Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 17:15:29 +0000
From: Debra Henzey
Subject: Siler City Senior Center Earns Certification as NC Center of Excellence
Dennis Gilmore, 919-542-5412
Siler City Senior Center Earns Certification as NC Center of Excellence
SILER CITY — The Chatham County Council on Aging announces that the Western Chatham Senior Center in Siler City has been certified as a NC Senior Center of Excellence by the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
“The Center of Excellence rating means that the Siler City center demonstrates best practices in all evaluation categories. It also joins the Pittsboro center, which earned the distinction last year,” said Angel Dennison, executive director of the Chatham Council on Aging.
In September, a review team evaluated the center’s SCOPE (Senior Center Operations and Programs Evaluation) tool to make its determination. The team included representatives from the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, UNC’s Center for Aging Research and Educational Services, Triangle J Area Agency on Aging, the Senior Tar Heel Legislator, and an aging services volunteer from Lee County.
SCOPE’s evaluation components are: outreach and access to services; programs and activities; planning, evaluation, and input from older adults; staffing; and operations and physical facility. The center is evaluated on approximately 200 aspects of service to the community. The evaluation is reassessed every five years.
“The SCOPE evaluation is an intense process and requires volumes of paperwork documentation and about 250 hours of work,” said Dennison.
The team noted that the Western Center goes the extra mile for: serving as an emergency shelter for special needs population; using a strategic planning process to establish goals and strategies to meet those goals; and “going green” by using non-disposable and biodegradable materials whenever possible.
“With both Chatham senior centers meeting the highest standards of excellence, citizens can take pride in the hard work and dedication of the center staff in serving the community,” Dennison said. “Today’s senior centers are not just places to eat lunch and play bingo. We offer hundreds of exercise, health education, recreation and educational programs every year.”
Dennison said that the centers’ wellness staff coordinates a wide range of activities at the two locations. “We offer everything from yoga and Tai Chi to shag dancing lessons and chair massages. There’s something for everyone….even a traveler’s club.”
Most of all, staff at the centers work hard to provide important services. “We have support groups, meals on wheels, assistive devices, personal care and homemaking services, respite and support for caregivers, and transportation. These are just a few of the services offered,” Dennison said.
If you want more information on Chatham County’s Senior Center services or want to volunteer or make donations, call 919-542-4512 or visit www.chathamcouncilonaging.org<http://www.chathamcouncilonaging.org>.
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Debra J. Henzey
Director of Community Relations
Chatham County, NC
Office 919-542-8258 Cell 919-548-4662
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