. 5-8, $1,899 Single/ $1,499 Double Occupancy
Coming up on April 15 is Chelsea Expo with “Best Ever” bake sale. Volunteers are needed for this fundraiser.
Kiwanis is happy to support CSC’s Trinh Pifer Intergenerational Garden. Pairing preschoolers with seniors to read about gardens, vegetables, and flowers and then seed by enjoying planting seeds in the hoop house.
Our Gourmet Nut Sale continues. We will be part of Chocolate Extravaganza on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 am- 4 pm, at the First Congregational Church of Chelsea, 121 E Middle St. Orders can also be placed at www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofchelsea or with any Kiwanian.
