Newcomers Guide 2023 | Page 32

Just for Seniors

Cherokee County offers many resources to help senior citizens with certain wants and needs . Some of these amenities allow retirees to improve their health , have fun , or volunteer and help out in the community .

Day Centers
The Hulbert Senior Citizen Center offers retirees a chance to participate in social events and gatherings . At 401 E . Main St ., the Eastern Oklahoma Development District nutrition program serves patrons ’ lunch every day . For more information , call 918-772-2077 .
The long-term care facility , Cherokee Elder Care , is an option for elders who are 55 years old and older . Those needing care do not have to be of Native American descent to qualify . The day center is at 1387 W . Fourth St . and is open from 8 a . m . -5 p . m . Monday through Friday .
CEC is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly , which is based on the On Lok program in San Francisco . The center combines the services of a rehabilitation facility , primary care office , and adult day health center by offering primary care , prescription medication , rehabilitation , meals and nutritional counseling , caregiver training , respite services , transposition , and home health services . For more information , call 918-453-5554 or email eldercare . cherokee . org .
The Tahlequah Senior Citizens Center is open from 5 a . m . -3 p . m . Monday through Friday and is at 230 E . First St . The center offers a plethora of events and activities and allows community members to partake in social ventures .
Some activities patrons can join in on include card games , dominoes , billiards , ceramics , and various exercises . A birthday celebration occurs each month at the day center , as well as a weekly social dance with a live band on Fridays .
Another accommodation is lunch served at 11:30 a . m . each day . For more information , call 918-456-0792 .
Improvement Opportunities
In Tahlequah and the surrounding area , there are resources and options to make both physical and mental improvements .
Physical development can be obtained by participating in physical fitness activities at the Northeastern State University Wellness Center , such as Zumba and yoga . The center is open from Monday through Friday 5 a . m . -9 p . m . and Saturday from 8 a . m . - 6 p . m . For those who like to swim , the pool is open from Monday through Friday from 7 a . m . -7 p . m . and Saturday from 11 a . m . -5 p . m .
Walking trails are also offered in various spots around Hulbert and Tahlequah . The Cherokee Nation Male Seminary Recreation Center can be a place to take physical fitness classes . For more information on the various classes and meeting dates , go to www . cherokeepublichealth . org .
Mental improvements can be made by attending local library programs at the Tahlequah Public Library at 120 S . College Ave ., or the Hulbert Community Library at 210 S . Broadway . These buildings offer workshops and activities for all ages and have meeting spaces for clubs and organizations in the community .
Individuals can also enroll in classes through NSU Continuing Education at www . nsuok . edu / ce . They can also enroll in classes at the Indian Capital Technology Center at www . ictctech . com , where they offer courses to help senior citizens learn how to use their computers and smartphones .
32 Newcomers Guide 2023 | Tahlequah Daily Press
The Foster Grandparent program , which is run through the Senior Corp and KiBois , helps children living with special needs . Those 55 years old and older are able to help organizations in the area , which include Head Start centers , faith-based groups , and other youth facilities .
Foster Grandparents help these children in multiple ways , such as helping to guide them , teaching them how to read , and being a tutor . Workers for this program will receive a taxfree stipend , 15-40 hours of work , an annual physical , a meal on the days they work , monthly training , travel reimbursements , and about 40 hours of orientation . Those working get $ 3.15 an hour , but after April 1 , 2023 the pay will be increased to $ 4 .
The tax-free stipend will not impact the eligibility for Social Security and other benefit programs for workers . For more information , call 918-441- 0089 .
Tribal Services
The UKB Human Services Department is at 18300 W . Keetoowah Circle . The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a . m . -5 p . m . Services provided include burial
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34