Alexander County Senior Center

730 7th Street SW

Taylorsville, NC 28681

828-632-1717

Our purpose is to promote wellness and extend self-reliance and independent living by older adults which benefits the whole community.

The facility, programs and services are designed to provide opportunities for older adults to continue to remain active, to learn and grow, and to use their talents and abilities.

Remaining active is a key ingredient to good mental and physical health. The old saying "use it or loose it" is very true. Those persons who continue to be active and remain involved with others will be healthier and less dependent on outside resources.

The Alexander Senior Center has been providing opportunities for the older adults in Alexander County to get together for better health and cultural, educational and recreational enrichment since October, 1992.

Health & Wellness Programs

A variety of programs are offered to help older adults remain healthy as well as develop and maintain strength, balance and agility. These include exercise classes, fitness equipment, health screenings, health issues support groups, dancing, and a variety of health and wellness resources, including a lending library of videos, books and periodicals, and internet access.

Educational Programs

Mental agility is also important. A wide range of experiences including computer classes, personal finance, writing, cooking, art & crafts, driver refresher training, use of modern technology and music are offered. These experiences are made possible through collaboration with other local agencies, skilled senior volunteers, and Catawba Valley Community College.

Various groups use our facility as a meeting place, and provide programs on topics of interest to older adults that are open to anyone.

Social Recreation

Social interaction with one’s peers also plays an important role in motivation to "do". Trips, card & board games, bingo, TV, dances, birthday lunches, and special events give a variety of opportunities to just have fun.

Special Services

Information and Case Assistance is available in the Center. There is a specially-trained staff person available to provide this service along with a computer data base of resources for such things as nutrition, transportation, employment, in-home services, adult day care, housing, health care providers, veteran’s services and organizations, and volunteer opportunities, to name a few.

SHIIP – Senior Health Insurance Information Program. Medicare and health insurance counseling is available from trained volunteers.

Legal Aide – A paralegal from Catawba Valley Legal Services is available once a month to help with wills, power of attorney’s, living wills, and health care power of attorney’s.

Tax Aide – Income Tax preparation is provided by AARP Tax Aide Counselors each year.

Driver Refresher Training – These classes are presented by AARP 55-Alive trainers.

SPECIAL SENIOR GROUPS

Apple City Literary Guild – This group started out as a creative writing class and has evolved into a special group that meets weekly to produce, critique, and solicit literary pieces for the "Apple City Literary Journal". The "Journal" is produced four times a year and is available at various locations around the county.

Apple City Line Dancers – Members of the Advance Line Dance class perform for local events and nursing home as well as participate in the SilverLiners portion of Senior Games.

AARP – Local Chapter 4068 meets in the Senior Center the first Tuesday evening of each month.

Council on Aging – meets in the Center on fourth Wednesday afternoons. Members discuss and take action regarding aging issues in Alexander County. This group, made up of older adults and service providers also serves as the advisory council to the County Commissioners regarding allocation of funds available to our county through the Older American Act and N.C. Legislative provisions.

Retired School Personnel – The RSP has a lunch meeting once a month, except during the summer. Most meetings are held in the Center.

Singing Seniors – also sponsored by the Alexander Baptist Association, this group meets 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Performances are given in local churches and institutions, at county events and other places as the opportunity arises.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

SENIOR CENTER programming is a cooperative effort. Many individuals, government agencies, civic clubs and organizations, service providers, health providers, businesses, religious organizations, and the media work together to make it all happen.