Newcomers Guide 2022 | Page 32

Just For Seniors

M any throughout the country come to Cherokee County to enjoy retirement . The area offers numerous resources for senior citizens , including opportunities to volunteer , have fun , and improve health . Some hours and services may be truncated due to COVID-19 protocols .

Day Centers
Tahlequah Senior Citizens Center , 230 E . First St ., provides a variety of activities for elders during the weekdays . It ’ s open in the morning , and community members can enjoy social time , as well as billiards , ceramics
, exercise , card games and dominoes . Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a . m ., and a birthday celebration happens each month . A social dance with a live band is held each Friday night . For more information , call 918- 456-0792 .
Hulbert Senior Citizen Center , 401 E . Main St . is the site of numerous events and gatherings . Lunch is served daily as part of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District nutrition program . Call 918-772-2077 for more information .
Cherokee Elder Care , 1387 W . Fourth St ., is a longterm care option for those 55 and over . Individuals do not have to be Native American
to qualify . A part of the Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly , the day center combines the services of an adult day health center , primary care office , and rehabilitation facility into a single location . Services include primary care , rehabilitation , prescription medication , meals and nutritional counseling , respite services , caregiver training , home health , and transportation . For information , call 918-453-5554 or email eldercare @ cherokee . org .
Improvement Opportunities
Through the Senior Corps and KiBois , the Foster Grandparents program allows those ages 55 and older to help children with special needs . Foster Grandparents assist in local organizations , including faith-based groups , Head Start centers , schools , and other youth facilities . They help children learn to read , provide oneon-one tutoring , and guide children at a critical time in their lives . Foster Grandparents work 15-40 hours a week , and receive a tax-free stipend that does not affect eligibility for other benefit programs such as Social Security . They also receive a meal on the days they serve , a yearly physical exam , monthly training , 40 hours of orientation , and are reimbursed for travel . For information , call 855-423-0916 .
Physical fitness classes and opportunities are available by taking advantage of walking trails in Tahlequah and Hulbert ; at the NSU Wellness Center , offices . nsuok . edu / fitnesscenter ; Cherokee
Nation Male Seminary Recreation Center , cherokeepublichealth . org / msrcgym ; or Tahlequatics on West Allen Road .
Those looking to stay mentally sharp can attend library programs or enroll in a class through NSU Continuing Education , nsuok . edu / ce , or Indian Capital Technology Center , www . ictctech . com . ICTC offers a number of classes to help seniors to better learn their smartphones and computers .
Tahlequah Public Library , 120 S . College Ave ., and Hulbert Community Library , 210 S . Broadway , offer activities and workshops , as well as meeting spaces for community clubs and organizations .
Tribal Services
Cherokee Nation Human Services offers many programs : Burial assistance ; caregiver program ; Elders in Need ; food distribution ; Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program ; and Veterans Center . Call 918-453-5422 for information . Cherokee Nation Home Health Services Inc . is a tribally incorporated nonprofit home health care agency that is Medicare- and Medicaid-certified to provide state-licensed home health to all eligible clients . Call : Home Health , 918-458-6102 ; Home Health Outreach , 918-456- 5051 ; or Hospice , 918-458- 5080 . Other Cherokee Nation Health Services include : Behavioral Health , 918-207- 4977 ; and Cancer Programs , cancer @ cherokee . org .
The UKB Human Services Department is open Monday-Friday , 8:30 a . m . to 5
See SENIORS , page 34
32 - NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2022 TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS