It's been talked about in the paper, it's been on this board, but what I'd like to know is- isn't a senior center a business, a company someone starts up and NOT a government run operation?
If so, can anyone tell me why I keep seeing articles where people want the city to do something about it, or have some kind of plan to fix the problem?
Admitidally I am young enough not to have to worry about being placed in or choosing to go to one for a while, but I would think those who are effected would try to do something about it themself: as I understad these places are businesses, they get their money because people are there, and they'd have to offer better accomidations to those who are there to compete with other locations.
Is the problem the locations that are here are not treating people well enough, or are there not enough places here for them to have to compete to keep people happy?
Seems to me like there is a bunch of involvement from what in the city might be "Parks and Recreation" and a bunch of social welfare programs that are administered by the city, the hospital, and by other agencies. I think the city is a reasonable "point man" for a senior center where the various programs can be coordinated.
I also hope that what comes out of the discussion on this matter will include a broader role for the seniors of this community. It currently seems limited in its ability to involve the majority of the seniors in Oak Ridge.
AtomicSoul, correct me if I'm mistaken, but it seems like you're thinking of a Senior Center perhaps in terms of a nursing home or other residential facility. That's not what people are talking about, though. The senior center (as it currently exists, and probably will exist in the future) is sort of like a civic center, but for seniors.
In addition to the same kinds of recreational facilities you'd find at the Civic Center -- pool tables, card games, library -- they also serve some meals, serve as a point of delivery for services like blood pressure checks and such, as well as meeting rooms so that people can come in and tell them who to vote for to get more stuff.
Sorry. That last comment seems snarky, but there's a little bit of truth to it.
The real dilemma is not whether there is a need for a senior center, but whether we can and should buy or build a new facility for them. It's in leased space now; it was formerly housed in the old Wildcat Den (Midtown Community Center). I attended a party at the old facility just last weekend, and I don't see why that couldn't be used as a senior center again. The City sold it for $1; they should buy it back for $1.50 and be done with the problem.
" The city sold it for $1; they should buy it back for $1.50 and be done with the problem."
BULLSEYE NM..... But that would be too simple a solution for our city goverment..... Oh well, one can only try.
"But that would be too simple a solution for our city goverment....."
And I probably wouldn't make our current cabal of seniors happy either. I sounds to me like these folks want what they want and they couldn't care less how it is going to be paid for. It also sounds like they want a new building built in the park on the west side of the civic center.
That land needs to be left alone. As it is.
Thanks NM- that clears up ALOT of my misunderstandings! But there is one thing though... shouldn't EVERY nursing home (etc) be a "Senior Center"? Shouldn't such places offer these ameneties anyhow?
(Sort of how you go to most hotels- you expect them to have a pool, small gym, etc. to make "customers" happy.)
On the Midtown Community Center: the city was planning on tearing it down, they sold it to the ORHPA who wanted to save it as a historical site. As to it becomming a Senior Center, i'm not sure.
Isn't someone planning a "Senior Center" as NM says around the golf course, or would that only be for the seniors who want to pay $200-$300K for a home around it?
Yes, someone is planning an upscale retirement village with lots of amenities. My planning commissioner told me that they're actually planning on constructing the amenities first, to increase interest in the condos.
But the current senior center serves a different population, I think. Mostly, it's those who can't afford to pursue traditional recreational activities (because those who can, do). Yet, it's not for those who are already in nursing homes or assisted living, because as you point out, those facilities already have such amenities.
It seems that there are two groups: one, possibly younger and more active, wants an air-conditioned dance hall. That's been a big complaint about their present space. The other tends to be older and less active; they want a place to socialize and receive meals and services.
But your comment ("shouldn't EVERY nursing home (etc) be a "Senior Center"? Shouldn't such places offer these ameneties anyhow? ") does provoke a thought: if any or all of the nursing homes offered space for social activities and invited non-residents, wouldn't that be really good marketing for future customers?
Not when the prospects get to see the inner workings of their "future" before they are involuntarily committed to it anyway...
Not when the prospects get to see the inner workings of their "future" before they are involuntarily committed to it anyway...
I agree. Every nursing home I've been to has been a sad and scary place, smelling like stale urine and bleach, not to mention the shells of once vibrant human beings either wandering aimlessly around or confined to their beds. I would think that active seniors want a place to socialize, etc. where they can find some refuge from their troubles... not a place that would continually remind them of their possible lonely, dismal future.
Opus it sounds like you haven't ever had a chance to visit NHC at Cavett Hill.
http://www.nhcfarragut.com/
My mom recently stayed there for a couple of weeks following a knee replacement surgery. The facility is beautiful and the staff is outstanding. Not one single disappointing issue during her stay. (That is nearly impossible) This place was awesome. It's not cheap, but it definitely breaks the stereotype for the horrifying nursing home.