Collin County Living Well Magazine September/October 2016 | Page 21

The Wellness Center
for Older Adults

W

here would you like
to live as you become
older? While there are
many housing options
for seniors, particularly those with resources, the overwhelming majority of
seniors these days would prefer to live
at home, or “age in place,” for as long
as possible. Successful living at home,
however, often requires supports and
services. One of the supports available for seniors living in the Collin
County and surrounding areas is the
Wellness Center for Older Adults,
located in the Plano Senior Recreation Center, 401 W. 16th Street,
Plano, Texas 75075.
The Wellness Center, established
in 1979, provides supports and
services to adults 55 years of age
and older and their caregivers. In
2015, the Wellness Center provided
more than 9,500 services to more
than 1,400 individuals. The overall
mission of the Wellness Center is to
“assist older adults in achieving their
highest levels of physical, mental, and
spiritual well-being.” The programs
and services fall within three pillars
of service: (1) preventive health care,
(2) counseling and mental health, and
(3) social and supportive programs.
These areas allow the Wellness Center
to fulfill its passion of maintaining the
greatest quality of life for seniors with
healthy and independent living.
Preventive health care is provided
through wellness screening activities,
health education, medical equipment
lending, flu shots, labs, and other
medical treatments. A geriatric nurse
offers health analysis, evaluation,
preventive medical care, and health
education about existing conditions,
prescription drugs, and chronic disease self-management.

By Lori A. Leu

Positive encouragement and mental
well-being are promoted through individual and support group counseling with families, seniors, and caregivers, addressing the changes and
issues seniors and their caregivers
face every day.

The Wellness Center also provides
social workers to assist “at risk” seniors by identifying and providing information on state and federal benefits
programs, including Social Security,
Medicare, SNAP, and other forms of financial assistance. Social workers also
coordinate with a team of volunteers
to provide short-term transportation assistance to seniors who have had a recent decline in health or a hospitalization. Assistance may also include light
housekeeping and errands.
As a non-profit, charitable organization, the Wellness Center relies on the
generosity of volunteers and donors.
Do you have a few hours in your week
that you could give to help seniors
in your community? Volunteer opportunities may be found by calling the
Wellness Center at 972-941-7335

or accessing the website at www.
wellnesscenteronline.org. In addition, funding support is also vital for
the programs of the Wellness Center.
Approximately 30% of the annual
budget of the Wellness Center comes
from community support of fundraising activities.
The Wellness Center’s primary fundraiser for 2016 will be Suds-4-Seniors
on Nov. 5, 2016. Join Leu & Peirce
and other supporters of the Wellness
Center from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at
Nine Band Brewery, 9 Prestige Circle, Allen, Texas, for an evening of
fun, music, food, beverages, and
a silent auction. What could be
better than having fun with friends
while raising money to help seniors
maintain their independence? There
are several sponsorship opportunities for those who would like to take
a larger role in supporting the event.
Also, donations of silent auction items
are welcome, and everyone can purchase tickets and come for a relaxing,
fun evening to benefit the seniors in
our community.
If you would like to help support the
programs of the Wellness Center by
participating in Suds-4-Seniors, contact Stephen Hood, Executive Director
of the Wellness Center, at 972-9417335 or through www.suds4seniors.
org, for information regarding sponsorships or to purchase tickets. The
Wellness Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all cash and in-kind donations are tax deductible.
Lori Leu volunteers on the Board for
the Wellness Center and Leu & Peirce
regularly support the Wellness Center
in its fundraising efforts. Join us in
making a difference for the seniors in
our community!

Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, Lauren Olson, and Laura Chavero are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC
located in Plano, Texas. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

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